ARKEN Optics EP-8 1-8x28 FFP LPVO with KLGRID Reticle: Speed Up Close, Precision at Distance

Originally published on Roberts Bushcraft, this review by Curry Roberts examines the ARKEN Optics EP-8 1-8x28 FFP LPVO with the KLGRID reticle, covering its design, specifications, and intended applications. We thank Curry Roberts for sharing his insights and evaluation of the EP-8.

The Low Power Variable Optic, or LPVO, has become one of the most versatile optic choices available for a modern rifle. At low magnification, an LPVO can provide the wide field of view and fast target acquisition needed for close-range shooting. Increase the magnification, and the same optic can provide the precision necessary for targets much farther downrange.

The ARKEN Optics EP-8 1-8x28 FFP LPVO is designed around exactly that concept. With magnification ranging from 1x to 8x, a 34 mm main tube, Japanese ED glass, first-focal-plane construction, red illumination, and ARKEN’s MIL-based KLGRID reticle, the EP-8 is intended to bridge the gap between close-range speed and more deliberate precision shooting.

The current EP-8 bundle also includes ARKEN’s 34 mm Rigid Precision Mount, making this more than simply a scope in a box.

ARKEN EP-8 1-8x28 LPVO: One Optic for Multiple Distances

The EP-8 provides a 1-8x magnification range through a 28 mm objective lens.

At 1x, the optic is intended for rapid target acquisition and shooting with both eyes open. ARKEN specifies a field of view of 121.15 feet at 100 yards at the low end of the magnification range.

Turning the magnification up to 8x narrows the field of view to 14.56 feet at 100 yards, but provides considerably more magnification for identifying and engaging smaller or more distant targets.

That wide magnification range is what makes an LPVO such an attractive option for a general-purpose rifle. Instead of choosing between a close-range optic and a conventional magnified scope, the shooter has access to both ends of the spectrum without changing optics.

The EP-8 measures approximately 10.3 inches long, weighs 21 ounces before the mount is included, and provides approximately 3.7 inches of eye relief.

First Focal Plane (FFP): How the EP-8 Reticle Works

The EP-8 is a first-focal-plane, or FFP, optic.

In a first-focal-plane scope, the apparent size of the reticle changes as magnification changes. As magnification increases, the reticle grows along with the image. Because the relationship between the reticle and target remains consistent, the MIL measurements in the reticle remain useful throughout the magnification range.

At low magnification, the KLGRID reticle is designed to provide an easily identified central aiming reference. As magnification increases, the finer details of the reticle become increasingly visible and useful.

That is particularly important with a reticle as capable as the KLGRID.

The KLGRID Reticle: A MIL-Based Holdover System

The biggest distinction between this version of the EP-8 and the original KLBOX model is the reticle.

The KLGRID is a MIL-based Christmas-tree-style reticle intended to provide elevation and windage references directly within the field of view.

Rather than relying on a Bullet Drop Compensating, or BDC, reticle designed around a particular ballistic profile, the KLGRID provides measurements in MILs. That allows the shooter to develop holds appropriate for a specific rifle, cartridge, bullet, velocity, zero, and environmental conditions.

The KLGRID incorporates 0.5 MIL subtensions along with a 0.12 MIL floating center dot. The reticle extends into a comprehensive holdover grid that allows elevation and wind corrections to be applied without necessarily dialing the turrets.

This is one of the major advantages of the KLGRID over a caliber-oriented BDC system. The reticle itself is not limited to one particular cartridge or predetermined trajectory. Once the shooter knows the ballistic data for the rifle and ammunition being used, those corrections can be translated into MIL holds.

That makes the KLGRID particularly interesting for shooters who use different ammunition, different rifles, or simply prefer a standardized angular measurement system rather than predetermined BDC references.

How the KLGRID Reticle Changes with Magnification

At 1x, too much reticle detail can become a disadvantage. An overly complicated reticle can make it more difficult for the eye to immediately locate the aiming point.

The first-focal-plane design allows the KLGRID to address this problem by making the reticle appear comparatively small at low magnification.

Increase the scope toward 8x, and the reticle grows with the target image. The 0.5 MIL references and Christmas-tree-style holdover structure become much easier to see and use.

The concept is straightforward: speed at low magnification and information at higher magnification.

For shooters accustomed to MIL-based precision optics, the KLGRID also creates a familiar relationship between the reticle and the turrets.

MIL Turrets and Adjustment Range

The KLGRID version of the EP-8 uses 0.1 MIL turret adjustments.

Each full turret revolution provides 10 MILs of adjustment, and ARKEN specifies a total internal adjustment range of 30 MILs for elevation and 30 MILs for windage.

The turrets are capped rather than exposed.

That design makes sense for an LPVO built around a holdover reticle. Once the rifle has been zeroed, the caps help protect the turrets from unintended movement while the shooter can use the KLGRID for many elevation and windage corrections.

The EP-8 1-8x28 does not incorporate a zero stop.

Parallax is specified at 100 yards.

Japanese ED Glass: Optical Design of the EP-8 1-8x28 LPVO

ARKEN equips the EP-8 1-8x28 FFP with Japanese Extra-Low Dispersion, or J-ED, glass.

ED glass is designed to reduce chromatic aberration, which can appear as colored fringing around high-contrast objects. ARKEN states that its optical system is designed to provide sharp images, accurate color reproduction, and dependable performance throughout the 1-8x magnification range.

The scope uses a 40 mm ocular lens and a 28 mm objective lens inside its 34 mm main tube.

For an LPVO, optical performance is particularly important because the optic is being asked to perform two very different jobs. At 1x, field of view, distortion, eye position, and target acquisition matter tremendously. At 8x, resolution, contrast, and the ability to distinguish fine details become much more important.

Those are areas we will be paying particular attention to during our own testing of the EP-8.

Red Illuminated Reticle and Night-Vision Settings

The KLGRID reticle is illuminated in red and powered by a CR2032 battery.

ARKEN provides nine daylight illumination levels, along with NV1 and NV2 night-vision settings.

Illumination can be particularly valuable at lower magnification, where an illuminated central aiming reference can help draw the eye toward the center of the optic quickly.

How well that illumination performs under intense sunlight, deep shade, woodland conditions, and low light is something best determined in actual field use, and it will be an important part of our evaluation.

34 mm Main Tube, Durability, and Weather Resistance

The EP-8 1-8x28 uses a 34 mm main tube, rather than the 30 mm tube commonly found on many LPVOs.

The larger tube allows the KLGRID version to provide its 30 MIL elevation and windage adjustment range while also creating a substantial housing for the optic.

The scope body is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum with a matte-black finish.

ARKEN rates the EP-8 to IP67 for water and dust resistance and states that the optic is nitrogen-purged for resistance to internal fogging.

ARKEN also rates the EP-8 for .50 BMG recoil and states that the optic was tested to 800 G for 600 impact cycles. Those are manufacturer test specifications rather than independent Roberts Bushcraft test results, but they provide an indication of the level of durability ARKEN designed the optic to withstand.

The EP-8 Bundle Includes a Rigid Precision Mount

One of the most significant parts of the current EP-8 package is that the scope does not arrive by itself.

The bundle includes ARKEN’s ARP-34Z Rigid Precision Mount, a 34 mm, 0-MOA mount.

ARKEN ships the optic installed and leveled in the mount. However, this should not be interpreted to mean that the entire mounting process can simply be ignored.

ARKEN specifically advises owners to verify the level and mounting hardware before use. The company notes that leveling can shift during shipping or handling, that the rings may not necessarily arrive fully torqued, and that thread locker is not applied to the screws at the factory.

Once the optic is attached to the rifle, final leveling and zeroing are still the responsibility of the shooter. ARKEN also recommends checking the mounting hardware again after the first range session.

That is good practice with any newly mounted optic.

What Comes with the ARKEN EP-8 Bundle?

The current package includes the EP-8 already installed in the 34 mm mount, a CR2032 battery, flip-up and tethered lens protection, a user manual, throw lever, battery-cap tool, two turret caps, T25 Torx wrench, lens-cleaning cloth, and ARKEN stickers.

The removable throw lever is an especially useful addition to an LPVO because it provides additional leverage for rapidly moving between the low and high ends of the magnification range.

Including the mount and accessories also means the buyer does not immediately have to begin sourcing several additional components before the optic can be mounted and zeroed.

ARKEN EP-8 1-8x28 KLGRID Specifications

KLGRID vs. KLBOX: Which EP-8 Reticle Is Right for You?

ARKEN currently offers two different reticle options in the EP-8 1-8x28 FFP.

The KLBOX is the MOA version and uses a streamlined BDC-style reticle with predetermined holdover references intended for common 5.56 and 7.62 trajectories.

The KLGRID (the version we have), on the other hand, is the MIL version. Instead of tying the shooter to predetermined BDC references, it provides a 0.5 MIL grid that can be applied according to the actual ballistic performance of the rifle and ammunition.

Neither approach is inherently right for everyone.

A shooter who wants a simple reticle with quickly recognizable BDC references may prefer the KLBOX. A shooter who already works in MILs, wants to calculate his own holds, uses several ammunition loads, or wants more detailed elevation and windage references may find the KLGRID much more useful.

For our purposes, the KLGRID is the version we are evaluating.

Is the ARKEN EP-8 KLGRID Right for You?

The EP-8 KLGRID occupies an interesting position.

At 1x, it is designed to function as a fast, close-range sighting system. At 8x, it provides considerably more magnification for target identification and precision. Between those two extremes, the first-focal-plane KLGRID gives the shooter a MIL-based system for making repeatable elevation and windage holds.

That combination makes it relevant to general-purpose carbines, competition rifles, range rifles, and other applications where the shooter may encounter targets at dramatically different distances.

It is not an ultralight optic. At 21 ounces before adding the mount, weight should be considered when planning the complete rifle.

It is also not a substitute for understanding your rifle's trajectory. A MIL reticle becomes most useful when the shooter knows the actual ballistic performance of the rifle and ammunition being used.

Putting the EP-8 1-8x28 FFP to Work: What We Still Need to Test

Specifications can tell us what an optic is designed to do. They cannot tell us everything about what it is actually like to use.

We want to know how usable the EP-8 really is at 1x. We want to see how forgiving the eyebox remains as magnification increases, how clear the Japanese ED glass is at 8x, how visible the illumination is under bright daylight, how well the KLGRID works from behind the rifle, and whether the optic maintains zero through actual range and field use.

Those are the questions that matter after the specifications have been read and the rifle leaves the workbench.

On paper, however, the ARKEN Optics EP-8 1-8x28 FFP LPVO with the KLGRID reticle brings together an unusually broad set of features: first-focal-plane construction, a true 1-8x magnification range, MIL turrets, a detailed MIL holdover grid, Japanese ED glass, a 34 mm tube, red illumination, and an included 34 mm scope mount.

Now it is time to get behind it and see how those features translate into actual performance.

For current pricing, availability, and complete product information, visit ARKEN Optics USA and select the MIL / KLGRID version of the EP-8 1-8x28 FFP LPVO.