What is the quality of Nightforce these days?

[Dirtlaw]

I believe the standard used to be high and then it dropped. Where are their optics currently?

[smoothy8500]

used to be high and then it dropped.

Based on what?

If you're comparing their SHV to the ATACR or Competition scopes, the SHV is their "budget" line similar to Vortex stuff. So can't really use that as a determining factor.

[Dirtlaw]

Based on what?

If you're comparing their SHV to the ATACR or Competition scopes, the SHV is their "budget" line similar to Vortex stuff. So can't really use that as a determining factor.

Helpful but give me more info. Interested as to how the SHV line compares to Leupold and Vortex.

[sacrvrrat]

[tsmithson]

[Dirtlaw]

Thanks guys the issue is starting to get into focus so I'm in the process of making choices. Part of this issue for me is illumination. For me it's hugely helpful.

[the_tunaman]

I’ve got an ATACR which is a few years old now, and it is incredible. No complaints from me.

[Tikka3x]

Thanks guys the issue is starting to get into focus so I'm in the process of making choices. Part of this issue for me is illumination. For me it's hugely helpful.

For what purpose? Budget? I have personally owned Vortex Razors and while heavy, they are almost bulletproof and boringly precise. NF the same but you have to goto their high end 7x35 to match.

Vortex does make some lessor scopes and they are usable but lessor. When people complain about Vortex, its their non Razor line, or they are just talking out of their butts.

If you want top quality (read $$$$) try S&B, or ZCO. Minox would be a close second.

[tsmithson]

[CSACANNONEER]

I have 3 NXSes. One has failed and gone back for warrantee repair. But, every scope will sooner or later fail on a .50 with a brake on it. If I buy another NF, it will be a dedicated 1000 yard scope so, I'll go with a NF BR. I've NEVER heard any complaints about NF quality or even their CS.

[sacrvrrat]

Weight matters, but not as much as reliability. Leupolds are not reliable, especially if you are dialing. Glass quality is way down on the list as well. Any scope in the Nightforce/VX6 range will have good enough glass.


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[ocabj]

If you're going to shell out the money for an ATACR, you should consider ZCO.

I have a pair of ZC527's and I find them to be superb.

If not ZCO because of price, I also recommend the Kahles K525i. I have one with the SKMR3 and left side windage and I also think it's a real solid scope, especially if you get the newer DLR version.

[trailblazer87]

I have both the NF NXS 8-32 and the Leupold VX6 HD 4-24, for toughness the Nightforce hands down, we have them on seriously hard kicking rifles and they hold zero like nothing else. Glass clarity I have to go with the Leupold, God bless that scope, it can see through haze and mirage like nothing else I've seen, but I'm not mounting it on something that recoils like crazy, it's going on a 28 Nosler I'm building. I'm not letting it near my 338 Lapua, the NF happily resides on that rifle. My brother has the same NF on his big 50, the rifle broke 3 scopes before he found the NF. The NXS isn't the clearest glass, but it's not bad at all, just doesn't handle mirage like that Leupold.

I haven't played with the S&B yet, someday.

I have a Leupold VX5 3-15 on my 300 win mag and an AR-10 with no complaints. They have held up well to the rigors of those rifles.

So I'm going to agree with what tsmithson said, that NF is HEAVY! The Leupold not as much, and slightly better in low light.

[Peahi2]

I have 3 NXSes. One has failed and gone back for warrantee repair. But, every scope will sooner or later fail on a .50 with a brake on it. If I buy another NF, it will be a dedicated 1000 yard scope so, I'll go with a NF BR. I've NEVER heard any complaints about NF quality or even their CS.

If you head over to snipers hide, there was a pretty big thread from a year or two back where they gave a guy hell with his defective scope....very long and ugly thread, and it ended up in some settlement, and of course they guy could post no more details on it. It soured a lot of people on Nightforce.

I still like Nightforce, but make no mistake, no company is immune from screwing things up badly. The competition is heavy for nightforce now, so they need to tighten it up. There are so many good scopes out there at price points that are better. They are kind of a middle of the road scope now with Tangent Theta and ZCO being the big dogs. Then there are the Japanese contract manufacturers (LOW) who make scopes for others; Tract Toric for example.

[voiceofreason]

NF makes great quality stuff. I wouldn't get anything that wasn't from the ATACR or NXS lineup. I still have an ATACR 4-16x that is awesome. Glass is good but not great. Accurate and durable.

That said, if you can afford NF and are shooting long range, look into the Vortex Razor G3 6-36x. For $2400 or less it's shockingly good.

Vortex warranty is legit. I'm almost a fanboy because of it. And they pick up the phone when you call. email back when you have ?s.

If it's for duty use LE/mil with a spotter or have other glass for viewing, I'd go NF .

for recreational shooting, I'd go Vortex Razor G3 for long range

Tangent & ZCO are better, but the point of diminishing returns happens before that price point. If you have the $, go for it.