Rifle Scopes Cant see my NF reticle

Yanta61

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 19, 2011
11
0
40
S. Texas
just my luck i finally get all the pieces together for my first long range rifle and now i can't see.... well at least i can't see the np-r1 reticle on my new NF.

when i look through the scope i can see the cross hairs for a split second. once my eye focuses on what I’m looking at the cross hairs disappear. going to make an appointment with the eye doctor today.

anyone else ever had this happen
AY
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

Make sure the reticle is focused for your eye. That's done by loosening the Ocular lock ring and turning the Ocular lens assembly until the reticle in in sharp focus. When done, lock it down and don't touch it.

Remember when focusing the reticle, it's best to look at the clear blue sky (nothing to focus on other than the reticle) and only look for a few seconds at a time, while you adjust. Refer to your OM for additional instructions.

If you still can't see it, then maybe you need glasses.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

You need to adj the ocular end of the scope according to the directions. It may take a while to get it right. Just be patient. I doubt there is anything wrong w/the scope. It is a fine reticle and some people don't like it for that reason but I think you can get it to work for you. You'll love it once you get the bugs worked out!
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

I've given NF an honest try and no matter how much adjusting, they just don't work for me.

Yanta61 --- Hopefully what these other guys have commented on will help you.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: buffybuster</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If you still can't see it, then maybe you need glasses. </div></div>

LOL... i already have glasses. i haven't had my eye check in a while so i figure that maybe my eyes changed over the years and i need new glasses.

i'll read the manual again and will try to focus the ocular lens.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

Ya, what they said. That reticle is really thin and difficult to get a focused properly.

I screwed my ocular out almost all the wa so it was good and fuzzy and worked from there.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

Max power point the scope at the sky, paralax at infinty, adjust the ocular until the reticle is crisp and clear, now look away or close your eyes, I perfer to look away for a minute or two, now do it again, if the reticle is crisp and clear lock the ocular in place, if not repeat the process until it is crisp and clear, we want the scope focused to our eyes not our eyes focused to the scope
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

Your scope is broke. Ill give you $200
smile.gif


But really, what everyone is saying you need to do.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

That issue is usually only at 100 yards on paper. Especially as your eye fatigues from concentrating. Once you move out past 100 yards it usually isn't a problem anymore.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Yanta61</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: buffybuster</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If you still can't see it, then maybe you need glasses. </div></div>

LOL... i already have glasses. i haven't had my eye check in a while so i figure that maybe my eyes changed over the years and i need new glasses.

i'll read the manual again and will try to focus the ocular lens. </div></div>

You are looking through the wrong end ! Turn it around
laugh.gif
laugh.gif
laugh.gif
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

I also have the same issue with my NF 5.5-22x56 NP-R1. When I am shooting closer than about 40 yards, the reticle will start getting blurry. The closer I am to the target, the worse it is. I have adjusted my scope 10 times over with the ocular and paralax to no avail. Once you get past 40 or more yards, it is in perfect focus. I just live with this issue, since 99% of my shooting is much further than 40 yards.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJ.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
You are looking through the wrong end ! Turn it around
laugh.gif
laugh.gif
laugh.gif
</div></div>

That fixed it!!!!! well not really i wish thats what the problem was.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also have the same issue with my NF 5.5-22x56 NP-R1. When I am shooting closer than about 40 yards, the reticle will start getting blurry. The closer I am to the target, the worse it is. I have adjusted my scope 10 times over with the ocular and paralax to no avail. Once you get past 40 or more yards, it is in perfect focus. I just live with this issue, since 99% of my shooting is much further than 40 yards. </div></div>


This seems to be the issue....once i look out further i can see the cross hairs. my eye still wants to fade out the crosshairs but not as bad. I’m still going to get my eyes check out.

thanks
AY
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also have the same issue with my NF 5.5-22x56 NP-R1. When I am shooting closer than about 40 yards, the reticle will start getting blurry. The closer I am to the target, the worse it is. I have adjusted my scope 10 times over with the ocular and paralax to no avail. Once you get past 40 or more yards, it is in perfect focus. I just live with this issue, since 99% of my shooting is much further than 40 yards. </div></div>

Unless you've got it mounted on a bow or a 22 I wouldn't think this would matter much. I can't remember the last time I shot less than 100 yds.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 3rdgss</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also have the same issue with my NF 5.5-22x56 NP-R1. When I am shooting closer than about 40 yards, the reticle will start getting blurry. The closer I am to the target, the worse it is. I have adjusted my scope 10 times over with the ocular and paralax to no avail. Once you get past 40 or more yards, it is in perfect focus. I just live with this issue, since 99% of my shooting is much further than 40 yards. </div></div>

Unless you've got it mounted on a bow or a 22 I wouldn't think this would matter much. I can't remember the last time I shot less than 100 yds. </div></div>
The only time it kicks my ass is when a competition has a shot between 10-20 yards, and sometimes at this distance at night. It takes me a few extra seconds to find the cross hairs, or the blurr of them, I should say.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GardDog223</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Removing the sunshade helped me.</div></div>

I'll have to try this!
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

This is the one of the only complaints I've seen with NF and the other is from the range ninja's that are mad because they can't use POS BC flip ups because of the rotating occular. Every one of these complaints I've seen was because the person didn't bother reading the manual and focusing the scope properly. If you follow the instructions 427cobra posted up you'll get your reticle properly focused.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Max power point the scope at the sky, paralax at infinty, adjust the ocular until the reticle is crisp and clear, now look away or close your eyes, I perfer to look away for a minute or two, now do it again, if the reticle is crisp and clear lock the ocular in place, if not repeat the process until it is crisp and clear, we want the scope focused to our eyes not our eyes focused to the scope </div></div>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also have the same issue with my NF 5.5-22x56 NP-R1. When I am shooting closer than about 40 yards, the reticle will start getting blurry. The closer I am to the target, the worse it is. I have adjusted my scope 10 times over with the ocular and paralax to no avail. Once you get past 40 or more yards, it is in perfect focus. I just live with this issue, since 99% of my shooting is much further than 40 yards. </div></div>

This isn't a issue with the scope. It says right in the manual the scope only focuses down to 50 yards, so yes your going to start to lose your reticle when you get below the minimum parralax setting. If anything consider yourself lucky you can focus in 10 yards less than what specs are.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 3rdgss</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also have the same issue with my NF 5.5-22x56 NP-R1. When I am shooting closer than about 40 yards, the reticle will start getting blurry. The closer I am to the target, the worse it is. I have adjusted my scope 10 times over with the ocular and paralax to no avail. Once you get past 40 or more yards, it is in perfect focus. I just live with this issue, since 99% of my shooting is much further than 40 yards. </div></div>

Unless you've got it mounted on a bow or a 22 I wouldn't think this would matter much. I can't remember the last time I shot less than 100 yds. </div></div>
The only time it kicks my ass is when a competition has a shot between 10-20 yards, and sometimes at this distance at night. It takes me a few extra seconds to find the cross hairs, or the blurr of them, I should say. </div></div>


Yah, how the hell do they expect me to shoot zombies coming through my closet at night - NF is a shitty scope
frown.gif
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

I amnot one to buy bad stuff, but I hate to see a fellow hide member shooting something that is broke so I will give ya $300.00 for the scope as is, it will fit good on my Daisy BB gun LOL
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

It may say 50 yd minimum in the manual, but that also may be different for different people's vision. Mine vision is pretty awful (uncorrected), but I had no problem with focus (image or reticle) for either my 3.5-15x50 or 5.5-22x50 set on the lowest mag during an initial sight-in at a 25 yd indoor range. I agree that image clarity gets better at 50 yd and beyond, but it sounds like that's not the only issue here. The reticles on my scopes are both MLR, which if anything, are much finer than the NP-R1.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Yanta61</div><div class="ubbcode-body">just my luck i finally get all the pieces together for my first long range rifle and now i can't see.... well at least i can't see the np-r1 reticle on my new NF.

when i look through the scope i can see the cross hairs for a split second. once my eye focuses on what I’m looking at the cross hairs disappear. going to make an appointment with the eye doctor today.

anyone else ever had this happen
AY </div></div>

I had it happen. Scope wasn't focussed. Read manual on how to adjust focus by turning the ocular bell.

-David
Edgewood, NM
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

Yanta, which Nightforce do you have? I didn't see you make mention of adjusting the parallax. Do you have the 2.5-10X32 or something bigger.

I have a few Nightforce scopes and haven't had this problem with any of them. I will say that my eye sight is well on its way out and it does take a bit of doing to get the scopes setup right for my eyes.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

it’s the 5.5-22 x 56mm. i have adjusted the ocular lens as stated above and the crosshairs still seem to disappear. I’m pretty sure it’s just my eyes.

i have adjusted the Parallax knob and i can't see any change when i turn the knob
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

I have 2 NF scopes, and just ordered a third this week. My original older NP-R2 does not have the blurry reticle close in, I can see it fine. The newer NP-R1 has this issue. I am fully aware on how to adjust the scope and focus the reticle. This one I have tried with no luck. If this is the only "problem" I have with a NF, I am 100% ok with that. Like I said, I just bought my third NF! It's tis THE best scope on the market for the money.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Yanta61</div><div class="ubbcode-body">it’s the 5.5-22 x 56mm. i have adjusted the ocular lens as stated above and the crosshairs still seem to disappear. I’m pretty sure it’s just my eyes.

i have adjusted the Parallax knob and i can't see any change when i turn the knob </div></div>

My wife says the crosshairs will disappear on her on one particular range we shoot. It will happen to me a little with the early sun low on the horizon. I ordered an ARD to see if it helps.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Yanta61</div><div class="ubbcode-body">just my luck i finally get all the pieces together for my first long range rifle and now i can't see.... well at least i can't see the np-r1 reticle on my new NF.

when i look through the scope i can see the cross hairs for a split second. once my eye focuses on what I’m looking at the cross hairs disappear. going to make an appointment with the eye doctor today.

anyone else ever had this happen
AY </div></div>

I had a bit of trouble at first and found the best way to focus the reticle is the paper towel and bright light method (worked best for me). Double up a paper towel and cover your objective lens with it securing it with a rubber band or wife's hairband. Point a bright light at the objective lens, I used a spotlight, and follow the instructions from there. Remember the reticle should appear crisp,defined and dark at first glance, don't stare at it too long or your eyes will adjust..
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

That reticle has lines that subtend half of what the P4F does at 100 yards. It shouldn't be a surprise that people are losing it in the sight picture. Sending it back to Nightforce or adjusting the shit out of it isn't going to fix the problem. It's just too thin for some peoples eyes.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ~Ace~</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mine go Bye Bye all the time, in some conditions I just can NOT see it. Drives me Apeshit. I now have 3 of them and all 3 do the same. </div></div>

So....youre a pretty slow learner huh??
grin.gif
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

If you havn't done this yet let some of your buddies look through the scope to see if they are having the same issues you are having and try to adjust it for their eyes to see if you can get tuned for their vision... Process of elimination
If all of your buddies have poor vision then re-think that one.
Find someone that has good vision to rule out you as being the issue.
....SmokeRolls
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Quickdraw40</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Yanta61</div><div class="ubbcode-body">it’s the 5.5-22 x 56mm. i have adjusted the ocular lens as stated above and the crosshairs still seem to disappear. I’m pretty sure it’s just my eyes.

i have adjusted the Parallax knob and i can't see any change when i turn the knob </div></div>

My wife says the crosshairs will disappear on her on one particular range we shoot. It will happen to me a little with the early sun low on the horizon. I ordered an ARD to see if it helps. </div></div>

Where I live (Texas) the summer sun is so bright even with a sunshade I was never able to stop it from "disappearing" on really bright days.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

Guys,

I'm reading these posts and wondering what's going on here.
I've been using N/F for 11 years and never have I had these issues. Second, it is a LONG range scope. No disrespecct but if your deer hunting 100 yards or under this is not he scope to use. It is a special purpose scope for long range PRECISION shooting that is why the reticle is very thin on the NPR1. At 1000 yards and ONE mile I can still quarter a clay bird and see all four pieces. I've never had a problem seeing a reticle on a N/F in any situation. 5.5-22 8-32 and 12 -42 have always worked great for me. I have 3 5.5-22X56 and all have the NPR-1 and none of this happens to me. I have no issue seeing the reticle and target focused together at 50 yards. But I dont shoot 50 yards but every so often anyways for a reason. Again, these are long range scopes but on 5.5 power I can drive tacks at 50 yards over and over again.
In all fairness to the VERY thin NPR-1 reticle it is the very best on the market for precision shooting. Only after looking through a NPR-1 all day and for years at tiny targets out to one mile can you appreciate it's reason for it's design.
Less sight clutter for those every so often slight impacts you could never see with a 2x4 reticle like used to be in the USO's and S&B. Yes, S&B finally wised up on this for a reason.
I absolutely guarantee if you spent one day here with us shooting 12"x 12" targets from 178 yards to 1650 you would look at this is a different way.
In no way am I direspecting anyone elses views or experience with these reticles. I'm just trying to shed some light on why these are very fine reticles and the importance of the design on those who DON'T know. I could go on and on as to why but showing you would be easier. Nothing beats hands on.
N/F 2.5-10 and 3.5-15 would be a great choice for deer hunters shooting from 35 yards to 600 and 35 yards to 1000 plus.
There are lots of high quality scopes on the market today but very few have the VERY fine reticle qualitys of the NPR-1.
Just ask any counter sniper. When you have to pick a very small spot to shoot through or a button on a shirt..this is the ticket.
Anyone having issues with their scope please contact me by PM or phone or on here/HIDE and I will try to help out as much as I can.
You deserve to get the most out of a scope you spend hard earned cash on. Just adjust it and your on your way but keep in mind if you have a 5.5-22 or larger it is a LONG range scope designed for PRECISION shooting. It is a tool and if you have ever busted your knuckles wrenching on something you know what I'm talking about. Pick the right tool for the job and you wont be let down...or pissed off..lol.

Good luck!
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

Sir,

You made a great point here. The R1 is half the thickness of the P4F. That's why at 1000 yards you can quarter a clay bird and see it break when the bullet hits it. P4F is a good reticle put it is an "area" shooting reticle not a precision reticle. At 1000 yards the P4F will completely cover the clay bird and you can't see it at all.
Shooters,
Lets not forget, the words precision and sniper are not related. Most all sniping and training is AREA shooting..not precision shooting. There is a huge difference in the two.
Also, what most of you are forgetting is bad stuff happens at night too. So if you are running a PVS27 and have to engage targets out to 800 yards in complete darkness then once again the NPR-1 wins over the P4F. Now turn on the IR and you again will appreciate the thin R1.
As for loosing sight picture even under full recoil of a .260 rem or .300 Hulk I have no issues with loosing my sight picture. The reticle never leaves the 12"x 12" target and you can see the bullet smack the steel.
As Dark Horse says, don't bother sending it back to N/F.
Learn to use it or sell it and get a bigger thicker reticle. But don't expect to see what your shooting at or the hole appear through or on the target before your very eyes.
All the different models of scopes and reticles have a reason for their design. Learn how to use them to your advantage. If they are not working then your not needing them for your application. Simply switch them out and get what works. That's like the guys you see driving around in 3/4 ton pick ups that never haul anything and they complain about the gas mileage.
That's why I drive a Chevette...lol.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tom Sarver</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Just ask any counter sniper. When you have to pick a very small spot to shoot through or a button on a shirt..</div></div>

Not if that counter sniper is Police and likely shooting at under 100 yds. Could present an issue.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tom Sarver</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lets not forget, the words precision and sniper are not related. Most all sniping and training is AREA shooting..not precision shooting. There is a huge difference in the two.</div></div>

Huh!?? You seem to only be referencing Military sniping. Police sniping is ALL about precision. So that particular reticle is nearly un-usable to 1/2 the sniping community given that the average police engagement is 51 yards.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

A true police sniper wont be using a 5.5-22 or 8-32.
A 2.5-10 or 3.5-15 would be a great choice. And with either of these you can focus in on a button on a shirt or a bad guys eye ball at 35 yards. Regardless my point is the fine reticle is necessary to get the job done in many ways and many reasons. As for the true counter sniper they are few and far between. Since we train and have NTOA and OTAO snipers train here we kinda know what works and what doesn't and what distances they shoot. And the old school BS of training to 100 yards is prehistoric and is going to change VERY soon. But that is an entirely new subject.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

I second that police sniping avg is about 50 yds urban areas! I was talking to my friend on the MPD, he's a swat sniper for them - they use a max of 10x leupold on their remmy700's so they can see a wider range when zoomed out but enough to zoom in on the "spot".
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

HUH???

Please don't mistake me for someone who hasn't clue.
Lets compare apples to apples please. The reticle WILL work for LE just fine on the CORRECT power. I'm not confusing anything and believe me I think I know what precision is.
So before this turns into a pissing match read again what I said. If for one minute you think a NPR-1 will not work just as well as any other reticle out there that tells me someone is not using the correct power or focus options. A LE sniper should have his scope SET/FOCUS at 100 yards and in if that's the case.
We train LE snipers and supply and modify their gear. We have seen and know very well their skill levels and this is (most) not all. We shoot 35 yards out to 600 in our training program here for LE and others. And the NPR reticles work just fine.
Hey..I could care less what you use or anyone else but to say the NPR doesn't work is not correct. And believe I know a little about what works and what doesn't.
And police sniping is supposed to be all about precision but it is not. Where do you want me to start with this? I wont bother because I all ready know. That's why we do what we do.
When you say POLICE your meaning EVERY SRT Sniper out there and that's a fantasy. LE are some of my favorite folks to work with because most of them appreciate the fact that they find out after spending a day here that the word precision is not Savage 110 or rem 700PSS with 168 ammo. Yes, those tools WORK but they are not precision. LE sniping is more than just precision. It's about dependability and ruggedness.
My original post to this thread was geared toward the use of the NPR-1 on a long range rifle and the importance of a very fine reticle compared to a thicker being used in other quailty optics. Both work, each has it's advantages but only one is built for true precision.
 
Re: Cant see my NF reticle

Hey I'll 3rd that. We are not talking about how far they shoot guys we are talking baout what will work in that situation. I know how far they shoot on average and most 12 year boys know that simple knowledge too. Point is what if they HAVE to shoot further? That's the problem MOST LE shooters are training for "average". What if they go up against and "above" average guy who has a bad day? Hmm..we already know the answer don't we. Again, apples to apples. If you are a LE sniper and all you have is a 3.5-15 or 5.5-22 then turn your power/TRAIN at a certain power for you AVERAGE shot you will be taking. SIMPLY adjust or know how to focus your scope for UP CLOSE work because guess what you CAN. And if you are taking a 35 yard shot it shouldn't matter much anyway. 2.5 should work great on the bad guys melon. And again, we know what they use on their rifles. That's a given. But do they know how to use what they are using...that's the question.
To sum it up if you are a LE sniper and wear the title, you should be training from 35 yards to 600 yards...or at least 300. If not, your WAY behind times and you will fail when that time comes. And that time will come for alot lesser trained men. It's called being well rounded. I have a perfect example if you need it.