I can’t decide between the ATACR 4-16x50 or the NX8 4-32x50. Both F1 both Milc. It’s be going on a 6.5CM for steel out to 1k and hunting. From what I gather differences are tube size, weight, mag range. Do they use the same glass and turrets? The thing that’s hanging me up on the ATACR is the Magnification range. I usually shoot on 12x but having more would be nice for spotting. I don’t have the money to go any higher up the latter. Thoughts?
Rifle Scopes Choosing between NX8 and ATACR
- Thread starter Adkhunter3
- Start date
I have the 4-16 and it’s an excellent scope.
I use mine for hunting inside 500 yards on my AI
For what your doing I’d recommend something with more power. You can get decent deals on here in the px for the 5-25 ATACR
From my experience so far the 4-16 isn’t an issue shooting but is a bit limited when trying to ID the difference between a doe or 3 inch spike etc (I use mine for crop damage tags where only does can be shot)
If I was using it for hunting further and did not want to bring a spotting scope I would step up on magnification. Same goes for 1k target shooting
I also own an Athlon Cronus BTR and that’s the perfect optic for your needs in my opinion. Bulkier than the ATACR 4-16 but so far has given up nothing in the optic quality and reliability department compared to the ATACR
I actually prefer a few things on the Cronus. The illumination being a knob vs a push button and the magnification ring turns on the Cronus vs the entire eye piece in the ATACR
I have tenebraex caps so they rotate to correct for it but I’d prefer the entire eyepiece not rotate
Edit: I’ve never handled the nx8
I use mine for hunting inside 500 yards on my AI
For what your doing I’d recommend something with more power. You can get decent deals on here in the px for the 5-25 ATACR
From my experience so far the 4-16 isn’t an issue shooting but is a bit limited when trying to ID the difference between a doe or 3 inch spike etc (I use mine for crop damage tags where only does can be shot)
If I was using it for hunting further and did not want to bring a spotting scope I would step up on magnification. Same goes for 1k target shooting
I also own an Athlon Cronus BTR and that’s the perfect optic for your needs in my opinion. Bulkier than the ATACR 4-16 but so far has given up nothing in the optic quality and reliability department compared to the ATACR
I actually prefer a few things on the Cronus. The illumination being a knob vs a push button and the magnification ring turns on the Cronus vs the entire eye piece in the ATACR
I have tenebraex caps so they rotate to correct for it but I’d prefer the entire eyepiece not rotate
Edit: I’ve never handled the nx8
I have a 5-25 ATACR that’s in MILR, I want MILC that’s the main reason for the switch. In the process of selling it (on a different website/ not trying to break any rules on here as I’m new). So I should say I’m familiar with the ATACR. Like you I haven’t dealt with the NX8. I don’t love that the eye piece rotates on the ATACR I’m pretty sure that’s not the case on an NX8 but could be wrong. I dislike having to mess with the scope cap all the time but that’s not a deal breaker. As far as the illumination goes I have excellent eye sight and honestly have only used it maybe 3-4 times over the past couple years.
Ah,
I assumed you hadn’t handled either based on your post. So I’ll just say my post above probably isn’t much help
In a match setting I wouldn't worry about topping out at 16x (more available is nice but I rarely go over that short of a prone stage at longer distance); however, for plinking or shooting groups on steel at 1k I think you may regret not having more.
The idea above regarding watching the post exchange here for a used 5-25 (very near your budget) would be my choice.
The idea above regarding watching the post exchange here for a used 5-25 (very near your budget) would be my choice.
It’s all good, I appreciate any input. poor setup on my partAh,
I assumed you hadn’t handled either based on your post. So I’ll just say my post above probably isn’t much help
16x is plenty for 1,000 yards. I'm typically on 12x - 15x for 1,000 yards. Since hunting is involved, I'd look at the 4-16x42 for the locking elevation turret and weight savings. For typical big game hunting legal light, you won't notice the difference between 42 & 50. If you're shooting at night, the 50mm might be a little better.
Having handled both, and currently owning the ATACR in 4-15 x 50, I much prefer the ACTACR's over the NX series.
I have an ATACR 4-16F1 and no issues on running it at distance. Sure target ID will be different than with the 4-32 but the NX8 isn’t something I’d be interested in when the ATACR line exists. No real reason, as I haven’t handled them, but they just appear to be a budget version of the ATACR.
That said, I used to run my 3-15 NXS F1 at 1k without issue and the glass is nowhere near that of either of my ATACRs. ...and I’d assume that the NX8 glass is better than the NXS F1. So you’d probably be good with either one man. ...but that 4-16 is a solid piece of sexiness.
That said, I used to run my 3-15 NXS F1 at 1k without issue and the glass is nowhere near that of either of my ATACRs. ...and I’d assume that the NX8 glass is better than the NXS F1. So you’d probably be good with either one man. ...but that 4-16 is a solid piece of sexiness.
I would vote 4-16x42 over the x50.. I think it's a better scope with the locking low profile turret, SLIGHTLY less picky parallax.
Between the x42 and NX8, that's a toss up (I have both, had a x50 ATACR).
Build quality and optics goes to ATACR, but the NX8 is no slouch. Having 32x on the top end is really nice for looking at game.
You are correct, the entire ocular doesn't rotate on the NX8 like it does on the ATACR.
I really like them both...
Between the x42 and NX8, that's a toss up (I have both, had a x50 ATACR).
Build quality and optics goes to ATACR, but the NX8 is no slouch. Having 32x on the top end is really nice for looking at game.
You are correct, the entire ocular doesn't rotate on the NX8 like it does on the ATACR.
I really like them both...
There are trade offs. Main one being the eye box on the NX8 but you get the 32x. If you don’t see yourself wanting more than 16x then ATACR. If you really want more magnification then the NX8. The NX8 is a very well rounded scope.
I also decided to try the NX8 4-32x50 on my magnum hunting rifle. I can't really say that there is anything I don't like about it, except maybe if you use the NF throw lever it could interfere with your bolt throw at 32x setting. Eye box to me isn't bad and the ocular does not move when dialing. I feel like it would take some time behind both it and the ATACR to notice much optical difference. Plus for hunting, the 32x is nice to live score or scout animals.
nice! After some more hours with my NX8, I’m ready to purchase another. I’m really liking the mil-c. Might get the next NX8 in Mil-Xt not decided yet though
One real issue on a bolt gun is lever clearance. The lever interferes on the high end of the range. On the 4-32 this isn’t much of a deal because you are almost never going to be using over 25 for a shot. On the 4-16 however, over 13 and you can jam the lever which can be an issue if a quick follow up shit is warranted. And, 13-16, being very useful optical range, the issue is material. You can omit the lever but it’s useful, An alt is to buy a second one and shorten it or use a 3rd party.
On the nx8 series, the 4-32 has 2 advantages over the 2.2-20. First, the eyebox through the range seems better and the bell is longer which lets you use lower rings ( meaning no need to adjust cheek in my case).
And setting it to 32, going to stupid mag as I call it, has a cool factor.
I have the 4-32 on a short barrel fieldcraft in 6.5cm and the 4-16 42 on a 22 vudoo in an X-ray chassis. I sometimes consider swapping them, but the limited mag on the 4-16 is part of what makes it a good trainer.
On the nx8 series, the 4-32 has 2 advantages over the 2.2-20. First, the eyebox through the range seems better and the bell is longer which lets you use lower rings ( meaning no need to adjust cheek in my case).
And setting it to 32, going to stupid mag as I call it, has a cool factor.
I have the 4-32 on a short barrel fieldcraft in 6.5cm and the 4-16 42 on a 22 vudoo in an X-ray chassis. I sometimes consider swapping them, but the limited mag on the 4-16 is part of what makes it a good trainer.
With those two i would get the NX8. I have a few of both, and while the ATACR is sharper and clearer the NX8's aren't bad at all. And yes the NX8 eye box is a bit more touchy it's not that much (when comparing them at the same power) I am running a 4-32 on my long range hunting rig this year.
ATACR all day.
NX8's glass is some of the worst I've seen. Had the 4-32 next to a Steiner T5xi (not exactly known for best glass) and the Steiner blew it out of water.
ATACR glass can hang with the best out there.
NX8's glass is some of the worst I've seen. Had the 4-32 next to a Steiner T5xi (not exactly known for best glass) and the Steiner blew it out of water.
ATACR glass can hang with the best out there.
Touche. I'll say biggest disappointment as opposed to worst glass. I really wanted to like it but it was just a no go.
I actually didn't mind the eyebox too much, I've gotten used to scopes with tight eyeboxes and can deal with it.
Last year I hunted with a 2.5-20 nx8 over a atacr. I own both. The NX8 makes a nice crossover scope. The glass is decent, it is not the same as a ATACR however plenty good for spotting game. I did have to use the illumination in timber since the crosshairs appear finer at lower power (8x vs 4x).
I was going to order a nx8 4-32 for my 300wsm this year, but ran out of time.
I was going to order a nx8 4-32 for my 300wsm this year, but ran out of time.
Not much that I can add that hasn't already been said. I have both mag ranges of the NX8 and I had the 42mm ATACR.
The ATACR is a sweet scope. To me the glass did have a better overall feel than the NX8, but the NX8 is still pretty good. I would love an ATACR with 30mm tube and non- rotating ocular. Those were essentially my beefs with it. A 34mm scope on a hunting rifle (smaller profile barrel) just looks off.
The NX8 does fit that niche between the ATACR and the NXS compact scopes that they make. I think they identified that piece of the market and did a good job at offering a great scope at a price that seems reasonable. It's weaknesses stem from the 8x erector, eyebox and parallax. Are those weaknesses deal breakers, not at all.
The NX8 package offers more to me in what I'm looking for in a hunting scope.
The ATACR is a sweet scope. To me the glass did have a better overall feel than the NX8, but the NX8 is still pretty good. I would love an ATACR with 30mm tube and non- rotating ocular. Those were essentially my beefs with it. A 34mm scope on a hunting rifle (smaller profile barrel) just looks off.
The NX8 does fit that niche between the ATACR and the NXS compact scopes that they make. I think they identified that piece of the market and did a good job at offering a great scope at a price that seems reasonable. It's weaknesses stem from the 8x erector, eyebox and parallax. Are those weaknesses deal breakers, not at all.
The NX8 package offers more to me in what I'm looking for in a hunting scope.
seconded. the low-pro locking turret is very valuable in that setting
The 4-16 atacr is a really really bad ass scope. Super bright at low light on 4x. Good on size and weight. I like the lo-pro locking turret personally. With 16x on the atacr, you can resolve more than 20x on an nx8. I'm not sure about 32x though.
Have both. Love both. Nx8 parallax is more finicky (you have to adjust it more. ). Nx8 is lighter and smaller. Atacr has slightly better glass. Is bigger and more durable.
The 4-16x42 gets my vote as well. The low pro locking elevation turret is much favored to the elevation turret of either the NX8 or 4-16x50 turrets. I’ve got an NX8 and 4-16x42 both on hunting rifles, and I have zero issue shooting well beyond legal light with the 42. IDing critters or studying antlers isn’t an issue either at low light.
I hunt a couple different ways. Sometimes on foot packing through canyons or fields chasing hogs and dogs, and sometimes running around 10-20k acres on side by side chasing dogs. The locking turret is extremely valuable in the second scenario. I’ve spotted many a dog across ravines etc, and didn’t want to take my eye off the dog for fear of losing them in the brush etc. It’s extremely easy to just reach over and make sure the turret is locked, which indicates zero. If not just spin the turret til it locks, and I know it’s zeroed. Then I can Proceed to get into position while keeping my eyes on the target.
