Rifle Scopes Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

#101
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

Asking which scope is better is like asking which car is better, Ford or Mercury, both are made by the same manufacture. I believe it’s more about aesthetics and or one’s preference of reticle over another more then anything else. Very few scope manufactures actually manufacture their own optics. However, the Zeiss company is one of these few company’s who do manufactures their own optics and scopes from the ground up, in house. I suspect both Leupold, Nightforce and perhaps Schmidt and Bender all have this in common.
At least this has been my findings. What does matters in choosing a quality scope is which focal plane will serve you best, 1st or 2nd plane, which is paramount.
 
#102
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Vu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">NXS hands down.

Better Glass
Better reticle choices
One of most reliable scopes out there.
Lit Reticle
Customer Service is great...even though you will probably never use it.
More features such as MOA/MOA and MIL MIL. Zero Stop.

</div></div>
+1 on Nightforce. I still own 3 Vari X-III EFR's which have servved me well for 15 years
 
#103
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

i wouldnt trade my mark 4 for a NF. I see no difference in optical, tracking, construction, or turrent quality between my mark 4 and my buddies NF. Both perform great. Both have the occasional bad egg. By friend has a NF on his 338L, ands its been nothing but problems for him. I think if you get a good scope from either manufacturer, youll be happy
 
#106
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VJJPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">MK4 for me, own both but i'll choose Mk4 here on out </div></div>

Despite the known lash issues, non-etched reticles in many units, and tracking issues?

I'm assuming your little "test" made you think the Leupold was a better optic, but beware, that's just a small sample. I've owned several Leupolds and a few NF and overall, the NF was better in most every way. Remember, there are good and bad samples of anything.
 
#108
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VJJPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">MK4 for me, own both but i'll choose Mk4 here on out </div></div>

Despite the known lash issues, non-etched reticles in many units, and tracking issues?

I'm assuming your little "test" made you think the Leupold was a better optic, but beware, that's just a small sample. I've owned several Leupolds and a few NF and overall, the NF was better in most every way. Remember, there are good and bad samples of anything. </div></div>

settle it down fanboy, did i say the NF was an inferior product, no i did not, i simply said i am choosing MK4's for me, you waste your money on whatever you like
 
#110
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

despite those "issues" ive owned i think 13 MK4's in different flavors over the past 15 years and have only had one run into problems, its elevation knob became extremely stiff, i sent it in and had it back in 10 days right as rain. my opinion is after owning both the cost comparison analysis doesnt warrant the 400-500 extra dollars for the NF, FOR ME, cause for me thats a whole lotta money that can be injected into ammo procurment and cost comparison is a big deal for budget minded me
 
#111
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

I see above some people are still confused, nightforce gets components from japan, but all the scopes are in fact made in the U.S. in Idaho. if a product has more than 60% of it's components from outside the U.S. it can't be marked made in the U.S.

no company is making glass for rifle scopes in the U.S. so no scope can truly be "U.S. made" at this time.
 
#112
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

i have a few mk4's with no issues that i currently made zero stops for 39 cents each. i think nightforce has great glass and has caught the market with the high speed, zero stop feature. it's just a fad that everyone is following and thats cool. i've considered buying one myself. that is until a buddy of mine galled up one of the 4 zero stop screws. when he contacted nightforce they told him 4months to be repaired. sounds like they have some quality control issues just like any other major manufacture can have. i believe it's been about 3 weeks now while he sits and waits for his 2000.00 scope. he doesn't seem to have an issue shooting groups with any of my mk4 scoped rifles. not worth the extra doe in my mind, i'll build another rifle with a leupold.lol.
 
#113
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

I can't speak ill of NF having never used them. However I did use to own a Leupold VX3 x25 scope for my Win 300 mag Tikka and I have to tell you the difference from what I had been using was night and day. The clarity was stellar especially at range and the zero didn't change every time I pulled the trigger. This is without a muzzlebreak (ouch). I am wanting to put a leupold, NF, S&B, or Zeiss Hensoldt on a barrett .416 and I want to use one with a high elevation which will allow me to take shots at 1.5 to 1.75 miles. See plenty of S&B and NF on these larger calibers but not Leupolds or Zeiss though the later could be due to the fact that the Zeiss Hensoldt has raised the bar with optic clarity as of late. It is scary to hear so many complaints on NF and Leupold. A S&B or Zeiss are about $1500.00 more.
 
#114
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

Had 2 Leupold Mark 4s. 1 6.5-20x and a 8.5-25x. I got a NF NXS 5.5-22x. I like the NF much better. I think the NF is a better scope. Turrets seem better too. Now I have 0 Mark 4s and 2 NF NXS scopes!
 
#115
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

the leupold mark 4 on my 300winmg has been spectacular to date. I see no reason to spend more for the nightforce, unless you REALLY need the illuminated reticle. Im in the market for 2 scopes at the moment, and havent seen a need to deviate from Leupold. They flat out perform well for me.
 
#116
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneshotkyle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i have a few mk4's with no issues that i currently made zero stops for 39 cents each. i think nightforce has great glass and has caught the market with the high speed, zero stop feature. it's just a fad that everyone is following and thats cool. i've considered buying one myself. that is until a buddy of mine galled up one of the 4 zero stop screws. when he contacted nightforce they told him 4months to be repaired. sounds like they have some quality control issues just like any other major manufacture can have. i believe it's been about 3 weeks now while he sits and waits for his 2000.00 scope. he doesn't seem to have an issue shooting groups with any of my mk4 scoped rifles. not worth the extra doe in my mind, i'll build another rifle with a leupold.lol. </div></div>

It sounds to me like you're borderline clueless, and I don't say that simply because I have a NightForce but because...you and your buddy are clueless.

There are MANY people who will argue that zero stop isn't a 'fad' but is very much useful. Secondly, your buddy f*cked up his NightForce zero stop screws and for some reason that equates to NightForce having quality control issues, really?

Hmmm, how selfish of NightForce to quote your buddy a four month turn around. They should put our military boys in hold so they can fix your buddy's mess.
whistle.gif
 
#118
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

killshot- you illiterate, read before running your mouth. you can have your glorified zero stop for an extra 200.00 if you aint smart enough to make your own. i never said he didnt f+++ up, i just said what happened and what nightforces customer service is worth. it don't hold a candle to leupold if there turn around is 4 months. don't jump my sh!t for posting a real life scenario to the differences between nighforce and leupold. i have my views you have yours. hows the view up inside your a$$.
 
#119
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneshotkyle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">killshot- you illiterate, read before running your mouth. you can have your glorified zero stop for an extra 200.00 if you aint smart enough to make your own. i never said he didnt f+++ up, i just said what happened and what nightforces customer service is worth. it don't hold a candle to leupold if there turn around is 4 months. don't jump my sh!t for posting a real life scenario to the differences between nighforce and leupold. i have my views you have yours. hows the view up inside your a$$.</div></div>

LoL...whatever you say bubba.
 
#121
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Verminator2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am wondering how close the two scopes are to each other? Lets call it an 8.5-25x50 Mark 4 and a NXS 5.5x22x50. Is the Nightforce worth the extra money? I know Leupolds warranty is top notch, how about Nightforce? (Not that I'll ever need it) Thanks. </div></div>

I enjoy reading threads like this, lots of strong opinions when you start talking about different brand names.

To directly answer your question, IMHO yes the NSX is the better SFP scope and worth the extra money based on features. I own both the 8.5-25 and the NSX you mentioned, if your dialing, the HS knobs and zero stop are a plus as well as consistent eye position and illuminated reticule(if you use it) personally I don't know of a better SFP scope on the market then the NSX. Glass and tracking has been a wash as far as I can tell and I do test the tracking.

When you start talking about the F1 I think it’s a more fair comparison to bring in the 34mm ER/T scope than the “standard” Mk4; then things start to get a bit closer in terms of price and features. I’ve had my F1 MLR2 for a year or so but just purchased a 34mm ER/T TMR within the last 6 months due to a very nice discount. These two are much closer in performance and I think they’re both really nice scopes with only the optical zoom range being different and lack of illumination on the ER/T, yes there are other differences (i.e. locking turrets, capped windage) but minor items for the most part unless you have a specific need. Both have plenty of elevation, nice glass, HS turrets with zero stops, I really can’t pick a winner between these two; mostly depends where you need your magnification, top or bottom end or if you have a .mil at the end of your email address.
JMHO and subject to change based on new information.
 
#122
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

If four weeks is bad for turn-around on a scope service, then why talk about Leupold being so good? My experience with Leupold has been 2-6 weeks. The first Leupold that broke on me took about a month. The second one took six weeks. Upgrades to a Leupold took two weeks.

Leupold and NF both get slammed time to time. Thus far, I've never had to have a NF serviced, though.

ETA:

I've also had to have CS from Zeiss, for both upgrades and repairs. Zeiss upgrades took just over a week, while the warranty service took a few months.
 
#123
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

Seems to me Nightforce fans have a really strong compulsion to slam the hell out of Leupold glass. I've owned Nightforce, and used Mark 4 scopes on issued rifles and my own personal rifles and I honestly think it boils down to which optic serves your purposes and gives you a warm fuzzy. My Nightforce was awesome, but it was heavier than I wanted on rifles I carry though the mountains. I've subsequently beat the shit out of my leupold scopes and they've always done exactly what I've asked of them. OP: Disregard all the ford vs. chevy pissing contests and try both scopes. Look at which reticle serves your purposes. Are matching mil/mil turrets, FFP/SFP, or weight a primary concern for you? For me it was the size and weight of the optic and my preference for the TMR reticle that made my choice. Go forth and God bless with whatever you decide is the right optic for you.
 
#124
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VJJPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">MK4 for me, own both but i'll choose Mk4 here on out </div></div>

Not me. I had a MK4 and it was ok but the Nightforce scopes I replaced it with are much better in every way possible.
Pat
 
#126
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VJJPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">despite those "issues" ive owned i think 13 MK4's in different flavors over the past 15 years and have only had one run into problems, its elevation knob became extremely stiff, i sent it in and had it back in 10 days right as rain. my opinion is after owning both the cost comparison analysis doesnt warrant the 400-500 extra dollars for the NF, FOR ME, cause for me thats a whole lotta money that can be injected into ammo procurment and cost comparison is a big deal for budget minded me </div></div>

+1. went this route and got a Mark 4 ER/T recently. needed it in a hurry, worked directly with Leupold. had it to me in under 18 hours, and it has been flawless. glass is atleast as good as my NSX on my other rifle. I've heard the horror stories about Leupold and by and large, and i saw none of that in evidence. Customer Service, the product and the price tage were all awesome for me. Enough so i just recommended Leupold to a friend who purchased and had a similar experience.

Leupold gets knocked around a lot, but they are a good solid choice in this game especially for those of us with beer budgets, not champaigne budgets. i dont begrudge NF, or S and B or others their due respect. they are high dollar awesome products. Trashing leupold though is a non-starter. every company has bad examples, but i gave Leupold a lot of money, they gave me an awesome scope, and bent over backwards to get it to me and work with me. I'd say thats a good deal.

-Paulus
 
#129
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: grkmec</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How about Leupold mk6 vs. Nightforce? </div></div>

The jury is still out on the MK6 as they have not yet been released for sale and only a very few have been placed in the field with evaluators. Initial impressions are good but time will tell.
 
#131
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneshotkyle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">killshot- you illiterate, read before running your mouth. you can have your glorified zero stop for an extra 200.00 if you aint smart enough to make your own. i never said he didnt f+++ up, i just said what happened and what nightforces customer service is worth. it don't hold a candle to leupold if there turn around is 4 months. don't jump my sh!t for posting a real life scenario to the differences between nighforce and leupold. i have my views you have yours. hows the view up inside your a$$.</div></div>

Leupold does have good service but the problem is you will have to use that warranty. I have had to send in 3 of the 6 Leupold Scopes I have owned for repair. I have owned 3 Nightforce scopes and have never had an issue. The best warranty is the one you never have to use.
Pat
 
#132
Re: Leupold Mk 4 Vs. Nightforce

I havent read this tread, so this may have been covered already. But I have a Mk4 TMR reticle, and a NF Moar reticle. Both are VERY new scopes. (Less than 1 year). ANd to me, they both track equally good, the glass is equally clear at all light conditions, I DO favor the Moar reticle because its easy to use, and the turrets match the reticle. The Mk4 is smaller in size, and lighter. Ive never had to use either manufacturer for warranty (And I hope I never have to) so I have no feedback with that.

With all that being said, the NF was more expensive, but it is also illuminated. So I would expect that. I find that both manufacturers make a great product, and will surely serve its purpose. I dont really think I would ever throw either scope away and wish I had the other.
 
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