Was wondering how the new ED glass on the nightforce compared to the HD glass on the Razor. Wanting know if its better or about the same as the glass on the Razor.
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Rifle Scopes NF ATACR vs Razor
- Thread starter drglock
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- atacr vortex razor
I too would love to hear some first hand, unbiased opinions on these two. I own both an NXS and a Razor, and they are pretty neck and neck. It will be interesting to see if the new NF glass in the ATACR puts it noticeably ahead of the Razor and NXS.
If the B.E.A.S.T has only comparable glass, other features should put it on the next level IMO. Very excited to see that one, that´s the one I´d probably seel my Razor for.
The ATACR has a nice reticle in the MIL-R but it's SFP, which makes such a nice reticle much less useful, and the Vortex is FFP so it's not really a fair comparison. The Razor is more in line with the Leupold Mk6 and higher end Bushnell DMRs. I understand NF doesn't wanna cannibalize the Beast but the ATACR being SFP was a big miss, IMO. Bushnell, Leupold, Vortex, SWFA, IOR, even Weaver Tactical have all transitioned to affordable FFP options all the way down to the sub-$500 Falcon.
Some folks could care less about SFP vs FFP but I don't normally run at max magnification. It makes the target look nice a big but you magnify the trace right out of your FOV. With FFP, you can run at 3/4 power, pick up the trail and quickly hold the follow up.
Some folks could care less about SFP vs FFP but I don't normally run at max magnification. It makes the target look nice a big but you magnify the trace right out of your FOV. With FFP, you can run at 3/4 power, pick up the trail and quickly hold the follow up.
I have a razor was Just wanting to see how the optics of the actar compared. I'm not worried about ffp vs sfp I shoot on max power on steel hangers
Got it. Not many of the ATACRs in circulation just yet, but for what it's worth they made a concerted effort to get the Beast on par with the big boys so it's at least got their attention.
This was about 3 years ago but I had a opportunity to compare two Razors to two NF 5.5-22's side by side. Both NF's resolved better and I like the image color better on the NF's as well. It could be that the newer Razors have different coatings or better glass, don't know???
You are comparing FFP to SFP but without looking through the ATACR, I'd still expect the NF to be optically superior.
You are comparing FFP to SFP but without looking through the ATACR, I'd still expect the NF to be optically superior.
Vortex made big changes to the eyebox on the Razors a year or two ago. Not sure if it's related, though. I've shot the Razor and briefly owned an NXS but haven't compared em side by side and I don't know if the Razor had the updated eyebox. Either way, both are solid choices.
I'm just going to have to try and find one and see how it looks compared to the razor,yes my eye razor has the small eye box but for me it hasn't been that big of deal but for someone shooting matches I could see it being a pain.
drglock, we've got the ATACR with a MOAR reticle here at the shop. Very nice piece of glass. Is it worth the extra over an NXS? That is the big question for me and I won't know until I actually get out and shoot the ATACR a bit. I love my NXS scopes for sure and the ATACR would have to be a huge improvement to make me change what I currently have.
I will say the ATACR is very clear with incredible resolution. The best way I can explain it is like watching a top of the line non-HD TV (the NXS) then looking at an HD TV (the ATACR).
Mark
I will say the ATACR is very clear with incredible resolution. The best way I can explain it is like watching a top of the line non-HD TV (the NXS) then looking at an HD TV (the ATACR).
Mark
We have been getting great feedback on the Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56. The glass seems nicer in the ATACR then the NXS. I have not done a lot of side by side yet.
http://www.cstactical.com/optics/rifle-scopes/nightforce/nf-5-25x56
Mike @ CST
http://www.cstactical.com/optics/rifle-scopes/nightforce/nf-5-25x56
Mike @ CST
I own an ATACR (moa) with the MOAR reticle, and I also own an NXS-F1 with the MLR2 and I can say with absolute certainty that the ATACR has better color resolution, and is noticeably clearer.
Yes it would be nice if the ATACR were FFP like the F1, but it was not a deal breaker for me. I am trying to teach myself how to range and calculate with both platforms so I decided to go with the ATACR for my 2nd rig. It is a bit of a daunting task switching between the 2, but I am an old guy and I like to feed my brain. Honestly, they are both fantastic rifle scopes.
Sorry if this is a bit off topic, and I have no idea about the Razor, but thought I would share what I know about the differences between the 2 NF's being mentioned here.
Yes it would be nice if the ATACR were FFP like the F1, but it was not a deal breaker for me. I am trying to teach myself how to range and calculate with both platforms so I decided to go with the ATACR for my 2nd rig. It is a bit of a daunting task switching between the 2, but I am an old guy and I like to feed my brain. Honestly, they are both fantastic rifle scopes.
Sorry if this is a bit off topic, and I have no idea about the Razor, but thought I would share what I know about the differences between the 2 NF's being mentioned here.
I own a ATACR (just bought it last week) and I've own a Razor HD, The NF ATACR- hands down better color and contract- especially in low light.
You get what you pay for. The razor has a couple more features for less money (ffp, bubble level, flip caps, etc.). Vortex isn't magically able to produce a superior scope for less money. Cuts have to be made somewhere. They made it in glass. I've owned an nxs, looked through a razor, and currently run a mk4 m5. IMO they all run right up against each other in the glass department.
From what I've read, the ED glass is noticeably better than the standard nightforce glass. I'd say that is a big portion of the added price, along with the factor of 5 zoom and 120+ MOA of elevation adjustment.
I can take or leave ffp, so I'm favoring the ATACR for my 338 build. And I'm REALLY looking forward to the added clarity. A crisp image is trumped only by ability to hold/return to zero, and all other features are useless until the level of clarity meets my needs.
From what I've read, the ED glass is noticeably better than the standard nightforce glass. I'd say that is a big portion of the added price, along with the factor of 5 zoom and 120+ MOA of elevation adjustment.
I can take or leave ffp, so I'm favoring the ATACR for my 338 build. And I'm REALLY looking forward to the added clarity. A crisp image is trumped only by ability to hold/return to zero, and all other features are useless until the level of clarity meets my needs.
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I have neither owned nor looked through a Razor but I'll say this much for the ATACR — it's the cats ass! As previously stated by others, the contrast and resolution is incredible.
To give you an idea of what I'm talking about, trying to scope on anything less than 100yds with an NXS would prove to be difficult due to being blurred beyond recognition.
With the ATACR, I've scoped things at less than 50yds and still had crystal clear sight picture; no joke or exaggeration whatsoever.
The attached image is of a picnic table, grill, and sappling within 20yds of my door. The photo was taken with my iPad so excuse the poor clarity as I'm only using it to give you an example. Although this photo wasn't taken through the ATACR, I can tell you that when looking through the ATACR it's every bit as crisp and clear as if you were viewing the three with a naked eye.
In low light conditions, the ATACR really shines with excellent light gathering so for the hunter or those who participate in comps that have low light stages, you will be very pleased with this optic. I have no need for a FFP optic but if I were to say the ATACR is lacking anything, it would ONLY be that it's not FFP. If NightForce were to make a FFP of this and price it in the $2500-$2800 range, they would no doubt dominate the market.
To give you an idea of what I'm talking about, trying to scope on anything less than 100yds with an NXS would prove to be difficult due to being blurred beyond recognition.
With the ATACR, I've scoped things at less than 50yds and still had crystal clear sight picture; no joke or exaggeration whatsoever.
The attached image is of a picnic table, grill, and sappling within 20yds of my door. The photo was taken with my iPad so excuse the poor clarity as I'm only using it to give you an example. Although this photo wasn't taken through the ATACR, I can tell you that when looking through the ATACR it's every bit as crisp and clear as if you were viewing the three with a naked eye.
In low light conditions, the ATACR really shines with excellent light gathering so for the hunter or those who participate in comps that have low light stages, you will be very pleased with this optic. I have no need for a FFP optic but if I were to say the ATACR is lacking anything, it would ONLY be that it's not FFP. If NightForce were to make a FFP of this and price it in the $2500-$2800 range, they would no doubt dominate the market.
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Here is a great review. http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...opes/185559-great-review-nighforce-atacr.html
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Got an ATACR and really like it,the glass is awesome seems a little better than the razor but really a toss up. The thing I'm really impressed with is how it looks on max power, now I'm just waiting on my rifle to be finished so I can put it on my own rifle.
I don't think a person an go wrong with the ACTAR or the Razor for me it came down the extra power.
I don't think a person an go wrong with the ACTAR or the Razor for me it came down the extra power.
Might as well just step up to the beast. The price of a ffp version of the ATACR is going to likely put you within $500 of the beast. Might as well go for it if ffp is that big of a deal.
I'm a fan of ffp, the concept, but at max zoom the reticle is too thick on every one I've looked through.
I'm a fan of ffp, the concept, but at max zoom the reticle is too thick on every one I've looked through.
Unless Nightforce has failed to update their website, there is no ffp version of the ATACR. ??
You are correct, there is no FFP version of the ATACR.
They are assuming and hoping that IF a FFP version of the ATACR was offered then it would likely be within $500 of the BEAST. However, NightForce has already made it clear that there will not be a FFP version of the ATACR, the same as when they said there would not be a FFP version of the NXS 5.5-22x.
I see. So, this thread has devolved from a legitimate, informative comaprison of two presently available scopes to the hoping and wishing of fictional products which the manufacturers say they will never make.
Got it.
Pretty much. The only thing I've heard from a nightforce rep is that they may come out with a newer version of the MOAR reticle with thinner crosshairs.
IMO, if ffp is necessary for someone and they want the ED glass, wait for the beast
IMO, if ffp is necessary for someone and they want the ED glass, wait for the beast
A friend of mine that is a Vortex dealer asked me to compare the Razor to my NXS 3.5-15X50 and USO 3.2-17X44. I did so one evening and played with them until to dark to see. Set them all on 15 power so has to make it as equal as possible. The Razor glass was hands down winner, clearer, color was better, definition sharper, also was last scope able to see as it got dark. NXS was next as far as glass goes, then the USO.
Other features have me still using USO and NF although I do have one 4-16X50 Viper PST on a DPMS 308 that I'm happy with. I like having 20 moa or in the USO's case 45 moa in one rev. USO has proven to me over many years that they dial the same every time and are a rock solid scope. I like the NF for fixed range shooting, like F-Class, has the reticle is finer at high powers.
My .02
Other features have me still using USO and NF although I do have one 4-16X50 Viper PST on a DPMS 308 that I'm happy with. I like having 20 moa or in the USO's case 45 moa in one rev. USO has proven to me over many years that they dial the same every time and are a rock solid scope. I like the NF for fixed range shooting, like F-Class, has the reticle is finer at high powers.
My .02
All of that info is great but it's already been established that the Razor has better glass than the NXS This topic has to do with the comparison of the ATACR and the Razor.
I have a NF NXS 5-22.5 x 56 with MLR and zero stop. Just bought an M107A1 and moved the NF to it from my 338 because I wanted a FFP. So I bought the Vortex Razor 5-20 for my 338. I had them both at the range this weekend. The NF was hands down better on all counts for me. So I returned the Vortex and ordered a ACATR with MOAR and MOA today from Euro Optic. I should have it mounted and ready to shoot by this weekend. NF is the clear winner for me. Now I just need to save for the BEAST. NF also makes the bubble level and slope addition for your rings. Good luck on your purchase.
Unless you know something we don't, the bubble level/slope indicator is for 30mm scopes, not 34. So not an option for the ATACR.
I didn't see them on their website and the guys at euro optic failed to mention this minor detail when I ordered the scope and the bubble ring. So I will return the level and get the NF 34mm rings. Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated!
No prob. In fact, here's a link for some.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk..._nkw=NightForce+34mm+rings&_sacat=0&_from=R40
