Looking at purchasing a milspec Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56. How does Nightforce compare to the SB 6-36 PMii in terms of glass quality and durability? Previous experience has only been with SB 5-25x56 PMii PSR scopes. Thanks for the help.
Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56 vs SB 6-36x56 PMii
- Thread starter Milspec Longhorn
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I can only speak of the 5-25PSR vs the 6-36, as I have both. No experience with NF.
The 6-36 is a better scope than the previous gen 5-25, as it should be.
No tunnelling in the 6-36 in comparison. I really enjoy the wide FOV in my non US spec 6-36. I would say S&B has done alot right with the newer gen scopes, great optical properties, many different configurations and alot of elevation adjustment.
The 6-36 is a better scope than the previous gen 5-25, as it should be.
No tunnelling in the 6-36 in comparison. I really enjoy the wide FOV in my non US spec 6-36. I would say S&B has done alot right with the newer gen scopes, great optical properties, many different configurations and alot of elevation adjustment.
US models of the 6-36 have the field of view restricted to comply with a patent held by Swarovski/Kahles. It is covered pretty good in the S&B 6-36 thread on here.
Unfortunately I suspect this hurts the impression people get when using the S&B 6-36 with limited Fov, it really makes a difference. Having spent some time behind the newer Kahles 328i has me even more convinced, they offer the widest Fov on the market atm.
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They are readily available everywhere except in the US, I guess there are ways to get ahold of them. Others can offer better responses here, as I understand certain items are restricted as far as private import( ITAR ) in the US?
I have lots of experience with the PM II 5-25 and the ATACR 7-35, currently have multiple copies of both.
Ultimately the ATACR has an edge over the PM II. ATACR has a more contrasty image overall which correlates to better colors/more saturation. It seems like that might give the impression of better fine detail resolution since the contrast stands out a bit more. Ultimately both resolve fine detail really well so it's splitting hairs IMO.
The ATACR has a bit bigger field of view behind the scope. At 20x (where I shoot the most) the ATACR has about 1 mil wider FOV and a slightly larger apparent image circle.
The S&B has a bit more forgiving parallax, you can pretty much leave it at 300-500 and shoot almost anything from 200 to 1k. The NF needs a bit more adjustment to focus on any given distance.
I think I see trace and mirage a bit better with the NF.
I am switching over to the 7-35 as my main comp scope, after about 7 years with the S&B.
Ultimately the ATACR has an edge over the PM II. ATACR has a more contrasty image overall which correlates to better colors/more saturation. It seems like that might give the impression of better fine detail resolution since the contrast stands out a bit more. Ultimately both resolve fine detail really well so it's splitting hairs IMO.
The ATACR has a bit bigger field of view behind the scope. At 20x (where I shoot the most) the ATACR has about 1 mil wider FOV and a slightly larger apparent image circle.
The S&B has a bit more forgiving parallax, you can pretty much leave it at 300-500 and shoot almost anything from 200 to 1k. The NF needs a bit more adjustment to focus on any given distance.
I think I see trace and mirage a bit better with the NF.
I am switching over to the 7-35 as my main comp scope, after about 7 years with the S&B.
How do you find the build quality of the NF compared to SB. I heard that NF prides itself in ruggedness
The ATACR while being a superbly dependable scope is not in the same league a the S&B 6-36 Glass/Optical wise !!
The S&B 6-36 has far better resolution, greater edge to edge clarity and superior image Depth/Contrast...
S&B,s latest series 6-36 and the 10-60 have superb glass...
The S&B 6-36 has far better resolution, greater edge to edge clarity and superior image Depth/Contrast...
S&B,s latest series 6-36 and the 10-60 have superb glass...
I will say though......if i had to 100% depend on and optic not to fail.....it would be the ATACR !! 
In general then is the SB glass better? What makes the ATACR more durable or less likely to fail? I know they seem to pride themselves in this area but must be some reason related to actual construction?
Yes the 6-36 and 5-25 glass are better. I think NF has a better rep for durability under hard use based on how things were back in the day.
Guess for hard use and since they have a Mil contract must be something to do with actual construction?
My unscientific observation after owning a few 5-25 PMII’s and 5-25 ATACR’s and spending some time behind the new PMII 6-36…. The 5-25 PMII and ATACR are neck and neck as far as what my eyes see, with maybe a slight edge on resolution favoring the PMII. The newer 6-36 is an improvement in the 5-25 PMII and has superb glass, closer to ZCO / Theta clarity and resolution. I ran an ATACR 7-35 and was never “wowed” by the glass and ultimately sold it because I wanted a lower mag on the bottom end and hardly ever used above 20x except for load dev and bench shooting.
Nightforce scopes have rugged tubes and internals and have great glass, but they are bested by quite a few scopes out there in the glass department these days. You really have to get nitpicky to see the differences in all the alpha glass, and they really don’t matter much in field use in my experience
Nightforce scopes have rugged tubes and internals and have great glass, but they are bested by quite a few scopes out there in the glass department these days. You really have to get nitpicky to see the differences in all the alpha glass, and they really don’t matter much in field use in my experience
The 5-25 has undergone several changes since it came out. So the durability aspect may be a non issue today. The 6-36 is new but I’m sure it incorporates the latest greatest S&B has to offer.
I have spent less than a day's time on a 6-36 SNB, and have owned several 5-25pm2's, and a NF 7-35, to me the SnB is better optically than the Nightforce and more useable up top or past 30x mag. Now I'm just talking glass clarity and brightness, as well easy eyebox. The NF is easier/quicker on finding paralax in my experience however. As well you can find a used NF for litterally a thousand dollars less, also NF has a better warranty in my experience. But if you are just wondering about optical performance the SnB is the winner in clarity and resolves an image that is easier on the eye.
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