8541 Tactical posted this video of a Nightforce scope being impact tested at SHOT Show 2023.
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Nightforce Impact Test - SHOT Show 2023
- Thread starter Ichi
- Start date
That's gotta be the stupidest thing I've ever seen...
You know they make these fancy machines that shake, rattle, roll, and drop scopes for testing. Pretty much every scope manufacturer has them. There's no need to go all gorilla on a barstool to prove your scope is durable just like everyone else's.
You know they make these fancy machines that shake, rattle, roll, and drop scopes for testing. Pretty much every scope manufacturer has them. There's no need to go all gorilla on a barstool to prove your scope is durable just like everyone else's.
Its kind of a “rubber meets the road” test. Yes, nightforce has one of those fancy machines, but im guessing it doesn't travel well.
Still the most durable
I see the “best warranty and you’ll need it “ people are coming out the woodwork to hate
I see the “best warranty and you’ll need it “ people are coming out the woodwork to hate
Those fancy machines are nice, but they don’t qc every scope in them.
With this method, EVERY single Nightforce Atacr, NX8, and NXS goes through that test before being sent out the door.
With this method, EVERY single Nightforce Atacr, NX8, and NXS goes through that test before being sent out the door.
Not to mention, just a brilliant bit of marketing.
I love both of my ATACRs. Have never failed once. Can't say that about my Khales or my S&B
The one on my AR10 has seen over 5000 rounds in all types of weather without an issue. The real warranty is "best warranty that you'll never need"
That used to be a common thing around here. USO winged one all over the range, multiple times. Some dude dragged a S&B PM II behind his quad up and down his gravel driveway. One of our more distinguished former members had his kid throw a VX-3 leupold against a tree a bunch of times. “break-em in!”
If you don’t shoot right through your scope and it still holds zero, is it really worth anything? Now a Nightforce…
Yeah, it’s so stupid, why would anyone want their aiming device built to a standard that is actually verified to hold zero through hard use…
The point here that is commonly missed is NF is testing zero retention in that demo. Not general durability of the scope construction. Those machine jig shakers and droppers you posted pictures of might test to see if the scope doesn’t sustain structural damage. Do they actually test zero retention? If so, exactly how does that manufacturer test for zero retention?
I would love to see a independent NF torture test w all the top tier scopes.. some may have better turrets or glass but can they hold up?
That's a pretty classy response from a second tier optics company....
The March Genesis can do this. Just ask a guy on the internet. He’ll tell you.
Those sources are the best....
Folks who actually shoot are pretty content using what they know works. Just as with any "hobby", the new and greatest trumps the old for most.
I like to shoot more than most...never follow herds. Use what works based on my experience and the word from others that I know shoot versus gab....
Here’s another vid on this subject
I wrote the following on a different post in the March Genisis thread.
I wrote the following on a different post in the March Genisis thread.
You know, at about 1:26 when he dials back down from 10mil to zero, the tracking shifts left. Then right before he hits zero, it shifts back.
?
Is it because the whole scope shifts when he dials? Or is it a tracking issue?
It doesn’t look like he uses the little clamps on the fixture either.
And he should smack area around the parallax and windage turret. That’s where the erector is (I think). I own a NF NX8; I don’t hate NF. But I don’t blindly buy these types of “Smack’em Yack’em” tests either.
Those machines are to simulate g-forces not impacts. According to that logic, drop tests would be stupid and useless too.
I believe NF might do that for only their scopes for the military? Never heard of Vortex gluing anything. But I have no solid/linkable/firsthand knowledge.
I sort of assume that NF beatbaby scope at SHOT was glued up, but who knows?
Next year NF should have use TWO NF scopes + one Rasta + two steel drums. Ya mon!
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That's incorrect. I took those pictures as the technicians described to me what those machines do. Between those two devices you can pretty much find the breaking point of any optic on the planet.
No. This is a picture of the optical engineer gluing the lenses into the XTR Pro and putting them under a heat lamp to help them dry.
Then checking optical clarity on an outdoor target before bumping it to the next stage.
To quote a SME I talked to: “Nightforce epoxies the shit out of their scopes to meet depth ratings for the Navy.”
I don’t believe that’s just a “military” thing for them.
I see a few folks were triggered by my post. So allow me to clarify.
This isn't 2010. There are TONS of great optics on the market. The very large majority of them are made with quality components and are quite durable. Some guy clubbin' his scope on a chair talking about how durable it is is like a roadside hotel advertising HBO and free air conditioning. Every hotel has that. So welcome to the party pal, you've reached a point where you are just like everyone else. Or I will concede, most everyone else has reached a point where they are as durable as a Nightforce.
I get it fellas, you like your brand. Have at it, buy it, use it, love it. But the bar is a LOT higher than it used to be. Durability should be a given, no one has that market to themselves. So to hang your advertising hat on that is a poor usage of your bandwidth. They need to find another schtick..
This isn't 2010. There are TONS of great optics on the market. The very large majority of them are made with quality components and are quite durable. Some guy clubbin' his scope on a chair talking about how durable it is is like a roadside hotel advertising HBO and free air conditioning. Every hotel has that. So welcome to the party pal, you've reached a point where you are just like everyone else. Or I will concede, most everyone else has reached a point where they are as durable as a Nightforce.
I get it fellas, you like your brand. Have at it, buy it, use it, love it. But the bar is a LOT higher than it used to be. Durability should be a given, no one has that market to themselves. So to hang your advertising hat on that is a poor usage of your bandwidth. They need to find another schtick..
Ha!! Don’t come out against the royals and their gear.
But seriously though, why would you need a fancy machine to do that?
Short of actually putting on a 15 pound rifle and chucking out of a truck, there’s not much in that simple cheap test that wouldn’t happen to a scope wether it’s duty work or weekend comps. Cheap and effective. Put the money towards R&D.
You mustn't be aware of the whole drop test phenomenom over on Rokslide.
There are a still lot of people who think Nightforce is still the only game in town when it comes to durability.
Nightforce has earned its reputation for durability over a long time period . No reason to get upset over a marketing demonstration
Fun Fact #248:
NF optics require you to remove the QC sticker for the durability feature to activate.
Sincerely,
-A NF Whore
#MyMil-XTCanBeatUpYourReticle
#TakeYourFuckingStickersOffAndUnleashTheBEAST
NF optics require you to remove the QC sticker for the durability feature to activate.
Sincerely,
-A NF Whore
#MyMil-XTCanBeatUpYourReticle
#TakeYourFuckingStickersOffAndUnleashTheBEAST
I think NF marketing is pretty ingenious, they've been doing stuff like this for years and it works for the intended purpose - to get word out that NF scopes are tough and reliable even in abusive situations. How many other scope mfr's are doing this, they aren't (or if they are I am unaware) and it could be because they don't need to as they have a rigorous "torture" test processes their scopes go through, but few of them market that. Yes, the slip n' slide (aka Rokslide) folks tried to provide their own torture test "drop tests" that were scrutinized here because it's very difficult to make the test repeatable without calibrated equipment and the author had a clear history of bias toward a particular brand. But showing a NF scope that was shot straight through from enemy fire (and it still worked according to the soldier), shooting a NF frozen in an ice block, hammering a spike with the objective and banging the scope in multiple positions on what appears to be a metal plate and showing it is still collimated - well that's pretty darn convincing. Granted, NF could have cherry picked some scope built for just this purpose and similar to Rokslide's test one could argue it's not repeatable, but in the end NF scopes have earned a reputation for durability that is hard to beat; that's not to say that other high end mfr's don't have just as durable scopes but none of them, so far, have been willing to abuse their scopes in marketing presentations. Again, it doesn't mean NF is any more durable than another brand, but they sure come up with clever ways to point attention to their durability.
This feels a little silly. Durability should be a given. Accurate tracking should be a given. Good glass should be a given, it’s 2023 after all. At what point are manufacturers allowed to market a product? I get that’s it’s the same thing NF has been doing for over a decade, but at least they have a clear marketing strategy.
Like NF or not when a company shows up at the biggest stage for advertising new optics and rifles and does these tests it’s going to get the attention it deserves. Other manufacturers I’m sure see this and could do the same
It’s real time, unedited and no bs advertising. Had this scope failed it be all over the internet on what a pile they are. But NF has enough confidence to do this in public and assume it won’t fail. Which speaks to the end user
It be nice if vortex would do a demo on repacking their scopes for shipping back to use that awesome warranty!!!
It’s real time, unedited and no bs advertising. Had this scope failed it be all over the internet on what a pile they are. But NF has enough confidence to do this in public and assume it won’t fail. Which speaks to the end user
It be nice if vortex would do a demo on repacking their scopes for shipping back to use that awesome warranty!!!
Don't ask for proof though. Some other guy on the internet will wonder why you haven't got proof that your own personal scope can pass the same test.
I don’t need a technician’s description to tell me there is a huge difference between breaking and holding zero.
I'd like to say "the one thing I learned from this thread..." , but I already knew it.
People are scary.
Sort of like people who go door to door trying to get you to vote for a specific person. Those people terrify me.
People are scary.
Sort of like people who go door to door trying to get you to vote for a specific person. Those people terrify me.
If anyone here wants to settle the debate once and for all I’m willing to perform a similar test. I shoot NF so I know mine passed. However yours may not! See for yourself
Ship me your chosen optic and I’ll smack it against a maple tree stump multiple times on each side. I’ll ship it back and you let me know if the zero moved.
It’s important I do the testing for everyone to keep the same variables in this test. Same stump, same force, same hits per side etc.
I’ll even drive a big ass spike into a stump if you choose the advanced test package
Ship me your chosen optic and I’ll smack it against a maple tree stump multiple times on each side. I’ll ship it back and you let me know if the zero moved.
It’s important I do the testing for everyone to keep the same variables in this test. Same stump, same force, same hits per side etc.
I’ll even drive a big ass spike into a stump if you choose the advanced test package
I wasn't talking about breaking or holding zero. I was talking about functional test equipment that is used by optics manufacturers to make a durable scope. Of which one aspect of many, is holding a zero.
A scope design is beat to death by that equipment long before it goes to production and makes its way to a guy who whacks it on a stool..
Please explain how the mentioned test equipment verifies zero retention. It’s just smoke and mirrors.I wasn't talking about breaking or holding zero. I was talking about functional test equipment that is used by optics manufacturers to make a durable scope. Of which one aspect of many, is holding a zero.
A scope design is beat to death by that equipment long before it goes to production and makes its way to a guy who whacks it on a stool..
I have been preaching this for years on the Hide. Someone (Frank 
) set up a GoFundMe page and lets get the NF abuse testing challenge going. These scopes should all be off the shelf and not cherry picked or sent in from the manufacturer. Guaranteed to get over a million $$ hits on YouTube.
) set up a GoFundMe page and lets get the NF abuse testing challenge going. These scopes should all be off the shelf and not cherry picked or sent in from the manufacturer. Guaranteed to get over a million $$ hits on YouTube.
If for some reason his stump fails I also have multiple stumps on my property. Hell I’ll even up the anty and submerge them after durability test in my pond. This service will be free, you pay shipping.
im trying to understand what the problem is?
NF makes a scope they think is very robust
some people love them some people hate them
when you look through it you see the target and bang...clank
is it the cheapest, no
is it the best glass, no
are they a pretty good deal for the money, yes
do they sell a lot of them, yes
i truthfully don't know what the issue is, its just marketing
NF makes a scope they think is very robust
some people love them some people hate them
when you look through it you see the target and bang...clank
is it the cheapest, no
is it the best glass, no
are they a pretty good deal for the money, yes
do they sell a lot of them, yes
i truthfully don't know what the issue is, its just marketing
Vortex: spend several thousand on durability testing equipment.
Nightforce: steps out back and chucks the fuckin scope out into the parking lot.
Takes the saved money and buys cocaine and hookers. Logic is in control.
Nightforce: steps out back and chucks the fuckin scope out into the parking lot.
Takes the saved money and buys cocaine and hookers. Logic is in control.
I dont think you're understanding how this process works. In a nutshell, zero retention, along with every other moving part, is tested ad nauseum with a multitude of stress and torture tests. One of the machines pictured mimics recoil. It can go from a 22LR, to a huge magnum to dropping it off a cliff. Far harder than banging it on a stool, or a Maple stump (though i do want to see those test results)
They can flat out wreck any scope on the planet with that machinery. And from that, learn it's weakness and it's breaking point.
It's not just about holding zero. There's lots of moving parts. The weak link could be anywhere, and no one builds a scope on smoke and mirrors.
@Birddog6424 None of what you are saying makes the demo stupid or any less impressive.
I've seen videos of this NF guy pop up in several spots. Haven't seen a single other optics company offering a similar demo... just saying
(disclaimer I am not an NF fan boy, never even owned one)
I've seen videos of this NF guy pop up in several spots. Haven't seen a single other optics company offering a similar demo... just saying
(disclaimer I am not an NF fan boy, never even owned one)
As someone that has had to send back Bushnells(Elite line), Kahles K624s, S&B 5-25, and have seen several other manufactures fail at matches. I'm very appreciative that I've never had I send back 1 of the 6 ATACRs I've owned nor have I seen one fail at a match. Marketing or not NF has been the most consistently reliable scope I've ever owned.
