]I recently purchased a NF NXS 5-25x56 w/zs and a Premier Reticle 3-15x50. Both were used. Here is my thoughts on both:
PHYSICAL SIZE/ERGONOMICS: To say the PR is "robust" would be a major understatement. You can mount small tires on the turrets. They have a 1 5/8 diameter compared to 1 1/4 for the NF. They are both beefy and well built, what you would expect for the price. PR has 34mm tube vs 30mm for the NF. Both have firm, positive clicks. My PR is MRAD, and the increments are closer together. There is a "clunk" for each 10 increments, different than the "click" for in between.
A much different feel than the 1/4 moa turrets on my NF.
OPTICS: The NF has great optics, but the PR is better yet. Best on any scope I've ever seen. Again, I'm very pleased with NF glass, but the PR is brighter and sharper. The PR is first focal plane and the NF isn't. Not sure if that makes a difference.
FEATURES: A few things about NF I find annoying. To adjust reticle illumination intensity, you must remove the side focus cap and adjust a small screw with a jewelers screwdriver. No calibration marks to indicate the change. You have to look in the scope and do trial and error adjustments. Not convenient, especially on the fly in the field. PR uses the same side focus knob, but intensity is adjusted with external rheostat adjustment from 0-12. Much easier and convenient. My second issue with the NF, and more important, is zero stop adjustment. For this you need an allen wrench to first remove the turret cap (2 screws) and then loosening 4 screws to enable setting zs. NF warns that loosening too much can result in a return to factory repair. Again, nothing I want to do in the field, especially in adverse weather conditions. Zero stop on the PR is accomplished by lifting the turret locking lever and turning it to the desired zero position and re-locking the lever. No tools required. When you do this, the turret doesn't free spin and you get clicks, which is disconcerting. But you are not changing settings and works fine. The power ring scale is vertical on the PR and can be seen while in the shooting position. No need to lift your head as is the case with the NF's horizontal scale.
PRICE: The NF scope comparable to my PR is the NXS F1 3-15x50 at $2300 with 30mm tube. The PR 3-15x50 with 34mm tube is $3000. Worth the difference? Depends on how important the features and optical quality differences are to you. Both wonderful optical instruments!
PHYSICAL SIZE/ERGONOMICS: To say the PR is "robust" would be a major understatement. You can mount small tires on the turrets. They have a 1 5/8 diameter compared to 1 1/4 for the NF. They are both beefy and well built, what you would expect for the price. PR has 34mm tube vs 30mm for the NF. Both have firm, positive clicks. My PR is MRAD, and the increments are closer together. There is a "clunk" for each 10 increments, different than the "click" for in between.
A much different feel than the 1/4 moa turrets on my NF.
OPTICS: The NF has great optics, but the PR is better yet. Best on any scope I've ever seen. Again, I'm very pleased with NF glass, but the PR is brighter and sharper. The PR is first focal plane and the NF isn't. Not sure if that makes a difference.
FEATURES: A few things about NF I find annoying. To adjust reticle illumination intensity, you must remove the side focus cap and adjust a small screw with a jewelers screwdriver. No calibration marks to indicate the change. You have to look in the scope and do trial and error adjustments. Not convenient, especially on the fly in the field. PR uses the same side focus knob, but intensity is adjusted with external rheostat adjustment from 0-12. Much easier and convenient. My second issue with the NF, and more important, is zero stop adjustment. For this you need an allen wrench to first remove the turret cap (2 screws) and then loosening 4 screws to enable setting zs. NF warns that loosening too much can result in a return to factory repair. Again, nothing I want to do in the field, especially in adverse weather conditions. Zero stop on the PR is accomplished by lifting the turret locking lever and turning it to the desired zero position and re-locking the lever. No tools required. When you do this, the turret doesn't free spin and you get clicks, which is disconcerting. But you are not changing settings and works fine. The power ring scale is vertical on the PR and can be seen while in the shooting position. No need to lift your head as is the case with the NF's horizontal scale.
PRICE: The NF scope comparable to my PR is the NXS F1 3-15x50 at $2300 with 30mm tube. The PR 3-15x50 with 34mm tube is $3000. Worth the difference? Depends on how important the features and optical quality differences are to you. Both wonderful optical instruments!
