Rifle Scopes USO or NF

ollie

ollie

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 10, 2008
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Apollo Pa
#1
Would like your input as to the differances between nightforce and uso scopes. I have been looking at both and wanted to know,is the uso worth the extra money? The scopes im looking at are the 5.5x22 nsx and the sn-3 3.2x17 t-pal.
Thank you, Ollie
 
#2
Re: USO or NF

I have a USO 3.2-17 with the ERGO option. Its a great scope and I would buy another if I had the funds. NF is good too but I like the service USO provides. FFP, durability, and customer service makes the money worth it to me. A scope built to your preference at a great price!
 
#3
Re: USO or NF

Ollis,

Apples and oranges. That NF is SFP, and all USO's are FFP. And there is no way to know if the price difference is worth the money TO YOU....

Here is an excellent review, that compares several high end scopes, including a NF F1 and a USO 3.2-17x44mm T-Pal.

High End Tactical Scopes Part II

In the interests of full disclosure, I now own the US Optics scope that was tested in that review.

Bob

 
#5
Re: USO or NF

Bob's spot on, the 5-22NXS and USO are apples to oranges.

If you were asking 3-15F1 to 3.2-17SN3 I'd say USO. Options, brick shithouse construction and great CS make USO a no-brainer for any application I have that their scopes will fill.

but in the spirit of full disclosure, I'm a USO whore!!!
 
#6
Re: USO or NF

I've bee lucky enough to shoot everything in a decent optic aside from a S&B or Hensdolt and I love my USO. I have the 3.2-17 34mm sn3 tpal on my .338 and want another for my .308 Glass is just super. Wish I had the EREK knob
 
#8
Re: USO or NF

Thanks to Knight who pointed out the fact that USO is TOTALLY customizable, I'd go USO... I spent over an hour last night playing around on their site building dream scopes!!!

Thanks Knight!
 
#9
Re: USO or NF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: adkmtnman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks to Knight who pointed out the fact that USO is TOTALLY customizable, I'd go USO... I spent over an hour last night playing around on their site building dream scopes!!!

Thanks Knight!
</div></div>

Your quite welcome...
 
#11
Re: USO or NF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 71firebird400</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I tried a USO and ended up replacing it with another NF. Opinions differ, but I prefer the NF. </div></div>

That's good info. Care to embellish on the "why" you prefer one over the other?
 
#12
Re: USO or NF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: adkmtnman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks to Knight who pointed out the fact that USO is TOTALLY customizable, I'd go USO... I spent over an hour last night playing around on their site building dream scopes!!! </div></div>

So it was YOU that slowed down the website!
Just kidding! It is great fun, that's for sure!

Being able to get both a USO SN-3 1.8-10X37 and a SN-3 3.2-17X44 with matching options has been fantastic.
I have plans to get one more, a SN-3 3.8-22X58, with the same options.
Being able to standardize my magnified optics this way really benefits my shooting.
 
#14
Re: USO or NF

You're not going to go wrong with either one. Both are proven optics, despite naysayers and fanboys.

I think USO's biggest draw is that you can get a completely customized scope, exactly how you want it. With NF, you have several reticle options and a couple choices on turrets, but that's about it.
 
#15
Re: USO or NF

I think the customizable option argument can go both ways. It's a lot easier to maintain high quality and keep costs down when you standardize like NF on a few models. I highly value the bullet-proof reliability of NF and they have models that fit my wants. USO has great stuff, but I'd give the nod to NF in the "it has to be totally bullet-proof" category. Heck they have that picture to prove it.
smile.gif


Now what I don't like about either of these companies is they seem incapable of making a lightweight scope.
 
#16
Re: USO or NF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scooter-PIE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think the customizable option argument can go both ways. It's a lot easier to maintain high quality and keep costs down when you standardize like NF on a few models. I highly value the bullet-proof reliability of NF and they have models that fit my wants. USO has great stuff, but I'd give the nod to NF in the "it has to be totally bullet-proof" category. Heck they have that picture to prove it.
smile.gif


Now what I don't like about either of these companies is they seem incapable of making a lightweight scope. </div></div>

Scooter,

Not sure bullet-proof and lightweight really belong in the same sentence, but you do have a point.

Bob
 
#17
Re: USO or NF

I've had my Nightforce NSX 3.5-15X50 NP-R2 for 10 years, mounted on a variety of 18-24" ARs, with zero complaints. It's been the go to scope for testing out a variety of different builds (not all mine) in 223/556 and 308 as well. It tracks flawlessly and actually feels smoother than when brand new.
I would like to send it in to get a first focal/mil/zero stop conversion, but I'd have to get a heck of a deal.
 
#18
Re: USO or NF

In all honesty either or. If you want the exact scope with your specs and reticle in mind go USO. Pricing the NF F1 and the SN-3 are pretty similar. Just depends on personal preference IMO. I own a SN-3 love the thing, but i do want to eventually try a NF F1. That being said i've become used the EREK knob and love it also so it would be hard detaching myself from it, it's just an all around wonderful elevation knob thats very hard to get lost in revolutions with, not that the NF elevation is but i just prefer the EREK.
 
#19
Re: USO or NF

Thank you all for your replys. I got a certificate for a uso so it looks like that will be the way to go. I will be using it for steel and hunting. Can you have the upgrades done at a later date- The erik knob???
 
#20
Re: USO or NF

EREK cannot be added later.
However, a #3 elevation knob has 105 clicks per turn so on a mil scope you'll have 10.5 mils in one revolution.

The turret can be shimmed with washers as a zero stop and USO won't mind. If you pull a stunt like that with NF they will void your warranty, and kill a puppy.


I'd bet a USO could take a shot through the tube just like the famous NF "picture". A hole in the tube doesn't mean everything's gonna be trashed for sure.
 
#21
Re: USO or NF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">EREK cannot be added later.
However, a #3 elevation knob has 105 clicks per turn so on a mil scope you'll have 10.5 mils in one revolution.

The turret can be shimmed with washers as a zero stop and USO won't mind. If you pull a stunt like that with NF they will void your warranty, and kill a puppy.


I'd bet a USO could take a shot through the tube just like the famous NF "picture". A hole in the tube doesn't mean everything's gonna be trashed for sure.

</div></div> OK, I had to laugh at the puppy comment!

OP, enjoy your USO. I'm going to have to get one myself one of these days.
 
#22
Re: USO or NF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">EREK cannot be added later.
However, a #3 elevation knob has 105 clicks per turn so on a mil scope you'll have 10.5 mils in one revolution.

The turret can be shimmed with washers as a zero stop and USO won't mind. If you pull a stunt like that with NF they will void your warranty, and kill a puppy.


I'd bet a USO could take a shot through the tube just like the famous NF "picture". A hole in the tube doesn't mean everything's gonna be trashed for sure.

</div></div>

Steve,

"Kill a puppy", classic quote.

But thinking about your suggestion of using shims, it occurred to me that if one orders a SN3 3.2-17 on a 30mm tube, they should have around 80 MOA of total vertical adjustment.

So if they ordered a #3 elevation knob (in lieu of a EREK knob) and then used a 30 MOA base (BTW, Badger makes a nice 30 MOA base), they would have around 70 MOA (19.5 Mils) of up travel, and only 10 MOA ( 2.8 MILS) of down. That would be the same effect as EREK (give or take a mil or so) without the hassle or expense of the EREK.

It may not look a cool as the EREK knob (which is classic USO), but it does bring the cost of a SN3 3.2-17 ERGO down closer to NF's F1 MAP price of $2290:

SN3-1700
# Base price $2010
# No options selected.
# ERGO - Standard Option
# 44mm Low Profile - Standard Option
# U.S. #3 1/10 MIL - 45.00
# U.S. #1 1/10 MIL - Standard Option
# 30mm - Standard Option
# Matte Black Type III Hard Anodizing - Standard Option
# Mil-Scale GAP - 86.00
# 11 Pos Rheostat (Red) - 185.00
# Lo Profile Housing - Standard Option
# Rapid Focus - Standard Option

$2326.

Hmmm, John's post about the new 3.2-17x37mm has me thinking about an order.......
 
#23
Re: USO or NF

You wont be happy until you get the U.S OPTICS,that way you can spend a ton of money on it,and then end up selling everything later like everybody else does to get the next latest fashion,and spend a ton of money again.where does all the spending end.I stuck with my Nightforce simply because in the real world,it has everything you need.How much is to much for a scope.
Scopes will be $7000.00 in no time with everyone willing to buy the latest (not needed) scopes and options.
I need need need
 
#24
Re: USO or NF

There is a difference etween nee dn desire...

I went to the dept store, and there was this hot sales person in the clothing dept. She asked what was my desire.

I told her it was she, but what i needed was a pair of socks

smile.gif
 
#25
Re: USO or NF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nevada Hunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You wont be happy until you get the U.S OPTICS,that way you can spend a ton of money on it,and then end up selling everything later like everybody else does to get the next latest fashion,and spend a ton of money again.where does all the spending end.I stuck with my Nightforce simply because in the real world,it has everything you need.How much is to much for a scope.
Scopes will be $7000.00 in no time with everyone willing to buy the latest (not needed) scopes and options.
I need need need </div></div>


ummm, USO's anything but the "next latest fashion".
They were solid when mil/moa was the the preferred setup, Nightforce was Lightforce, S&B's Bryant reticle was hip, and Hensoldt was rockin the Z24....

Their overt popularity has waxed and waned, but the Williams' have been kickin' it solid for years!


Bob, my next USO may be a mule for a more than one rifle so the ease of zeroing has the #3 being a serious consideration. I've loved it on the ST10's I've had with them.
 
#26
Re: USO or NF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nevada Hunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You wont be happy until you get the U.S OPTICS,that way you can spend a ton of money on it,and then end up selling everything later like everybody else does to get the next latest fashion,and spend a ton of money again.where does all the spending end.I stuck with my Nightforce simply because in the real world,it has everything you need.How much is to much for a scope.
Scopes will be $7000.00 in no time with everyone willing to buy the latest (not needed) scopes and options.
I need need need </div></div>


Nevada,

Since you addressed my post, I think I should tell you I already have US Optics scopes, and I am happy with them, and I am looking to buy another.

And last time I looked a comparable FFP NF scope was their F1 @ $2290. So your not exactly living in the bargain basement with your "real world" NF scope.

And after you've hung around here a bit longer than 5 weeks, you can start telling everybody how smart you are, and give advice on "what they need", and how much "they" should spend on a scope...........

 
#27
Re: USO or NF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: adkmtnman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks to Knight who pointed out the fact that USO is TOTALLY customizable, I'd go USO... I spent over an hour last night playing around on their site building dream scopes!!!

Thanks Knight!
</div></div>

I recommend you give them a call prior to ordering anything, all of the available options are not listed on their website.
(At least they weren't when I ordered) Their sales consultants are top knotch and have a lot of patience, at least with me. I had a lot of newb questions.

-Ino
 
#28
Re: USO or NF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Inogame</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: adkmtnman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks to Knight who pointed out the fact that USO is TOTALLY customizable, I'd go USO... I spent over an hour last night playing around on their site building dream scopes!!!

Thanks Knight!
</div></div>

I recommend you give them a call prior to ordering anything, all of the available options are not listed on their website.
(At least they weren't when I ordered) Their sales consultants are top knotch and have a lot of patience, at least with me. I had a lot of newb questions.

-Ino </div></div>

+1, there are several options on the site not listed. My SN3 is a 35mm tube and isn't listed in their info on them. Rock solid glass and worth EVERY penny you spend on them!
 
#29
Re: USO or NF

I will echo the sentiments about USO customer service and the quality of their products. I have been able to look through both scopes side by side and, to my old eyes, the USO glass was brighter and sharper.

I am not saying the NF is a bad product. When you compare the NF FFP to a similar USO, the price points aren't that different.
 
#30
Re: USO or NF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 71firebird400</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I tried a USO and ended up replacing it with another NF. Opinions differ, but I prefer the NF. </div></div>

That's good info. Care to embellish on the "why" you prefer one over the other? </div></div>

I really wanted to like the USO, but my initial impressions were that the mag ring had a bit of slop in it and that the windage knob (US #1) was extremely vauge. The EREK knob was excellent, it had the best 'clicks' of any of my scopes and setting the zero stop was not nearly as difficult as some people made it sound. Also, the scope tracked very well and showed no error in the 15 mil tracking test I ran. (15 mil elevation, 5 mil windage). The reticle (Mil GAP) was very nice as well, I am a big fan of the simpler reticles.

The resolution of the USO glass was not up to it's price tag; to the point where I couldn't make out the red dot in the middle of a 3" Shoot N C at 200 yards. After that happened I took it out to the range with two NF's and ran a resolution test with all three scopes with one of those charts you can find on the internet. I also had a 6.5-20x50 Burris Fullfield II (made in the USA) with; I found that I could see things clearer with the $400 Burris and the Nightforces than with the $2300 USO. This was confirmed by both my brother and a third person who is a Bulls Eye pistol shooter and had no idea what the price tags were on the scopes.

Not trying to start a pissing match here, and I'm sure that the USO fan boys will belittle me for daring to compare glass among "tacticool" scopes, but at the end of the day the aforementioned issues made me feel like it was a $1500 scope that I had paid $800 too much for. That's my experience, take it for what it's worth. Maybe I got a bad USO.
 
#31
Re: USO or NF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 71firebird400</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 71firebird400</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I tried a USO and ended up replacing it with another NF. Opinions differ, but I prefer the NF. </div></div>

That's good info. Care to embellish on the "why" you prefer one over the other? </div></div>

I really wanted to like the USO, but my initial impressions were that the mag ring had a bit of slop in it and that the windage knob (US #1) was extremely vauge. The EREK knob was excellent, it had the best 'clicks' of any of my scopes and setting the zero stop was not nearly as difficult as some people made it sound. Also, the scope tracked very well and showed no error in the 15 mil tracking test I ran. (15 mil elevation, 5 mil windage). The reticle (Mil GAP) was very nice as well, I am a big fan of the simpler reticles.

The resolution of the USO glass was not up to it's price tag; to the point where I couldn't make out the red dot in the middle of a 3" Shoot N C at 200 yards. After that happened I took it out to the range with two NF's and ran a resolution test with all three scopes with one of those charts you can find on the internet. I also had a 6.5-20x50 Burris Fullfield II (made in the USA) with; I found that I could see things clearer with the $400 Burris and the Nightforces than with the $2300 USO. This was confirmed by both my brother and a third person who is a Bulls Eye pistol shooter and had no idea what the price tags were on the scopes.

Not trying to start a pissing match here, and I'm sure that the USO fan boys will belittle me for daring to compare glass among "tacticool" scopes, but at the end of the day the aforementioned issues made me feel like it was a $1500 scope that I had paid $800 too much for. That's my experience, take it for what it's worth. Maybe I got a bad USO. </div></div>

WOW, it sounds like something isn't right, you should easily be able to clearly resolve a 3" target at 200 yrds. Please shoot Becky a call in the office tomorrow for an RMA number and we will get it looked at immediately. 714-582-1956
John III
 
#32
Re: USO or NF

John,

Thanks for the reply; it is yet another example of the great CS that USO offers. I was not saying I could not resolve a 3" Shoot N C, it was the small red dot (a little larger than 1/8") in the center of the sticker that I could not see with the scope. The dot is red, the rest of the sticker is black.

I am not bashing USO in any way, I'll probably buy another scope from them down the road just because I place a lot of value in "Made in the USA" but the scope I had was unfortunately not up to my expectations.
 
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