Rifle Scopes Where did your NightForce fall short?

[peaceatwar]

Long-time lurker, first time post(outside of classifieds).

I have read quite a few times over stories about where people had a NF scope fall short for them. I have two(5.5-22x56/2.5-10x32) and I have yet to experience something that made me go "oh jeez I spent 2k and got this?". With that said I am not opposed to waiting to save up for a USO/S&B. My only question is why? and where did your NF fall short that left you wanting more? What did you get to replace that NF and why?

 

[hewlett260]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

Mine hasn't, it's about perfect for me and aside from looking at a Steiner 5-25, it does everything I could want it to. I have the 5.5-22x 50mm mil/mil hs zs and it's awesome. Probably going to get another one or wait to see if they come out with an F1 in that power range.

 

[maggitas]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I own 2 nightforce scopes and In my opinion they do not fall short. There are a few things about them to nitpick about.

1. The glass quality falls noticeably short of S&B, Hensoldt,
and Premier glass. Many like to see a crisp well defined
target and want the best!!

2. There is no adjustment for brightness of the Illuminated
reticle. A friend of mine did not like the fact that the
entire reticle lit up.

3. Some have expressed dislike that the entire rear occular
rotates when adjusting the power range. Many like to use
Butler Creek scope caps and this feature makes using B.C.
caps a little more troublesome.

I am sure I missed a few but these are the main points.

 

[peaceatwar]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Maggitas</div><div class="ubbcode-body">


2. There is no adjustment for brightness of the Illuminated
reticle. A friend of mine did not like the fact that the
entire reticle lit up.



</div></div>

My 2.5-10 has adjustable brightness levels.

 

[pwc001]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: peaceatwar</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Maggitas</div><div class="ubbcode-body">


2. There is no adjustment for brightness of the Illuminated
reticle. A friend of mine did not like the fact that the
entire reticle lit up.



</div></div>

My 2.5-10 has adjustable brightness levels. </div></div>

All my NXS's have adjustable brightness, I have just never had a need to adjust it.

 

[00bullitt]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

While the illumination on the full size NXS is adjustable, it is not field adjustable and has been a common complaint.

 

[peaceatwar]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 00bullitt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">While the illumination on the full size NXS is adjustable, it is not field adjustable and has been a common complaint. </div></div>

I love both of mine btw, and am looking at getting a F1 for a third.

 

[Takashi]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

My F1 and Compact 2.5-10x32 have had no downfalls. If i were to have a complaint, it would be the rear ocular moving when changing magnification, which results in the use of bikini covers (for the f1), but I can do it faster on the f1 than I can on the S&B PMII 5-25 I have.

Image quality isn't as great as the S&B, but light gathering on the f1 is about equal to the S&B, if not a hair better.

they are good scopes for the money if you aren't obsessed with features.

 

[B.Bates]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

1) glass it's no s&b but for the money it's good

2) first focal. They should of made a 5-22 first

Now there have been rumors for years of the new scope but companies like vortex and bushnell stepped up and filled a void left for a good $2k glass loaded with great features and to me if your going to spend $3k plus get an s&b 5-25

I think NF blew it and will have a hard time coming back

I much preferred my Razor over my old NXS, never shot a bushnell but keep hearing good things

Now for hunting or paper punching you'll be fine with your 5-22 just depends on what you want to do

 

[peaceatwar]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shootone</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1) glass it's no s&b but for the money it's good

2) first focal. They should of made a 5-22 first

Now there have been rumors for years of the new scope but companies like vortex and bushnell stepped up and filled a void left for a good $2k glass loaded with great features and to me if your going to spend $3k plus get an s&b 5-25

I think NF blew it and will have a hard time coming back

I much preferred my Razor over my old NXS, never shot a bushnell but keep hearing good things

Now for hunting or paper punching you'll be fine with your 5-22 just depends on what you want to do
</div></div>

Pretty new to the sport. I'm good shot with quality equipment though. For 2013 my goal is to shoot one PRS event and compete in the local mayberry series.

 

[B.Bates]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I would practice and get good dope don't change now.

Go to those matches have fun talk to a lot of guys and ask to look at their equipment

I think after a few matches and seeing other optics you will have a better idea what you want, and make a better purchase

What prs match are you going to shoot?

 

[cramey74]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I have had several USO's and still have 2...I recently purchased a Nightforce F1 Mil-Spec 3.5-15 and so far I am very impressed...The glass is clear albeit not as clear as some of the other offerings I still place it very high in the ranking..Also I don't think USO is on the same level with S&B..I love my USO's but comparing the two is like comparing a Corvette to a Ferrari..

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I own, have owned, three NXS 3.5-15’s now, never could I say they fell short. While I have looked through S&B and Premier I have never owned one or spent more than 5-10 behind one. While the image did appear better, there was no OMG moments and I was not inclined to spend the extra to get to that level.

I think the illumination has been covered well above, it is adjustable just not “in the field adjustable” and I am fine with that and actually prefer the setup as it isn’t going to come on in my backpack or gun case.

As for the whole ocular assembly turning. One must remember this is a combat scope and in stressful situations it is easier to grab the whole thing (gross motor skills) and turn rather than taking your eye off target to find the magnification ring to increase/decrease your magnification level.

Now where I believe Nightforce has fallen short is in what they offer as a company. I would really like to see them come out with a 3-12 or even 3-15 with an objective lens in the 40-42mm range geared for those of us that don’t wish to carry around a two pound+ scope on our hunting rifles. I know they have the 2.5-10x32 but I have look through enough quality binoculars with 32mm lenses to know how quick they dim out in the early/late hours and/or darkened forests and shadows that I find myself in or looking into.

 

[Pusher591]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

Mine hasn't fell short. I enjoy both I have. Would like to see external brightness adjustment.

If I'm going to spend extra money it's gonna be for an S&B. The USO's I have handled and shot are nice but for the increased price are not worth it to ME. Nightforce does everything I need it to for the price level.

Also, I bought both of mine used/like new condition and saved almost $1000 between the two. USO seems to bring top dollar even when used. That's good and bad, depends if you you're buying or selling one.

 

[peaceatwar]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shootone</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would practice and get good dope don't change now.

Go to those matches have fun talk to a lot of guys and ask to look at their equipment

I think after a few matches and seeing other optics you will have a better idea what you want, and make a better purchase

What prs match are you going to shoot? </div></div>

I'm leaning towards the GAP Grind because I could register for the training class and learn the terrain and get good dope on the course.

 

[map_it]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I have a smaller NF Compact in the 1-4 on my 6.8 AR and I just got an SN-3 for the bolt gun. I think the glass on the USO might be a little better but the big reason I went with USO was for the FFP and ERGO.

I was ready to pull the trigger on another USO ERGO 1.8-10 for my AR-10 but with USO deleting the ERGO from their product line I plan to go with a NF Compact 2.5-10x32 for the AR-10.

I just dont think the FFP and TPAL is worth the additional dough on only a 10x.

Besides my eyes aren't that great and I really find it hard to distinguish glass quality between the two....

So I thik the NF is a great value and they really need a F1 in the 5-25 range!!

 

[azimutha]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I had a 2.5-10X32. It was a great scope in almost every way but I like glass better in Premier or S&B scopes.

 

[High Binder]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

The only downfalls on mine have been the price tags but my father-in-law had one that he had to send back because the left/right turret seized up after only a few clicks right out of the box. I was the first one to touch it and there was something totally fucked up going on inside of it. It wouldn't turn in the 'left' direction no matter what what but would under considerable force turn to the right. Sent it back and they said they fixed it and sent it back but because it was brand new they might have just swapped them out. Other than that I've never had a problem.

 

[bmt]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

FWIW:

"No one ever missed because they were using a nightforce"

Is my favorite quote from "Lowlight". (hope I got that quote right)

He is less kind toward Leupold . . . .

BMT

 

[ColoWyo]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

My F1 or the 22X I had before never let me down.

The ocular thing is awkward at first, but no biggie after spending some time with it. The reliability of their scopes is hard to beat.

 

[Cornholeo]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I have never had a failure to please out of the two NF I have owned and light gathering out of the 3.5x15x56 was really impressive in the woods at the end of the day. The only complaint is on my new 5.5x22x56 the reticle is not field adjustable, as previously mentioned. Only reason I can think of doing it this way was because of the side focus on the same post, IDK. I would not hesitate to buy another NF though.

 

[Grizzdude]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

My NF nxs 5.5-22x56 has never let me down!

 

[peaceatwar]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

Thanks for all the feedback. I love my NF's and from the feedback I think a third is on the way.

 

[redhooker]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I am on my own here I guess-but I actually <span style="font-style: italic">prefer</span> the illumination setup on the NXS. I only use the lower setting on my Illuminated reticles, the only place I have a need to fiddle with brightness are my red dot optics. It is so simple to either turn it on, or off. I never have to take a second glance to make sure it is on the "0" and not burning up my batteries. I also appreciate 1 less knob hanging off the side of my scope, but it would seem more people here like to crank it up or down. For me, simple is better.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I am a foster home for unwanted NF scopes that may have disappointed someone. Please feel free to send them to me and I will give them what they deserve.
There are ten siblings in the home now but always room for one more.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I know they are super scratch sensitive, illum knob sucks IMO, price tag is too high, they don't have chromosome aborigines, too many reticles to choose from, what else......

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: peaceatwar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Long-time lurker, first time post(outside of classifieds).

I have read quite a few times over stories about where people had a NF scope fall short for them. I have two(5.5-22x56/2.5-10x32) and I have yet to experience something that made me go "oh jeez I spent 2k and got this?". With that said I am not opposed to waiting to save up for a USO/S&B. My only question is why? and where did your NF fall short that left you wanting more? What did you get to replace that NF and why? </div></div>

I purchased a 12-42x56 for long range shooting. Problem is, it doesn't have enough travel. On a 20 moa base it had just enough travel for me to get my 7mm-08 to 1k. At one mile I had it dialed down to 12x was holding 80 ft. over target (on a bush in the backdrop) using the 12 moa stadia line. It was 21 actual moa as it was a SFP. Fortunately it was an SFP so that when outside the normal range I could dial down and double up (almost) my moa per stadia line. Hitting at one mile was a trick unto itself that day, let alone the normal magnitude of hitting that far.

I would have been better off getting the 5.5-22x or 3.8-17x.

The other thing I found about the 42x was even in bright Nevada sunshine, it was dark.

The 12-42x56 really had no other value than shooting 1k in broad daylight.

 

[Tacticalrum]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I have had no problems with mine. The price is getting a little high though.

 

[maccrazy2]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I have a 5-22 nxs HS ZS. It is reliable but I would not buy another unless they make them in FFP. If the price jumps up to around 3k like I have been hearing I still would not buy one. I will buy another schmidt and get much brighter glass.
The scope tracks great and is very reliable but for me there are better options out there if they jump up in price.

 

[Pappasniper]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

Its funny to me for people to say, the glass is just "Okay". Ive said this before, its like looking through a playboy and saying, "the girl on page 23 is too skinny/fat/blonde The real hot one is on page43!". The fact is, most men would drag their balls through a parking lot full of broken glass to hear her fart through a walkie talkie.

The glass on a NF scope is awesome. I enjoy a free market competition that provides us endless products and price-points. Its a kick ass scope and sure, I would like a field adjustable illumination. But $ for $, many people agree its unbeatable. I value ruggedness over all else, given everything else is acceptable and NF excels in this category. Now, let em hang

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PappaSniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Its funny to me for people to say, the glass is just "Okay". Ive said this before, its like looking through a playboy and saying, "the girl on page 23 is too skinny/fat/blonde The real hot one is on page43!". <span style="font-weight: bold">The fact is, most men would drag their balls through a parking lot full of broken glass to hear her fart through a walkie talkie.</span>

The glass on a NF scope is awesome. I enjoy a free market competition that provides us endless products and price-points. Its a kick ass scope and sure, I would like a field adjustable illumination. But $ for $, many people agree its unbeatable. I value ruggedness over all else, given everything else is acceptable and NF excels in this category. Now, let em hang

</div></div>

The glass on NF is pretty damn good. However, I do feel there is better. Everything better IMO though, always costs more. Moving up from a Leupold is like a godsend to get to look through NF glass.

When people say "okay", I think they need to step into the wayback machine and remember what glass looked like in the '60's and '70's. Even '80's and '90's. NF is a HUGE improvement over them.

Excellent use of analogies.

 

[madppcs]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I have a 3.5x15 NF and its a great scope. I also have a leup Mk4 4.5x14 and the glass is identical. I line them up side x side and at the same mag the glass is the same.
Both scopes I've had the windage set screw back out. And on 2 of my buddies NFs the set screws have backed out. These are all on 308s.

 

[JBD56]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I think some of it is the perspective of glass quality that you have had in the past. If all you have used prior to a NF was a Bushnel or Weaver scope, the NF is a huge step up in clarity and quality. I have only been shooting LR competition (F-class) for 1 year, but have been shooting p-dogs and belding squirrels for over 30. The first optics that I used for p-dogs was a 6.5-20X40 Vari-X3 and could hit 90% of the time out to 400 yards with a 22-250. I never used mils or had a scope to dial...just used hold-overs and "Kentucky windage". Funny things start happening to your eyes once you get north of 40-45 though

.

I like NF scopes and am presently using them for 3 LR rigs because of their repeatability when dialing. I don't think the quality of glass is any better than Sightron or Leupold M4's (just to this late 50's set of eyes). I also have a Premier Reticle 3-15 that there is a huge difference in the clarity and brightness of the glass compared to the NF's. Like everyone has said....you get what you pay for and quality German glass is expensive.

Are they rugged,dependable and a good value ...you bet. Are they really good for clarity and brightness...not to my eyes.

 

[shotdown]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

The downfalls for me were:

1) The glass on the Premier Heritage 5.50-25x56 and USO TPAL 3.2-17x50 were better than my NXS 5.5-22x56.

2) NF doesn't have a FF plane reticle on the 5.5-22x56.

3) Can't adjust illumination on the field quickly.

Besides that, the scope was fine. I also have a NF 2.5-10x32 and I really like that scope. I have no problems with that one.

 

[GUNNER10]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

dont think my NF has ever fallen short, i think that NF like leupold of late 90's early 2000's is somewhat resting on their laurels and not really innovating there product as fast as they could be.

while i considering many of these options to be nice, i really dont consider them the least bit critical

glass, i can spot impacts at 1000, if need to see impacts furthur, its time for the spotter to come out. dont need to spend an extra 2000 dollars to get into the next catogory of glass

zero stops, ive never lost my zero, its 5 MOA from absoulte zero with 30 MOA base

single turn/double turn, so i have to turn the turrets a few more times

FFP vs SFP, while not as fast as FFP, i can always turn down my mag to range or do the math nd range at max mag

illunination, i have yet to NEED it shooting. is it bennifical, yes, but not critcal

this is comming from a recreational shooter, not some high speed low drag operator that has a blank check for gear.

with that being said companies like swfa and bushnell are making a hell of a product that can run with alot of higher end scopes for a fration of the price.

as much as i love NF, just dont think that i am going to stay with them much longer, as their 5-22 FFP is going to be in SB price range and as nice as it may be, i think that with a SWFA 5-20 and 2000 dollars in training, range sessions, gear, and reloading supplies i am going to be able to take away far more for me than i could if i were rocking a Gucci brand scope

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

My NF scopes got sold because I wanted FFP and more than 15x. I went to S&B. I hear that is going to change, but it sounds like its going to be same price as S&B. I'd have two 5.5-22x56 if they made it identical to the F1, just in 5.5-22x power range.

 

[Opticsspecialist]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

i think nightforce is a good benchmark scope, mechanically, there is nothing more repeatable. can you get a better scope optically? you bet, but your going to pay a lot more for it, and it's good optically. yes it lacks front focal, but sometimes that isn't a bad thing if your shooting groups or longer distance and you need a reticle that at least appears to subtend a little finer. personally, i've shot my 5.5-22x56 under a variety of conditions, and i've never had to crank down from 22x due to low light or high mirage conditions. this is under some very hot sunny conditions with high humidity. another thing to consider, if i'm shooting something far enough that i need to range it, and i'm using my reticle, i'm on max magnification anyway. so i understand the front focal issue, it just hasn't been an issue for me so far, at least not with the 5.5-22.

 

[steve123]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: peaceatwar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Long-time lurker, first time post(outside of classifieds).

I have read quite a few times over stories about where people had a NF scope fall short for them. I have two(5.5-22x56/2.5-10x32) and I have yet to experience something that made me go "oh jeez I spent 2k and got this?". With that said I am not opposed to waiting to save up for a USO/S&B. My only question is why? and where did your NF fall short that left you wanting more? What did you get to replace that NF and why? </div></div>

As far as SFP scopes with respect to outright durability and reliability, Nightforce is still hard to beat and I daresay still the benchmark to which other SFP scopes are judged and especially for the price. Too me their glass is better than it used to be, they have a ZS, HS knobs, better reticles in their scopes, so there's not much left except the Illume system on their full size scopes. The NF compacts have a upgrade in the illume system already along with ZS.

All things considered the newer F1's are a pretty darn good scope, it's just that some of us wish for more mag, like for example a F1 5.5-22 for a couple hundred more.

My idea of a perfect tactical scope doesn't exist. It's very unlikely I'm going to spend more than $3000 for a scope that lacks what I envision.

Take a March FX 5-40 with .1 mil clicks, 10 mil knobs, H-59 and my search for a perfect tactical scope would be over.

HDMR's have sufficed for now. Glad to see the Bushnel 4-30 G2 coming out with 10 mil knobs and ZS! If they come out with H-59 I'm getting one!

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I had to crank mine down quite a bit, and often the greater FOV was needed. Also the S&B reticles are approximately the same thickness as the MLR on 22x, but we've had that conversation before, Jay

No doubt, the NF 5.5-22x56 is a helluva scope.

 

[dk-1]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

I had two mark 4's prior to my first NF. I bought a 3.5-15x50 and expected it to be the "shit" from all the hype on this forum. My first complaint was the quality of glass. Looking through it everything seemed dim and two dimensional. I have VERY good eyesight (atleast at this time I did, before hitting my 30's) and the mark 4's just seemed to have hands down better glass. I sent the scope back to NF and explained my concerns. They sent it back and said everything optically checked out okay, except the diopter was a bit out of speck. When I mounted it back on a rifle I noticed no difference. My second complaint was the shortish (compared to Leupold) eye relief. My third complaint was the eye piece turning with the focus ring. Some say this was intentinioal for a battle scope due to gross motor skills, to me it appeared to be less moving parts hence cheaper to produce. I sold it and replaced it with a third mark 4 and was happy.

To me, NF is riding on a strong but very outdated reputation. This is similar to Leupold as of a short while ago. For the price of a NF F1 you are in March F territory as well as some premiers and USOs. The NXS line in my humble opinion is out dated and not worth the current price tag. If they were in the $1100 dollar range they would be a contender against HDMR, SS, PST's, etc.

I should add that I have used other NF scopes which belonged to friends since I had mine. My original impressions have not changed. Not impressed....

 

[peaceatwar]

Re: Where did your NightForce fall short?

Some great insight in this thread. I was checking out the new tan line of S&B and a few others. For my next optic I settled on the MIL-SPEC F1 3.5-15 that was listed in the classifieds. Its going on a LH templar action AICS GAP gun so we will see how everything plays out. In the end justifying another 1500$ for a S&B just isn't there for me yet. I love my 2.5-10 and my 5.5-22 I'm sure I will miss the magnification but I've officially jumped on the FFP bandwagon.