NightForce is FINALLY coming out with a scope that interests me :)

[Ledd Slinger]

Reading the latest edition of Guns & Ammo 'Precision Rifle Shooter' magazine, I came across an article on the expansion on the new NightForce "NX8" line of scopes. Normally I turn the other cheek when I see new NightForce scopes, but after glancing at the specs while turning the page, I was very intrigued at these new offerings.

The two new scopes being added to the NX8 line are 2.5-20x50mm and 4-32x50mm. They have top of the line Japanese ED glass, they are only 12 inches and 13.5 inches long respectively, and both only weigh in at 28 oz!!!

The 4-32x zoom range in a 13.5 inch scope weighing only 28 oz is a Godsend to the long range hunting community. I'm sure the PRS guys are jumping up and down too

The illumination system is adjustable, where the NXS is not, and also allows for red and green illumination. The Zero stop is identical to the one used on the ATACR.

Have any of you had the chance to get your hands on one yet? Maybe at SHOT? They aren't available on the market quite yet, but the anticipation of getting my hands on a 4-32x50 is killing me.

Heres a link to the specs on the MOA model up for preorder at Euro Optic

https://www.eurooptic.com/Nightforce-NX8-4-32x50-MOAR-C624.aspx?utm_source=eoic2017&utm_medium=JAB

 

[Alex Wheeler]

You buy one and let us know ok? I like the 5.5-22 nxs for hunting. IF they come out with a 2nd focal plane Im sure I will have to try one

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yeah dang FFP is the only option at the moment. I have one FFP scope in the Crimson Trace and it's really not that bad. Tho I'm more of a turret dialer so I dont really need a reticle that stays true to sub tensions on all mag levels.

Originally NF was only announcing mil/mil offerings in the NX8. Luckily they launched the two scopes with mil/mil AND moa/moa. If they really want to wrangle in the long range hunting crowd as this scope is partly geared toward, then I'm sure they will offer a SFP at some point.

I might still order one just because of the awesome mag range of 4-32x coupled with the light weight. We have a guy in Kalispell that stocks pretty much everything NightForce makes. Has a ton of their scopes, rings, bases, mounts, etc in his store. I'm gonna talk to him tomorrow to see if he has any of the NX8's on order. We'll see.

 

[Falfan2017]

March’s tactical lineup fits this role nicely if you need sfp. 5-32 or 2.5-25x52 zoom in a really compact package with nice glass. 23 ounces on that 2.5-25

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The 2.5-25 we tested was mine, it was rock solid poa. There was a .25 moa shift from top to bottom power, you will see that in most scopes. But a small shift like that is not as much an issue as you would think. Your going to do most of your work in the upper end. That little scope is a sweet package. Actually what March is good at is building a solid scope thats light. There are others with better image imo but none that match the combo of poa stability and weight.

 

[GotRDid]

Hope they are cheaper than the March scopes, but either way, I want the 2.5-20, or the 2.5-25 someday in either mfg.
GotRDid.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I appreciate the input, but I'm not interested in the March scopes. 8x of the NF is feasible.10x power range scopes have issues that current optic technology hasnt conquered yet.

After using my Trijicon 4.5-30x56 and being able to see 30 cal bullet holes in the white of a target at 500 yards on a day with mirage that had my Swarovski ATX spotting scope struggling to see the same holes, I dont want anything with less power than 30x. The 4.5-30x power range and the glass of the Trijicon is awesome for hunting. I would put the glass up against any of the very best scopes on the market and expect a very heated battle. Especially if compared side by side in low light. Downside is the scope weighs 38 oz.

If I can maintain a similar power range (ie; NX8 4-32x) and still have the same quality glass at a similar price point as the Triji while saving 10 oz in weight, I will be happier than a pig in sh**

MSRP for the NF NX8 4-32x is $2150 so it's not a ridiculous price to pay for the features and advantages. Hopefully street price will be a little less.

I have a NF dealer here locally that stocks mor NF optics and accessories than anywhere I've ever seen. Will be talking with him to see when he will have them in. Until then...

 

[22DASHER]

I appreciate the input, but I'm not interested in the March scopes. 8x of the NF is feasible.10x power range scopes have issues that current optic technology hasnt conquered yet.

After using my Trijicon 4.5-30x56 and being able to see 30 cal bullet holes in the white of a target at 500 yards on a day with mirage that had my Swarovski ATX spotting scope struggling to see the same holes, I dont want anything with less power than 30x. The 4.5-30x power range and the glass of the Trijicon is awesome for hunting. I would put the glass up against any of the very best scopes on the market and expect a very heated battle for the title. Especially if compared side by side in low light. Downside is the scope weighs 38 oz.

If I can maintain a similar power range (ie; NX8 4-32x) and still have the same quality glass at a similar price point as the Triji while saving 10 oz in weight, I will be happier than a pig in sh**

MSRP for the NF NX8 4-32x is $2150 so it's not a ridiculous price to pay for the features and advantages. Hopefully street price will be a little less.

I have a NF dealer here locally that stocks mor NF optics and accessories than anywhere I've ever seen. Will be talking with him to see when he will have them in. Until then...

See if you can get a group buy deal on several 4-32’s with the new MilXT reticle when they come out. I’d go in on a couple

 

[jb1000br]

Guys,

we have a ton of these on order, hit me up for pricing, happy to get you on our list. I have a 2.5-20 sample coming very soon and plan to pop it on my AI AX right away and probably a 223 groundhog rifle after that. These things are going to sell like hot cakes, that's for sure...

Here are the options: NX8 OPTIONS

 

[Ledd Slinger]

If anyone knows how to get their hands on a NX8 4-32x50, I would love to do one of my optics reviews on it before they hit the market. I think it would be an excellent head to head matchup against my Trijicon 4.5-30x56 Accupower. I would make it my best and most in depth review to date. I will be sure to produce a full tracking test and recoil test on my scope checker with a frozen Leupold 36x. Will check optics in all conditions and at extremes of turret adjustments, fully divulge all features with tons if good photos, and even as excited as I am about this new scope, I will deliver a fully unbiased review. Scope will only be mounted in the finest one piece mounts with verified perfect alignment and bedded rings so the tube remains completely unmolested when returned (Spuhr or NF Xtreme Duty mounts). Let me know if you have any insider ties to NF that could make this happen for us.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

I agree 90 MOA Elevation adjust and 1FP, the 4-32x50 could be a good option for many PRS guys. I noticed it’s only a 30 mm tube but I can’t see that holding back any PRS guys. There is one thing though, most PRS shooters I know prefer mil dot reticles - enough to stop them from buying this scope for PRS.

 

[NCVarhtr]

I would be very interested in your evaluation of the NX8 4-32 X50. I am much more interested in the second focal plane scopes but still interested. I have 3 of the March 2.5-25X52 scopes and while I agree with Alex, the image clarity isn't as good as I would like, it isn't bad at all. Mine have been great so far....

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I agree 90 MOA Elevation adjust and 1FP, the 4-32x50 could be a good option for many PRS guys. I noticed it’s only a 30 mm tube but I can’t see that holding back any PRS guys. There is one thing though, most PRS shooters I know prefer mil dot reticles - enough to stop them from buying this scope for PRS.

They have milling reticle and .1 mil turret options. Has to be a 30mm tube to get the weight down.

 

[Clancy]

I’ve got both of them pre-ordered.

Who the heck would turn their nose up at Nightforce for so long?

 

[Zero333]

Most PRS shooters don't care if the scope weights 2+ lbs, so I can't see the NX8 being the new shiny for them. But Nightforce is known for making tough optics that track true, therefore NF is always popular in PRS.

Top PRS shooters are using 18+ lbs rifles, with some reaching 26 lbs !
precisionrifleblog.com survey from the 2018 finally....

 

[bluestreakrem]

Yeah dang FFP is the only option at the moment. I have one FFP scope in the Crimson Trace and it's really not that bad.

Not to change the subject but................since you have the Crimson Trace...........How does their glass look?
The review I read stated it was rather dark (not very bright image) which is surprising considering the objective that was on it.
I love their lasers and lights and was hoping their scopes would be just as good. Been wanting to get an eye on one but no one in Houston has them. I've been burned before buying 'the first version' of products so I want to see one before I commit to buying.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Finally got my hands on a NX8 4-32x50 today.

The glass is nice, but not quite on the level of my Trijicon 4.5-30x56. The turrets are pretty good. The clicks are a lot softer than other NF scopes but they are positive and quiet. I think they might have softened them up to reduce noise. With the standard zero stop, it wouldnt be an issue if bumped.

The illumination is a single pushbutton. One press turns it on where you had it last. More presses switch between power levels. The button needs to be held for a bunch of seconds to swap between red and green colors. Then hold and release after about 3 seconds to turn off....
Honestly, it's a royal pain in the ass!!!
Its a clean design and hardly noticeable on the scope, but so much more difficult to operate than a dial. If in a hurry during a low light hunting situation, I could definitely see a shot being blown while having to mess around with the illumination. At times I couldnt get it to brighten and was having hell getting it turned off. It's a cool design, but not practical for field use at all.

The reticle is nice and I like the design but it is extremely thin and small on 4x. Would totally get lost in shadows. Definitely would not work in low light without the illumination. Plus side of being so fine on low power is that it's not overly thick on 32x. Its definitely a little thicker than I prefer on 32x, but still very useable for aiming small.

It is a lot of scope for the money tho. Probably the best value amongst any of the NF scopes by far. I personally will be waiting to see when they release a SFP reticle version before revisiting the NX8. Until then...

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

Thanks for doing this review. I have several ATACRs and your description of the illumination sounds like it’s the same system. I agree it’s hard to use and if I were doing a lot of hunting that would be annoying.