i have several NB-BR scopes in 12-42 with np2dd. i am in the same boat as you Ned in that i lose the dot at times on the target. i have not tried the illumination on these but will. soon as i hope it will help me keep from losing the dot. i have one with the npr2 ,i think ,and its harder for me to aim but ill try it with ill. to. i need to check the batt compartments in these to make sure they arent corroded ect.I have several of the 12-42x56 NXS scopes on F-TR rifles, but all have the NP-2DD reticle. They are solid scopes and should serve their owners well. Sure, there is better glass out there now, but you may have to sell a kidney to buy it. The 12-42 NXS scopes have good glass, not the absolute best, but "good". They are built as solid as a tank, and should provide good service for many years. I have reached a point where my eyes are now having trouble distinguishing the aiming dot in the NP-2DD reticle against the target black. I also have a couple 8-32x56 NXS scopes on other rifles that have the NP-R1 reticle. I find it much easier to see, and I wish now that I had gone with the NP-R1/R2 reticles in the 12-42 scopes. The 12-42 with an NP-R2 reticle is still a very good scope. Even though there is better glass currently available, it would not typically be the limiting factor for most shooters.
I've considered having the NP-2DD reticles changed to NP-R1s, but I don't know if NF will do that for the [discontinued] 12-42 NXS scopes. I've tried calling them a couple times, but didn't get through with some of their staff currently working from home. Any idea whether NF will replace the reticle on a "discontinued" scope? That would be markedly less expensive than purchasing several new scopes. When I can't reliably see the aiming dot, the scopes as they sit are almost useless.i have several NB-BR scopes in 12-42 with np2dd. i am in the same boat as you Ned in that i lose the dot at times on the target. i have not tried the illumination on these but will. soon as i hope it will help me keep from losing the dot. i have one with the npr2 ,i think ,and its harder for me to aim but ill try it with ill. to. i need to check the batt compartments in these to make sure they arent corroded ect.
My 12-42 has the CH3 reticle and the dot is even smaller (NP2DD .1875 moa, CH3 .125 moa) It's my favorite reticle but I do start to lose the dot about the end of the fourth card. I've commited a mortal sin and used qd mounts on my 2 scopes because I can't afford a half dozen scopes. On the fourth card of an Unlimited match I started losing the dot and finished with a 2250 (indoor...pretty good for me) I swapped out for Sightron SV on the 5th target...3 shots to center...then shot a 2350 and 2400. The dot looked like a basketball after the NF dot.. I've had no problem with movement with my QD mounts. It's a thought.i have several NB-BR scopes in 12-42 with np2dd. i am in the same boat as you Ned in that i lose the dot at times on the target. i have not tried the illumination on these but will. soon as i hope it will help me keep from losing the dot. i have one with the npr2 ,i think ,and its harder for me to aim but ill try it with ill. to. i need to check the batt compartments in these to make sure they arent corroded ect.
sometimes when i cant see the dot with the np2dd i do okay by centering up between the reticles. last i knew (before pandemic) NF would change reticles but it was enough money i think most people just traded or sold existing scopes and purchased the ones they wanted.I've considered having the NP-2DD reticles changed to NP-R1s, but I don't know if NF will do that for the [discontinued] 12-42 NXS scopes. I've tried calling them a couple times, but didn't get through with some of their staff currently working from home. Any idea whether NF will replace the reticle on a "discontinued" scope? That would be markedly less expensive than purchasing several new scopes. When I can't reliably see the aiming dot, the scopes as they sit are almost useless.