I'm that guy that tends to research something extensively before making a purchase. Which sometimes that becomes a problem because I may research something for months. Yeah dumb I know.
Here's my delima, I have found very little on youtube or the interweb about these scopes. Have any of you guys had any first hand expeirence with the T82 model? I have 3 nightforce scopes and am a huge nut hugger of nightforce. I've had issues with them and they repaired them at no charge. Pretty awesome customer service in my eyes. Is there something that's absolutely equal cheaper? Are they over priced?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
I know this is an older thread but just came across it. Hope this helps. I own the T82 model and have used it extensively for almost 2 years (morning, high noon, late afternoon, & night), yes at night. It's a decent scope, much better than the TS 80 model, which I owned previously. Hated the TS80 model. It wasn't up to NF standards and they were actually in ageement with me when I discussed it with them in detail. To my understanding, NF had Meopta stop making it for them.
Long story short...TS82 model is made by Meopta. Which in and of itself isn't a bad thing for those wondering. Meopta makes great stuff at their price point. Their high end stuff is very impressive. To my knowledge, NF has Meopta build it and then NF puts their proprietary coatings on the lenses for what they deem important, (i.e. spotting game, etc.) not necessarily spotting tiny holes in white targets at long distance. That being said, I have used it for both and it does a great job at both. However, the 82mm Meopta equivalent will also do the same...and it will do it at a lower price point. So something to consider.
Make no mistake, the NF TS82 is a good scope. However I do think it's a bit overpriced for what you get. Others on here have given some very good advice as to their usage and experience and it definitely should be considered. One bit of advice that was mentioned, (that I should have taken), definitely don't purchase a NF until you look through a Meopta-(82mm) and a Kowa-(883) to compare. I think you'll find that the KOWA is as outstanding scope, even compared to the Swaro or Zeiss equivalent.
Big Spotters aren't something that most people are gonna want to break out every trip to the 100yd range for weekend shoots. It's also not something that youre gonna be buying or wanting to trade up every couple of years unless you guide, trek, or bird watch much. That being said, I would consider investing in something as nice as you can (if able - KOWA, SWARO, ETC), and enjoy it everytime you do eventually pull it out of your pack regardless if its 100yds or 1000yds. When it really matters, (counting horns at near dark, spotting shots for your competition partner, etc) atleast you'll have clarity and confidence.
NF TS82 technical gouge biscuits from my POV: Chromatic aberration wasn't bad at all thru all times of the day. Edge to edge clarity was good. High power fading (ie. gets darker as power increases) wasn't too bad-it is noticeable but only in the early-early morning or low lighting conditions did it ever annoy me. Mirage balance was difficult only when the humidity got above 75% and temp/dewpoint started to climb above 80degf. To be fair, all the spotters used that day (Burris, Leuopold, Vortex, Leica, Kowa, Zeiss, Swaro) had problems with heavy mirage. Heavy Mirage has always been a butt kicker for optics, even alpha glass optics. Kowa & Swaro's faired the best overall in all conditions. Fit and finish on all scopes tested were solid. No issues with any of them, not even the Vortex's razors.
Money not being an issue, I would get Swaro's and call it a day. However, money is an issue with me 'cause I'm not independently wealthy. That being said, I should have saved up and bought the KOWA 883. For the money, the KOWA flourite glass (alpha glass) is very hard to beat and it just seemed to me (my old eyes) that I was able to spot easier (less eye fatigue over hours of hot temp use in the South) over greater distances. The Kowa was brighter and clearer than all others tested but the Swaro. The Swaro was only barely brighter than the KOWA in the shadows or late afternoon overcast days. The Kowa 883 truly is impressive.
No matter what you get, ensure that you invest in a solid steady tripod (ie. thick legs) and a solid well built fluid head. I can't stress enough how important it is to hold whatever spotter you get as steady as possible. No matter how clear and nice a spotter you have, it won't be enjoyable if the wind or slight vibrations are able to make it jitter around thus leading to eye strain and giving you headaches. Make sure you test both 45deg and straight eye pieces to figure out which one is comfortable for YOU! Also, get a tripod tall enough so that you can easily stand behind it straight up (no hunching over) and clearly see through the spotter with NO NECK STRAIN! All of this helps you enjoy your investment! Good luck.
