Nightforce Review

When you are under conditions of heat mirage. Either barrel or summer heat. The mirage is going to show up in good quality scopes between 14X-16X. It is that way in all good quality scopes. It really is that simple. It is not a mark of quality if a scope does not show heat mirage, because the heat mirage is there. So basically if you are not seeing it then your scope is of such poor quality that it can not even pick up mirage. It really is that simple.

This is why alot of the older good quality scopes either maxed out at 16X or they were straight 16X's. I can remember years ago when a straight 16X was a very popular varmint scope. Along with the 12X. Tom.
 
I just got a NF 5.5-22x56 and am very pleased. Before that I was a die hard Nikon guy. Here in my county in Nevada we are allowed to spot light. It is at night that I believe that the NF dominates. The deference at night is amazing, and I know that night shooting is not something that most people in our sport can do.

My progression in upgrading my optics was as follows:

Leupold VX-III 8-24x50 LR

Nikon monarch 4-16x50 (under half as much $ and way better than the pervious Leupold IMO)

NF 5.5-22x56

The difference between the Monarch and the NF was very little during the day, and if only day shooting would stick to the Nikon for the cash spent. Also I do use the turrets for correction (elevation mostly, I wish I had the skills to do wind).

Just one man's opinion......
 
I noticed this today shooting some long ranges with my friend with our .308's his Nightforce shows so much Mirage vapors he cant utilize all of his power when shooting out 400-700yds. It was pretty bad in my Muller but his seemed even worse. His is a 22x power and the highest he could go without it being to blurry was maybe 14x at far distances.

Heat waves and mirage get picked up no matter what optics you are using.

The heat waves are a condition that magnification worsens. Any optical device that magnifies any field of view when heat wave conditions are bad will pick that up. On hot, humid days while surveying I can't take long readings with a $10,000 survey instrument.
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The excellent optics will actually pick it up more. The poor optics will appear "hazy" rather than show the true effects of the heat waves.

Barry
 
My thoughts are same as what Barry said - if it is out there (mirage=heat waves) a good scope should pick it up - even if you dont like it! Think about seeing something that is almost invisible when a lower quality scope just gets out of focus.
 
i guess it makes sense that the better quality the glass the better you'll see the heat waves. i hate to admit that my leupold VX III 6-20 LR may not be as "high end" as i once thought. i thought it was plenty for what i use it for.

i could see .30 cal holes at 300yds but i wish i could see heat waves better????

i'd love to be able to compare a bunch of quality scopes side by side at different ranges and in different conditions to be able to determine the "quality" that i want.

sounds like i need to cross the boarder and see how they compare in the spotlight.
 
I prefer to be able to see the mirage/heat waves through my Leupolds/NF's/Swaro's to be able to read the wind correctly, esp on longer shots 500yds + at the range.

The mirage/heat waves can be your friend, but also be your enemy was well. I've had times were my 22x NF was useless and had to dial down to 12-14x since the mirage was so bad. Try looking through a cheaper scope(s) and then look at a higher end Leupy or NF, it's night and day difference.

The better the optics, the better it'll cut through the mirage or make it easier to see, IMO. I was amazed at some of the S&B's 5-25's I've look through at the range, then return to look through my Leupold's & NF and they look like they're distorted/blurry like cheaper scopes on hot/humid days.
 
Originally Posted By: venaticnightcaller here is a recent rating scale you may find helpful. I too was a die hard Leupold guy but not so much anymore.

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16515

WOW! Bushnell is rated as being as good or better than a Leupold? that's a bubble burster! i've looked through both in low light and thought the leupold was significantly better. maybe i was just biased? or were the owners of the Bushnells that rated scopes a little biased? we'll never know.
 
I have done several comparisons of the Vari III to the Bushnell Elite 4200 and the Bushnell wins on low light but the newer VX3 I have heard have better glass so maybe Leupold wokeup.
 
Originally Posted By: rockinbbarHogghead,

My NightForce seems to track better than anything I've operated, including my Leupolds.
While agree that in most situations you may not NEED a NightForce. But in my instance, I WANTED one.

The optics are superb. At first I would not notice the difference in other higher end optics and the NightForce, but after using it more and more, I notice things that stand out....Like being able to clearly see a fence wire from post to post at 1000 yards that I wasn't able to notice before the NightForce.

The way the scope operates to me, is what will keep me with them. I mean when you make an adjustment, it's clear, concise and has every bit of my faith in it. At 100 yards all you have to do is click it, and the adjustments are precise enough to get the tape measure out and compare. That's how it should be, but rarely IS with my other scopes.

The quality that goes into the NightForce is obvious.
Are they for "everyone"..?? Probably not. I'm sure happy with mine.
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Barry

+ one million
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Originally Posted By: SuperSeal110I prefer to be able to see the mirage/heat waves through my Leupolds/NF's/Swaro's to be able to read the wind correctly, esp on longer shots 500yds + at the range.

The mirage/heat waves can be your friend, but also be your enemy was well. I've had times were my 22x NF was useless and had to dial down to 12-14x since the mirage was so bad. Try looking through a cheaper scope(s) and then look at a higher end Leupy or NF, it's night and day difference.

The better the optics, the better it'll cut through the mirage or make it easier to see, IMO. I was amazed at some of the S&B's 5-25's I've look through at the range, then return to look through my Leupold's & NF and they look like they're distorted/blurry like cheaper scopes on hot/humid days.

I have a couple friends that run S&B for that reason... just can't afford the step up in $$$... they are both Gov. trappers that take 400 + coyotes each year. They demand the best equipment.
 
I just picked up a nice used NF 5.5x22x50mm MLR with Mil turrets for my Howa .308, I havent got to shoot it yet but im very happy with the glass image and the feel of the turrets so far.

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I shoot 600 to 1,000 yrds with my NXS NF and i never do hold overs, i crank the turrets ALL day long, back and forth over and over again. It is precise, never misses, returns to Zero everytime. The glass is clear and is just the best glass i could ask for.
 
Well, I've been struggling with a NF purchase for the last couple of months.
Maybe y'all can answer me one simple question:

Tell me why I should spend $1500 on a 5.5-15 NF scope when I can get 2 (TWO) Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50's with target turrets shipped to me for $1520?

I really WANT a NF scope, but I'm really struggling with the math!!
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A Zeiss Conquest is a real nice piece of glass, The only thing the NF has over them is 100MOA internal adjustment for dialing shots from 100yd zero to 1000+yds and not running out of adjustment while the Conquest only has maybe 45MOA I think. That and just Nightforce's reputation for being so consistant with adjusting the turrets back and forth all day long and puttin the bullet the exact same spot where ever you dial the turret too, but the Zeiss turrets might be just as good I dont have any experience with them.

What are you planning on doing with the scope?
 
Originally Posted By: dzlfarmboyWhat are you planning on doing with the scope?

Putting it on an accurate long-range hunting rifle.
But where I live 400-500 yards would be long range.
 
If your not planing on using the turrets to make impact changes for different ranges and would just be using hold over for longer shots get a zeiss with the Rapid Z reticle.
 
Originally Posted By: fw707Well, I've been struggling with a NF purchase for the last couple of months.
Maybe y'all can answer me one simple question:

Tell me why I should spend $1500 on a 5.5-15 NF scope when I can get 2 (TWO) Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50's with target turrets shipped to me for $1520?

I really WANT a NF scope, but I'm really struggling with the math!!
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where can i get a conquest for $760? i've got a D Tech that wants one for its b-day!

if you're only going 500yds max you prob dont NEED a NF.
 

A lot of us live up to the limits but within our means. If Night Force is all
you can afford.. it's not a bad scope to have to live with. lol Then there is
the S&B, Premier, USO crowd that is really serious or really rich. Choices, I
love this Country!
 
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