Nightforce scopes NX8 or ATACR

[Scotty1]

I have a Razor gen 3 on my Scout Epoch. I won this scope at a RMAC raffle and it is more scope than I’ll ever need, but is a pleasure to look through. It is large and heavy and fantastic to use!

 

[steve123]

I have owned both plus many other scopes in a wide range of prices. These are two very different scopes! We are all different and you will get different answers… Also, I like nice glass and very happy paying for quality…

NX8 - I owned the 4-32. I have read on the forums that the 4-32 is better optically than the 2.5-20, but I can’t speak to that. I think that the NX8 really only has its size/weight/parallax combination going for it. I would consider it a hunting scope more than a bench scope. That being said, I would happily spend way less money and be happy with something much cheaper as a hunting scope. This is a scope I don’t feel was anywhere near worth the money I paid, approximately $1800. The size does require optical compromises, and I think it shows.

ATACR - I owned the 7-35, so it may be different than the model you may want. I think it is one of the best scopes I have ever owned. The optical quality was top notch. It agrees with my eyes so well. I was able to dial the diopter in better with this scope than any other, so I like that it is not fast focus. The low light was one place where it really really shined for me. I paid $2700 for mine. While I think it was amazing, I don’t think it was worth that either. I was happy to buy two Athlon Cronus scopes for less, while giving up some, but not enough not to be a problem. ATACR was still better.

In that price range and sticking to FFP comparables… The Vortex G3 is amazing and as good or better than the ATACR, but I paid $2000 for it. I wish I had been able to compare them at the same time. I want to try the Theos and the Zeiss S3 6-36 as well, as they are both a touch cheaper and consensus is they are as good as well. I have not used either of those two though. I have owned a Schmidt and Bender as well for over $3k, and I thought it was not worth the money at all.

All these scopes I like, are much bigger in size than the NX8, so they are very different uses for me.

I can relate, and a storm is blowing in, plus I'm retired, and no big plans for the day, so you guys have to suffer my musings.

In fit, finish, and feel it seems a scope gets only so good and at some point we are paying 2-3-4 times more $ for marginal gains, yeah those gains are apparent in some ways but it almost seems like $800-$1000 a jump for a bit higher tier features and IQ. As inflation keeps getting worse I am less prone to spending my money while trying to get the most from it.

I think we've agreed before on the ATACR 7-35. Excellent scope but the difference was I couldn't "see" any higher IQ than my G2 Cronus had when the owner of that scope and I did the side by side. It was a scope I strongly thought of buying just beforehand! So layed low and kept using my Cronus G2's for long range.

Also since I had owned five NF NXS's in the past I knew they were fine scopes but they weren't exceptional(again in mostly IQ). On one 5.5-22 the erector got stuck briefly, though it self fixed when I dialed all the way up and down a couple times.
My NF F1 3.5-15 actually had very mediocre IQ. I wanted to like this scope but.....

Almost bought a Kahles 6-24 when they first came out but a guy I competed with was having problems with his. Seems Kahles is pretty reliable now and a scope I wouldn't mind trying out again. Some FT shooters I knew/know had them and theirs have worked fine.

I got sucked into S$B 5-25's, and I definitely over paid, but these were about the only option back then to get all the features I wanted. I sold the other two, and kept one, which I think I'll keep for the rest of my life because it's got very good IQ which is between my Cronus G2 and my March Genesis and focuses down to 10m, plus it's just a classic that holds it's own 15 years later and it helped me win a bunch of matches so it's held a positive sentiment in my heart.

I briefly had a G1 Razor 5-20 which I thought was 95% that of the old NXS. I didn't buy a G2 or G3 Razor but did buy a LHT which IMHO falls way short and is not worthy of their top tier name or price point.
Maybe some day I'll run across a good deal on a G3 6-36 though because I'd like to have one?!

Also had IOR, USO, Horus, Vector, Sightron, Leupold, Burris, Meopta, and various March scopes. I liked March over those but even these have some optical oddities in the shorter high mag ratio models. The build quality in March is fantastic though and some great reticles are offered.

Currently I would like to try a DNT 7-35. It seems like a steal price wise. I mean how could you go wrong! It's something I could try out and only loose $100 if I didn't care for it, but then I'd have to buy another gun to put it on, lol.

Athlon, yeah I know you all get tired of hearing it but they are hard not to like for many reasons and cost per performance ratio is most of it.
Last week I shot some PD's with my Savage A17/Ares BTR G3 2.5-15x50 combo to finish my eval and I can't help but be impressed/regardless of price. At 2.5x a body shot at 80Y was still not hard to do, and head shots were even easier sub 50Y on the same magnification, as well the eyebox was massive. I hadn't done that before on such low mag. No it's not high tier IQ but still very good and if I didn't know what scope this was, like as if the scope's identity was hidden, I'da rated it a $2500 scope.
Sorry but In other words there's no way in the world I'd ever buy a NF if considering cost or most of those scopes I alluded to already. As much as I like to try other brands out it has become a costly mistake much of the time and regret quickly ensued.

I'd love to get a Tangent Theta, which is supposed to the #1 top rated, but man unless I get rich it's not gonna happen.

 

[Smok3y]

I can relate, and a storm is blowing in, plus I'm retired, and no big plans for the day, so you guys have to suffer my musings.

In fit, finish, and feel it seems a scope gets only so good and at some point we are paying 2-3-4 times more $ for marginal gains, yeah those gains are apparent in some ways but it almost seems like $800-$1000 a jump for a bit higher tier features and IQ. As inflation keeps getting worse I am less prone to spending my money while trying to get the most from it.

I think we've agreed before on the ATACR 7-35. Excellent scope but the difference was I couldn't "see" any higher IQ than my G2 Cronus had when the owner of that scope and I did the side by side. It was a scope I strongly thought of buying just beforehand! So layed low and kept using my Cronus G2's for long range.

Also since I had owned five NF NXS's in the past I knew they were fine scopes but they weren't exceptional(again in mostly IQ). On one 5.5-22 the erector got stuck briefly, though it self fixed when I dialed all the way up and down a couple times.
My NF F1 3.5-15 actually had very mediocre IQ. I wanted to like this scope but.....

Almost bought a Kahles 6-24 when they first came out but a guy I competed with was having problems with his. Seems Kahles is pretty reliable now and a scope I wouldn't mind trying out again. Some FT shooters I knew/know had them and theirs have worked fine.

I got sucked into S$B 5-25's, and I definitely over paid, but these were about the only option back then to get all the features I wanted. I sold the other two, and kept one, which I think I'll keep for the rest of my life because it's got very good IQ which is between my Cronus G2 and my March Genesis and focuses down to 10m, plus it's just a classic that holds it's own 15 years later and it helped me win a bunch of matches so it's held a positive sentiment in my heart.

I briefly had a G1 Razor 5-20 which I thought was 95% that of the old NXS. I didn't buy a G2 or G3 Razor but did buy a LHT which IMHO falls way short and is not worthy of their top tier name or price point.
Maybe some day I'll run across a good deal on a G3 6-36 though because I'd like to have one?!

Also had IOR, USO, Horus, Vector, Sightron, Leupold, Burris, Meopta, and various March scopes. I liked March over those but even these have some optical oddities in the shorter high mag ratio models. The build quality in March is fantastic though and some great reticles are offered.

Currently I would like to try a DNT 7-35. It seems like a steal price wise. I mean how could you go wrong! It's something I could try out and only loose $100 if I didn't care for it, but then I'd have to buy another gun to put it on, lol.

Athlon, yeah I know you all get tired of hearing it but they are hard not to like for many reasons and cost per performance ratio is most of it.
Last week I shot some PD's with my Savage A17/Ares BTR G3 2.5-15x50 combo to finish my eval and I can't help but be impressed/regardless of price. At 2.5x a body shot at 80Y was still not hard to do, and head shots were even easier sub 50Y on the same magnification, as well the eyebox was massive. I hadn't done that before on such low mag. No it's not high tier IQ but still very good and if I didn't know what scope this was, like as if the scope's identity was hidden, I'da rated it a $2500 scope.
Sorry but In other words there's no way in the world I'd ever buy a NF if considering cost or most of those scopes I alluded to already. As much as I like to try other brands out it has become a costly mistake much of the time and regret quickly ensued.

I'd love to get a Tangent Theta, which is supposed to the #1 top rated, but man unless I get rich it's not gonna happen.

To your point, scopes have come so far the last 10 years, it gets harder and harder to spend for the top tier. I would have to be doing this for a living to test those out to even find out what I think.

I do want to try that DNT 7-35. I tried an Arken, 5-25 maybe, and it was a very good scope for the money. It gets great reviews. I am currently shooting a Meopta 5-30 and am super happy with it. That is the only reason I haven’t tried the Theos or Zeiss. I’m not sure I’m going to gain enough for the shooting I’m doing right now.

Having used those nicer scopes, I can say I have seen the improvement going up, but it becomes how much you are willing to invest to pay for the improvement. Steve, I agree with your comment about trying to get the most out of my money, as that is where I am at now.

 

[steve123]

To your point, scopes have come so far the last 10 years, it gets harder and harder to spend for the top tier. I would have to be doing this for a living to test those out to even find out what I think.

I do want to try that DNT 7-35. I tried an Arken, 5-25 maybe, and it was a very good scope for the money. It gets great reviews. I am currently shooting a Meopta 5-30 and am super happy with it. That is the only reason I haven’t tried the Theos or Zeiss. I’m not sure I’m going to gain enough for the shooting I’m doing right now.

Having used those nicer scopes, I can say I have seen the improvement going up, but it becomes how much you are willing to invest to pay for the improvement. Steve, I agree with your comment about trying to get the most out of my money, as that is where I am at now.

That same Meopta Optika 6 5-30 is on my new Skout EVO. Can't beat that IQ for the money and IIRC I paid $599 for it on sale. The turret lines don't quite line up all that well with the indicator on the housing, and the ZS isn't great so I took the offending gizmo out, but otherwise it's a good scope. I'll leave it on there for a while and see how I feel in a few months.

 

[Alejandro91]

Maybe you can help me put I have a Helix on my fx M4, and want to buy a better scope or let's say I'm just looking for a better glass to have clearer view....been interested on Sightron S3, NF NX8, Zeiss LRP, Element Nexus.....and even thought on Arken EP7 just to earn some bucks....I have a backyard shooting range that I just finished my ranges are from 40yds to longest 300yards, so I just want a clear good glass to be able to see my shots at 200-300yds clearer than my helix.

 

[Smok3y]

@texansouth - You did something weird on that reply, so it won’t let me quote it, but here is my answer/not answer to your question about wanting better glass than your Helix for backyard range up to 300 yards and wanting to see shots…

I always preface scope recommendations with our eyes are not alike and may not like the same things. Our eye sights are different, one may like contrast vs resolution, one may prefer warm vs cool etc, but different scopes could have excellent glass. Some see CA better than others it seems. I love the way a Kahles ($3k) looks for example, but there are others who have looked through the same optic and preferred another scope. ATACR is similar, high end, but different strokes for different folks.

I also think sometimes that too much emphasis is put on good glass as I think a lot of people wouldn’t notice the glass difference is a $600 scope vs a $2000 scope. But those better scopes often are better made, tolerances are better, and they stand up to use better, especially in the turrets and the strain that puts on the internals.

I have not tried that Zeiss (but badly want to) or the Nexus. Never wanted that zoom range on the Nexus for my shooting and so for the price as well, I never considered it. I have tried the others.

A couple quick thoughts…

• Backyard = not competition, so save money
• 300 yards and want to see impacts of tiny projectiles, higher mag can be good.
• Reticle is more important to me than what some people call good glass. Make sure you like the reticle.
• MOA/MIL - Personal preference only.
• Magnification - make sure it is what you need. If you don’t need 4x, then ignore low end. If you don’t need 50x, settle for lower. If you are PRS shooting, you are probably staying in 15-20 and high mag only helps on the bench. If you have time and steady setup and need to see tiny, get 35x+ and be grateful to have it!!
• Price - Have a budget first that fits what you need/want and can still have find shooting a lot.

Are you shooting off a bench, prone, barricades,etc? At 300 yards, I’m guessing bench.

Your specific requests:

• Sightron SIII - I’ll assume 10-50, since it is the most common. Very good scope for the money which is why it is so popular. Price has risen over the years and you don’t find the deals you could find years ago that made it a much better deal. Scopes have come a long way and others have caught up. Can see a long way, but not sure that you will have the elevation for reaching 40-300 yards. Never tried that wide a range with one. They weren’t really meant for that.
• NF NX8 - I won’t repeat all I said up there, but I wouldn’t buy one unless weight/size were the determining factors above all others.
• Arken 7-35 - I tried a 5-25, and for the money, I don’t think it could be beat if you don’t mind a heavy scope. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one of these or the DNT variant that is said to be the same scope with a few small upgrades.

Of the ones you asked about that I have tried, I would say to try the Arken/DNT 7-35. Cheapest and will be well set up for shooting 40-300 (I think!!). Confirm they elevation range, but I think it has a lot.

I also suggest that you don’t go into this expecting to find the perfect scope on the first try. I buy used and buy a lot to try a wide range to find what I like.

 

[Alejandro91]

@texansouth - You did something weird on that reply, so it won’t let me quote it, but here is my answer/not answer to your question about wanting better glass than your Helix for backyard range up to 300 yards and wanting to see shots…

I always preface scope recommendations with our eyes are not alike and may not like the same things. Our eye sights are different, one may like contrast vs resolution, one may prefer warm vs cool etc, but different scopes could have excellent glass. Some see CA better than others it seems. I love the way a Kahles ($3k) looks for example, but there are others who have looked through the same optic and preferred another scope. ATACR is similar, high end, but different strokes for different folks.

I also think sometimes that too much emphasis is put on good glass as I think a lot of people wouldn’t notice the glass difference is a $600 scope vs a $2000 scope. But those better scopes often are better made, tolerances are better, and they stand up to use better, especially in the turrets and the strain that puts on the internals.

I have not tried that Zeiss (but badly want to) or the Nexus. Never wanted that zoom range on the Nexus for my shooting and so for the price as well, I never considered it. I have tried the others.

A couple quick thoughts…

• Backyard = not competition, so save money
• 300 yards and want to see impacts of tiny projectiles, higher mag can be good.
• Reticle is more important to me than what some people call good glass. Make sure you like the reticle.
• MOA/MIL - Personal preference only.
• Magnification - make sure it is what you need. If you don’t need 4x, then ignore low end. If you don’t need 50x, settle for lower. If you are PRS shooting, you are probably staying in 15-20 and high mag only helps on the bench. If you have time and steady setup and need to see tiny, get 35x+ and be grateful to have it!!
• Price - Have a budget first that fits what you need/want and can still have find shooting a lot.

Are you shooting off a bench, prone, barricades,etc? At 300 yards, I’m guessing bench.

Your specific requests:

• Sightron SIII - I’ll assume 10-50, since it is the most common. Very good scope for the money which is why it is so popular. Price has risen over the years and you don’t find the deals you could find years ago that made it a much better deal. Scopes have come a long way and others have caught up. Can see a long way, but not sure that you will have the elevation for reaching 40-300 yards. Never tried that wide a range with one. They weren’t really meant for that.
• NF NX8 - I won’t repeat all I said up there, but I wouldn’t buy one unless weight/size were the determining factors above all others.
• Arken 7-35 - I tried a 5-25, and for the money, I don’t think it could be beat if you don’t mind a heavy scope. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one of these or the DNT variant that is said to be the same scope with a few small upgrades.

Of the ones you asked about that I have tried, I would say to try the Arken/DNT 7-35. Cheapest and will be well set up for shooting 40-300 (I think!!). Confirm they elevation range, but I think it has a lot.

I also suggest that you don’t go into this expecting to find the perfect scope on the first try. I buy used and buy a lot to try a wide range to find what I like.

Thanks for fast reply Smok3y, I might try go with Arken to save some bucks, there some good scopes out there, but some dont have much elevation. My perfect also will be persistent on try and compare side by side ZEISS LRP AND NX8.

 

[nomojo65]

I can’t speak for the NX8, but I will say I love the glass in my 12x42BR SFP I’ve had two! They track exactly, Japanese glass and front focus. This doesn’t interest most but one of the best scopes out especially for FT! But heavy… they made these for many yrs. A testament for how good they are! The last one I bought was around $1200.00