Nightforce NX8 2.5-20x50 F2 versus March Compact Tactical 2.5-25x52

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BlackICE

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Oct 1, 2018
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The March cost many $100s more but is lighter at 24.5 oz vs 28.6 oz for the Nightforce. Also the Nightforce has a capped windage turret. How do the optical image, FOV and illumination compare. Is the illumination useful in full sunlight on either? I have read that both are less clear as you approach the maximum magnification. Does the March at 20X have a better image quality than the Nightforce at 20X? I presume they both track very well with accurate reticles.

Nightforce has a Lifetime Warranty for mechanicals and a 3 years for electronics, March 10 for mechanicals and a 2 years for electronics,
 
I can tell you right now that night force is lame on customer service. They say they honor it but don't. No comprehensive coverage there. My friend bought one on my advice and it wouldn't zero. He sent it back and they sent it right back to him saying it was fine...twice. Then on the third time they finally found the problem and promptly accused him of misuse. This was put on a PCP airgun. No misuse and I saw the scope before he sent it out. Not so much as a scratch on it. I'm not saying they are a bad scope. Many reviews show that it has a loyal following of fans and it had amazing glass. All I can speak on is their customer service. I have zero experience with march. Looking forward to trying them out. I believe they are known for FOV but you would have to ask someone else about that. Hope this helps in some way.
 
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NX8 doesn’t quite compare to the March, granted it’s an excellent scope with very accurate turrets so it’s a good scope for the money. Just don’t compare with better scopes. LOL 



NXS is closer to march glass and ATACR is at the same level as most marches. Also keep in mind March is made in house by hand with cemented glass/lens so as mil spec as mil spec gets vs out sourced but in Japan still. 
 
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All of our eyes are different I hear. I bought a NX8, in my opinion it didnt have great optics for its price. To me it was dark. I shoot a lot from a sunny patio into a hay barn that has shadows. With the NX8 I had a hard time seeing black metal silhouettes. The eye relief also was finicky for me. Also I put this on my Taipan standard and the rifle felt top heavy with a scope of this size. That is not the scopes fault I am just letting you know that could have added to a negative feel. If I had that scope on a better fitted rifle I may have had a better opinion. But please know this was a nice scope better than many scopes I have looked thru, however for the price/happy ratio I decided to sell it the next day. A forum member bought it and I think he is very happy with it. I have never looked thru a March. I sure would like to.
 
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All of our eyes are different I hear. I bought a NX8, in my opinion it didnt have great optics for its price. To me it was dark. I shoot a lot from a sunny patio into a hay barn that has shadows. With the NX8 I had a hard time seeing black metal silhouettes. The eye relief also was finicky for me. Also I put this on my Taipan standard and the rifle felt top heavy with a scope of this size. That is not the scopes fault I am just letting you know that could have added to a negative feel. If I had that scope on a better fitted rifle I may have had a better opinion. But please know this was a nice scope better than many scopes I have looked thru, however for the price/happy ratio I decided to sell it the next day. A forum member bought it and I think he is very happy with it. I have never looked thru a March. I sure would like to.
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Interested if you could share some of the lighter(if any) scope models you have that do better in that lighting situation?
 
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Interested if you could share some of the lighter(if any) scope models you have that do better in that lighting situation?
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I have a few Sightron Big Sky models that are Brighter. The problem with those for my air gun use is two are full mildot and one is duplex. So the reticles are not great for air rifles. I have a older Leupold EFR with a target dot and it is clear again the reticle is not what I prefer for air guns. What I bought to replace the NX8 is a Athlon Ares. It is nice clear scope with a great reticle. However it is heavy and now sits on my Wolverine for field target. I moved a Athlon Midas HMR to the Taipan. It is not a really brighter but it is lighter. As you can see I didn’t find the perfect scope. But these are all a lot cheaper scopes. At NX8 price tag the scope needs to check all my needs boxes. Maybe I am cheap or expecting to much.
 
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I GOT THE F1 2.5-20+50 ITS NICE SURE CLEAR ON CLOUDY DAYS. WILL FIT MY NEEDS GOT A GREAT DEALER SHOOTERSBENCH THEY ARE TOP NOTCH GUYS 
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Click to expand...

Interested if you could share some of the lighter(if any) scope models you have that do better in that lighting situation?
Click to expand...

I have a few Sightron Big Sky models that are Brighter. The problem with those for my air gun use is two are full mildot and one is duplex. So the reticles are not great for air rifles. I have a older Leupold EFR with a target dot and it is clear again the reticle is not what I prefer for air guns. What I bought to replace the NX8 is a Athlon Ares. It is nice clear scope with a great reticle. However it is heavy and now sits on my Wolverine for field target. I moved a Athlon Midas HMR to the Taipan. It is not a really brighter but it is lighter. As you can see I didn’t find the perfect scope. But these are all a lot cheaper scopes. At NX8 price tag the scope needs to check all my needs boxes. Maybe I am cheap or expecting to much.
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After seeing how clear a 2-400 dollar scope can be with an EDR and Clearidge, I expect a 1500 and up scope to be better in every aspect. I don’t think you’re being cheap. I think we are in an odd transition era where cheaper scopes are catching up, and the big names aren’t as appealing unless you go top top tier 
 
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Probably whats happening is that people with older eyes, like myself, struggle with IQ and brightness in scopes that are, very compact, as well as have high magnification ratios, and have very close focus. On higher magnification the IQ sometimes begins to appear dimmer and slightly hazy, I think its due to our eyes not adjusting with the same range as when we were young.

When my younger friends look through my March 5-42x56 they like the IQ on 42x, me not so much but the IQ on 15x is wonderful to me. In my March 1-10 the IQ is a bit muted on 10x but its very nice on 8X.

I don't have any such problems with my Athlon 2-12x42's which are compact scopes that have 6x ratio and the 4.5-29's, 6-24's, 5-25's are still very good at highest magnification.

I suppose that one could dial down the magnification some on either one of the Op's scopes and be plenty happy if they have older eyes. I use both my March's on highest magnification/42x and /10x sometimes and just live with it.


 
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