Nightforce NX8 vs Swarovski X5i

[SentientHunter]

I went with Nightforce scopes on all of my hunting rifles - a .50 cal muzzleloader, two .308 rifles, and 7mm-08. I have fallen twice in the past 10 years while going through, uneven terrain. In both instances, there was no damage or loss of zero to the scopes.

 

[colfaxent]

Swarovski X5i 3.5-18x 50 is about same magnification as the Leupold you returned so it sounds like you already decided on this range of magnification. I would stay with the lower power and get the wider field of view, also the Swarovski is much lighter than the Nightforce. I've never had a Nightforce but have a few Swarovski scopes. The glass is outstanding so I would go for the better clarity and lighter scope in the magnification range that you already felt fit your needs, Swarovski.

 

[bigbulls]

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[arrow179]

Swarovski X5i 3.5-18x 50 is about same magnification as the Leupold you returned so it sounds like you already decided on this range of magnification. I would stay with the lower power and get the wider field of view, also the Swarovski is much lighter than the Nightforce. I've never had a Nightforce but have a few Swarovski scopes. The glass is outstanding so I would go for the better clarity and lighter scope in the magnification range that you already felt fit your needs, Swarovski.

The X5i Sawros are actually heavier than the NF NX8 by a few ounces.

X5i 3.5-18 =30.7oz
X5i 5-25 =32.1oz
NX8 4-32=28.9oz

Me personally I'd go with the NX8

 

[CNY Yote Hunter]

When I first received it, it wouldn't hold zero. My rifle was averaging a 2.5" group @100 yards and changing POI between groups. After spending almost $300 on different types of ammo (stupidity on my part) I decided to send it back to Leupold. They said it had an internal lens that was loose, and the erector was not functioning properly. They fixed it and send it back to me within a week since it was NIB. Upon arriving back, the parallax knob was not functioning like before. It now stops about 1/2 of a turn beyond infinity and when setting for 100 yards, the reference on the knob reads over 300 yards. I mounted and shot it just to verify functionality of the erector system and it shot great for about a dozen rounds. I was getting 1/2 MOA groups without problem, until it lost zero again. I've been a long time user of Leupold, but do not plan on purchasing another one after this experience with them.

Gonna have to put mine throught the paces sooner than later now. I bought it a few months back but between hunting and work my range time has been non existent. Thanks for the reply back on that

 

[cclt750]

I have 2 of the the Nightforce NX8 4-32x50 F2 MOAR-CF2D. One is on a 6.5prc and the other is on a 7Prc and I highly recommend them.

 

[Rick Richard]

I have several NF scopes and prefer them for their durability and mechanical soundness. However, I do have one Zeiss v6 3-18X50 and have had zero issues and the clarity is superb. All in all though, NF.

 

[Loris]

Looking for a new scope for my 6.5 PRC. I am returning a Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x50 that was not functional upon receiving and after a trip for Leupold's warranty service. EuroOptic was kind enough to take it back and give me a credit towards something else on their website.

I have been considering the Nightforce NX8 4-32x50 F2 MOAR-CF2D and the Swarovski X5i 3.5-18x50 or 5-25x56. I'm torn between these scopes and want some opinions from those who have experience with them.

My concerns on the Nightforce are the eye-box and glass clarity. My concerns with the Swarovski are tracking, durability, and the extra tall turret on top. Most of my shots will not require dialing since I primarily hunt whitetail in Alabama, but I want to trust that my scope will handle the task and return to zero when I do need it to. I also have pretty poor vision, so the glass quality and high magnification is important to me.

Ho uno Swarovski Z8 3.5-28x50 vetro eccezzionale e torretta BDF con click perfetti .Provato 1000 mt .È leggerissimo 650 gr.Se vuoi maggior robustezza con affidabilità e vetro al top vai su khales linea di swarovski.Ciao..

 

[Shane Lindsey]

No experience with the X5 but several NF.
If you are going to dial, go NF. If you are going to set it and forget it, Swaro would be fine.

Swaro makes great glass. I have a 3-10 with the BRH on a hunting rifle. Had it in a 300 RUM for a bit and it held zero just fine. Still sits on a hunting rig now, but only gets checked/adjusted as needed for loads.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Ho uno Swarovski Z8 3.5-28x50 vetro eccezzionale e torretta BDF con click perfetti .Provato 1000 mt .È leggerissimo 650 gr.Se vuoi maggior robustezza con affidabilità e vetro al top vai su khales linea di swarovski.Ciao..

^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^ (whatever he said lol)

 

[Barbourcreek]

There are a few new ones coming out early spring
Swarovski
I touched it is nice Can't say much more under NDA
Tract MIL and MOA 30mm
Nightforce look at the XT reticle or standard MOA R not a great reticle but it's ok

X5i stay away if you plan on dialing much
Good glass and good scope March scopes
Also Athlon Cronus is good

My favorite for glass and reliability is a kahles

 

[Starbuck]

Swarovski X5i 3.5-18x 50 is about same magnification as the Leupold you returned so it sounds like you already decided on this range of magnification. I would stay with the lower power and get the wider field of view, also the Swarovski is much lighter than the Nightforce. I've never had a Nightforce but have a few Swarovski scopes. The glass is outstanding so I would go for the better clarity and lighter scope in the magnification range that you already felt fit your needs, Swarovski.

I had the same outlook years back. Picked Leupolds and X5's due to weight. I can report now that if you want your scopes to do what they're supposed to do after some use and knocking around, weight, at least a few ounces here or there, should not be a deciding factor in scope selection. And, it's all very arbitrary. What is the magical weight that makes a scope OK to carry around vs too heavy? 20 ounces seems a popular arbiter - why? I can see it being a factor for balance on a svelte lever or woods rifle for quick shots at moving game, but most of the time I read about weight being a deciding factor it's for much larger scopes on rigs that will mostly be shot off some type rest anyway, and it's highly doubtful that a few more ounces centered on a rig are going to make or break a quicker shot on a full sized bolt action rifle.

I look at it this way - the lenses, knobs, and scope bodies on similarly sized and X range scopes are going to weigh about the same, which only leaves the internal mechanicals for any meaningful weight difference. IME, that's just not a place you want to slim down on weight. And if, for whatever reason, weight is the major factor, I'd be looking at lower X, fixed power scopes, which have generally been much more rugged all along.

 

[A/1-61]

I have the X5i in 3.5 x18 mounted on three different rifles, 7mm STW, 270 WSM, and 300 Weatherby. Mag , and together with my Leica 2400 R, they have never failed me. Excellent glass and instant sight picture , I wear glasses. Rugged, stands up nicely on horseback in a rifle Scabbard. Always crank back to zero flawlessly. You cannot go wrong with Swarovski.

 

[Beluebow]

If you wanna be able to pound tent stakes get a NF....If you need to see fine detail at last light get the Swaro....If you need to do both get a March.