Nightforce NX8 vs Swarovski X5i

[Starbuck]

No d

3-15 would be nice, but……3-18 would be perfect.

No doubt.

It's just that the higher the X multiplyer, the more difficult to get an FFP usable.

 

[mtank]

I agree with this. 32x is at least 15 more X than I have use for. I've shot well out to 1k on 8-10x. My rigs rarely get above 12 while in the field - full disclosure: a lot of my hunting rigs have Bushy 3-12 LRHS/LRTS on them.

That being said, the 4-32 NF is a pretty fantastic scope, and you really don't take much of a weight penalty to schlep it around, so it fits in the "is what it is" category. I'd love for NF to offer a 3-15 with hunter centric FFP close to THLR or Gunwerks G7, but I've learned that NF is kind of like Toyota in that they just do what they're going to do.

I've only owned one nf & it was a shv 4x14x56 with the ihr I think it was called reticle. For hunting that reticle would be pretty sweet in the 2.5x20.

 

[Shotts2000]

I agree with this. 32x is at least 15 more X than I have use for. I've shot well out to 1k on 8-10x. My rigs rarely get above 12 while in the field - full disclosure: a lot of my hunting rigs have Bushy 3-12 LRHS/LRTS on them.

That being said, the 4-32 NF is a pretty fantastic scope, and you really don't take much of a weight penalty to schlep it around, so it fits in the "is what it is" category. I'd love for NF to offer a 3-15 with hunter centric FFP close to THLR or Gunwerks G7, but I've learned that NF is kind of like Toyota in that they just do what they're going to do.

I thought the same, and I can always keep it turned down to what I will actually need.

 

[mtank]

I found if you take the Tenebraex Covers off of the 2.5-20 that they come with the eyebox issue is for the most part gone. I don't think many ever remove them and is where the complaint comes from. Those covers are quite large and do narrow the FOV for sure. Changed things for me significantly.

Honest question, if it's the covers causing the issues wouldn't we hear more complaints? The same covers come on the 4x32 nx8, the tenmile & the Steiner h6xi but we don't hear of issues with them.

 

[Raudy707]

I thought the same, and I can always keep it turned down to what I will actually need.

The problem I have with FFP scopes like the NF is I really can't see the reticle until 8x. Who wants to walk around dark timber with the illuminated reticle on all the time. I forget to turn it on. I don't have time to turn it on. I can snap shoot running hogs in the brush pretty good with 4x to 6x, but sometimes less is more. I love a firedot here in California. A long shot is 400 yds. Most are under 200 yds. I don't have a scope over 14x for my Cali rifles. Have you looked at the NF NXS 2.5-10×42. This is the best scope they make for short to medium range, thickets and timber. I love mine for bear, hogs and deer. Never once thought, man I wish I had 32 power right now. Just my 2 cents. Bout all it's worth.

 

[Mike Matteson]

For larger sized game hunting anything over 15 magnification power is totally useless, I do think these aren't experienced hunters??
Watching far too much YouTube me thinks.....
The exception is with small varmints and scopes mounted on say a 22-250 where larger magnification is ideal.

I am with you. I generally don't use scopes over 18 power. I like the wider field of view. Its generally easier to pickup the game, than higher powder scopes. Varmint can be a little harder to see, but more concentractions is needed to make the shot. switching from binoculars or spotting scope to your rifle can be trying at times. Most of my shooting are under 500yds and generally a 2x8 duplex scopes on most of my rifles.

 

[Stevenstl86]

Of my 3 nightforce I have I would only want a khales, S&B, or March if I couldn't keep buying nightforce.

 

[M70_MAN]

Another vote for Nightforce, but I don't think you can go wrong with either. I've put quite a few rounds down range with my NX8 4-32, and prefer it slightly to my 2.5-20. I had a chance to spend some time with a Swaro X5i and appreciated the optical quality, but didn't care for the extra tall turret. If you haven't had the chance to look through a Schmidt & Bender, I would give them a look. If I could only keep one scope for all around deer hunting it would be my 3-12 Klassik. Although FFP, the PL3 reticle has been great all around for me. From low power use in the Northern Michigan timber to longer range shots for open country mule deer. Looks basic, but it's bright, crisp, and has been dead nut repeatable.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

Alabama WT= Swaro 4-12x50 with the BRH. Great glass, power is just right, although from a tree stand all my shots have occurred on the lowest power setting from multiple scopes.

If you are wanting to stretch it out and dial for everything, NF...but really not needed.

 

[floyd kittrell]

Nightforce ATAC R 7X35X56 !

 

[Mike Matteson]

Nightforce ATAC R 7X35X56 !

I have a ATACR 4x16x50 with a 36mm tube coming. That a lot money for the scope. More than I have ever paid for one scope. It also has a 2nd focal plane. I am going to use it on Varmint shooting to out about 700 yds.

 

[VarmintBob]

I agree with you, that's why I'm torn between the Swarovski and the NX8. I agree that 32x is way too much for my use and would rather have the 2.5-20. I'm just concerned with the eye-box on it.

I have Z5 3.5-18 x 44s on a 9 lb 300 WM and an 8 lb 284 win. I have never been scope kissed when shooting either from the bench or offhand. So I would say that the eye relief on the Z5 is totally adequate.

 

[deltadukman]

I created a login just for this post.

I too had a Leupold that crapped the bed. I was in a crunch for an elk hunt and ended up buying a Swaro X5i from Europtic. I now have bought 3 of them. So far I have not had one lose zero or not track. When I was looking there didn't seem to be a lot of information online about them. I took a gamble. I mainly hunt Mississippi ag fields and for what I do, the scope is fantastic. The clarity is unmatched. It is WAY better than any Nightforce I have looked at. Assuming our hunting is closely the same, you will be unimpressed by the NF. Now, out west and mountain hunting, yes the NF is great. They have a proven track record of dependability and repeatability. But I know of some that have had to be sent back that weren't tracking. It happens in every brand, no matter what anyone says. I dont think you will be disappointed. The tall turrett isn't as bad as it looks. The adjustments are postive and you know what you are dialing. The sight in process and tool is a little different, but you can figure it out with the video. It sounds like our hunting styles are similar and I have had no issues with mine. One of them had a slightly canted reticle and I sent back to Swaro and they are in the process of fixing it now.

 

[Starbuck]

I created a login just for this post.

I too had a Leupold that crapped the bed. I was in a crunch for an elk hunt and ended up buying a Swaro X5i from Europtic. I now have bought 3 of them. So far I have not had one lose zero or not track. When I was looking there didn't seem to be a lot of information online about them. I took a gamble. I mainly hunt Mississippi ag fields and for what I do, the scope is fantastic. The clarity is unmatched. It is WAY better than any Nightforce I have looked at. Assuming our hunting is closely the same, you will be unimpressed by the NF. Now, out west and mountain hunting, yes the NF is great. They have a proven track record of dependability and repeatability. But I know of some that have had to be sent back that weren't tracking. It happens in every brand, no matter what anyone says. I dont think you will be disappointed. The tall turrett isn't as bad as it looks. The adjustments are postive and you know what you are dialing. The sight in process and tool is a little different, but you can figure it out with the video. It sounds like our hunting styles are similar and I have had no issues with mine. One of them had a slightly canted reticle and I sent back to Swaro and they are in the process of fixing it now.

Have you done SXS comparisons in the field at dusk with various NF and your Swaros?

I'm not implying that NF are the equal of Swaro in terns of ultimate view quality by any specific metric; I know the Swaros are fantastic for view. However, after a lot of NF use through the years, I can report that their glass is often better in use than it looks at first view, especially if any views/ comparisons are constrained to indoors and/or not at game during dim conditions. In short, the NF coatings are not optimized for the bright conditions "pop" that often makes a lot of consumers say wow at the optics counter. IME, NF's offer great resolution, which positively impacts reticle and game visibility on dark and mottled backgrounds.

At any rate, I've carried a couple of scopes with top level glass, including a couple of Swaro, and NF's in a lot of vastly different terrains, and I can't report that I've ever felt NF glass was lacking during actual use on game.

And then there's the reliability component.