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Nightforce NX8 vs Swarovski X5i

Which Scope Should I Choose?

  • Nightforce NX8 F2 4-32x50 CF2D

  • Swarovski X5i 3.5-18x50

  • Swarovski X5i 5-25x56


Results are only viewable after voting.
That new z5+ looks pretty sweet. 30 mm tube 80 moa travel & 18 oz weight for the 3.5x18x50 & 20 oz for the 5x25x56
From what I've seen on YouTube, you've also got the upgrade in glass over the normal Z5 scopes and a locking turret. I feel like this is a better fit for my use, so I think it's worth a giving it shot.
 
That new z5+ looks pretty sweet. 30 mm tube 80 moa travel & 18 oz weight for the 3.5x18x50 & 20 oz for the 5x25x56
Do you find the weight difference between the swaro in reference and other similarly sized and featured scopes to be concerning?

From what areas do you think they cut the weight?
 
Do you find the weight difference between the swaro in reference and other similarly sized and featured scopes to be concerning?

From what areas do you think they cut the weight?
I am not rough on my gear, and as stated in the original post I don't plan on dialing a ton. Sure accidents happen like falls, but I don't feel like I will benefit from the differences in durability as much as some others may. I do however feel like I will benefit the most from the differences in optical quality and low light performance. Especially for my style of hunting. If it doesn't meet my standards, I will just replace it with the NX8 or another scope.

I also felt like I was making sacrifices in what I wanted with the NX8 4-32 like magnification range, eye-box, glass quality, illumination & reticle style, weight, etc. With the Z5i+ I feel like I'm getting everything that I am looking for.

I will continue watching for reviews and testing on this scope for a couple of weeks before committing to it.
 
The eye box issue is real. Among the many things I like about my Swaros is that they are easy to use - scopes and binos. Easy to Use?: You're not hunting for the reticle or the target clarity - that's eye box. Very few come close and the NF doesn't. My wife and I have carried Swaros all over the world and never had an issue. Only 1 Swaro had to go to service - on a 375 some of the internal coating flaked off and left tiny black spots on the lens internals. Still huntable, no big deal, just not perfect. Sent it in, few weeks later - perfect.
 
The eye box issue is real. Among the many things I like about my Swaros is that they are easy to use - scopes and binos. Easy to Use?: You're not hunting for the reticle or the target clarity - that's eye box. Very few come close and the NF doesn't. My wife and I have carried Swaros all over the world and never had an issue. Only 1 Swaro had to go to service - on a 375 some of the internal coating flaked off and left tiny black spots on the lens internals. Still huntable, no big deal, just not perfect. Sent it in, few weeks later - perfect.
I have looked through both the 2.5-20 and the 4-32 versions of the NX8. Both had a tight eye-box, but the 4-32 was less noticeable. That's the reason I was leaning towards it over the 2.5-20, which is closer to the magnification range that I desire. I have looked through a plain Z5i and the glass looks great.
 
I am not rough on my gear, and as stated in the original post I don't plan on dialing a ton. Sure accidents happen like falls, but I don't feel like I will benefit from the differences in durability as much as some others may. I do however feel like I will benefit the most from the differences in optical quality and low light performance. Especially for my style of hunting. If it doesn't meet my standards, I will just replace it with the NX8 or another scope.

I also felt like I was making sacrifices in what I wanted with the NX8 4-32 like magnification range, eye-box, glass quality, illumination & reticle style, weight, etc. With the Z5i+ I feel like I'm getting everything that I am looking for.

I will continue watching for reviews and testing on this scope for a couple of weeks before committing to it.
I hope it works out well for you. Please report back with your results so that we all have another data point on scope selection.
 
I hope it works out well for you. Please report back with your results so that we all have another data point on scope selection.
The new scope was delivered yesterday. I went with a Swaro Z5i+ 5-25x56 with the 4W reticle. The first impressions are good.

The glass is superb. Was able to see well after legal shooting light (on 5-10x) and the clarity is amazing.

The eye box is pretty good. It does tighten up around 25x, but no more than to be expected. Way better than the NX8's I have looked through.

The turret does not feel like a Nightforce does, but the clicks are still solid. I like that they changed from just the colored dial rings to also including a numbered dial. I will possibly order a custom dial later down the road as well.

I plan to zero it Friday and see how well it performs. I will update again after using it a little more, but for now I am impressed.
 
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