Rifle Scopes NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

[lonely_wolf]

I like Nightforce. Money isn't as issue, although I don't want to spend money for no reason.

I like the NF because of the quality I've come to expect from NF. I like the 2.5x on the low end for hunting. I like Mil reticle and turrets as it will compliment my F1. I like that the whole reticle illuminates. I like zero stop.

I came across the VX Patrol 3-9 and was a bit surprised. I like the slightly bigger objective, although I'm not sure if I'll really see a difference. It is 3x on the low end, but again, not sure if I'll notice the difference. Mil reticle and turrets are a pleasant surprise. I like that it is lighter too.

Neither have parallax.

No shops near me to go and look at them.

Patrol goes for $700 where I am and the NF for $1600.

I'm starting to wonder if I want the Nightforce $900 more?

Can anyone give me some real world feedback on these scopes? How forgiving are the eyeboxs? Can the Nightforce compete with the larger objective of the Leupold? Is the NF's larger magnification range apparent in the field?

 

[Mile High Shooting]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

You're getting a significantly better build quality, glass quality and reliability for the extra money. The 2.5-10x is a great compact scope and one of my all time favorite optics.

-Sean

 

[ORD]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

+1 on Sean's comments. There is really no comparison between those two optics.

Whether or not you NEED the additional quality, durability, reliability, etc. that the NF offers over the Leupy is a call that only YOU can make. If you have the funds available for the NF, it is a no-brainer for me.

 

[hk dave]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

If the money part isn't that big a deal, go with the Nightforce. It isn't money poorly spent.

 

[Timo Turl]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

My VX R Patrol 3-9 TMR turned up today and i found it for under $600. I also have a Nightforce (5.5-22).

The Nightforce is def much higher quality all round but I didn't want to spend that much for the use i intended. The VX R seems solid and the glass is plenty good enough for me. The illuminated firedot looked great today but it is miserable out and i will hold judgement for a bright sunny day. The turrets is one area you will notice the difference vs Nightforce but i think they are way better than most of the Leupold options sub $1k. Overall, it seems decent value but if i was cash rich i'd have just bought the Nightforce and been done with it.

 

[Opticsspecialist]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

i would go with the nightforce.

 

[hk dave]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

Yah do what Jay said, and call him to get one.

 

[lonely_wolf]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

Overwhelming majority for the NF!

I don't know why I had any doubts. I've wanted the 32mm in the past, but instead bought another 50mm. Time to pick up the 32mm.

I'll post pictures when it arrives.

 

[ker2222]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

I like my vxr very much. It is not a nightforce. I know that. But, it is also already more scope than I will probably ever need---Meaning everything I ever do with the scope will be well inside of its performance envelope. The nightforce does have a larger performance envelope but, for the kind of shooting I do, I won't ever utilize that extra performance. The leupold is also about 4 ounces ligher, if that matters---which it does to me.

If I had the money and money didn't matter, I would buy the nightforce. But The leupold is a very nice scope. If they made a 4-12 with that reticle I would snatch one of those up too.

 

[stephen_allen]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

I've got a 2.5-10 Nightforce and I love it. It's lightweight, compact, got great glass, bright enough for anything I've ever used it for. I have a lot of confidence in it. My only issue is that I wish it was a 3-18 similar to the new Leupold MK6 I've been lusting after...but that has nothing to do with the scope.

 

[lonely_wolf]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

@Kerr2222- Thank you for your thoughts. Your mention of performance level and actual usage are valid and one of the reasons why I'm wondering if it's really worth the $900 difference. Just because I can doesn't always mean I should... Wants vs needs

 

[CrazyDonkey]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

Since you're looking at a higher price, why not get the mk4 3.5-10 with m5 turrets? It's FFP if you're looking for that.

 

[locobob]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ker2222</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If they made a 4-12 with that reticle I would snatch one of those up too. </div></div>

I'd like to see something like that too, the 3-9 patrol with the firedot TMR seems like a good value, just a little less mag than I'd prefer.

 

[lonely_wolf]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

@CrazyDonkey: Hadn't considered, but after looking, I'd prefer something a bit more low profile. The weight is similar to the NF so I can't complain. I am not a fan of those high turrets though. It's a bit longer too, but I could live with that. Really, much like Bushnell, I just don't understand the monster turrets.

I'm open to other suggestions. I haven't ordered the NF yet. Probably won't until the new year.

 

[CrazyDonkey]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

I wasn't a fan of the tall turret either but haven't had a problem with them. I'm not sure why they made them that way, maybe to help distinguish them from the SFP MOA versions.

I've had the scope for about two years now I guess and it hasn't given me a problem yet.

 

[nhm16]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

I have a Leupold VX-R patrol. If I had the money I would have purchased the compact Nightforce. My knocks against the Patrol: clicks are indistinct, and the reticle is way too thick. That said the Patrol is a decent scope for what I paid for it, and I currently have it on a 6.8SPC AR-15.

 

[BCP]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nhm16</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My knocks against the Patrol: clicks are indistinct, and the reticle is way too thick. </div></div>

That's what I thought too. If the vxr had a thinner reticule and more conventional full line illumination I would have kept it though.

 

[lonely_wolf]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

I'll see if I can find the MK4 in my area. They are more common up here- or at least Leupold in general is.

 

[gmphk]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

Can anyone tell me whether or not the Nightforce 2.5-10X32 does well in low light or at night? I currently have a Vortex PST 2.5-10X44 on a POF P308 16.5 and the optics are not as clear as my other Nightforce scopes. It would be normal to think the 44 mm objective would pull more light. I could not muster the cash at the time of purchase for the Nightforce but am seriously thinking of one now. I will be hunting hogs at night with this set up and do not want the size and weight of a 56mm 3.5-15 Nightforce.

What are your thoughts...?

 

[lonely_wolf]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

I'd be curious to here from more people on low light as well.

 

[stephen_allen]

Re: NF 32mm Compact vs VXR Patrol?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gmphk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can anyone tell me whether or not the Nightforce 2.5-10X32 does well in low light or at night? I currently have a Vortex PST 2.5-10X44 on a POF P308 16.5 and the optics are not as clear as my other Nightforce scopes. It would be normal to think the 44 mm objective would pull more light. I could not muster the cash at the time of purchase for the Nightforce but am seriously thinking of one now. I will be hunting hogs at night with this set up and do not want the size and weight of a 56mm 3.5-15 Nightforce.

What are your thoughts...? </div></div>

I've got a Nightforce 2.5-10 and a 5.5-22 and have used both at low light/night. Obviously the 5.5-22 draws in more light, but the 2.5-10 was no slouch. I had no troubles with either scope, and the illuminated reticles were a nice feature.