So today was my first outing with my new-to-me scope that I picked up from a member here (Nightforce NXS 5.5-22). I found that at fully power the target was not even remotely clear. If I dialed it back to 16x or so, it was perfect. No amount of adjusting could get full power to be clear. I had 2 other people get behind it and they found the same thing. Anyone have any ideas as to why this could be. Obviously when you spend this much on a scope, you expect it to be clear.
Rifle Scopes Nightforce NXS, blurry at full power
- Thread starter pjm204
- Start date
If adjusting the parallax doesn't remedy the issue then reset the parallax to the lowest setting, loosen the ocular object ring, and turn the eye piece until it focuses and then lock the ring back down.
Yea I should have looked at the manual more closely. I wasn't adjusting it correctly. I will give it a shot tomorrow. Thanks
What distance were you looking at? The 5-22 will not focus on objects that are closer than about 80 yards.
I was at 100 yards. I didn't mess around with the parallax adjustment at all, so that is likely my issue. I was only turning the lockdown ring. (oops)
100 yards is iffy at 22x. My old one did not even focus well on 5.5x at 25 yards. Minimum focal distances are not one of NF's strong points. I never went past 18 or 20x even at 300 yards. The glass is pretty mediocre, image degrades at max magnification.
By the way, do you work for an electric transmission company?
By the way, do you work for an electric transmission company?
Just what I want to hear, I spent $1600 on "mediocre" glass. Awesome. I do not work for an electric company, my roommate does though.
My 5.5-22 is crystal clear at max although the only time Im over 14x is when Im doing a dot drill or the one time I hit 1000. Normally 8-12 out to 600.
I'd try the parallax knob before you condemn it. Lots of satisfied NF users around.
Don't worry, I am by no means condemning NF. If it is not just a simple parallax adjustment. I will send the scope back to NF for adjustment. But I have full confidence that I will be satisfied with the scope in the end.
Nightforce glass is just fine.
I've owned several models of NF scopes up to the 8-32x, and all of them would focus just fine on my mailbox at about 70 yards distance.
Yeah don't take my first reply as a knock to NF. Mine was solid as a rock. For the price it is a great scope, I shot some of my best match scores with it. NF just decided to put more money into building the other aspects besides necessarily the glass. At no time was I unable to hit a target due to the clarity, but it just was anything to write home about either. it has noticable chromatic aberration and lacks color contrast especially at high magnification. Just check on some recent posts of people comparing the new ATACR to the NXS series, that has much better glass but you're also going to be paying more for it.
I bought the NF scope initially before looking thru it based purely on the positive reviews. I was dissapointed at first spending the money I did to see the view wasn't much better than something in the $800-1200 range. Frankly I thought there was something wrong with my scope until I looked thru several other ones at the range. It wasn't until later that I realized how durable the scope was, how well it held zero over the years, the accuracy in the tracking, the feel of the turrets, etc. It was then I understood glass quality was not the number one priority of the NXS line.
I bought the NF scope initially before looking thru it based purely on the positive reviews. I was dissapointed at first spending the money I did to see the view wasn't much better than something in the $800-1200 range. Frankly I thought there was something wrong with my scope until I looked thru several other ones at the range. It wasn't until later that I realized how durable the scope was, how well it held zero over the years, the accuracy in the tracking, the feel of the turrets, etc. It was then I understood glass quality was not the number one priority of the NXS line.
Killshot have you ever heard of something like this where it's intermittent? I have an NXS 8-32, the last time out I was doing workups. Everything seemed normal then on the next shot it was blurry (no change in mag, parallax, etc...no breath vapor etc). I figured it must be my eyes and just worked through it but then my buddy got behind it for a few shots and said the same thing (I hadn't mentioned it to him). It seems crazy, just wondering if you know of any explanation. I went ahead and sent it in, got it back this week but haven't had a chance to check it out yet. Not much info from NF, just that they took it apart to adjust the parallax.
I have a bench rest model , 12-42. It said in the manual to set the parallax on infinity , then turn the eye piece until the recital is sharp, to get all the parallax out. Once it's set then use the adjustable objective. I was at a match a couple months ago and some of us were getting bad mirage, a friend from Alabama was talking about this,and we got to laughing about reading the manual, if all else fails. I used the scope for 10 years with good success, but I do think this helped a bit. Not sure if the nxs series is the same, but I'm guessing it is. Good luck with your new scope, I'm going to try to get the 5-22 also this year for a 308. I think night force is a great piece of gear.
I have both the NF NXS 5.5-22X50 AND 8-32X56 and both are crystal clear at the highest power setting at 100 yards. I am betting it is either the parallax setting or the ocular ring setting possibly a combination of both. Follow the manuals instruction and I am sure you will be fine.
Nightforce NXS, blurry at full power
And if the image degrades at maximum magnification you need to put it back in its plastic package and return it to Wal Mart.
If your scope won't focus at 100 yards, it's broken.
And if the image degrades at maximum magnification you need to put it back in its plastic package and return it to Wal Mart.
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Until you've followed the instruction from the beginning you really don't know if there's a problem with the scope at all
As a caution, make sure you use the eyepiece focus adjustment correctly. It's only meant to focus the reticle, not the "picture". Once you've set the reticle focus then the side focus (parralax) adjustment will finish task.
The eyepiece focus usually only has to be set once.
If you have a NF, it's well worth reading the manual first.
As a caution, make sure you use the eyepiece focus adjustment correctly. It's only meant to focus the reticle, not the "picture". Once you've set the reticle focus then the side focus (parralax) adjustment will finish task.
The eyepiece focus usually only has to be set once.
If you have a NF, it's well worth reading the manual first.
NF glass is very good. I have several NXS 5.5-22x50's and no complaints on any of them. Don't let others scare you into thinking you have suboptimal glass - you don't.
And if there is an issue with your scope (and you probably don't) NF will take care of you. Enjoy your scope!
And if there is an issue with your scope (and you probably don't) NF will take care of you. Enjoy your scope!
I have a NF NXS and it is the first high end scope I ever owned. It is very clear but you do have to follow the instructions in the owners manual to ensure maximum clarity- ask me how I know LOL.
You set the power ring to the highest magnification and the parallax/focus knob to infinity . Adjust the recticle focus.
Once this is done you can lock it down and adjust the target focus.
Al
You set the power ring to the highest magnification and the parallax/focus knob to infinity . Adjust the recticle focus.
Once this is done you can lock it down and adjust the target focus.
Al
I have the 2.5-10x42 NXS.
The glass is nice, but, for completely parallax free sighting, the target will be slightly out of focus (slight blur).
Kinda pisses me off as the March 3-24x52 is both crisp AND parallax free at any setting.
The glass is nice, but, for completely parallax free sighting, the target will be slightly out of focus (slight blur).
Kinda pisses me off as the March 3-24x52 is both crisp AND parallax free at any setting.
Absolute truth. The NXS is a great scope, but this is one of several reasons I consider it about ten years behind.
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