Rifle Scopes Nighforce NX8 vs. Zeiss LRP S3

I have a newish 2.5-20 on my B14R. I think I hate that thing. I'm looking at the LRP S3, ATACR 7-35, or the March FX Tactical. Now that I think of it, I think I hate my 1-8 NX8 as well. I thought about the 4-32, but I can't bring myself to buy another NX8.

Have a couple of the NX8 4-32’s. Very happy with them. When comparing them with my PMII’s I’m honestly impressed. Not quite in the same league but still pretty good. Edge to edge is descent, like the Mil-XT, not quite as bright, doesn’t resolve fantastic but wouldn’t expect it to at $2k’ish.
Have another post talking about my disappointment in the 2.5-20 when compared to a MK5 I had side by side. Very disappointed.
Funny about the love and hate with the NX8 1-8. I like mine. Have the old reticle. To thick. Planning on buying a few of the new DMX models.
I too am interested in an S3 to NX8 4-32 comparison.

You should also take a look at the new Steiner 5-30 T6xi, I have one on my rimfire and have been really pleased with it thus far

Nx8 is an ultra short lightweight high zoom ratio optic, totally different goal and design/application. You want a forgiving eyebox and good depth of field on any comp rifle, 22 or centerfire, the nx8 is NOT that. You want someone with a 4 or 5X zoom ratio, however some the newer 6x ratios are getting close. I hear the S3 6-36 is pretty good. However the 4-25 is a much more compact design length wise, so I expect it to be less forgiving.

sawman556 said:

I have a newish 2.5-20 on my B14R. I think I hate that thing. I'm looking at the LRP S3, ATACR 7-35, or the March FX Tactical. Now that I think of it, I think I hate my 1-8 NX8 as well. I thought about the 4-32, but I can't bring myself to buy another NX8.

Click to expand...

They seem perfect on paper…

I'm just surprised that anyone thinks the NX8's have nice glass. I guess it really is all subjective...

Sako man said:

I'm just surprised that anyone thinks the NX8's have nice glass. I guess it really is all subjective...

Click to expand...

Optically when everything is focused, they're pretty decent. Comparable to a mk5, maybe bettee center glass, edges are similar. The other traits of the nx8 are its downfalls, finicky eyebox and very poor depth of field.

4O6shootist said:

Optically when everything is focused, they're pretty decent. Comparable to a mk5, maybe bettee center glass, edges are similar. The other traits of the nx8 are its downfalls, finicky eyebox and very poor depth of field.

Click to expand...

I don't know man, to me the MK5 is sharper, as well my ATACR is very good I think. Could have been the one I looked through, I couldn't get it to focus sharply.

Sako man said:

I don't know man, to me the MK5 is sharper, as well my ATACR is very good I think. Could have been the one I looked through, I couldn't get it to focus sharply.

Click to expand...

@Glassaholic looked through some early NX8’s that sucked balls. Then he looked through some new ones and like them. He is guessing there was some unannounced improvements from the factory.

I have an unmounted NX8 4-32. We shall see if I like it.

carbonbased said:

@Glassaholic looked through some early NX8’s that sucked balls. Then he looked through some new ones and like them. He is guessing there was some unannounced improvements from the factory.

I have an unmounted NX8 4-32. We shall see if I like it.

Click to expand...

If I remember correctly, it was the 2.5-20 that he made those comments about.
I’m a PM2 guy and have purchased a few NX8 4-32 because of how impressed I am with them. Not perfect but why would we expect that at the NX8 price point.

mrtoyz said:

If I remember correctly, it was the 2.5-20 that he made those comments about.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I think it was. But there seems to have been a lot of whinging about early 4-32 as well.

I’m just spitballing a theory as mine looks good (but it’s gotta get on a rifle for me to tell) and you like yours, etc.

mrtoyz said:

If I remember correctly, it was the 2.5-20 that he made those comments about.
I’m a PM2 guy and have purchased a few NX8 4-32 because of how impressed I am with them. Not perfect but why would we expect that at the NX8 price point.

Click to expand...

Sold my PM2, really dumb mistake, best glass!

Not sure how good SnB warranties are these days however. NF on the other hand have the best service and warranties.

I acquired a 2.5-20 nx8 milXT here a month back, running it on my short barrel 22cm hunting rifle. They're def improved over the first few samples I looked through 2 years back. Depth of field still sucks balls but the eyebox has improved a lot, edge clarity is better as well. I also have two early 4-32 and I feel the eyebox and glass clarity between these two and my new 2.5-20 are on par. The DOF is still more sensitive on the 2.5-20 version. I think the 4-32 is a lil better mousetrap overall, but the 2.5-20 was acquired to run as day scope as well as behind my eotech clipir-lr.