Rifle Scopes Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Ive finally narrowed down my scope options. I've heard things about both companies good and bad. But that could have been in their early production stages or the like. With that being said, Im down to the two scopes in the poll. USO SN-3 ( 3-17x48 )and the NF F1 ( 3.5-15x50 ). Im shooting to no more than 1k yards and using 308. Honest answers please and dont vote solely on what you own, but you what you recommend. I cant check these out in person, so Im looking to the forum to help me out.

 

[Takashi]

Re: Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

I'll have both in a week (albeit the SN-3 is a 5-25). I just have the F1 now, and it's a great optic, the reason for the replacement is for more x and a different reticle.

I can fill you with some good comparative analysis at that time. If I had to do it all over again, though, there are a lot of nice scopes in the $2500 range used, and shelling out an extra $500 over the F1 would have allowed me a lot of other options.

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Re: Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

Yeah but I cant push that far.. Well I can but then Im not going to have any extra funds for ammo. I planned on getting a nice scope, ammo and a few classes with the money I have saved up

 

[RollinCoal11]

Re: Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

+1 for the F1

 

[Zion4]

Re: Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

Both are great scopes. I've used a NF a lot and its fantastic. I just put in an order for an M40A3 at GAP and I'm probably going with a USO SN-3. I, too, have done a lot of reasearch about the higher quality scopes and there is a lot of crap that you cannot get caught up on. For example, "lens quality". Granted, there may be a little bit bigger difference between USO and NF than between USO and S&B, but if you're still fairly new to LR shooting and superb optics, they're all going to look more or less the same. If you want to save some cash, go with the NF. If you want to spend a little more and get some more custom options go USO. The most important thing to realize is that you will be satisfied with either scope so just choose the one with your favorite reticule or whichever one you think looks better. It gets down to a point where you just have to decide which one you personally like better....and then you wait a couple of months, get a new gun and buy the other optic so you can do a good comparison for yourself.

 

[71firebird400]

Re: Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

My NF's had significantly better glass than my USO (significant, verified by numerous people). If you've been around this forum for a couple years you will have seen others have said the same thing; in fact I believe a group of guys got together in Texas and compared a bunch of high end scopes and their results mirrored mine. Overall, my USO had glass in it that I didn't feel was acceptable in that price range. On top of that, the NF is undoubtedly more reliable. USO guys will talk up the USO warranty....because they've had to use it! NF's take a beating and I haven't managed to break any of mine yet. Some people have had issues with NF and admittedly it may be a month or so before you get your scope back but the bottom line is that they are just a more durable scope.

The choice is obvious- NF. Better consistency from scope to scope, and a more durable package.

 

[a_bishop]

Re: Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrOneEyedBoh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah but I cant push that far.. Well I can but then Im not going to have any extra funds for ammo. I planned on getting a nice scope, ammo and a few classes with the money I have saved up </div></div>

Screw the classes. Get a nicer scope if at all possible. I have never came across anything my nf couldn't handle but now that premiers and benders are less than 3k used I would have went that route if I could have done it all over

 

[Takashi]

Re: Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: a_bishop</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrOneEyedBoh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah but I cant push that far.. Well I can but then Im not going to have any extra funds for ammo. I planned on getting a nice scope, ammo and a few classes with the money I have saved up </div></div>

Screw the classes. Get a nicer scope if at all possible. I have never came across anything my nf couldn't handle but now that premiers and benders are less than 3k used I would have went that route if I could have done it all over </div></div>

At least both of us agree. And one thing is, an NF F1 for $2k with rings (which is pretty much used price) is pretty far and few between. SN3s generally are in the 2300 range.

I don't think anyone has ever regretted getting the higher end optic.

 

[hamstur]

Re: Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

Also compared them side-by-side and this is my impartial input:

- Both are stand-up companies that stand behind their product.

- Glass is preference driven. I notice NF has a cool tint that appears brighter with higher contast, where USO has a warm tint that some say makes it look a little 'dull'. Think halogen (NF) vs. soft white bulb (USO). In daytime, USO colors are a lot more natural where the NF tint makes, for instance, reds a bit pink/magenta. Re: resolution, USO seems better at exercises like resolving fine black lines on bright white paper. Again, glass between the two is personal preference--I think both have great glass--but this is what I would look for.

- The EREK knob design lets you use full range of adjustment vs. ZS being a mechanical block -- with a 20MOA base, doubt you will ever use it all.

- NF entire ocular bell moves with mag ring which makes using scope caps hard. Not an issue if you prefer bikinis.

- NF comes standard with side parallax; USO TPAL is adds premium cost

- NF illum is "on/off" and requires turret/battery removal to adjust; USO is 11 illum settings on the fly.

- MOA options: NF MOA reticles are lackluster--no contest if you are getting a MOA/MOA scope. Both come in 0.25 MOA, but USO also offers 0.5 MOA. Also, USO makes IPHY, NF does not.

- Mil: NF's MLR reticle is great, but that's your only option. You already know USO has a selection.

- Zoom: obviously, 3.2-17 is more broad than 3.5-15x. Yes, 13% more zoom is noticable.

- USO top-end FOV is better ... 8.3 ft @ 17x @ 100yds vs NF's 7.3 ft @ 15x @ 100yds.

- USO is heavier and longer.

I would say when you check them out in person, pay attention to these factors & you will know which one you like more.

 

[northern50]

Re: Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

Haha I tied it up. Kinda defeats the purpose of the pole.. I vote F1. I'm a NF guy.

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Re: Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

Why? Not really. That's why its a poll. But yeah haha is could see myself still not able to choose. Sooner or later I'm going to put the names in a hat and just pick one.

 

[steve123]

Re: Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

I think the choice comes down to a few things.

Weight-NF is lighter. If you prefer a heavy rifle then USO.

Illume- USO has a newer system with easier on the fly adjustments.

Price-NF is less expensive new or used.

I like 10 mil knobs vs EREK.

I too had a USO 3.2-17 with lack luster glass. Considering both scopes as a whole I prefer the NF.

 

[Lofty]

Re: Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

Its funny, I had always used Nightforce. I had a chance to get a USO at a great deal and thought I was upgrading.

I was actually very disappointed in the glass quality. Side by side compared to my two NF's, I very much preferred the NF glass. Definition was better, resolution was better and low light and brightness was far better.

I liked the lightness of my NF scopes and the simplicity of use.

I have since got rid of the USO and have a Premier on the way. If Im not blown away by glass quality Im going back to NF....I'll get an F1.

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Re: Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

Thanks. Where is the best place to get one? Seems like no one can adjust their prices right? I think its the MAP policy

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Re: Choose the red pill or the blue pill..Last options

Ended up gettting a killer deal at mile high. Thanks guys.