Rifle Scopes Is the $ for a NF worth spending vs. Vortex?

[Garvey]

Re: Is the $ for a NF worth spending vs. Vortex?

I'm sure you are correct, but I couldn't afford the $2000 for a NF. I ended up with the Bushnell Elite, mounted on a 20 MOA base. The glass is the clearest I've ever owned. It's the first FFP I've ever owned, as well as having MIL/ MIL (the only way to fly IMHO). The only feature I didn't get was zero stop, I'm sure I can work without it though. So far so good with the Bushnell. My compliments to those who are fortunate enough to be able to have and use a NF.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Is the $ for a NF worth spending vs. Vortex?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mouse07410</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i'm not a fan of the 35mm tube. it limits mounting options and makes for a huge scope. </div></div>
The bigger the tube - the more light is passing through, other conditions being equal.

</div></div>

That is not how it works... the erector assemblies inside are generally the same size as the 30mm ones, so there is no "extra' light. They increase the tube size so the same size erector will have more movement, not for more light.

 

[hunter223]

Re: Is the $ for a NF worth spending vs. Vortex?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cuffm4615</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I guess the simple answer is your getting better glass (and from SH members who have made the comparison it seems to be a pretty noticable difference) and proven reliability and ruggedness. </div></div>

I dont agree with the glass comment. I've had SEVERAL Nightforce scopes including the F1, I've played with PST's for more than just a day and I've owned a Vortex Razor. The glass in Vortex's scopes are very good for the money I've used the std. Viper series side x side with NF's in hunting situations and the Vortex was every bit as good as the NF. Now the part about NF's reliability is undisputed. However, Vortex is a company that does everything they can and devote a helluva lot of resources to making a product as good as they can for every price point. I don't think the average joe blow is going to need the kind of durability that top-tier scopes provide. If you feel you "need" that extra whatever peace of mind with the NF that it gives you, then by all means go with NF. BUT, I think you'll find any Vortex product to outperform other scopes in the same price range the vast majority of the time. If the product fails to make you happy I KNOW that the people at Vortex will do everything thing they can to make you a satisfied customer. Also, if you are thinking of spending almost $2k on a NF yet considering Vortex take a hard look at the Razor. VERY good glass badass zero stop, loads of reticle travel and judging by the design and construction(after some initial bugs got worked out) of the scope, a very tough scope too.

 

[71firebird400]

Re: Is the $ for a NF worth spending vs. Vortex?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ando</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buy the Razor from SWFA or another Hide vendor and use the 110% price match. That drops the Razor to $1800, a very respectable price for the package. </div></div>

I don't believe that's how the 110% match works. If you find an item for cheaper, they will beat the <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">difference</span></span> by 110%. So if you are looking at a Razor HD that SWFA sells for $2000, and find it somewhere for $1900, they will reduce their price by 110% of the difference. 110% x $100 = $110. So they'd drop their scope to $1890.

 

[cuffm4615]

Re: Is the $ for a NF worth spending vs. Vortex?

Hunter223 I get you!! I happen to have 2 pst's onorder right now and hope to make the comparison in person b4 years end, if my pst's ever arrive. However I have read comments from others who praise them but clearly make a distinction on glass quality vs that of Nightforce. I again had a need for two scopes and two nightforce's were out of the question. I don't expect to get something equal to a Nightfoce good quality and good tracking is what I expect above that would be a bonus. If they're equal to Nightforce I think I would have a heart attack from the excitement.

 

[hunter223]

Re: Is the $ for a NF worth spending vs. Vortex?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cuffm4615</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hunter223 I get you!! I happen to have 2 pst's onorder right now and hope to make the comparison in person b4 years end, if my pst's ever arrive. However I have read comments from others who praise them but clearly make a distinction on glass quality vs that of Nightforce. I again had a need for two scopes and two nightforce's were out of the question. I don't expect to get something equal to a Nightfoce good quality and good tracking is what I expect above that would be a bonus. If they're equal to Nightforce I think I would have a heart attack from the excitement. </div></div>

I think that there is a difference in the glass yes. The way I kind of describe it is that different makers glass seems to have a different "personality". Some scopes are optimized for brightness with other attributes be damned others for the best resolution so on and so forth. I think the NF has very good resolution while, Vortex to me seems to have a more well-rounded sight picture. DO NOT take glass quality into consideration if thats where your hang-up is. Neither scopes' glass will leave you under-equipped IMO. If you are basing your purchase decision on how tough the scope is in the WORST conditions, Im not so sure any scope on the market is better than NF. However that's not to say that Vortex will be unreliable. If I had to choose a scope to put on a "work" rifle that was going to be subject to the worst of environments and treatment day-in and day-out I would choose NF. If I wanted a VERY good scope at a VERY good value for all-round long range "hobby" shooting or hunting, I highly doubt Vortex will let you down. I hope that helps some.

 

[hunter223]

Re: Is the $ for a NF worth spending vs. Vortex?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Opticsspecialist</div><div class="ubbcode-body">personally i like the glass in the vortex, i'm not a fan of the 35mm tube. it limits mounting options and makes for a huge scope. for hitting very fine targets i found cranking it up to 20x obscures part of my view of the target.

both are great scopes, but it depends on what your doing. out of the two, i tend to lean to the F1 </div></div>

How does the FFP reticle obscure anymore of the target at 20x than at 5x???????

 

[Garvey]

Re: Is the $ for a NF worth spending vs. Vortex?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hunter223</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Opticsspecialist</div><div class="ubbcode-body">personally i like the glass in the vortex, i'm not a fan of the 35mm tube. it limits mounting options and makes for a huge scope. for hitting very fine targets i found cranking it up to 20x obscures part of my view of the target.

both are great scopes, but it depends on what your doing. out of the two, i tend to lean to the F1 </div></div>

How does the FFP reticle obscure anymore of the target at 20x than at 5x???????

</div></div>

As you increase magnification so too does the size of your reticle. At 6X the MIL dots look like they are 1/64" as a guess. At 20X they will look like a dot that is 1/16" diameter. I'm sure there is exact numbers somewhere but you get the idea, I hope.

 

[mdmp5]

Re: Is the $ for a NF worth spending vs. Vortex?

Yeah, but that is perceived obstruction. At both high and low power in a FFP scope, the reticle obscures the same amount of the target in a direct ratio. The reticle simply looks thinner at low mag, but the target looks smaller, therefore it is covering the same piece of target.

 

[Garvey]

Re: Is the $ for a NF worth spending vs. Vortex?

"Percieved obstruction"

That's a perfect way of explaining it.

 

[hoguer]

Re: Is the $ for a NF worth spending vs. Vortex?

NF has no longer become the budget way into a excellent scope. Back when you could pick up one for 1300-1400 new they were great, now that they are getting close to the 2k mark, you can look at the Vortex or the new IOR Valdada ffp (i have 3 of the new IORs and i think they are the best thing out for the price range, just sold my Zeiss Diavari 4-16x56 ffp in order to get more!)

 

[hoguer]

Re: Is the $ for a NF worth spending vs. Vortex?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ando</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buy the Razor from SWFA or another Hide vendor and use the 110% price match. That drops the Razor to $1800, a very respectable price for the package. </div></div>

lol, you need to read the details a little better on the 110%, its 110% of the difference, so if you find a $200 difference, they will cover that and an additional 10% of the difference($20) not 10% of the entire scope cost

 

[jonoliew]

Re: Is the $ for a NF worth spending vs. Vortex?

Thanks for the insight guys. I too was wondering about the whole vortex razor vs night force thing.. Sad thing is that thanks to silly Australian markup, I could probably fly and meet up with you guys and buy the scope (US RRP) and break even with the Australian RRP... Lol