Rifle Scopes NF clarity

[BradfromND]

I was just wondering about the clarity and brightness on NF's compared to say a Zeiss. I really don't have any dealers around here and it's kind of hard to spend that kind of $ without looking through one first. What about the older "Varmint" NF's?

Thanks

 

[JRose]

Re: NF clarity

Kinda hard to compare the two, b/c what edge Zeiss may have on NF in clarity, it lacks in other functions such as elevation travel, reticle, etc...

Unless you're talking about the high dollar Zeiss / Hendsolt line, in which your not really at a comparable price point anymore.

I never had any complaints of the clarity of my NF's.

 

[dvdt]

Re: NF clarity

I've only looked through 1 NF scope but I was absolutely shocked at how nice and crisp it was at max magnification. I was looking through a junker scope all day, then a guy let me look through his NF. It was like I was starring at the sun. Very bright and very nice.

I know that doesn't answer your question, but if you end up with the NF based on other reviews, I don't think you'll be unhappy.

 

[lmhans4440]

Re: NF clarity

Are you sure Scheels in Fargo doesnt have them? The Scheels in Bismarck has a few, as a matter of fact thats where I bought my 5.5-22x56. They are over priced there though I had them do a price match with no sales tax.

 

[RemingtonSPS]

Re: NF clarity

The Nightforce glass could be compared to a Leupold Mark 4 if there is one in your area. Although doing a side by side comparison of an NXS and a MK4 of similar power range i gave the NXS a slight edge in brightness and clarity. The only stinker NF that i came across, as far as glass, was a benchrest model. I have looked through several and the glass is consistently good. They really win as far as ruggedness and simplicity. I love them.

 

[Longshot38]

Re: NF clarity

Having sat behind a whole lot of scopes and particularly the two mentioned I'll have to say that there most certainly is a difference. Zeiss, S&B, and IOR have the best glass I have ever seen. They brightness and clarity is unbelievable. The glass in Nightforces optics is nice also but to my eye it just isn't as good as Zeiss or any of the other mentioned above. However with Nightforce what you loose in glass quality you make up in internals. Nightforce scopes are the toughest scopes I have ever laid my hands on.

 

[dreever]

Re: NF clarity

Brad,

Quality for your dollar Nightforce is hard to beat. S&B, Zeiss, etc. are absolutely great but will set you back more than a $1000.00 over the price of a Nightforce.

Danny

 

[BradfromND]

Re: NF clarity

More than likely, this scope will be put on one of my hunting rifles. That's why I am so worried about low light clarity and "brightness". Hans, I guess I've never seen them at Scheel's, but I don't usually go there because I don't feel like I need to help pay for a Ferris Wheel when I go to a sporting goods store. Thanks for the help, guys. On a side not, can you get instant email notifications for replies to threads you are involved in? I'm new here and I haven't figured out how to do that yet.

 

[dmgreene]

Re: NF clarity

I have had 3 NF's so far and all of them have had good glass. Is NF glass as good as Zeiss? NO. But the glass is better than most scopes that you will look through except for the European scopes.

 

[montana3gunner]

Re: NF clarity

The Zeiss conquest is hard to beat - especially for a hunting scope and if you can afford their Z reticle. However, if you want some "tactical type" features like target dials etc, then the Zeiss probably isn't what you want.

I have a Zeiss with Z-800 reticle on my 300 RUM, which is my go to hunting rifle right now. I love it.

Is weight a consideration? Several (not all) of the NF are a bit heavy for a hunting gun IMHO.

NF are very good scopes though. Probably can't go wrong with one if the features match up with what you are looking for.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: NF clarity

My 5.5-22 is pretty good, 737Shark has one that is way better in clairity compared to mine, but niether compare to my PR 5-25, I think NF is the best value in optics, they have all right features, and there reliable.

 

[TOPO-sniper]

Re: NF clarity

If you want the ultimate in clarity & brightness, buy German glass (Zeiss, S&B).

When I first got back into LR shooting I bought a Zeiss Diavari, next I bought a Lupy Mark4 for an AR over the internet & owned it for a week. Looking through it it was like it was always overcast out when compared to the Zeiss. I replaced it with NF, Glass clarity is kinda between the Zeiss & Mk4 but tougher, I still have the Zeiss but now own three NF.

 

[NY700]

Re: NF clarity

Just got my first NF. 5.5x22 and I am really impressed. Mil/mil with mrl and for $1400 I think it is a lot of scope for the money. My original scope was a nikon monarch which for the price I thought was solid, clear and bright. Side by side with the NF its a toy with a dull clody picture. I've seen lots of people trading up and down with scopes on this site, but the NF's always seem to stay put.

 

[jbell]

Re: NF clarity

I own a 6-24x56 diavari, 5.5-22x56 nxs, and a 6-20x50 mk4 and have extensively compaire them. As far as best overall scope let me just say its a very tough decision but I shoot the nf. I have compaired all 3 and as far as using the scopes the features and how they are built the nf is on top, its the easiest to use and most well built and that was easy to decide on. As far as immage goes, this is how I see it (after many hours of comparing) the zeiss has the brightest image, just a little better than the nf and the nf is a little better than the mk4 (this was determined under all conditions good light, fog, rain, dusk, snow...) the color is most vivid w/ the zeiss and then the mk4 and then slightly behind is the nf. For the best overall immage looking through the scope the zeiss has the edge it has no tunneling and the image just pops its easy to look through, the nf and the mk4 are neck and neck after the zeiss. But the most important immage quality (as far as shooting goes) is resolution b/c if you cannot accurately resolve the target you cannot accurately hit it, is the nf no doubt, then the zeiss and the mk4. This is not to say the zeiss and mk4 do not do a good job , they do, but the nf is noticeably better. This is just my opnion with my scopes.

 

[7mmRM]

Re: NF clarity

Never a complain with NF glass quality from me.

 

[RemingtonSPS]

Re: NF clarity

Why not an S&B? Unless you prefer moa/moa. The glass is better than NF. You can find them for sale in the classifieds on here for around $2200. Very rugged. I prefer the NF because ruggedness and repeatability come before glass to me (i prefer moa/moa). I do however love good glass. My experience hunting with the NF is that it does really good in low light conditions. The Premier is a little heavy but has awesome glass too.

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

Re: NF clarity

we have nightforce on all our work guns and i will be putting them on all my personal guns as well, if that says anything. they are some rugged freaking scopes, i'll trade a little bit of glass quality (though nightforce glass is still really good) for the extra ruggedness.

 

[RemingtonSPS]

Re: NF clarity

word!

 

[scotharr]

Re: NF clarity

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brad from ND</div><div class="ubbcode-body">More than likely, this scope will be put on one of my hunting rifles. That's why I am so worried about low light clarity and "brightness". Hans, I guess I've never seen them at Scheel's, but I don't usually go there because I don't feel like I need to help pay for a Ferris Wheel when I go to a sporting goods store. Thanks for the help, guys. On a side not, can you get instant email notifications for replies to threads you are involved in? I'm new here and I haven't figured out how to do that yet. </div></div>
You are really splitting hairs when talking about glass quality with all the high-end scopes. Plus, something that you might notice with a big spotting scope is probably not noticeable with a smaller lower-power rifle scope.

You mentioned low-light. Easy solution there. Get a scope with a low magnification setting (1x to 3x at low-end). That is way more useful than worrying about hair splitting differences in glass quality. A lower power setting and a larger objective equals better low-light performance.