Re: NF scopes. What makes them superior??
All scope brands have some issues, even Nightforce.
Here is my list of Scope makers I've used or held, or shot, and the problems that I see, IMHO:
Schmidt and Bender - $$$$ great if you can afford them, sucks if you can't. Be great if the specs. on their scopes was readable in US measures and not metrics. They do want to sell scopes here in the US don't they?
USO - Truly custom built, cost some $$$, but not unreasonable for what you get, but not a scope to buy if you need it like next week. Custom takes time, not off the shelf. Great CS after you buy. Actually makes MOA/MOA stuff for the MIL challenged.
Nightforce - limited FFP - MIL/MIL variety, but getting better. I hate that the ocular turns when I adjust power, it's annoying for me, other wise great optics and superior adjustments, and build quality. Great CS after you buy. They are the other company that makes fine MOA/MOA products for the MIL challenged.
Leupold- former gold standard, resting on laurels for too long, nothing new, some customization available, good CS after you buy. The tech guys answering the phone sometimes know less than my grandson about their products. case in point: about a month ago I was quoted in an email $129.99 for both W&E dials to convert my M3 (1" adjust)to M2 (1/2" adjust) dials. But my M3 already has 1/2" windage dials, and came that way from the factory. Sent another e-mail questioning this quote and was now told that a M1 could not be converted to an M2. Except that I had a M3 not an M1.
So several more e-mails later, I got a correction: Yep, only $89.00 to change an M3 to M2, elevation only, cause windage is already 1/2". Only took a month to get a correct answer.
IOR - Great scope, great glass, great prices, some good builds, some bad builds, in other words a crapshoot. CS service consists of replacing, not repairing defective scopes. Actually that's not all bad. Best part about IOR is Liberty Optics sells them, and stands behind them. Other vendors are so so about after the sale service, concerning IOR.
Sightron - Hear some good things about the company, and their scopes. US HQ is 20 miles from my house. Sent them an e-mail about visiting their site, to hold and touch their fine products, as the nearest Sightron dealer is 70 miles away. Told nope, the public is not allowed. No touchy feely of their scopes in Youngville, NC HQ. WTF????
Burris - OK, OK, but same problem as Nightforce, ocular turns when you adjust power. That sucks for me, as it renders my BC covers useless. CS is ok, not great.
Bushnell - 6500 and 4200 are GTG, the rest of their line, not so good, but they are cheap. CS is OK, they get the job done on repairs, if not quickly. I think they hire ex Leupold service Techs, as they know even less about their products. Best warranty on their top of the line scopes. One year no questions asked...lifetime on repairs... Great service when they were still Bausch and Lomb...
Nikon - Good product, good optics, good prices, but quirky, indifferent CS. I think their service reps were all trained by the USPS. But they do fix their stuff if it breaks.
Falcon - Haven't broken the three I own yet. Falcon's website has been down nearly 2 months, not a good sign if you need a repair or have a question...
SWFA - Got a new 3-9x42MM coming, but the older SS line represents the best bang for the buck. Bushy fixes their stuff for them, so CS is OK. SWFA has a strange marketing plan: they sell their stuff cheaper on E-Bay, then their own website. Odd don't you think?
See every scope maker has some issues and Nightforce is better than most. If only the ocular didn't turn, I buy nothing else....
Bob