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Rifle Scopes Nightforce blurry

F

Flynn

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 25, 2010
389
3
Idaho
#1
Nightforce 3.5-15 x 50. I have what seems to be a good focus for the reticle (reticle is sharp and dark). However, whatever I'm looking at (e.g. house 900 yards away)isn't quite clear. Adjusting the focus to get the object clear, results in a less crisp reticle. I should be able to have both clear and crisp. Adjusting the parralex doesn't help.

I don't have this problem with my NF 2.5 -10 x 32. Any thoughts or suggestions? I did leave a message with the folks at NF. Thanks in advance.
 
#3
Re: Nightforce blurry

Yes I did and the reticle is "focused". I just had it outside messing with it and discovered the blurriness occurs at full magnification (15x). the objects I was just looking at were cows at about 750 yards. 15x is certainly not too much power for that range.
 
#7
Re: Nightforce blurry

The parallax <span style="text-decoration: underline">IS</span> the focus. If you're turning the objective or reticle focus ring, are you sure you locked it down after focusing the reticle? Once the reticle is focused and the ring locked back in, you should be able to adjust the focus of the scope to get a sharp image using the parallax turret on the left without changing the sharpness of the reticle in any way.

Edit: let me put that another way. First, the compact NXS scopes like the 2.5-10x32 don't have a parallax adjustment, so you might not have noticed this with your other scope. With your 3.5-15x50, you use the eyepiece and the lock ring to focus the reticle, then tighten the lock ring back down so that turning the eyepiece doesn't change the reticle focus any longer, only the magnification. You then use the parallax turret to adjust the image focus whenever you actually change the magnification. Once focused and locked back down, the reticle focus should not change when you change magnification, or use the parallax turret to adjust image focus after changing the magnification.

Sorry if you're already aware of all this, but nowhere in the manual will you find a statement to the effect that you use the parallax turret as a focus knob after the reticle focus is set and locked in.
 
#8
Re: Nightforce blurry

Thanks for the replies. The focus is locked and I've adjusted the parralex, the object i'm aiming at remains blurred and is magnification sensitive; it's weird..
 
#10
Re: Nightforce blurry

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hydro556</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have always noticed this with my NFs.

I am considering trying an F1 as their glass is supposed to be superior.

Going on a LaRue OBR </div></div>What is a F1?
 
#12
Re: Nightforce blurry

by f1 do you mean the first focal plane model offering? If i have to jump through hoops to achieve a clear picture of the reticle and point of aim, I would gladly spend x$$ more to get what i need.
 
#16
Re: Nightforce blurry

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...or Hensoldt. </div></div>It seems my only options are to sell the scopes (on the exchange and at a great loss) to get the optics I need. I would gladly take a reasonable loss to get the clarity i desire. Am I expecting too much?????????????
 
#17
Re: Nightforce blurry

Reticle focus and parallax adjustment is always touchy on NF scopes. Each one I've had to adjust the diopter over multiple outings in order to get proper focus of the reticle. I've noted that what "appears" to be the sharpest reticle when adjusting the eyepiece diopter tends to not be the best solution for the best balance between reticle and background(parallax focus).

What seems to work for me, is to point it at the sky so that I'm looking at infinity and have no scale reference for my eye to try and focus on. Set parallax to infinity and then back off a hair. (I just don't believe that full extents is true infinity. Lots of times infinity is back a bit. Focusing on the moon helps to discover this. Something I've only done with my spotter.) Then start adjusting the diopter eyepiece focus. When trying to focus the reticle I keep going on and off of the scope, trying to get focus as soon as I make a good sight picture. Don't stay on long because my eyes refocus and will bring the reticle into focus for a false diopter setting. Take a break, rub eyes, look far, look close, check focus again. Repeat.

At a certain point you'll hit a focus where it's sharp, but when you adjust it past that it will seem to become higher contrast. Like it stands out more. For me, it almost looks like the reticle has a brightening effect around it's edge. Don't go this far! I think it is what really messes up parallax adjustment. Get it so that the reticle is within acceptable focus as soon as you get on the scope. Adjust it over Multiple outings to compensate for a variety of lighting conditions.


After this, adjust parallax purely based off of seeing parallax shift.(Move eye off optical center and see if the reticle shifts in relation to the background.)

With it adjusted like this, you should be able to focus at just about any distance on max magnification outside of 150yds. I've noted that no matter what I do all my NF scopes with max mag above 10x seem to suck at focusing closer than 150yds. Of course if you're shooting that close high mag and a perfectly crisp reticle isn't needed. And if it is, you buy the benchrest series of NF scopes.


Also, everyone's eyes are different. I have Astigmatism and I am Near Sighted. I am fighting my own physical flaws in order to achieve a sight picture. Because of this, I don't expect optics to have perfect clarity when I look through them. Something to consider if you also have corrected vision.
 
#18
Re: Nightforce blurry

I would call NF and let them know what is happening. I have stated on here before that making a scope parallax free at the factory is usually done by a human being. There is a fatigue factor that can come into play after a technician looks through scopes all day long and has to adjust the objective to make the scope parallax free. It might be as simple as sending it back and having their tech look at it on a different day and readusting the unit.
It doesn't happen very often, but it does happen.
Just my 2 cents.
Paul
 
#19
Re: Nightforce blurry

Try this. Take two paper towels, double them up, and rubber band them over your objective. use a flash light or normal light, and focus your diopter. This will give you zero reference, and allow you a crisp focus. Then, work your scope through its range and adjust for parallax. Works for me more so than pointing it up in the sky.
 
#21
Re: Nightforce blurry

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Flynn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm feeling as though I should have acquired a S&B or a USO... </div></div>or an IOR. S&B and IOR are one of 3(i believe on 3) that use schott glass.
 
#24
Re: Nightforce blurry

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CrazyDonkey</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Flynn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm feeling as though I should have acquired a S&B or a USO... </div></div>or an IOR. S&B and IOR are one of 3(i believe on 3) that use schott glass. </div></div>

So?

I suppose everyone has different needs, but the quality of the glass gets "good enough" for MY needs at about $200.

Do I like better? Sure, but it does nothing to help ME hit a target in anything but maybe the worst lighting conditions.

Again, in my opinion, anyone who thinks you have to spend more than a grand anymore to not be limited by glass quality, is not doing it right.

I love Schmidt, probably my favorite out of the big boys (disclosure- I have not owned a Hensoldt) but I honestly doubt I will buy any more because I am spending my limited funds on things that will help me shoot better or allow me to enjoy other platforms, not opulent glass.

NF is like the rest of the good stuff. More than good enough. They work too well for too many for anything else to be the case.
 
#25
Re: Nightforce blurry

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Flynn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've left NF 2 messages now and still haven't heard back... </div></div>

I sent my two 22s back for turret upgrades. They were hard to get on the phone, but after getting my return authorization numbers, they told me seven weeks to get them back. I'll have them Tuesday... 3 1/2 weeks.
laugh.gif
 
#27
Re: Nightforce blurry

This is show season for all the firearms companies. There people are on the road for weeks at a time right now. NF will call you back. At least that has been my experience. I have two scopes there for turrent upgrade and just got the third one back. It took 4 weeks on it.
 
#29
Re: Nightforce blurry

Had this same issue on a 5.5-22x56 a few years back. Drove me crazy so I sent it to NF twice. First time they said something was loose internally and I ended up with the same problem. Sent it back again and they said there was nothing wrong with it. Sold it and haven't looked back since.

I have owned several USO's and Schmidt&Bender's since then and have never had the same problem. I have seen some people state that Schmidt's aren't worth the extra dough for what you get or they disagree that a Schmidt isn't in a different league than a NF. Well not being able to focus the damn reticle was enough for me.
 
#30
Re: Nightforce blurry

Nightforce is a small and busy operation, don't get discouraged, they will make things right. This kind of thing can happen to all scopes any make or model. Nightforce has the best reputation for reliability but every company is going to have a few that slip.
 
#31
Re: Nightforce blurry

I spoke with Craig at NF. Described my problem and shipped it to them today. Parralax adjustments made little change to the sight picture. I.E. regardless of the range, changing the Parralax adjustment from min - max created very little difference in the sight picture. According to NF, "something is definetely wrong, adjusting the parallax should create significant changes to the sight picture".
 
#32
Re: Nightforce blurry

I had a NF get fogging on the inside. Shipped it back to them. They fixed it and shipped it back in 4 weeks. I wouldn't worry. They will fix it. I think somethings just happen but with NF it is few and far between.
 
#33
Re: Nightforce blurry

I have no doubt they will make it right. They are clearly passionate about their product and almost seemed embarrassed that my scope shipped with fault.
 
#34
Re: Nightforce blurry

I had the exact same problem on my NF 5.5-22 scope and could never figure it out. I used the same glasses I focused them with. I even had a buddy at the range adjust it to his eye and try that but that didn't work either (obviously). I have a Leupold Mark 4 now and do not have that problem.
 
#35
Re: Nightforce blurry

OP - do you wear eyeglasses by any chance? I found that even if everything is adjusted right, shifting your eyeglasses (e.g. up or down your nose) affects clarity.
 
#36
Re: Nightforce blurry

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigMahi</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OP - do you wear eyeglasses by any chance? I found that even if everything is adjusted right, shifting your eyeglasses (e.g. up or down your nose) affects clarity. </div></div>

I do not wear glasses..
 
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