I’ve been looking at numerous options for my DDM4V7S 11.5” SBR. I think I’ve settled on a LPVO and was looking at the Nightforce NXS 1-4 and then saw that the NX8 had come out. Does anyone have some time behind one? If so, what are the pros and cons of it. I figured for the little bit more money it would be worth going from the 1-4 to 1-8 even though I probably wouldn’t need 8x for an SBR. Any help would be appreciated
Rifle Scopes Nightforce NX8 1-8 scope
- Thread starter Justin13T
- Start date
It’s a FANTASTIC scope for the size, and overall footprint. It is a better scope than the NXS 1-4 in EVERY WAY. I T&E’d a 1-4 years ago, and it was dated and showing it’s age then. The NX8 is FFP, the reticle is great, the illumination is STRONG. The size is very similar to the 1-4..... it may even be smaller. It weighs 17oz. For a FFP, 1-8 with Aimpoint level illum, there’s not much more to look for.
The downside.....there’s always a downside, the eye box is a touch tight. Not crazy, but it’s NOT like the Razor or the Kahles. Those eye boxes are bigger, and the scope edges tend to “disappear “. That’s the difference in FFP and SFP, in a scope so short. However, if you’re looking to push a 5.56 gun out to its max abilities, the NX8 is a SOLID scope, and super hard to beat. The size and weight would be awesome on a SBR. I run one on my Noveske Afghan and love it.
The downside.....there’s always a downside, the eye box is a touch tight. Not crazy, but it’s NOT like the Razor or the Kahles. Those eye boxes are bigger, and the scope edges tend to “disappear “. That’s the difference in FFP and SFP, in a scope so short. However, if you’re looking to push a 5.56 gun out to its max abilities, the NX8 is a SOLID scope, and super hard to beat. The size and weight would be awesome on a SBR. I run one on my Noveske Afghan and love it.
Thanks for the reply. Do you think the razor is better for FOV, eye relief, and SFP? I know it’s slightly longer and weighs more. I plan to do mostly close work and might stretch it a little. I did see a review where the guy was complaining about the eye relief and right eye box on the razor when shooting in awkward positions.
I had both, and while the razor was tops in nearly every aspect, I really like the nightforce. First focal and 8x really sold me on the nightforce. The zero stop doesn't do much but it's a nice feature. I sold the razor..and don't regret it.
If you want one at a smoking price 
One Nightforce Optics NX8 1-8x24 FFP mil/mil display model in excellent shape for $1,515.00 ($200 off retail price) call us at 916-670-1103 to pick this one up.
One Nightforce Optics NX8 1-8x24 FFP mil/mil display model in excellent shape for $1,515.00 ($200 off retail price) call us at 916-670-1103 to pick this one up.
I like mine very much. I've shot it in some very awkward positions (the bottom ports on a V-tac wall) and found the eyebox did not hinder me much. I was initially attracted to it due to it's light weight and also because I'm a NF guy, Having used it quite a bit now, I can't find anything to complain about.
Had it, sold it, bought Kahles 1-6. Optically I thought the Kahles was superior and the Kahles is actually a touch lighter. The pros of the NX8 is the illumination is ridiculously bright, its shorter, is FFP, feels more durable and definitely looks cooler. Everything else favors the Kahles and if you 1x performance is needed, the Kahles is just too good. In case you missed it, here are some phone pics at 1x and 6x between the two (three, Vudu)
https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...16i-vs-nightforce-nx8-vs-eotech-vudu.6905456/
https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...16i-vs-nightforce-nx8-vs-eotech-vudu.6905456/
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I've got both the NX8 and Kahles K16i. I like both, for different reasons. Here is a rundown.
Weight- Kahles is Lighter
Throw lever- Kahles has an integral fin, NX has a "bolt". Both feel good.
Reticle- NF has a numbered mil vertical. Kahles, SM1 is similar but no numbers. No tree available for NX ( tha'll cost another grand and a couple of ounces). A usable tree available for Kahles, GR3 reticle (with caveat on focal plane).
Illumination. The NX8 has ultra bright illumination. Better, the knob has "off" positions between level setting. Love, love love that. The Kahles has a variable illumination knob and isn't as bright.
Focal plane.
Kahles is SFP which means you have to have ballistics for each mag level to use drop or set a MPBR zero approach and understand ballistics drop at 6x. This is an OK approach- I use the scope at 1 or 6. The reticle has tapering 9 and 3:00 stadia that are very clear and unobtrusive. I would totally use the GR3 tree in the same way.
NX8 is FFP which means that mil or moa relationships to target do not vary with magnification, which means that only one set of ballistic data needs to be known, that you can use the drop at any mag level. In terms of the reticle, it looks like 3,6 and 9:00 short stadia with a center hot dot at 1x which resolves into a segmented circle around 4x. Between 4-8x it opens up and the mil readings on the reticle can be read. It's clear and simple.
Magnification - NX8 has +2 power.
This would actually be a draw back for the SFP Kahles because I think that 5-6x is one thing and more magnification another in terms of practical target definition (enlargement) and loss of field of view. More simply stated, with the Kahles, I am pretty binary, 1 or 6 x. Part of this has to do with the eye box/ perceived FOV.
With the NX8, I'll land between 5-8 as I look through the optic. That the NX8 is FFP means I can read drop at any mag.
Optical quality. I can't speak to CA, resolution, low light usage, etc. I can speak to impression. As other posters have said, the Kahles is really "open". The side walls of the scope seem to almost disappear. It's pretty magical when it's set just so. The NX8 is just what you would expect from a good optic. The Kahles is just that much better from 1-6x.
Knobs- I can't speak to this. For me, a LPVO goes on a sub 300m gun and I'm not dialing. In fact both my Kahles and NX8 have capped turrets. I'm sure they're great but I have only used them once.
Styling. The NX8 is American, tacticool. The K16 looks like a high end optic. I want a streamlined mount on the Kahles and a chunky tactical one on the NX8.
Which do I want? I want the NX8 erector in the Kahles glass. Oh, and a tree.
Which one do you want? Let mission drive choice. I'd weight close and far in terms what you will be shooting. If you need or want more mag than 6 then choose the NX8. If you want the best 1x performance, choose the Kahles.
Weight- Kahles is Lighter
Throw lever- Kahles has an integral fin, NX has a "bolt". Both feel good.
Reticle- NF has a numbered mil vertical. Kahles, SM1 is similar but no numbers. No tree available for NX ( tha'll cost another grand and a couple of ounces). A usable tree available for Kahles, GR3 reticle (with caveat on focal plane).
Illumination. The NX8 has ultra bright illumination. Better, the knob has "off" positions between level setting. Love, love love that. The Kahles has a variable illumination knob and isn't as bright.
Focal plane.
Kahles is SFP which means you have to have ballistics for each mag level to use drop or set a MPBR zero approach and understand ballistics drop at 6x. This is an OK approach- I use the scope at 1 or 6. The reticle has tapering 9 and 3:00 stadia that are very clear and unobtrusive. I would totally use the GR3 tree in the same way.
NX8 is FFP which means that mil or moa relationships to target do not vary with magnification, which means that only one set of ballistic data needs to be known, that you can use the drop at any mag level. In terms of the reticle, it looks like 3,6 and 9:00 short stadia with a center hot dot at 1x which resolves into a segmented circle around 4x. Between 4-8x it opens up and the mil readings on the reticle can be read. It's clear and simple.
Magnification - NX8 has +2 power.
This would actually be a draw back for the SFP Kahles because I think that 5-6x is one thing and more magnification another in terms of practical target definition (enlargement) and loss of field of view. More simply stated, with the Kahles, I am pretty binary, 1 or 6 x. Part of this has to do with the eye box/ perceived FOV.
With the NX8, I'll land between 5-8 as I look through the optic. That the NX8 is FFP means I can read drop at any mag.
Optical quality. I can't speak to CA, resolution, low light usage, etc. I can speak to impression. As other posters have said, the Kahles is really "open". The side walls of the scope seem to almost disappear. It's pretty magical when it's set just so. The NX8 is just what you would expect from a good optic. The Kahles is just that much better from 1-6x.
Knobs- I can't speak to this. For me, a LPVO goes on a sub 300m gun and I'm not dialing. In fact both my Kahles and NX8 have capped turrets. I'm sure they're great but I have only used them once.
Styling. The NX8 is American, tacticool. The K16 looks like a high end optic. I want a streamlined mount on the Kahles and a chunky tactical one on the NX8.
Which do I want? I want the NX8 erector in the Kahles glass. Oh, and a tree.
Which one do you want? Let mission drive choice. I'd weight close and far in terms what you will be shooting. If you need or want more mag than 6 then choose the NX8. If you want the best 1x performance, choose the Kahles.
Having had both, I pretty much agree with your analysis. Couple of other things. The Kahles magnification works the opposite direction than the NX8 and most other LPVO's. Takes some getting used to at first. I also found a small amount of fisheye in both of the NX8's I owned.
You are right, you will likely only want to use the BDC @ 6 power anyway, so the SFP is a non issue on the K16i. It might not be the same with the NX8 and extra power as you may find yourself more often not at max power, however at 100 yards, the difference in 6 power and 8 power "feels" like two long walking strides toward the target, its just not that much of a difference. The extra power fades a bit when you realize the NX8 dot is a bit more "crowded" by the surrounding donut and gives up some precision. I have looked through my buddy's K16i with the SM1 and its a heck of a CQB reticle, but I did not like the sight picture at distance for holdovers which is why mine is a 3GR reticle. I give up some speed at 1x, but its an awesome reticle once you stretch it out.
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