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Rifle Scopes Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

kwak

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 13, 2010
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MI
Is there anyway to justify the cost of these options if the scope is only going to be used on one rifle?

I would only be using bullet weight from 150 to 175 in 308.

Any suggestions?
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

You will get different answers from different people but in my opinion, the zero stop is worth the additional cost. The high-speed option is negligible.

With the zero stop, you can set your zero and if you have to change anything, you're not having to count clicks to maintain your zero; you can just turn it back to where it stops.

My NXS has zero-stops but no high-speed
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

I have one with and one without high speed and both have zero stops. Zero stops are great. Doing a lot of dialing in for various ranges and coming back to baseline is a no brainer. I didn't think I would be as big a fan on the high speed as I have become. After using it for a while I wish both of my scopes had it. I'm not going to pop for the upgrade though. I ended up putting the scope with the slow turret on the wifes rifle. I suspect she will never know the difference.

FWIW I give HS and ZS a big thumbs up.

RT
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

I paid $300 extra for Mil adjustment, zero stop, & high speed. I like all three features thus far. All are useful in my opinion. Worth $300 - probably not, but what's an extra $300 when you are already shelling out $1,600 plus. Just another way of looking at it.

Decide on what <span style="text-decoration: underline">you</span> need/want and buy appropriately. If you want the options and don't get them; then you have just spent a lot of money on a luxury "toy" that you don't feel 100% about. When I buy something in the "gratuitous category", I like to feel 100% about it or I just will not buy it.

A NF falls into the same category as a Rolex - people don't need it, most people just want it, the quality is undeniable, and the cost is high. But let's face it, most people can make do with a Timex. If $300 is going to burden the family, then that person shouldn't be buying a NF anyway.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

Kwak if your an operator or shoot competitions where you are frequenly engaging various targets at various distances then they are a no brainer. If your a weekend warrior, like myself, and shoot one target at a time then save the extra money and get yourself some other equipment ( ie. wind meter, bullets,etc)
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

I've been pondering this same question. I just bought a used NF with a the NP1-RR and was going to send it in for a different reticle and get the knobs done while it was in. So far, its working fantastic and I just hate to have it messed with.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

picked up a nxs 5.5x22x56 with hs and zs. Went with what i wanted as I have the "shiny sh*t syndrome" and like top quality. This way there will be no what ifs, or i shoulda gots. If there will ever be any debate whether youre gonna upgrade in the future, sacrifice the cash now and have all done at once. Beats the turn around time and extra expenditures having pieces mailed to have the work done for something you could of had in the first place. Just my .02.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

i think that if you want mil knobs you have to get the high speed option. is that not correct? im really not sure what high speed entails, just when i priced a nightforce a while back i wanted it mil/mil and the high speed knobs was the only way i saw to get that
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

I'm in the same boat, m1k3. Bought the 3.5-15 Varminter scope NIB at a gun show years ago for $300, before Nightforce was a big deal (private seller didn't know what he had...), but I hate the NP1-RR reticle, and would like the speed and zero stop features.

My question is about the Horus reticles. Don't know if Nightforce will install a Horus or not.

Anybody have an opinion on the Horus reticle?

The fallback is MLR or Mil-dot.

It's going on a Sako TRG-42 .339 Lapua for extreme long-range.

An aside, I love my Springfield Armory scopes, I've got two and wish I had more, because they have the internal level bubble and first focal plane reticles.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

The ZS and HS well worth the money if you are shooting with any kind of pressure, time constraints, or at any kind of distance. I have them and now, & will never go back to their older system. If you are sitting at the range plinking it doesn't matter.

Horus not worth the extra money (IMO)...
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

It is difficult to give suggestions when you don't know what the gun's intended purpose is. Are you mounting it on a match rifle? F-Class rig? Hunting rifle? I have a NF 5.5-22x50 with ZS & HS turrets on my match rifle. But it wouldn't be my first choice for a hunting set up. If you're shooting targets at differing ranges with a time limit then the NF ZS/HS is good to go.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

I opted for the plain Jane NF 5.5-20 and it fits perfect for my needs. I'm not a runnin, gunnin guy or in any kind of fast paced tactical situation. I like simplicity and the cheaper price on the non ZS, HS model. I really had to save my pennies for the scope and the extra money I had saved from not going the bells and whistles I put towards ammo. Either choice you make you'll be very happy.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

The ZS and HS turrets are not absolutely necessary, but I did decide to go with them. If I had to do it over, I would still choose them. All of my scopes stay on one gun and I use the ZS feature and like the HSs turrets over the older ones.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

I have seen a few different figures thrown around as far as the price to upgrade a scope to Zero Stop turrets so I had a question.

I just bought a used NXS 5.5-22x56 with the NP1RR and the seller said it had Zero Stop but it defiantly does NOT. I love the scope and got a good deal regardless, so I don't want to make a big enough fuss that he wants me to just send it back to him, but I feel I should be reimbursed for some of the $$ I sent as payment considering the value of the nonexistent upgrade.

Info on the NF Form says...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NightForce</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Adjustment Modification
Place an “X” beside the desired adjustment option.
___ .1 Mil* w/ Zero Stop- $320
___ .25 MOA** - $150
___ .25 MOA** w/ZeroStop- $320
___ 1.0 E & .5 W MOA** w/ZeroStop - $320 </div></div>

Does this mean that the cost to add zerostop is $320? or is it only $170 (320-150=170) since I'm not changing mil or moa?
I'm wondering if asking for a $100 refund (or more) would be out of the question. I honestly don't think he intentionally screwed me, I think he just didn't know what the heck he was talking about.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

I have a 5.5x22x56 with high speed, zero stop and NP-R1 reticle. Awesome scope but if I was to buy it again I would do without either the high speed or the zero stop. With my 7mm mag 1000yds is right around one full rotation and I don't see myself getting lost going around just once. If you had the regular turret I could see the use of the zero stop but I don't see it to be necessary for me with the high speed turret, haven't set the stop yet and I doubt I will.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

Features don't make the scope. And use of the rifle, not how many rifles, will determine your need. My match gun is still topped with a regular non zero-stop turret. It doesn't make me shoot any worse.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

great comments, not sure if they were directed towards my question, but if so...the fact remains that I paid for a scope that was suppose to have a $2-300 upgrade included and it didn't.

If you bought a used pickup that was suppose to have a v8 engine and it showed up with a V6, would you just bite your tongue or get some $$$ back?
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

I was responding to the original question in the OP.

C_bass: With regard to your problem, well... I guess it's your call.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

Dang...I love the scope...don't get me wrong, and the price I paid was great even without the Zero Stop, but I know 75% of my reason for the impulse purchase was due to false advertisement.

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I know how old it gets with the same topics all the time. I thought this one would overlap a bit.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

Zero stops are way more important than HS knobs. Ask me why? It is embarrassing to loose zero in a comp.
Now for HS adjustments. My 308 loaded with 175 SMK needs about 9.3 Mils to get to 1000 (100 yd zero). With HS that is less than a full turn. IMHO that is an advantage in itself.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

If you shoot during the day you don't really need a zero stop. Record in your logbook as a true statement at what hash mark on the scope pillar is your zero. Then confirm it after you dial down more than one rev.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

Depends on how you plan to use the scope? If you're going to be setting up and plinking in one position/static and shooting at said target than you don't need the HS or ZS, but if you are planning on or currently do shoot matches or engage targets at varying distances it behooves you to go with the HS and ZS option.

Graham you are absolutely right, but for the poster who hasn't purchased a NF scope yet they should know the + and - of both models. While both are excellent you have to figure out what your needs are.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Features don't make the scope. And use of the rifle, not how many rifles, will determine your need. My match gun is still topped with a regular non zero-stop turret. It doesn't make me shoot any worse. </div></div>
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

I have a 5.5x22x56 npr2 with non zero stops. I talked to nightforce about the uprgrade and they told me $250. I would be very unhappy to think I was getting the zs and then it shows up without. The seller should make some sort of concession I would think.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobcatT870</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a 5.5x22x56 npr2 with non zero stops. I talked to nightforce about the uprgrade and they told me $250. <span style="font-weight: bold">I would be very unhappy to think I was getting the zs and then it shows up without. The seller should make some sort of concession I would think.</span></div></div>

I couldn't agree more.
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

I think only you the user can decide if these options are worth the extra cost. That said, both options make the scope more user friendly. To be able to go from 100yds to 600yds with less than one turn of the turret simplifies things for me. To be able to turn the turret back and it stop zeroed at 100yds is a VERY nice feature in any scope. I've owned 2 NightForce scopes. One without either feature and the one I own now with both. IMO, they are worth the extra $$$ for them. Something else not mentioned and it may just be the two scopes I've owned but, the model with the HS turrets just feels more precise. The turrets have a little more resistance, the turrets feel less "mushy" and the audible on the clicks seem better.

I went through the same thing before I bought mine. "I can save a lot of cash" kept going through my mind. Then I thought to myself, If saving money is most the important thing why am I buying it to begin with? I figured it I would be best to go ahead and get it the way I really wanted it and I would only cry once
wink.gif
Now that I'm a few payday's past the purchase, I'm glad I did.

P.S. I was gonna say it would be like buying a Cadillac with roll up windows but I wisely resisted
laugh.gif
(Joke)
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I'd like to give my take on this matter.

I have a 5.5x22x56 with HS but without ZS. I didn't think the ZS was worth the extra cost at time of purchase OR for two years using the scope. However after my friend picked up the same scope with ZS and shooting his rifle and mine side by side out past 1000 yards, I am now considering sending my scope to NF for the upgrade. Wish I would have gotten the ZS from the start. Yes I can do the same thing with mine dialing back to zero but, I find it to be very slow because i'm being so cautious to go to the right spot. With ZS you don't even have to think about it or look at it. just a quick turn until you feel a positive stop! Like a guys said above, you'll be happy you did a couple paychecks later.

Aloha
 
Re: Nightforce Zero-Stop and High Speed

I can attest for how much the ZS comes in handy even with my limited skills. After owning my NF for eight months and just recently setting up the ZS, it is a must have. Over the last few months, I finally started using the turrets for their "intended" purposes while reaching out to further distances. My ZS is setup just beyond zero. When I dial back I actually go past zero but four clicks forward gets me right back on zero. Don't worry about getting lost in the numbers. For me, it makes life so much easier.