I have an opportunity to buy a lightly used Nightforce 2.5-10x24 but am looking for some insight and opinions on whether to buy the Vortex. I know of the obvious differences but can't make my mind up. The nightforce is obviously used and being sold for $1000. The vortex go for $799 I believe. It will be on top of a scar 17. Maybe your opinions will shed a little light. Thanks
Rifle Scopes Vortex Viper pst 2.5-10x32 vs Nightforce 2.5-10x24
- Thread starter Dirt Nap
- Start date
I have the vortex, it's nice but not a nightforce. Also I would be careful at 1000$ for a 2.5-10x24 model, usually they are higher. Lots of scammers out there.
That is a very good price for the NF 2.5-10x24mm. Does it have 0-stop turrets? The PST is a great scope for the price and what it is but the NF beats it in quality and ability to take abuse (the PST will take abuse just not like the NF). They both offer good glass the NF 24mm image is a little darker.
BCP is correct you have to be carful.
Mike CSTACTICAL
BCP is correct you have to be carful.
Mike CSTACTICAL
I agree with the above statements, but the pst is a good scope as well, and if your more price conscience, I don't think you would be disappointed with the vortex.
The x32 is their best scope short of the razor line. Its made me hate my other PSTs due to how good the image quality is on the x32. Vortex wont admit it but there is something different done to the x32 glass I dont care what they say. Its is much brighter than any of the x50 PSTs I've got or looked through.
If it's a real Nightforce, jump on it without hesitation. If you change your mind you can probably resell for more than that.
The PST 2.5-10x32 FFP is the best of the PST line, but its mechanicals and feeling of quality are not up to Nightforce NXS levels. And I agree that it has much better glass any any other PST I've looked through.
The PST 2.5-10x32 FFP is the best of the PST line, but its mechanicals and feeling of quality are not up to Nightforce NXS levels. And I agree that it has much better glass any any other PST I've looked through.
Plenty of mass-produced scopes have the potential for ending up either a little better or a little worse than other scopes of the same model or series. Yours may have been a gem by chance.
Except that this is the kind of report coming from virtually everyone who's looked through the 2.5-10x32FFP and one of the earlier models in the PST series. There are essentially no negative reviews of the glass on the 2.5-10x32FFP, and no positive reviews on the glass in the earlier 2.5-10x42SFP, or of the glass at >13x in the 4-16x50 scope (SFP or FFP). The 2.5-10x32FFP I owned had glass quality in the same range as a Sightron SIII or Leupold Mark 4, while the 4-16x50 and 2.5-10x42SFP models I had were more in the $200 Walmart scope range at their top magnifications.
Example to example variation is real, but in the PST series it really seems to be an issue of models, not examples.
Depends on the type of shooting you plan to do with it. I have owned both and think you get a lot more features for your money with the Vortex. It would be nice of the reticle on the Vortex was a little thicker/more prominent at lower magnifications.
You can find the Vortex for less than $800 if you look around.
My comparison is also based off $1400-1600 x24 NFs.
You can find the Vortex for less than $800 if you look around.
My comparison is also based off $1400-1600 x24 NFs.
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I would question whether the PST would stand up to the recoil impulse of the scar.
You may eventually tire of sending it back for repair.
You may eventually tire of sending it back for repair.
Does anybody have any good pics and/or opinions of this vortex on a 16" AR? I'm scope shopping and I keep coming back to this one everytime. I'm just a little worried it may be/look too "long" on a 16" and I really don't wanna swap barrels.
Mine looks fine on top of an 18" with rifle length quad rail and flip up sights. If your 16" has a carbine gas system and a regular front sight it might look a little silly though.
It's a midlength. New semi build. Changing out the hand guard and gas block. I've seen a couple pictures of one on a 16" and it looked like it was right on the edge of being too long. But it looked fine on a different 16". Definitely wouldn't want a scope that's any longer. Just trying to get a general opinion.
Here is a pic just put your finger over the last bit of barrel and voila, that's what your 16" will look like with it. I don't particularly like this super extended ADM mount, it's not necessary for this scope but it was all I had at the time and it technically works so I'm not changing it.
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Looks good. I'm gonna see what I can do about getting my hands on one and check it out in person. I try not to rush into things but I'm having to fight it pretty hard on this scope. Thanks for the pics and your input. I really appreciate it.
If you can get a NF used for only $200 more than a PST why did you not already do it. Get the S/N off of it, call NF and verify it and buy the damn thing. I don't care what model and what features, the NF or any NF is 10x the scope of any PST. I'm not bashing the PST, they ARE good scopes for the money. But for everything scopes are graded on, glass, mechanical reliability, warranty, the NF hands down wins. The only close category would be warranty as they are the same, unconditional and transferable.
Have to agree with the 32FFP model being the best in the PST range. I had the 2.5-10x44, 2 X 4-16x50, and looked through a 6-24. Not impressed with any except the 2.5-10x32FFP. Was much better than the others, and it actually impressed me!
The vortex is no NF. Having said that, the vortex is nothing to sneeze at (its what I chose to run as I cannot justify the price of a NF)
To those of you claiming the x32 PST is "better" than the other PSTs, well suffice it to say, there is no difference in the glass, coatings, assembly, or anything else that would put the x32 on another optical level.
To those of you claiming the x32 PST is "better" than the other PSTs, well suffice it to say, there is no difference in the glass, coatings, assembly, or anything else that would put the x32 on another optical level.
What's your basis for that? I've owned 4 PST's and the x32 was night and day difference from the others optically. Are you a Vortex insider?
Well youre simply wrong. You obviously have not personally looked through both scopes. I have a 4-16 on my 308 and the x32 on my 300blk, the clarity and brightness are far better on the x32. Same day, same conditions. Ive had 4 other PSTs and none of them are as good as my x32. Im not alone in this report either. There is something different in the x32s construction to display a brighter image while having 2.5 times less objective glass to gather that light with compared to the x50 models. Ive literally sat in the stand with both of my guns at dusk and could still make out images of whatever I was looking at 10 minutes longer with the x32 than the x50. 10 minutes is huge in hunting time IMO. Im selling off my other PSTs and going to bushnell DMRs and more SWFA 3-15s. My 3-15 SWFA with its 42mm objective has a brighter, crisper picture than my other PSTs as well. I do like the turrets better on the PST but that's about it.
