LRS_Ranger
Member
Well, I guess it's been long enough that I can write a pretty objective review on my Nightforce, I got it a few weeks ago. I didn't want to jump right into it and miss negatives because of my excitement. Anyway, here it goes. I hope that this is useful to someone, because I couldn't find that many reviews when I was doing my research.
With my taxes this year, I determined I was going to get myself a really nice AR setup. For the rifle I wound up with a 16" LWRC M6A2. I had an extra EoTec sitting around that I slapped on it for the short term, but I really wanted the option of having some magnification on it. I looked into getting the swing down magnifier for the EoTech. I even went so far as to try a friend's, but I just couldn't fall in love with it. Not only was it heavy, but I didn't like the magnifier just hanging off the side of my gun. Personal preference I guess. Also, I love EoTech's, but if you try and go from inside to outside, you almost ALWAYS have to take a hand of the weapon to adjust the brightness of the sights, which to me is a MAJOR downfall. I decided that I wanted a 1-4X, preferably with a BDC reticle. I looked at the Leopold and the Burris, and a few others, but after I saw the Nightforce in a store, I was smitten. I hemmed and hawed for a while and finally sprung for it and got one. Currently it's on my rifle in a quick disconnect LaRue mount. Now, on to the optic itself.
First of all, fit and finish is excellent. It feels like a fine piece of art, that's also built like a tank. Which, for 1200+ it had damn well better be. I am sure that this thing will last a LONG long time, and take plenty of abuse. There is no parallex adjustment, but I never noticed a problem with that. The eyepiece focus ring has a locking ring on it, which I think is kinda cool. Turrets have covers, but under the covers are normal turrets that you don't need a screwdriver to change. Clicks are positive, markings are clear. I like the illuminated reticle dimmer location as well. Nice solid clicks, utmost feeling of quality.
The glass is excellent, very clear and bright. Reticle clearly stands out and draws your attention into the aiming point. It's VERY fast on target. It doesn't get much better than about 3x. Excellent blend of crystal clear, low magnification, wide field of view. I'm not sure that it is a true 1X, but it is hard to tell. You are looking through a scope, so to expect it to look like there was no glass there at all would be stupid. Also, about the whole true 1x thing. I think that most of it is internet hype. Who cares if it's a 1.1 or 1.2? It's pretty stinkin' close, and still allows for lightning fast acquisition. I think that it's just one of those things that gets blown into a big issue on the internet, and in actual practice, it's really not a big deal. Same thing with the reticle. Some have complained that the light isn't bright enough to make the reticle glow outside in the bright sunlight. Personally, I think that this is a strong point, not a weakness. The reason that you constantly have to change the brightness setting on the EoTech is because it has to be bright enough to glow outside. Then when you go inside, it's too bright. With this thing, the reticle is black outside, and plenty good enough. The illumination is for low light conditions, not all the time. In this case, the light picks up perfectly where the sun leaves off if you go inside. I don't know where this concept came from that you have to see your glowing reticle at all times, must be the mall ninjas on that one.
The LaRue mount holds it very tight, and holds the zero even when taken off and put back on the weapon's rail. I haven't weighed the whole system, but it does add some heft to the gun.
As a whole I am very pleased. The positives are excellent glass, VERY fast reticle, (that's coming from an EoTech, I think this is every bit as fast) and bulletproof, yet refined construction. The negatives are a little heavy, expensive, and the lack of a BDC reticle. Holding off for elevation is not a big deal, but it would be cool to have some one MOA dots at the 3, 4, and 500 mark. I'm not sure why they don't do this, because the combo of the FC-2 reticle with some small BDC points would be absolutely PERFECT. Still, if you are halfway competent you shouldn't have a problem hitting the far stuff, as it does have 5 MOA reference points. You can also get the other reticle if you are worried about the long stuff. My reason for getting the FC-2 is that close in fighting is unforgiving. You have to be fast and on the spot. But for longer ranges, one has more opportunity to take their time and make sure that they are holding over right. Plus, most engagements are within 200 meters, and that's where the FC-2 shines.
I hope that this has helped some of you with your purchase decisions. It's a lot of money, but it's one of those things where if you shell out the extra cash now, you will be happy for a LONG time to come. I don't have any grouping pix, because I don't care about groupings with a fighting rifle. If I can hit COM, I'm good, and this combo had me hitting better than almost any other system I have tried. Keep your powder dry and your groups small…
With my taxes this year, I determined I was going to get myself a really nice AR setup. For the rifle I wound up with a 16" LWRC M6A2. I had an extra EoTec sitting around that I slapped on it for the short term, but I really wanted the option of having some magnification on it. I looked into getting the swing down magnifier for the EoTech. I even went so far as to try a friend's, but I just couldn't fall in love with it. Not only was it heavy, but I didn't like the magnifier just hanging off the side of my gun. Personal preference I guess. Also, I love EoTech's, but if you try and go from inside to outside, you almost ALWAYS have to take a hand of the weapon to adjust the brightness of the sights, which to me is a MAJOR downfall. I decided that I wanted a 1-4X, preferably with a BDC reticle. I looked at the Leopold and the Burris, and a few others, but after I saw the Nightforce in a store, I was smitten. I hemmed and hawed for a while and finally sprung for it and got one. Currently it's on my rifle in a quick disconnect LaRue mount. Now, on to the optic itself.
First of all, fit and finish is excellent. It feels like a fine piece of art, that's also built like a tank. Which, for 1200+ it had damn well better be. I am sure that this thing will last a LONG long time, and take plenty of abuse. There is no parallex adjustment, but I never noticed a problem with that. The eyepiece focus ring has a locking ring on it, which I think is kinda cool. Turrets have covers, but under the covers are normal turrets that you don't need a screwdriver to change. Clicks are positive, markings are clear. I like the illuminated reticle dimmer location as well. Nice solid clicks, utmost feeling of quality.
The glass is excellent, very clear and bright. Reticle clearly stands out and draws your attention into the aiming point. It's VERY fast on target. It doesn't get much better than about 3x. Excellent blend of crystal clear, low magnification, wide field of view. I'm not sure that it is a true 1X, but it is hard to tell. You are looking through a scope, so to expect it to look like there was no glass there at all would be stupid. Also, about the whole true 1x thing. I think that most of it is internet hype. Who cares if it's a 1.1 or 1.2? It's pretty stinkin' close, and still allows for lightning fast acquisition. I think that it's just one of those things that gets blown into a big issue on the internet, and in actual practice, it's really not a big deal. Same thing with the reticle. Some have complained that the light isn't bright enough to make the reticle glow outside in the bright sunlight. Personally, I think that this is a strong point, not a weakness. The reason that you constantly have to change the brightness setting on the EoTech is because it has to be bright enough to glow outside. Then when you go inside, it's too bright. With this thing, the reticle is black outside, and plenty good enough. The illumination is for low light conditions, not all the time. In this case, the light picks up perfectly where the sun leaves off if you go inside. I don't know where this concept came from that you have to see your glowing reticle at all times, must be the mall ninjas on that one.
The LaRue mount holds it very tight, and holds the zero even when taken off and put back on the weapon's rail. I haven't weighed the whole system, but it does add some heft to the gun.
As a whole I am very pleased. The positives are excellent glass, VERY fast reticle, (that's coming from an EoTech, I think this is every bit as fast) and bulletproof, yet refined construction. The negatives are a little heavy, expensive, and the lack of a BDC reticle. Holding off for elevation is not a big deal, but it would be cool to have some one MOA dots at the 3, 4, and 500 mark. I'm not sure why they don't do this, because the combo of the FC-2 reticle with some small BDC points would be absolutely PERFECT. Still, if you are halfway competent you shouldn't have a problem hitting the far stuff, as it does have 5 MOA reference points. You can also get the other reticle if you are worried about the long stuff. My reason for getting the FC-2 is that close in fighting is unforgiving. You have to be fast and on the spot. But for longer ranges, one has more opportunity to take their time and make sure that they are holding over right. Plus, most engagements are within 200 meters, and that's where the FC-2 shines.
I hope that this has helped some of you with your purchase decisions. It's a lot of money, but it's one of those things where if you shell out the extra cash now, you will be happy for a LONG time to come. I don't have any grouping pix, because I don't care about groupings with a fighting rifle. If I can hit COM, I'm good, and this combo had me hitting better than almost any other system I have tried. Keep your powder dry and your groups small…
