Nightforce NX8 4-32: Initial Thoughts

I got my NX8 4-32 from Night Vision Outfitters on the 10th, (which was about 24 hours after I placed my order. Thanks Myron!) but I had to leave for my wife's family reunion in Arkansas before I got a chance to do a preliminary review. Fortunately, Arkansas families don't have many branches, so I got home in time to do a quick review this evening.

First thoughts: This scope is tiny for the magnification range. It's not real big for a hunting scope, but it's much smaller than a typical long-range scope.

I did some spotting around my neighborhood and noticed a few things.

First: The image quality and close-focus on 4x is stupid good. I had a beautiful image of my brick mailbox, with a wide FOV at 16 yards.

Turrets: They're excellent. They remind me of my Gen 2 Razor, which are considered a benchmark for tactile sound and feel.

Glass: I know it's a very subjective topic, but if I look through 5 scooes side-by-side, I feel like I can recognize the best from the worst. The NX8 is either the best or second-best in every magnification range.

Parallax setting: The NX8 is super-sensitive at full power. At 32x, I had to adjust the side focus knob very precisely to get a clear image from 17-500 yards. It's not a set-it-and-forget-it optic. At least not at max mag. It requires constant focusing to keep a clear image.

Here's a pic of my comparable scopes:
1. Vortex Razor LH 3-15x42, 1" tube
2. Nightforce NX8 4-32x50, 30mm tube
3. Bushnell LRHSi 4.5-18x44, 30mm tube
4. Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 5-25x50, 30mm tube
5. Vortex Razor Gen 2 4.5-27x56, 34mm tube

Good to hear!! Which scope gave the NX8 a run for its' money in the glass quality department??

How fine was the reticle? Since you tested in the evening did it start to fade out at low power and did you test the illumination?

The Razor LH and Razor Gen 2 both had their moments in the comparison. I'll go into more detail later. I'm about to turn 42 in less than 2 hours, so I'm putting all my energy into getting F'd up for the duration of the evening. A proper review is coming soon.

Well enjoy that birthday!! Maybe we can get a review of low magnification, high BAC performance!

Those Vortex are not fit to breath the same air as the Nightforce.

Oh no Jason, you are starting to sound like Buzz. You and Buzz doppelgangers? Gonna start calling you Buzz Jr if you're not careful.

Any thoughts on mid range optical quality? Seen multiple reports that show good quality on the min and max but a quality loss in the middle soon? Granted it still good quality but it does diminish as I have read. Also heard the max mag eye box is tight.

Heard really positive on fov and size.

Among the scopes you listed the only one that may be close would be the razor. But you are looking at two different scopes and 34mm vs 30mm is a difference. I would be interested to see the pst 2 3-15 vs the nx8. The 3-15 optically is the best scope in the line.

I still think the 4-16 atacr vs nx8 is an interesting debate. I think for my personnel use I would go atacr as I don’t shoot super long distance where the high end mag would be a benefit. But others would have different needs

no comparison in the NX8 and ATACR. ATACR is built for combat, heavy, can drive tent stakes. The NX8 glass is perfect but I only drove nails with mine. I love the Red condom turret cap, The Tennebrake covers are great !!! Same Zero Stop as ATACR, Strong !!!!! These are Nightforce LOW Ultralight rings

one outta five is not bad

So you're keeping the Gen 2 Razor now right ?

Please don't tell my wife.

Need to bring that over and shoot a pig just so I can check it out:) We can put it up against the march, and a atacr and give it a good comparison.

thank you sir!! Good write up and I agree with all points mentioned in my limited usage as well.

You're the first person I thought of when I got this scope. I really want to compare it to your March rigs. When you wanna do this, Tony?

I'm glad you use protection, we don't want any accidental discharges at your age.

true, I cant afford to waste ANY !!!!