Nightforce NX8 2.5-20 x 50

Nightforce’s NX8 range seeks to deliver an 8x zoom range optic to the forefront of the market for sporting or tactical use, with premium optics and mechanical capabilities the company have so long been trusted for. This first focal plane (FFP) F1 model in milliradian specification was a great choice for my 24-7 shooting needs and was used throughout the review period in both daylight and with NV equipment. Lots of dialling for steel targets with a rimfire rifle is always a great technical test of tracking capability and then with night-time arriving, it was great to see how this premium optic paired with a rear night vision add-on.

Details

The scope shows a 30mm tube and a modest 50mm objective lens. It was easy to set up in medium mounts, with plentiful tube mounting space spanning the central saddle (33mm ahead / 65mm behind). The objective lens is recessed 20mm from harm’s way in front of the aluminium body and high-quality, clipclosed front and rear lens caps are supplied too. The tube carries a tough anodised finish, not perfectly smooth, just enough texture to dim reflections, plus there’s knurling on all the turrets and the zoom control. The latter also features a removable throw lever to speed up magnification control and this was appreciated when using it with cold hands and at night. The rearmost lock ring shows Nightforce’s other characterful fast focus, yet still lock ring equipped ocular body for internal reticle clarity and personal dioptre compensation. As usual with NF optics, the reticle was razor-sharp and the lens itself proved forgiving, with 88mm of eye relief without crystal centre pinpoint focus required. The eye box was also easily maintained through recoil on the .223 and .243 test rifles used.

Being in the first focal plane, the reticle remains constant in proportion to the target and appears to get larger as the zoom is wound up. There is a lot of detail on this reticle for aim off and holdover compensation, which corresponds exactly with the MRAD turrets. The scope is also available in minutes of angle with the corresponding reticle and ¼ MOA clicks, rather than the 10mm ones found here on the MRAD variant. A second focal plane (SFP) version is also available. A slightly smaller exit pupil at the lowest magnification setting is the only discernible technical compromise. Image quality was superb, with snap-in-snap-out focussing available in regular use with the left side, backlash-free parallax dial, ranging from 10m to infinity. No reticle variation was seen through this and the magnification range and eye relief remained seemingly constant.

There is a lot of low sun at this time of year, which can cause problems for some optics, but not the Nightforce. It avoided chromatic aberration and any flaring very well at a close angle to incoming intense light (never look directly remember!). There is no perceptible internal mechanical motion from the smooth controls.

Controls

The turrets are excellent, with 100 clicks per turn and easily set up controls. The elevation turret requires a small Allen key to release the knurled dial after zeroing so that it can be set to the ‘zero position’. If slackened off completely and lifted clear, you have access to an innovative clutch assembly for zero-stop setup. This works smoothly, without any clicks to confuse you when it is slackened according to the simple instructions. Importantly, the system allows you to set up as much negative travel as you desire below the zero point. Windage is controlled similarly, marked left and right 5 MRAD from the centre, with twin Allen screws to release and reset it once zeroed. Overall elevation travel is 32 MRAD, with 23 for windage. In Minutes of angle, you get 110/80 MOA total travel.

The left side parallax dial shows a central pushbutton for Digallium control, where reticle intensity is controlled as well as optional green or red colouration. The memory system saves your last setting and there is an auto-off function to save the CR2032 battery seated under the turret cap. The central tree of the reticle is illuminated, with no unwanted dazzle exhibited. When used in conjunction with a PARD 007 night vision add-on on the back, this made the scope incredibly well suited to such a device, regardless of how low magnification was set with consequently small reticle - it was still easily visible! This has become my favoured FFP/illuminated reticle option for such a setup. The parallel, 43mm ocular body diameter allows such a fitting to be added securely.

Conclusion

Nightforce has guided this optic into an interesting market position. It offers an extensive optical magnification range and plenty of mechanical adjustability in a compact layout and is not unsuited to a mid-weight sporting rifle of high specification. The price point is also slotting between medium and highend positions and although I’m not personally a fan of overly complex reticles, I like the illumination control, especially when combined with NV. The scope met all my requirements for every day/night use.

The clicks are wellweighted, tactile and perceptible, without visual checks, yet the engraved markings themselves remind me of my first forays as a Nightforce owner 15 years ago. None of the reliability has been sacrificed to modernity and price. All dialling matched previously confirmed DOPE settings, with a ‘box test’throwing up no demons, so I congratulate Nightforce for making an honest, high-performance optic with no hidden marketing aspirations. Performance in poor light was not the equal of a specific sporting optic of comparable objective lens size, but in fairness, the sort of scopes that will beat it aren’t offering these mechanical specifications at that price.