{"id":115564,"date":"2019-10-04T23:03:07","date_gmt":"2019-10-05T03:03:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=115564"},"modified":"2024-08-03T21:45:46","modified_gmt":"2024-08-04T02:45:46","slug":"hunt365-nightforce-nx8-1-8-full-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/hunt365-nightforce-nx8-1-8-full-review\/","title":{"rendered":"NIGHTFORCE NX8 1-8- Full Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Little Scope That Could <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The debut of Nightforce\u2019s 1-8 power scopes at the 2018 SHOT show was a huge success. I reviewed the ATACR<\/a> 1-8×24 F1 and thought it was the scope we had all been waiting for; others obviously agreed as DoD announced that USSOCOM had selected it and awarded Nightforce a $21 million contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"NIGHTFORCE
The small size is a perfect fit for many hunting and defensive rifles<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

However, praise for the ATACR\u2019s little brother, the 30mm tubed NX8 F1<\/a> has been a bit quieter, and I don\u2019t think it should be. It is an awesome scope in its own right and stands in the market as one of the smallest, lightest 1- 8 power variables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I tested the NX8 1-8×24 F1 with an FC-Mil reticle and this little scope is just outstanding, it never left me wanting in any area. It doesn\u2019t have all the features of its big brother but if you\u2019re not going to the sandbox to fight a war it has all you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first thing you notice about the NX8 is its compact size. It is the size of a small 1-4x scope and much smaller than what you expect for an 8 power optic. The NX8 just doesn\u2019t take up a lot of real estate on top of a rifle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"NIGHTFORCE
NX8 compared to older Leupold 1.5-5x and Swarovski Z6i 1-6x<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Comparing it to other quality 8x scopes the difference is significant. Most of the current 1-8x scopes are built on 34mm tubes so it\u2019s difficult to get straight apples to apple comparison, but the table below will give you the idea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brand<\/strong><\/td>Model<\/strong><\/td>Length (inches)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Nightforce<\/td>NX8<\/td>8.75<\/td><\/tr>
Leupold<\/td>Mark8 1-8<\/td>12<\/td><\/tr>
Trijicon<\/td>Accupower 1-8<\/td>10.8<\/td><\/tr>
Schmidt& Bender<\/td>1-8 PMII ShortDot<\/td>11.54<\/td><\/tr>
Vortex<\/td>Razor HD 1-6x<\/td>10.1<\/td><\/tr>
Swarovski<\/td>Z8i 1-8<\/td>11.9<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

Nothing comes close to being as small as the NX8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with its short overall length, the NX8 is also pretty light, weighing in at only 17 oz. This is the same weight as a Leupold Mark6 1-6x, but you get it in a smaller package and have an additional 2 power to deal with longer range targets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several of the scopes in the list above run as heavy as 25 oz., almost 50% more than the NX8. This is primarily due to the 34mm tube components which do add weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking at the size and weight discussion from the other end of the spectrum; the NX8 is heavier but still compares well even to red dot optics. Eotech\u2018s range from 3.8 to 5.6\u201d long and weigh up to 13.8 oz depending on model and battery type and an Aimpoint CompC3 is 4.9\u201d long, weighing in at 7 oz. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"NIGHTFORCE
NX8 at home on a Kimber Montana, keeping it lightweight for hunting- less than 7 lbs. including scope.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A smaller, lighter scope means your rifle isn\u2019t as top-heavy and typically balances better, along with being easier to carry. Its small size has me looking at some of my other scopes and scratching my head as to why they are so big and debating if 8x would be enough for those applications instead of 10 or 12x.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another strong selling point is that the NX8 is also one of the least expensive 1-8x illuminated scopes on the market. With an MSRP of $1750, and typically selling for a bit less, it is not an inexpensive scope but then again you wouldn\u2019t expect a quality scope with all these features to be in the bargain bin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Features<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The 1x on the NX8 means just that. With the illumination on, it can be used on up-close targets just like a red dot sight, both eyes open, for fast shooting with no distortion. At the other end of the zoom ring, the clarity and 8 power magnification are enough to easily see and engage targets out to 700 yards if not more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"NIGHTFORCE
The illumination control knob has convenient off positions between settings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The illuminated center dot and the segmented circle is bright and stands out even in full daylight. The illumination is controlled by a knob on the left side of the tube opposite of the capped windage dial. The battery for the illumination is accessed by unscrewing the illumination knob.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FC-Mil reticle is in the first focal plane (FFP) of the scope meaning the reticle changes size as the power is adjusted. This allows the mil reticle to be correct and used throughout the power range of the scope. This is typical of modern long-range precision\/ sniper scopes but not always a feature of lower magnification scopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"NIGHTFORCE
Nightforce Power Throw Lever (PTL) allows rapid scope power adjustments<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At 1x the details of the mil reticle are very small and allow shooting the scope like a dot sight. As you zoom in you see the reticle come into play and allow you to use it to hold over for more distant targets. The illumination and reticle design worked well across all ranges and challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FC-Mil reticle has a fine crosshair that is marked with 10 mils of elevation holdover and 4 mils to each side before getting to a thicker, coarser tapered edge with marking for 10, 15 & 20 mils. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"NIGHTFORCE
FC-Mil has good reference points without being too busy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The holdover within the reticle allows engaging targets out to 700 yards or so depending on caliber and bullet ballistic coefficient. For more precise shot placement the exposed elevation turret can be dialed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NX8\u2019s turrets have 30 Mils of elevation and windage adjustment; which should be enough. However, if you combine mounting this scope with one of Nightforce\u2019s 20 moa bases you should never need more elevation than the base, reticle, and adjustment provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elevation or windage turrets can be set to zero once you have your gun zeroed by loosening two set screws in the turret, rotating caps to \u201c0\u201d and retightening with the supplied wrench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"NIGHTFORCE
Easy to read turrets and illumination controls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you do a lot of dialing for shooting at different distances, sometimes it can be a challenge to make sure you get back to the proper revolution and your established zero. Fortunately, the NX8 has a zero stop that can be set to make sure that you are back to where you started and don\u2019t end up a revolution off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifications<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n