Nightforce is the optic brand most associated with US snipers in the GWOT. They are known for their high light transmission, clarity, and reliability in combat conditions. This level of durability starts at the factory where they conduct random impact testing on their products. This impact testing was demonstrated live at SHOT Show at their booth.
The ATACR is the optic of choice for special forces, contractors, and SWAT. In many ways, it’s the gold standard for tacticool LPVOs known for its light transfer and intensely bright illumination. Nightforce is known for it’s durability and reliability in real world combat. But also known for being Gucci with a street price around $3000.
The ATACR’s FFP reticle optimized for long range use fine MIL stadia and a horseshoe of death with holdover markings. At 1x it appears as a T-style reticle which is a bit thicker and more usable without illumination than the Vortex Razor HD. But thankfully it has red dot bright illumination to compensate for it 1x reticle.
Its illumination knob features 10 levels of visible brightness and 3 additional night vision settings; with off settings in between. Curiously, there is a stop between it’s lowest NV and highest visible setting which does not allow you to turn it past. This brightness is not without a cost with reports of shorter battery life when on extended patrols (there is no free lunch).
Optically I found it to be impressively sharp and bright. While Nightforce uses ED glass the ATACR does exhibit chromatic aberration at the edges of it scope view; high light transfer glass tends to exhibit more CA. Despite the CA, the resolution was impressive at 8x and comparable to scopes of higher magnification.
While the eyebox is better than most 8x LPVOs, it still is not as forgiving as a red dot. But overall the LPVO lived up to my expectations. LEOs and Military get discounts from Nightforce but for us civilians, it’s $2,900 which is still way out of my league. The only reason I was able to get a hold of one was because my buddy lent it to me and he thinks its worth it.
Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/46gGVAe
Element 6 / Group -1
Magnification: 1-8x
Focal Plane: First (FFP)
Tube: 34mm
Length: 10.1in/256 mm
Weight: 21.0 oz/595 g
Click Value: 0.1 MRAD
Elevation Adjustment 30 MRAD
Windage Adjustment: 30 MRAD
Parallax: Fixed 125 m
Eye Relief: 3.7 in/95 mm
FOV @ 100 yd: 1x: @ 96.1 ft/32.0
FOV @ 100 yd: 8x: 13.1 ft/4.4 m
Exit Pupil 1x: 11.3 mm / 8x: 3.2 mm
Nightforce is one of the most highly regarded combat optics used by Special Forces and Law Enforcement officers. Their ATACR and NX8 are 1-8x LPVOs with truly daylight bright illumination. Moreover, the NX8 is one of the shortest FFP 1-8x you can buy. And while they’re over a thousand dollars, professionals say they’re worth every penny.
These LPVOs are available through my Amazon affiliate links
NX8 https://amzn.to/3SWJ4Mq
ATACR https://amzn.to/3SEfABJ
Nightforce is well known as the optic of choice for the military, law enforcement, and wealthy LARPers. Their optics are legendary for their ruggedness, reliability, brightness, and clarity. What is less well known is that they also make spotting scopes and at SHOT Show 2024, they showed off their new compact profile tactical spotter.
This 6-36×50 spotting scope looks like a modified rifle scope with a similar size profile to a 6-24x rifle scope save for the unusual double adjustment ring. The focus ring sits in front of the magnification ring. Both a rubberized for increased grip.
Unlike a rifle scope, this spotting scope has an ARCA Swiss compatible mounting foot moulded and integrated into the scope tube. Nightforce also sells an optional cage which clamps onto the foot providing the user with M-Lok compatible mounting points for Picatinny rails and accessories such as thermal sights, lasers, and range finders.
This is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UF9ILb
