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Hello guys I have a couple Swarovski Z3 scopes I dont use turrets, just simple scopes on hunting rifles. Would like to try a Nightforce like maybe a SHV 3 x 10 How would the Nightforce compare to the Swaro

nightforce is a much better scope .

Optically, the Swarovski wins, mechanically the NF should be more robust. If you don’t dial and aren’t going to start, I’d probably stick with your status quo.

EBay had a 15% discount coupon and I bought a NightForce SHV 3-10x42mm .250MOA Riflescope, Forceplex Reticle for $773 to my door. Opticsplanet had it on EBay for $873, the coupon saved $100. Not sure if that coupon is still available.

I have Z3 and Z5, both with turrets, thinking the SHV will be a better twisting scope. Not sure if the optics are any better. Swaro glass is pretty good.

DF

I have 4 Nightforce scopes, 1 SHV, 2 NXS and 1 ATCAR. I like them all a lot! The Gen 1 ATACR is a 5-25x56 on a Gunwerks RevX 7mm RM, the glass is amazing, no experience with a Swarovski.

How does SHV glass stack up against NXS?

DF

Significantly more robust, reliable, and consistent. Function wise there is no comparison. “Glass” is about the same.










Mostly same/same with a bit more color pop than older NXS’s.

Thanks, look forward to getting my SHV.

Will report.

DF

you are comparing 2 totally different scopes, I think the z3 is a 1" tube isn't it? the z3 is a set it and forget it type scope. think erectors and springs inside not really setup to be robust and used a lot. its a scope designed for a hunting rifle to be light. The SHV is heavy duty and much more durable I would think. the SHV is going to be quite a bit heavier, like 50% heavier.

+1

DF

For a non turret-twister, I wouldn’t bother to switch. I’ve had good use out of the Z3’s on a lightweight hunting rifle and to my eyes their glass beats the NF I have and others I’ve seen noticeably. The NF SHV is almost a half-lb heavier too.

In my night-time chart tests, the glass in the Nightforce SHV's is a little brighter than the Z3 scopes. But higher-priced Swarovskis are brighter.


Z3's generally work fine as set-and-forget scopes. SHV's can be dialed repeatedly, with exactly the same results every time.

Yeah, my perceptions are subjective to be sure — no charts involved. And then at times, perhaps while looking through my SHV, I’m also looking through one of my “floaters.”

Older age brings a buffet of physical delights. 😏

You reckon....!!
😄

DF

Looking through my new SHV at 20 minutes after sunset. Light gathering and clarity was better than my Leupold VX3 and VX3i scopes, but not as good as my VX6 Glass. I’m satisfied with what the SHV offers me. 😎

I hear 'ya, and I hate those darn things.

One of the astonishing aspects of Nightforce SHV's that many hunters don't consider is they also work incredibly well as set-and-forget scopes, in fact far better than some similarly priced non-dialing scopes.

John, I’ve been shooting my SHV all summer and I do like it but I am sure having trouble with the MOAR reticle on dark backgrounds.

George,

Well, sure. You need the Forceplex reticle, which NF started offering last year for geezers like you and me. It's a basic plex-type reticle, which most "dial-scope" makers don't offer.

Last year I was leaned a test scope from a well-known dialing scope company for a black bear hunt. The reticle was so skinny it disappeared when tried against one of the black bear hides from our house, draped over a tree limb at only 50 yards. I mentioned this to the scope company guy, asking for the same scope with the plex-type reticle shown on their website. He said the plex had been recently dscontinued, because only a very few "traditional guys" bought them. He also said he'd hunted with the thin reticle with no problems. I considered asking if he'd hunted black bears with it--and how old he was--but didn't bother.

Nightforce listens.

FFP, thats what the reticles do on low power. most people shooting those scopes are only doing it at a gun range.