Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Nightforce VS Swarovski

A few minutes ago I had the pleasure of comparing a new Nightforece NXS 5.5-22X56 with my beloved Swarovski z5 5-25X52. The casual reader can see both have a large objective lens. Both are side focus. The Nightforce weighs 2 lb 12 oz with its heavy duty rings. The Swarovski weighs 1 lb 4.6 oz with its Talley Alloy lightweight rings. That's about half the weight for the Swarovski. That's why I have it.

I'm not much on looks so went right to the sandbags on the porch. Both are beautiful to me. This Nightforce verified the Nightforce 12-42X56 was no fluke when it needed only 12X to show me the same detail at 521 yards when my Swarovski needed 16 1/2X. But I digress.

I looked at the deer antlers 131 yards away in the woods with the Nightforce. There was no doubt about it. With the Nightforce still its lowest setting of 5 1/2X I could see the fork with no problem. Then I went to the "Can you read this?" at 127 yards. I could read the top line on 9 1/2X.

Looking at the same deer antlers from the same distance, the Swarovski z5 needed 8 1/4X. In order to read the same line with the Swarovski I needed it set on 12X.

Nothing like side by side comparisons to eliminate ignorant prejudice opinions for a basis to purchase a scope. My gunsmith is delighted with his purchase of the Nightforce for his heavy weight long range .338 RUM.

I love my Nightforce scopes.......best scope for the money in my opinion!!

Once you get into the high end scopes, they are all pretty damn good - you just have to pick the brand/model that best fits your own personal needs and wants!!

Did both NF scopes out do the Swarovski?

Ackleyfan,



Yes. Today I compared the 5.5-22X56 and last time I compared a 12-42X56. My comparisons today were at 131 yards for the antlers and 127 yards for the eye chart.

At 500 yards the 12-42X56 did not need to leave it 12X to show me the same detail the Swarovski needed 16 1/2X.

Interesting I never would have expected that, Glass just keeps getting better and better!

Haven't looked through one myself yet, but the new ED glass in the Nightforce ATACR is supposedly right up there with S&B, Swarovski, & Zeiss!!

Must be good then....

I find these comparisons really interesting, I personally only use the Swaro z6 range of scopes but to my eye the night force glass I feel is well behind Swaro, Kahlee and s&b. As long as your happy in your setup though that's the main thing, and good luck to you.

The normal NXS's lack the visual color "pop" of the top European glass, not resolution.

Hey Formid, I for one do conclude you have lots of knowledge on these tactical subjects, and generally look forward to reading what you have to say. If I may ask, I since you seem to be very well versed in this tactical shooting stuff, can you please post some information on your background, maybe a real short bio of sorts?

Last night as low light set in I put out the two scopes again. Before you continue reading guess which one did better. I guess I will define better as the one that shows the most detail and lasts the longest.

But a side observation; I noticed last evening. The Nightforce was easier to get a full "picture". I guess as "E" says, it has a better or bigger eye box.

For those who have seen a photo of my "Can you read this?" I used line #6 at 72 yards. The letters are about 1/4" high. The weather was heavy clouds when I started at 6:49PM. I fiddled with both to get the best clarity and recorded the time and magnification setting.

Nightforce.....14 3/4X - Swarovski z5.....20X

We will skip forward to 7:01:

Nightforece....15 3/4X - Swarovski........22 1/2X

Now at 7:20:

Nightforce....18X - Swarovski.........23X

At 7:34:

Nightforce....20X - Swarovski 25X

At 7:37 I had to turn up the Nightforce to 21X. The Swarovski didn't allow me to read any of the last line. A minute later I could not read anything even when i switched the Nightforce to 22X.

When I was finished I looked at the notes and realized the Nightforce lasted only three minutes longer than the Swarovski.

If it had been hunting season yesterday during the test, what time would legal shooting light have ended?

I owned a NF 5.5-22x56 and did not enjoy the weight/balance on a hunting rifle. I much prefer the trimmer Swaro Z6s.

Eric

Great info, thanks.
Do you have any insight on the VX-6 and how it would compare?
I am thinking of getting a VX-6 3-18x44mm.

JD338

Thanks Ringman for the review and info. Now I would like to hear how the NF might compare to a March scope of similar magnification and objective size.

Randy

JD338,

I was going to order a VX-6 3-18

Ringman,

Cool. Are you going to order the 44mm or the 50mm Objective?
I am going to go with the 44mm obj. Going to mount it on my 338 RUM. Its been my go to rifle the past few years for crop damage deer hunting out to 900 yds.

Thanks for all the G2.

JD338

Mr Ringman,

Thanks for the informative review. On the very very rare times I spend that much money I get a nightforce. I love em.

I don't understand squat about the technical aspects of engineering optics but I wish Nightforce would work their magic on some 30mm tubes with 40mm objectives. On the big boomers it don't matter bacause you are already toting a ton, but if Nightforce worked it out, kept the weight down a tad, OH MY, that would be the ticket for hunting rifles in my mind.

JGRaider,



Officially sunset was about 6:50. I am still staying at John Lachuk's till they sell the house. Here the sun went behind the hill at 7:17 PM. There was a bright light from the clouds from 7:12 till 7:20 when there was no change in the scope settings; except maybe 1/2X.

JD338,



Since I have a brake on all my rifles and discovered a higher scope mount appears to flatten trajectory* I go with high mounts. So I would get the 50mm objective. The Ezekiel 3-30X I ordered comes with a 56mm objective. Since the .375-.416 has a brake and a 1/2" travel hydraulic shock absorber in the stock I hold it like a BB gun. If I hold it tight the absorber doesn't get to do its job.

Robert_White,

I agree about the weight!


*PM me if you would like to read the test results. It took more than four hours to complete the test.