Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics NF SHV vs NSX

Is there a huge difference between the 3-10x42 in each model? Is it worth the extra cost for the NSX? I’m giving the SHV a try this year to see how it performs but maybe I’m missing something not going to the NSX line?

I’m no expert on NF by any means , and I’m sure more knowledgeable people will chime in .
The SHV has capped dials whereas the NSX has exposed turrets I believe .

As far as the glass itself, I was told by Nightforce that the SHV and the NSX were both the same glass.

NSX 2.5-10x42mm Has Digital Illumination in both MIL and MOA reticles / adjustments and it lights the entire reticle. Field of view @ 2.5x 44 feet

The SHV 3-10x42mm has Analog Illumination, in MOA only and it illuminates only the center of those models where it's offered. Field of View @3x 35 feet.

Well I do not own a SHV but I do/have owned three NXS 2.5-10x42's. I have been told that the NXS line was built with stronger components to be able to survive being dialed continuously and to provide the strength to withstand hard tactical use like military and police may give the scope.

As I understand it the SHV was designed for hunters to use as mostly as set and forget scope that could be dialed on occasion for the rare opportunity that a hunter may need to shoot long. Its internal components are not as robust as the NXS line, I think.

There has to be something more than just the cap dials vs exposed dials to justify the almost double the retail cost in non-illuminated models.

I use both.

I can't tell enough difference in the glass/image quality to matter. The NXS seems to be able to tune to a little finer resolution with the parallax adjustment but is also a little more finicky on focus because of it. Glass quality seems to be the the same in both.

The NXS is available with exposed zero stopped elevation and exposed windage. SHV is capped.

NXS is supposed to have lenses bedded by hand with a bonding agent.....I interpret that as it's going to be harder to break it. I think the NXS is about as tough of a scope as you can find. The SHV is robust and solid but not made to the same level as the NXS.

The NXS illumination can be switched from red to green and can be set to a very low level. Unless there is a very dark background it is hard to see in daylight It is push button on/off and level change. The SHV is a dial and noticeably brighter and daylight visible....at the lowest setting is has some bleed over in low light. I prefer the manipulation of the SHV dial but prefer the illumination level of the NXS in low light. The illuminated areas of the recticle vary between the model chosen so it's worth researching.

SHV:
Entry-level Nightforce® riflescope
Developed for all around use
High-Quality glass with simplified features
Best selling MOAR reticle
ZeroSet™ elevation or capped adjustments

NXS:
Hard-use Nightforce® product line
Legacy product line that established Nightforce within the marketplace
Used by elite military snipers and warfighters
High-quality glass and features
Positive clicks for windage and elevation dialing
ZeroStop™ elevation adjustment

Maybe not a deal killer but when I was looking at these two scopes I went with the NXS mainly because the NXS is slightly lighter weight and also the back ocular bell/adjustment part of the
scope on the SHV looks much bigger? I like mounting my scope as low as possible and worried I could have issues with the bolt handle hitting. Might not really be an issue but so far am sure happy with the NXS.

Thanks for all the great information. I’ll run the SHV this year see how it performs and maybe try out the NSX next year.

This is what I was thinking too. Thanks , Doug for all of your support .

its not really about weather or not one is worth it or not. its really about weather or not the SHV has the features you want. I would pick the NSX or SHV based on the reticles and features I wanted most.

Its funny, the first 4 posters calling it a "NSX".. I thought that was an Acura??? I'd say, those guys don't even know what the scope is called, so chit can them right off the bat. I have both and can't see a whole lot of difference between the glass on the 2. They are both excellent clarity wise. I do like the turrets and looks of the NXS scopes better. The SHV with its white lettering stands out like a sore thumb. The turrets on the SHV are no where near as positive as the NXS, but you pay quite a bit more for the NXS and you have to ask yourself if having a little bit more robust scope with better feeling turrets and better styling is really worth it. The SHV is a no frills hard to beat scope that dials true, designed for the sportsman, instead of the military sniper like the NXS was... I have 3 or 4 SHV's and 2 NXS's and they are all good. Take your pick as to what features you need and what you can afford...

I have the NXS 2.5-10 x42 It has all you could ask for in a scope of this size.
I'm very pleased with it.

I have never looked at the SHV model.

Going to bring this one back up for a second.

For those users that have dabbled with each of these scopes, what has your experience been when comparing the MOAR reticle with the MIL-R reticle? Primarily in hunting applications? Not asking about Mils vs Minutes...but the general design of the reticles differ a bit. Comparing each, the MIL-R just seems "busier" and finer vs the MOAR.

Going to toss the SWFA 3-9x42mm into the mix with it's FFP MIL-Quad reticle also. I have used the SWFA for a couple seasons now and love the FFP reticle (one of those things I didn't realize how useful it was until I got one).

At a glance, my biggest reason for upgrading to one of the NF scopes, would be illumination and the integrated zero stop on the NXS (vs using shims on the SWFA). Gaining illumination without gaining weight is probably the single biggest perk for my uses. What has your experience been when using these kinds of reticles in SFP?


SHV MOAR reticle:




NXS MOAR reticle:




NXS MIL-R reticle:




SWFA MIL-Quad reticle @ 3x:




SWFA MIL-Quad reticle @ 9x:

swfa 3-9 over either of the nightforce.

Swfa 3-9 for me for sure