Your opinions on high end, low power variable optics.

Pbj ak

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im looking at getting a 1-8 Trijicon AccuPower. Someone mentioned the new nightforce 1-8 but it’s a little more than I had budgeted for but I could always hold off another couple weeks. Anyone have any experience with any of these or any other higher end optics in the 1-6 or 1-8 range? Thanks in advance.
 
The PST II 1-6x almost seems like a bargain when you can get TWO for the price of one Trijicon 1-8x (plus mounts if you are looking at the NF NX8).

I looked at the Trijicon 1-8 for a while, but the 34mm tube and the massive weight turned me away from it.

It really depends on what you plan on doing with the rifle. Competing? Hunting? All around whatever rifle? The Trijicon 1-8x is a GREAT optic but with the price and weight, it wasn’t doing anything at 8x that I couldn’t find at 6x for significantly less weight (or price) without giving up the quality.

The NX8 is more expensive than the Trijicon 1-8, but what you get for it is A LOT. @Will I believe mentioned selling his Trijicon 1-8 in lieu of the Nightforce
 
Might have to give him a shout after work. The nf looks awesome but I’ve got a couple other irons in the fire at the moment and Ive had really good luck with trijicon in the past. Do you happen to know which color reticle he has? After using both red and green in different type optics I greatly prefer red if given the choice.
 
Not sure specifically what model he used

He also has some experience with Kahles optics which are higher end
 
Sweet I sent him a pm. Thanks for the heads up.
 
Sorry, I sold off my Trijicon Accupower 1-8 quite awhile ago. It's OK...but the size and weight penalty, combined with its suboptimal reticle and sub-par illumination, just aren't worth it compared to other options on the market.

The Kahles K16i is mostly excellent. It weighs 17 oz, the SM1 reticle is just about perfect, and the illumination is daylight bright (unlike the Trijicon 1-8). It doesn't even need illumination due to the reticle design, too. The glass quality, field of view, and eyebox are also phenomenal. Sadly, their QC doesn't appear to be that good; my first K16i arrived with a canted reticle, and my replacement recently had the rear ocular tube loosen up, allowing it to rotate independently from the magnification ring and diopter. They're replacing it again, but for a $2,000 scope, I'm a bit hesitant to recommend it. I'm not sure if using it on a belt fed for many thousands of rounds did it any favors.

The Razor HD gen 2 1-6 has great illumination and glass, but is heavy, and the reticle designs aren't even close to the Kahles. The newer E version drops the weight down a little, but doesn't make the reticle better.

The Viper PST gen 2 1-6 is similar to the Razor, but has one less illumination setting, and feels cheesy considering the price. It's simply not built as well, and it's obvious.

The Leupold Mark 6 1-6 is lightweight, fairly well built, and has daylight illumination. But like the Mark 8 1-8, unless your head is perfectly centered, the illumination flickers or disappears. It's something weird with how their reticle reflects the light source, and has always annoyed me. The 1-8 CQBSS was pretty much the top dog in the 1-8 realm until the new Nightforce ATACR came along.

The Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 is surprisingly good for the price. It's worlds better than the 1-6 version, and actually weighs less and is shorter. For $349 street price, you get a lot for your money along with a great warranty. It has flaws, but it's a budget optic. You get what you pay for.

Just to be clear, I have owned or still own all of the above except the new E version of the Razor, so my notes are based on actual use.

I have a Nightforce NX8 and ATACR 1-8 on order. I got to handle and use the ATACR version over a year ago, and it is amazing. I do not have any time behind the NX8, but it is jammed into the same tube as the older NXS 1-4, and weighs just 17 oz. Initial reports indicate that the eye box isn't quite as generous as the ATACR, but it shares the same daylight bright illumination, has a very good FFP reticle design, and for the size/weight, it will be almost impossible for anything else to come close. ATACR glass is a level above NXS series scopes, but the cost starts climbing beyond what is reasonable for non-professional use. Without a doubt, though, my favorite scope is my ATACR 4-16x42 F1, so I'm very excited for the 1-8 to arrive.
 
@11B CIB it’s just going on a all purpose rifle 0-300. A red dot would probably work but my vision isn’t that good at distance so I’d like to have the magnified option. Also I really like the idea of an etched reticle. Thank’s again for the heads up.


@Will Thanks for the awesome breakdown man, just what I was looking for. I’m kinda glad I asked around before ordering the AccuPower. The more I read on the nx8 the better it sounds. Probably more scope than I need but I really like the thought of more magnification. You mentioned you have the 2 Nightforce Optics on order, any idea when they will be shipping?
 
I believe retail/dealer stuff ships first. Industry purchases are at the end of the line, and I was told possibly April for my scopes.
 
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