VX6HD, ATACR or NXS

Mcarso1 said:

......Well weight is not much a factor since the gun is 6.6 , I actually think a little weight will steady it up some? The price of atacr doesn't scare me , I can get it for $2399 I just want to know I am making the right decision and won't be regretting my purchase. Lol........

Click to expand...

You seem on track-a little more weight, and magnification help shooting, if it fits your style of hunting the 5-25 would seem to be the best choice. If your style of hunting includes close range, or much walking, the 3-18 is a better choice.

I have all three, each is on a different style of rifle for different applications. Each has it's niche.

The 3-18 if carrying it much,

The 4-16 F1 is handy for FOV, and watching a hillside with multiple openings, at different ranges, on game that's in and out of cover.

The 5-25 for wide open spaces, and not much walking.

I don't think you'll regret any of these, but I will say using the ATACR's has raised my expectations on what a scope should be. Probably be better to compare them to the Mark 8's in the Leupold line. Never seen one though.

In the Nightforce lineup, I wouldn't consider anything less than the ATACR. It is well worth the price difference over a new NXS. The NXS is worth the going "used" rate of around $1300-$1500.

The NXS is a darn tough scope, but it's feature set is about a decade behind the rest of the pack. Furthermore, there are enough annoying things about it that even at the used rate I would think twice about getting another one.

Brent what annoys you?

Waknstak said:

Brent what annoys you?

Click to expand...

Just to name few. Inferior glass compared to other scopes in its class, coarse parallax adjustment that requires constant attention, the rotating eyepiece magnification adjustment, and the illumination adjustment. (or the lack thereof)

I choose to live with the rotating eyepiece on the ATACR, but it's still annoying.

10 4 I picked up a used one and haven't used it a lot yet... ..

I have 2 Bushnell Lrhs 4.5x18 that I have been very impressed with for the cost. Glass is not quite on par with the $2500+ scopes, I'd say it's comparable to nxs but the low light seems very good and that's what really matters to me on a hunting scope. Weight is also very acceptable. Tracking has been perfect.

I have all three of those scopes, I just put a 4-24 VX-6 on my 28 Nosler lightweight hunting rifle. It's not even comparable to a NXS and is definitely brighter and clearer than the ATACR. Time will tell how it tracks but they are very impressive so far. I love the ATACR, it is a nice scope don't get me wrong but I wouldn't hesitate to give these new VX6 a try. I wouldn't buy an NXS, to me they are not clear enough for the money, I would spend a little more on something better. I will probably be selling or trading my two NXS in the future.

Waknstak said:

10 4 I picked up a used one and haven't used it a lot yet... ..

Click to expand...

Put it to work. They are great scopes. They're just not for me.

Chad717 said:

.....I just put a 4-24 VX-6 on my 28 Nosler lightweight hunting rifle.....

Click to expand...

I forget that one is out there.

Funny how opinions are. I believe the NXS is just as clear as the VX6 line and much more durable. I do agree they are heavier and do have the annoying rotating eyepiece. Behind in technology or advancements? Not sure about that and why "fix if it ain't broken".

I also use the K624i on several guns and prefer the skmr3 for combo hunt and play Guns but even their msr reticle is great for strictly hunting

Rick Richard said:

Funny how opinions are. I believe the NXS is just as clear as the VX6 line and much more durable. I do agree they are heavier and do have the annoying rotating eyepiece. Behind in technology or advancements? Not sure about that and why "fix if it ain't broken".

Click to expand...

It's a tough scope, no disputing that. But, it's behind it's time because the comparable market is using XD glass, adjustable illumination, higher magnification ratios, and are just as mechanically sound. Having said that, I could live with these NXS shortcomings for $500-700 less than the current $2028 MAP for a NXS 5.5-22.

The thing I chose not to live with on the NXS is the screwy parallax. When I adjusted to zero parallax the image was out of focus. Inversely, when the image was focused I had excessive parallax and my zero would wander. I went through several procedures suggested by NF to remedy, but I never could get it right with the NXS so I sent them down the road.

From what I gather, it's a fairly common occurrence with the NXS. Most shooters don't notice or mind it, but it is something I chose not to live with when there are plenty of other scopes available that don't have the issue.

It's not broken, but it could be better with more competitive pricing and a couple design changes, but applying the necessary fixes would make it competitive with the ATACR at a much more attractive price. I doubt you'll see anything more than minor design updates to keep it at its current price point.

Here's an example of what the NXS should be competing against pricewise, but again feature for feature, the NXS is behind.

https://www.sigsauer.com/store/whiskey5-5-25x52-mm.html

I completely agree with that and that's my biggest problem with Nightforce, both the NXS and ATACR are out of focus when they are set with zero parallax. Ridiculous for a high end scope. I definitely would like to try a Kahles next scope purchase.