lhp63190
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 16, 2016
- Messages
- 121
First, the disclosure — I spent 14 years in the hunting/shooting sports industry (didn't work for a gun, ammo, optic company) before moving to another industry a couple of years ago. During that time, one particular colleague served as a mentor in my long range hunting and shooting development. He spent a lot of time with me at the range and even taught me to reload for LR. He was also a competitive benchrest shooter and accomplished long range hunter. Furthermore, he works at one of the largest firearms, optics, accessory distributors in the country. Names are omitted to protect the innocent.
In any case, it is been a few years since we touched base, but we had a long conversation last week as I'm contemplating a new build. When we got to the subject of optics — I was very surprised at some of the things he said. For years, this man was a complete Nightforce loyalist for hunting rigs. He could get a lot of optics for free based on his job, and he still paid for NF (albeit @ wholesale prices). His affinity was primarily due to their mechanical precision and durability...not necessarily glass clarity. He strongly recommended I take a look at some other optics for my new build. As I prodded a little bit he shared these quotes:
Its been a couple of days since this conversation and I'm still trying to digest it. My personal experience w NF has been excellent on the two scopes I own. I took it once step further and called 3 builders I trust. 2 of them have built guns for me before. After discussing the build, I talked optics and none of the 3 recommended NF unless I just demanded it.
Anybody else had any poor experiences w NF lately? Have other companies improved that much? The consistent recommendation across the 4 people I talked to were Leupold on the $2000 range, and Kahles in the $3300 range. Still S&B above 4K.
In any case, it is been a few years since we touched base, but we had a long conversation last week as I'm contemplating a new build. When we got to the subject of optics — I was very surprised at some of the things he said. For years, this man was a complete Nightforce loyalist for hunting rigs. He could get a lot of optics for free based on his job, and he still paid for NF (albeit @ wholesale prices). His affinity was primarily due to their mechanical precision and durability...not necessarily glass clarity. He strongly recommended I take a look at some other optics for my new build. As I prodded a little bit he shared these quotes:
- It's not the same company it was a few years ago. Massive turnover, poor customer service, and arrogance.
- They've traded precision for profit. Lost focus on what made them great.
- Their new lines (SHV/NX8) are substandard (returns) and other companies have improved/passed them in the at the NXS/ATACR price points.
Its been a couple of days since this conversation and I'm still trying to digest it. My personal experience w NF has been excellent on the two scopes I own. I took it once step further and called 3 builders I trust. 2 of them have built guns for me before. After discussing the build, I talked optics and none of the 3 recommended NF unless I just demanded it.
Anybody else had any poor experiences w NF lately? Have other companies improved that much? The consistent recommendation across the 4 people I talked to were Leupold on the $2000 range, and Kahles in the $3300 range. Still S&B above 4K.
