New "lower priced" SHV Nightforce scope unveiled
- Thread starter DMS1
- Start date
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
So let's recap...still got a 30mm tube, still got a 56mm objective, still weighs almost 2 lbs and only offered in a higher power range than most hunters would want.
I'm sure it's top quality, but there's nothing that appeals to me about the package. For a few hundred more you could have the 3.5-15x NXS. I really like Nightforce scopes, but this gives me a case of the "mehs".
I'm sure it's top quality, but there's nothing that appeals to me about the package. For a few hundred more you could have the 3.5-15x NXS. I really like Nightforce scopes, but this gives me a case of the "mehs".
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
You'll be quite surprised at the number of enquiries for huge objective hunting scopes.
Didn't say it was useful.... just what consumers are being told is "bestest".
4X on the low end is very nice for hunting and has been the go to for decades.
14X is not too crazy for upper mag and could be very useful when peering across a cut block - those 450yd shots always happen in low light.
56mm gives you a 4mm exit pupil which is critical for viewing in low light. That is what the writers say....and the size of your pupil
The extra mass provides the impression of strength and durability cause the real backwoods hunters face rough terrain.
Covered knobs so they don't snag.
NF is meeting consumer trends and adjusting their price to fit the "value equation".
This is a board room scope with a bunch of points checked off. will it sell? odds are it will sell stupidly well.
Jerry
Didn't say it was useful.... just what consumers are being told is "bestest".
4X on the low end is very nice for hunting and has been the go to for decades.
14X is not too crazy for upper mag and could be very useful when peering across a cut block - those 450yd shots always happen in low light.
56mm gives you a 4mm exit pupil which is critical for viewing in low light. That is what the writers say....and the size of your pupil
The extra mass provides the impression of strength and durability cause the real backwoods hunters face rough terrain.
Covered knobs so they don't snag.
NF is meeting consumer trends and adjusting their price to fit the "value equation".
This is a board room scope with a bunch of points checked off. will it sell? odds are it will sell stupidly well.
Jerry
4x has been the "standard" because there were few other options and a lack of understanding about low/1x optics. 4x is too high for bottom end, especially qhen it tops out at 14x. Their nxs line is a hair more money and gives a half power on the bottom and one on the top. A 2-14 would have been a better range. 56mm objective is fine, but presents problems for some when mounting and offers almost nothing over a 50 or 44mm objective of similar quality. I'm sure its a solid unit, I just don't see it filling any role that many other similar or cheaper optics can't do as well or better.
Tdc
Tdc
Doesn't do much for me in particular, too big/ too much magnification for the hunting I do, and not enough magnification for the target shooting I do.
This is a good middleground optic, good at a bunch of different things, but because of the large size and mid zoom level, not great for my particular kind of shooting.
Nice to see new product all the same though, looks like it may be the right bit of kit for a lot of people.
This is a good middleground optic, good at a bunch of different things, but because of the large size and mid zoom level, not great for my particular kind of shooting.
Nice to see new product all the same though, looks like it may be the right bit of kit for a lot of people.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Why are the premier US sports cars still using engines with roots that date back to our grandfathers and farm vehicles?
This is America and they have their own views on what is the bestest. Agree, buy it. don't agree, they don't care. Your wrong anyways....
I bet they will find homes on many big magnums to hammer 100lbs whitetails on the other end of a grain field.
Ultimately, you build what consumers want regardless of whether it does anything to help the job improve.
That's why they offer Camo underwear isn't it?
Jerry
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
"About the only complaint we hear about our riflescopes is that they aren’t cheap.
Nightforce riflescopes will never be “cheap.” The quality of materials, the precise tolerances, the skilled workmanship, and the need to withstand a lifetime of recoil make it physically impossible to build a world-class riflescope that is “cheap.”
But, we thought, perhaps we could make one a little more affordable.
One of the most difficult challenges we’ve ever faced was building a riflescope that is worthy of the Nightforce name in every regard—yet within the reach of a wider range of hunters and shooters who don’t need the “overbuilt” characteristics of our NXS™ series, most of which were originally created to withstand actual combat conditions.
It wasn’t easy. But we did it, by limiting some options, offering simpler controls, and using a less complex manufacturing process…not by reducing the quality of its components.
Welcome to the Nightforce 4-14 x 56 SHV™. We are confident it will outperform any riflescope in its price range. And frankly, many that cost much, much more.
All we cut were costs. Not corners."
Copied from the NF website.
Gee, wonder where I have seen that byline (bold print). Given the number of scopes that cost much much more in the US market, this is a very interesting line of text.
I will be very interested in the new direction NF takes.
Jerry
Nightforce riflescopes will never be “cheap.” The quality of materials, the precise tolerances, the skilled workmanship, and the need to withstand a lifetime of recoil make it physically impossible to build a world-class riflescope that is “cheap.”
But, we thought, perhaps we could make one a little more affordable.
One of the most difficult challenges we’ve ever faced was building a riflescope that is worthy of the Nightforce name in every regard—yet within the reach of a wider range of hunters and shooters who don’t need the “overbuilt” characteristics of our NXS™ series, most of which were originally created to withstand actual combat conditions.
It wasn’t easy. But we did it, by limiting some options, offering simpler controls, and using a less complex manufacturing process…not by reducing the quality of its components.
Welcome to the Nightforce 4-14 x 56 SHV™. We are confident it will outperform any riflescope in its price range. And frankly, many that cost much, much more.
All we cut were costs. Not corners."
Copied from the NF website.
Gee, wonder where I have seen that byline (bold print). Given the number of scopes that cost much much more in the US market, this is a very interesting line of text.
I will be very interested in the new direction NF takes.
Jerry
3 years from now, when you can pick up a used one for $700, it will be a good value. The new Beast and ATACR are already driving prices down on used NXS scopes. I have seen 3.5-15 in the ~$1100 range. Personally, at 20.5 ozs, I think the new 2.5-10 x 42 is a solid hunting unit. More than 1/2 lb lighter than comparable NXS. The only problem with them is they cost as much as the NXS line.
I spoke at length to Nighforce yesterday and got a little heads up on this new model. There are four models available in the SHV 4-16x56, .25 moa...non illumited are $1124 (Canadian map) with either the IHR reticel or MOAR reticel and the illuminated (center only) with the same two reticle options at $1230. I believe these models will sell very well however I don't think they will take much away from the NSX, ATACR or Beast. To suggest that this is a big mistake for Nightforce usually only comes from people who already have a more expensive model and feel that too many people will get access to their exclusive club. Sort of like Rolex making a model at half price and then thinking the brand will be devalued because of this. Time will tell but I can confirm we are ordering lots of every model as there is always a model and price point to serve everyone. Also for the NSX models, they are discontinuing the NP-R1 and NP-R2 reticles . Phil.
Phil, any indication as to where this new line will be manufactured?
That was a question I thought of after I spoke to Nightforce. They are shut down until next year.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
BINGO.... that is a sweet spot in the consumer spending and that $1000'ish US$ pricing is going to be very very busy in the next couple of years. Just as the Honda's, Toyota's, and Chevs filled a very real need after the 80's crash.
Problem with these strategies is the future is quite uncertain.
In the car world, Caddy and Jaguar tried this and it went horribly wrong. Killed Jag for a while.
Worked very well for a time for Honda and Toyota as their owners grew into the more expensive models eventually stepping up to the luxury lines like Acura and Lexus.
Problem I see today is that those consumers that can, leap well beyond the next price gap and go for the premium products. From a competition shooters viewpoint, start at Sightron then jump to MARCH or a high end Euro brand. For those that didn't start with NF, there is a value debate going on right now. Many simply can't or don't need to make the step.
I am sure the brains at NF are sensing that thus creating products like the Competition and now this hunting scope. As a price point, they are kind of in the middle and the market is swirling around either side of them. And there is a much larger pie at lower pricing.
No different then Lexus, Acuras, Infinities of today. Customers they were hoping to graduate from their Camries, Accords and Sentras simply jumped into Audi, BMW's and Merc Benz's. The corporate family upgrade plan isn't working.
As an interesting note, Mercedes Benz is now looking at making an entry level family to bring new owners into the brand. Their new 'small' car is meeting mixed reviews. How it pans out will be an interesting journey.
The only thing I can hope as a scope user, competition leads to better products within a price point. It certainly isn't showing up in the sub $1000 family of products with many taking large steps backwards. But hopefully, $1000'ish is the sweet spot for the next couple of years.
SHOT this year will be very interesting...
Jerry
Problem with these strategies is the future is quite uncertain.
In the car world, Caddy and Jaguar tried this and it went horribly wrong. Killed Jag for a while.
Worked very well for a time for Honda and Toyota as their owners grew into the more expensive models eventually stepping up to the luxury lines like Acura and Lexus.
Problem I see today is that those consumers that can, leap well beyond the next price gap and go for the premium products. From a competition shooters viewpoint, start at Sightron then jump to MARCH or a high end Euro brand. For those that didn't start with NF, there is a value debate going on right now. Many simply can't or don't need to make the step.
I am sure the brains at NF are sensing that thus creating products like the Competition and now this hunting scope. As a price point, they are kind of in the middle and the market is swirling around either side of them. And there is a much larger pie at lower pricing.
No different then Lexus, Acuras, Infinities of today. Customers they were hoping to graduate from their Camries, Accords and Sentras simply jumped into Audi, BMW's and Merc Benz's. The corporate family upgrade plan isn't working.
As an interesting note, Mercedes Benz is now looking at making an entry level family to bring new owners into the brand. Their new 'small' car is meeting mixed reviews. How it pans out will be an interesting journey.
The only thing I can hope as a scope user, competition leads to better products within a price point. It certainly isn't showing up in the sub $1000 family of products with many taking large steps backwards. But hopefully, $1000'ish is the sweet spot for the next couple of years.
SHOT this year will be very interesting...
Jerry
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I'm sure that you're right Jerry. I'm an old Fudd with scopes and I readily admit that. I like smaller objective lenses and moderate power at the top end (remember when a 3-9x was a varmint scope?). That said, I am not the masses and I'm sure that we will see gobs of triangular boxes flying off the shelves. Now that it's in the same ballpark as Leupold VX series and Zeiss I twill be incredibly popular.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Milspec.
