Decisions - PA Platinum 1-8 griff mil or NF NX8 or NF ATACR

[CS1983]

So I'm in a decision pickle...
I'm most likely moving away from my NF 4-14 f1 depending on how this new build works w/ accuracy proofing using the 4-14.

I'd like to go to a 1-8x FFP so I can use at 1x as needed, but still retain DMR style abilities out to the acceptable limit of a 5.56.

Not considering Vortex, Kahles, Minox, Leupold, etc. for various feature reasons (reticle isn't what I want, no 1-8, illumination not bright enough, or has known issues with 1x view, etc.). On that note, Leupold needs to have a company drug test. The CQBSS w/ H27D is an absurd MSRP.

That leaves 3 options w/ current market offerings as far as I can tell.

I've laid out what I'm seeing, below. Feel free to offer thoughts. I know at least a few of you here have the NX8. Not sure if anyone has the PA Platinum series or ATACR.
Most reports I've found on SnipersHide, Arfcom, and a few other sites all seem favorable.

Choices:
PA Platinum 1-8 griffin mil reticle: https://www.primaryarms.com/pa-plati...in-mil-reticle
Pros -
* 1-8, w/ reports of good 1x being true
* A lot of good reports on glass, repeatability, etc.
* Made at LOW like a lot of good scopes; not Chinese and Filipino crap.
* Reticle is what I'm looking for (xmas tree style w/ good center dot for 1x); actually has 4 more mils to hold over than ATACR or NX8
* Could literally buy 2 for the price of the ATACR and still have money left over for a mount; would just stick extra in storage until needed. ~$416 less than NX8
Cons -
* Reticle utilizes that stupid ACOG style chevron, which makes smaller targets >100 and <300 (or wherever the ballistics would fall within that chevron's path) a pain. Could circumvent by dialing, but that shouldn't be made necessary by poor design. This might be a non-issue depending on how I play around w/ zero distance and where that places the chevron in the flight path.
* Heavy. Very heavy at 26.9oz before adding mount.
Neutral - PA's warranty is same as NF's.
*****
NF NX8
Pros -
* Good 1x reports
* daylight bright illumination
* Not as expensive as the ATACR (like... 1k cheaper)
* Pretty lightweight at 17oz, compared to ATACR and PA option
* Battery life is supposedly 96 hours, which is better than the ~29 hours I've heard on the ATACR; I'd assume that rating is max power? I dunno.
Cons -
* Reticle is stupid. No wind hold points at all below horizontal stadia. If this had the ATACR's reticle, it would be a no-brainer.
* Center dot is 0.35mil/1.25MOA; not sure why they did this when the outer dot is sufficient for 1x work and this is too thick for good 8x work.
* .2 mil adjustments. Why, why, why.
***************
NF ATACR 1-8
Pros -
* Reticle, like the PA option, is EXACTLY what I'm looking for.
* Good 1x reports
* Anyone got anything else?

Cons -
* Expensive. Very expensive. Did I mention expensive?
* Center dot is 0.35mil/1.25MOA; not sure why they did this when the outer dot is sufficient for 1x work and this is too thick for good 8x work.
* .2 mil adjustments. Why, why, why.
* Low hours for battery life, supposedly.
* 21oz, so not super light

[Delfuego]

Go to Mile High and you can check out the NF. They are good folks up there, might even have a deal running.

[Tim K]

I have the NF NX8. Love it. It's tiny compared to most other scopes in this power range.

I've had it out to 500 yards. I dial for elevation past 300, so the reticle is fine for me. I was worried the dot would be too big, also. In use, it's proven to be a non issue. It would be difficult to engage a 1 MOA target with great precision, but I have other rifles and scopes for that purpose.

The .2 mil adjustments irk me as well. Getting a zero is an exercise in compromise. However and again, in use it's irrelevant. I use this scope for faster shooting against larger targets, and it's great for that.

I'd say it's effective for targets in the 2.5-3 MOA size and larger.

I'm toying with the idea of buying the Atacr, too. The reticle is obviously better, but the size and weight would be hard to get used to after the NX8.

I'm not so far from you. Feel free to drive up and take a peek.

[CS1983]

I have the NF NX8. Love it. It's tiny compared to most other scopes in this power range.

I've had it out to 500 yards. I dial for elevation past 300, so the reticle is fine for me. I was worried the dot would be too big, also. In use, it's proven to be a non issue. It would be difficult to engage a 1 MOA target with great precision, but I have other rifles and scopes for that purpose.

The .2 mil adjustments irk me as well. Getting a zero is an exercise in compromise. However and again, in use it's irrelevant. I use this scope for faster shooting against larger targets, and it's great for that.

I'd say it's effective for targets in the 2.5-3 MOA size and larger.

I'm toying with the idea of buying the Atacr, too. The reticle is obviously better, but the size and weight would be hard to get used to after the NX8.

I'm not so far from you. Feel free to drive up and take a peek.

I'll probably have to do that once I do the proof test on accuracy for the build.

I actually saw your report on the NX8 on SH, so I knew at least that one report wasn't the result of "I spent money so it must be good!" one so often sees on SH. You, Hoser, and a few others are definitely folks I trust on reviews.

[ChickNorris]

TimK has all the fun toys.


Poit

[CS1983]

Went to Magnum in North COS today and got hands on with the NX8 and ATACR.

What a hard decision. Aside from the ATACR’s size, it’s exactly what I want. I’m having a hard time imagining the ATACR in a more consistent reflexive fire role. Comparing the two, I now see why the main reviewers on SH recommend it for a 308 DMR role. It ain’t small or lightweight in comparison.

Talking with a buddy, he suggested the NX8 and then running an offset RMR for short range work. Makes sense as that frees up the NX8 for elevation dialing (eliminating the appeal of the Xmas tree reticle), and still saves weight. It also allows the battery life to extend since the optic would no longer be playing red dot.

But, it also adds a point of failure in potential.

I still like the PA option as its reticle goes to 15 mils. It’s also made in the same factory. But... it doesn’t have the NF QC process.

If I go NX8 I can retain the 4-14 on my 18”, and eventually move it to a .224 Valkyrie or 6.5 Grendel.

That, in conjunction with the NF vet discount, puts me in an NX8, RMR, and retaining the 4-14, at the same “cost” as an ATACR.

Ugh. I hate when the decision matrix beats sense into me.

[Tim K]

I read some new conversation somewhere about the NX8 vs the ATACR. The main claim was that the ATACR has a more forgiving eye box. I can't comment since I've never seen one, but it made me WANT to see one. I've done hours of close quarters drills with the NX8 and a shot timer since I last posted. It's not as fast as my Trijicon MRO's, but it's not far behind. I'd say it's 0.1 second slower than a red dot at best, 0.2 seconds slower at worst. That's doing drills. I'm sure the red dot is even faster when positions get really wonky. I'm guessing that he ATACR, while better than the NX8, will still not be as fast as a red dot.

Your plan of two optics has merit. The RMR solves the shortcomings of the NX8 that concern you and also operates in the role of a back up sighting system. I don't see it as an additional point of failure, I see the rmr as insurance.

I need to do some no-shit head to head testing of the NX8 vs a red dot and see what the delta really amounts to.

I'd also be interested to see how you do with an offset optic. I've only fiddled with it, and I was truly awful with it. I gave up without giving it a fair chance, but I'm certain others can make it work. Have you tried it for real? I can see it working for straightforward situations, but it appears like it could make awkward situations even...awkwarder. ��

My advice? Buy an ATACR so I can play with it. And an RMR. C'mon, it'll be fun!

[CS1983]

I think the secret to an offset sight is simply training yourself to break from the habit of bringing the main optic to bear, and training yourself to bring it up “offset”. If the RMR is the main system for 0-250ish, it has to be drilled into your brain. Anything which would require dialing is going to necessitate a better position, generally. Camp Perry contenders notwithstanding.

Keep in mind, my intention is 4 legged predator targets presenting snap shots and defensive 2 legged threats. I definitely seen how the mechanics of an offset short range system could be more troublesome on smaller steel targets. And, as always, practice, practice, practice.

But man... that NX8 is a nice package.

[Erni]

Here is a gun geek thought that has been going through my head. Has the 3 gun requiremnt of 1 optic ruined the 2 optic on gun development? It definetly drove the 1x scope development. But would an rds coupled with a 2x - 10x scope be a better overall solution?

[CS1983]

I think that better = contextual. For an SDM-centric role, where short range may be necessary, yes a 2-10x optic on the lighter weight side of the house coupled with an RMR style sight would likely be better.

For me, I am trying to lay aside my love of tiny groups at distance for the reality of predator hunting in a variety of environments, along with personal defensive applications. That dictates a system geared towards 0-300, with ability to lay down generally accurate (minute of coyote or man) out to 800.

Hence, I've gone over to a 14.5 CHF CL barrel which allows the potential for rapid fire without utterly destroying the throat of a precision barrel.

So far in testing, the barrel is putting out ~1MOA+ groups w/75gr Hornady Steel Match. Unimpressive for a precision application, but gets the job done on intended targets out to 800.

I still need to see what the offset is for 55gr and/or 62gr ammo and where I'm still on target at distance w/ the precision ammo zero, i.e., if I zero for 75gr, am I still on target at 200 w/ 55/62? 250? 300? Is it vertically offset only or horizontal too? etc.