NX8 or mark 5 HD

[JP20]

Looking to upgrade a few scopes and I’ve got it narrowed down to these two. Looking for anyone that’s used both or looked thru both side by side. Any feedback is appreciated

 

[jimmymcnulty]

I’m looking at the Mark5 myself. I Had the 4-32 NX8, the extra magnification was nice, but not needed for my hunting rig. The Parallax on the NX8 bothered me quite a bit, given the mag range, that is to be expected. The DOF was also hindered on the NX8. Now, tracking and build quality was great on the NX8 as to be expected from Nightforce.
For the Price, based on reviews and given the experience i had, the Mark5 is the way I’m headed.
Jimmy.

 

[Plumb Bob]

Am interested in this thread as well. I have an NX8 on order with expected delivery in a couple months, but was thinking of swapping my Swaro X5 with the Mark 5

 

[jdweisbrod1]

I own both the shorty NX8 and the shorty mk5. Both ate built fantastic but I struggled with the NX8 in a few categories. At times I found the eye box quite tight, significantly less color separation compared to the mk5, and I've always struggled with nightforce reticle options.

Long story short, come tax season my brother is buying the NX8 from me and I'll have another mk5

 

[CApighunter]

I’ve been very happy with my Mk5, no experience with the nx8.

 

[LightFoot]

I struggled with this decision, too.

I went with the Mark 5.

The eye focus on the NX8 is not fast focus like the MK5. (This was a big factor for me, though looking back on it, it probably shouldn't have been)

The clarity was similar.

I believe that both are equal in reliability.

I didn't like the MK5 is 35mm where the NX8 is 30mm. There would have been more mounting options for the NX8.

Where I purchased, I saved a out $350 by going with the MK5.

Good luck with your decision.

>>>----JAKE----->

 

[Twitch]

My Mk5 just landed. Just gotta finish the rifle now...
The compactness and weight savings are nice for a hunting rifle

 

[JHubbard2010]

I'm having the same dilemma as far as choosing between these two... I have a gunwerks clymer in 6.5 PRC that I am going to mount this scope on. I spoke to one of the sales guys and he said that they are not using Nightforce anymore which makes me wonder if that is the only reason they are pushing the Mark5 HD on their rifles. I love Leupold and have been very impressed with the Mark5 5-25x56 as well as the VX5 3-15x44 but I also love the durability of the Nightforce. The Mark5 3.6-18 is 1 ounce lighter than the NX8 2.5-20 so that isn't a factor in my decision. I'm new to this forum and really enjoy hearing what other people have to say.

 

[JGRaider]

There's not a Leupold made that's as tough, rugged, or reliable as any Nightforce.

 

[gledeasy]

From the reports I wouldn't mind having a mk5, but the 35mm tube is a big turn off.

I have both the 2.5-20 and 4-32 NX8. Hunted with the 2.5-20, haven't mounted the 4-32. The parallax isn't as forgiving as other scopes yes. I don't feel like I noticed it as much while hunting as I did at the range.

For reliability NF has me sold. One year I slipped and smacked my rifle hard on a rock. I never once questioned my zero. Two days later took my best buck without a hitch.

 

[Pronghunter]

I have 3 MK 5HD’s in 5-25 and 1 NX8 in 4-32. I’ve absolutely hammered the MK5’s and put one of them through the ringer. Just absolutely fantastic and I just didn’t want to admit it, but everything optically on the Leupold is better. Clarity, CA control, brightness, DOF, resolution and so on. I also much prefer the reticle in the MK5 especially with the center dot And it’s absolutely usable on 5 power. Downside is no illumination in the MK5’s that I have. Do I feel one is more reliable or robust than the other....not sure yet. The NX8 left a lot to be desired. Parallax really isn’t the greatest. Eye box just like others have mentioned is not great either. It should be a $1500 optic. Not $2150. The MK5 is absolutely worth $2k in my opinion. The NX8 is what the NXS should have been. The NXS is definitely overpriced today with so many other optics on the market, but that’s a little off topic since we’re talking NX8 and MK5. If I were to do it all over again, I would go all MK5’s and VX5’s on everything. And all these scopes are on 6lb Carbon Ultra mags with muzzle brakes which are torture on optics and not once have I had an issue with the Leupolds. And disclaimer......I’m a HUGE Nightforce geek/fan.

 

[10ring1]

What is the minimum (actual) parallax on the mk5? What are u guys getting in real life as opposed to what is indicated on parallax knob?