SHV or ATACR

[Surveyjohn]

New rifle coming, need to pick a new scope. I’ve been using the Nightforce SHV for for several years. I love it. 5 x 20. I never dial, just use the reticle. I’m going to stick with 2nd focal plane. Question is, should I bump it up to the ATACR? I’m an optics nut. 40 years as a surveyor, I like good optics. Is there a huge difference in the glass SHV to ATACR? That’s the only reason I would pay the extra bucks. That’s about all I care about. And I would love the extra magnification to 25x. But I don’t want to look through the two scopes on 20x and not see any difference. Anybody out there that can so a side by side check for me in low light? That’s what makes the SHV so amazing to me, low light and clarity at high magnification. Any help appreciated!

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Yes, the optics of the ATACR are superior. How superior and obvious that difference is will depend solely on your vision and ability to see that difference. It won't be the difference between a Chevette and a Corvette but it will be noticeable

 

[KenLee]

New rifle coming, need to pick a new scope. I’ve been using the Nightforce SHV for for several years. I love it. 5 x 20. I never dial, just use the reticle. I’m going to stick with 2nd focal plane. Question is, should I bump it up to the ATACR? I’m an optics nut. 40 years as a surveyor, I like good optics. Is there a huge difference in the glass SHV to ATACR? That’s the only reason I would pay the extra bucks. That’s about all I care about. And I would love the extra magnification to 25x. But I don’t want to look through the two scopes on 20x and not see any difference. Anybody out there that can so a side by side check for me in low light? That’s what makes the SHV so amazing to me, low light and clarity at high magnification. Any help appreciated!

So you are an optics nut and think a SHV has amazing low light capability?
There's plenty of improvement out there available to you. To me and most, the low light capability and clarity of a SHV are disappointing for the price range. You are paying for the reliability.

 

[Surveyjohn]

It's the opposite of disappointing for me. For a thousand bucks I am amazed. I can easily shoot at 3 or 400 in super low light. Well past legal shooting time. I just wish I could do a side by side with the ATACR. If there is a huge difference, I would pay the extra money. I just don't see how there could be. This is for hunting only. The only reason I do a lot of paper shootin is to be practiced up for hunting. Just to put everything on auto pilot when I get to that couple of minutes I've been waiting for all year. Lot of money, time and effort invested. I do appreciate the comments. If I were a rich fella I would just buy the 5 x 25 ATACR and shoot them side by side.

 

[KenLee]

It's the opposite of disappointing for me. For a thousand bucks I am amazed. I can easily shoot at 3 or 400 in super low light. Well past legal shooting time. I just wish I could do a side by side with the ATACR. If there is a huge difference, I would pay the extra money. I just don't see how there could be. This is for hunting only. The only reason I do a lot of paper shootin is to be practiced up for hunting. Just to put everything on auto pilot when I get to that couple of minutes I've been waiting for all year. Lot of money, time and effort invested. I do appreciate the comments. If I were a rich fella I would just buy the 5 x 25 ATACR and shoot them side by side.

Legal hunting time for me in South Carolina is an hour before sunrise and hour after sunset, so low light capability is of increased importance and optics really get put to the test.
The ATACR is as much better with contrast as it is better in low light.
That being said, if I were you and didn't think I missed any opportunities at last legal light, I wouldn't spend the extra money.
There's likely times on cloudy/rainy mornings and evenings that the ATACR would benefit you, but not nearly as much as someone with my legal hunting time.

 

[KenLee]

How many times per year on average will you hunt with that new rifle?
Take that # and multiply by 10 years.
Now take the difference in cost of scopes and divide by your # of hunts in 10 years.
That's how I look at "is the cost worth it to me?"
Value to someone that hunts alot vs 10x a year seems very different to me.