When I saw the Nikon M-308 series 308 AR scopes going out of stock at the usual big name sources I had a suspicion there were new Nikon scopes on the horizon. The scope market is very competitive especially in the $399-$699 price range so it’s no big surprise I was right. Recently the Nikon Black X1000 Riflescopes became available for purchase. Nikon appears to be marketing their Black1000 scopes and Nikon Black scope mounts towards the “MSR” rifle shooter. If you dont know what an MSR is It’s the new moniker given to the AR-15, AR-10 and 308 AR platforms. MSR is the acronym for “Modern Sporting Rifle”. MSR is marketing disguised as political correctness. That’s a story for another post.
Anyhow the Nikon Black X1000 appear to be priced about $150 less expensive than the Vortex PST Gen II. This is a smart move in my opinion. Nikon also seems to be touting their warranty. Again Nikon is clearly targeting Vortex.
Nikon BLACK riflescope series represents a new category of dedicated optics with models engineered for both precision long-range rifle and the action-gun AR enthusiasts. For the precision rifle shooter, BLACK X1000 models feature MRAD or MOA reticles while AR/MSR shooters can take advantage of rapid-action, close-to-intermediate-range targeting capability of the BLACK FORCE1000 riflescope and SPEEDFORCE reticle.
NIKON BLACK X1000 6x14x50SF 308 AR SCOPE RETICLE OPTIONS
The 4-16x50SF is a dedicated precision riflescope that offers the precision, the features and the ruggedness serious shooters demand. For starters, it is built with an aircraft grade aluminum alloy 30mm main body tube. With a choice of X-MOA, Illuminated X-MOA or Illuminated X-MRAD reticle, the riflescope delivers 90 total MOA internal adjustment travel for the X-MOA reticle and 25 MRAD for X-MRAD reticles. Its turrets have ¼ MOA or .1 MRAD click graduations yielding 12 MOA / 5 MRAD per revolution depending on variant. All of the 4-16x50SF models have the reticle placed in the riflescope’s second focal plane, so all holdover corrections, ranging and other measurements using the indicated reticle subtensions should be done at 16x magnification.
Nikon’s Illuminated X-MOA and X-MRAD Reticles
Specialized reticles and adjustment systems in BLACK X1000 are glass-etched MRAD or MOA tactical-style variants with illuminated option. Windage and elevation turret internal travel is enhanced for long-range dialing and crisp, click-stop movements operate with no backlash and are both precise and repeatable. The X-MRAD reticle presents the shooter with clean and visually simple, yet highly functional and advanced tools for estimating range, maintaining holdovers or dialing elevation come ups and compensating for wind. An advantage of using these tactical-style reticles is that it can be applied to virtually any shooting application regardless of caliber or ballistic performance, and can be further optimized for specific shooting situations utilizing Nikon’s Spot On Ballistic Match Technology.
Full Multilayer Coatings On All Air-to-Glass Surfaces
With a very capable four-time zoom optical system built with Nikon’s renowned lead- and arsenic-free glass, BLACK X1000 lenses are fully multicoated with anti-reflective compounds for consistently bright, sharp, high contrast sighting at all magnifications.
Turret-mounted Side Focus Parallax Adjustment
Each of the riflescopes in this series features a turret-mounted side focus parallax adjustment to enable fine-tuning of the sight image without changing shooter’s position.
Generous, Consistent Eye Relief and Elevated Windage & Elevation Turrets
Consistent eye relief keeps your brow safe, while the exposed turrets are engraved for maximum readability while offering smooth, repeatable adjustments.
Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic is designed with input from a distinguished group of current and former professionals, the Patrol Rifle Optic incorporates many never before seen features to maximize this sight’s performance within the challenging conditions faced by modern law enforcement. The Aimpoint PRO sight comes in a ready-to-go kit at a budget friendly price, a concept that appeals strongly to Law Enforcement units.
The Aimpoint PRO sight contains a QRP2 mount and a standard AR-15 spacer which can be removed. It is also equipped with flip covers, a black front flip cover and a transparent rear flip cover that allows the user to engage a target with both lens covers closed in an emergency situation.
Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic – Parallax-free, non-magnifying red dot sight is ready at all times, with no switches or levers to fumble with. Simply install the supplied battery, turn the PRO on, and forget about it – for up to 3 years! 2 MOA center-dot, with 6 daylight and 4 night vision brightness settings, enables accurate target engagement under a broad variety of conditions. Includes a detachable spacer that allows co-witnessing with the standard iron sights on AR-15/M16/M4 weapons. Or remove the spacer to install the PRO on shotguns or submachine guns. Integrated “rail-grabber” mount with knurled, oversized knob aids in quick attach/detach on Picatinny rails. Compatible with all generations of night vision devices; may also be used with Aimpoint 3x Magnifier and Concealed Engagement Unit. Flip-up lens caps included. Hard-anodized aluminum, 5¼” (13.3cm) OAL. 3” (7.6cm) high, including spacer. 13 oz. (368.g) wt. Unlimited eye relief. Waterproof to 150’ (45m) depth. One DL1/3N lithium battery, included.
Aimpoint PRO Specifications
Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic Specifications
Adjustment(s): 0.5 MOA (1/2″ at 100 yds)
Battery Life: 30000 hours
Brightness Settings: 10 settings (4 for night vision use)
Color: Black
Dimensions: 130x55x55mm (5.1″x2.2″x2.2″)
Eye Relief: Unlimited
Magnification: 1x
Mount: QRP2 mount (Quick Release)
Night Vision Compatible: Yes
Objective Size: 38mm
Power Supply: (1) 3V Lithium Battery type 2L76 or DL1/3N
Im a big advocate of scope levels. I look forward to getting a Vortex Flare on one of my rifles.
The Vortex Riflescopes Flare Illuminated Bubble Level is everything you ever wanted in a scope level. Low-signature, rear-facing illumination with three intensity levels ensures optimal visibility in all light conditions. The recessed push-button control is easily accessed from a shooting position. The integrated Picatinny rail mount attaches easily and keeps the level low and trim. It can be mounted and removed with the riflescope on or off your rifle. SKU: FBL-1
Battery – Flare Illuminated Bubble Level utilizes an LR621 battery. The Vortex Riflescopes Flare Illuminated Bubble Level is made in the USA.
What is the Purpose of a Scope Level
Your rifle when properly set up is using the vertical and horizontal plane as a frame of reference. When you shoot the force of gravity will be at work pulling your bullet towards the earth. Should you want to shoot out further gravity has more time to impact the bullet and you may need to make a correction (hold over or dial your turret) in order to impact your target. Should you cant your rifle it will no longer be in the correct frame of reference so your corrections may not be as accurate as you desire. Having a level gives you the opportunity to make sure you are correctly positioning your rifle and makes sure your corrections will be as intended.
Get on target fast with the Vortex Sparc II red dot sight. Ultra-compact and lightweight, the SPARC II (Speed Point Aiming for Rapid Combat) is equally at home mounted on an AR-15, AR-10 or 308 AR rifle. Digital rear facing controls for powering on/off and adjusting the 2 MOA daylight bright red dot brightness at ten intensity levels—automatically returning to the last dot intensity used when powered up. Rugged single-piece body machined from aircraft grade aluminum is o-ring sealed for waterproof and fogproof performance.
Fully Multi-Coated Multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces increase light transmission.
Bright Red Dot Display is highly visible in daylight.
Brightness Settings 10 Levels
Vortex Sparc II SPC-402 Construction Features
Single-Piece Chassis Compact and lightweight.
Waterproof O-ring seals prevent moisture, dust and debris from penetrating for reliable performance in all environments.
Fogproof Nitrogen gas purging delivers fogproof, waterproof performance.
Shockproof Rugged construction withstands recoil and impact.
Hard Anodized Finish Highly durable low-glare matte finish.
Operating Temperature Rated from -4 degrees to +158 degrees Fahrenheit.
Vortex Sparc II SPC-402 Convenience Features
Multi-Height Mount System Includes a high mount, low mount, and a spacer that can be combined to provide various mounting heights: lower 1/3 co-witness (40 mm), absolute co-witness (37 mm), 21 mm, and 18 mm.
Unlimited Eye Relief Non-critical eye relief for rapid target acquisition.
Adjustable Dot Intensity Provides ten variable illumination settings—the lowest two settings are night-vision compatible.
Battery Life 12-hour auto-shutdown feature maximizes battery life. Typical battery life is 300 hours at maximum brightness and 5,000 hours at minimum brightness setting.
It appears that Vortex Optics now has Eotech in their sights with the announcement of the AMG UH-1 Holographic Sight. The timing could not be better given Eotech’s latest troubles with the admission of cold weather distortion, reticle fade, thermal drift and parallax issues.
Introducing the Vortex Optics RAZOR AMG UH-1 Holographic Sight.
The RAZOR AMG UH-1 Holographic Sight affectionately known in-house as “Huey.” The UH-1 is a completely new force in weapon mounted holographic technology, and you’re one of the first shooters to see it! Inside the durable aluminum chassis the UH-1 features fewer moving parts compared to traditional holographic sights. This equates to maximum durability. The holographic sight is powered with the included CR123A battery. the weapon sight also has the option of running LFP CR123A batteries. LFP CR123A batteries can be recharged using the on-board, waterproof micro-USB port.
We believe the shooter is the only one who should see the new Vortex EBR-CQB reticle so we engineered the entire system to virtually eliminate all traces of forward signature, unlike any other red dot or holographic sight on the market.
MILDOT MASTER – The mil-dot reticle is in increasingly widespread use among long-range rifle shooters as a means of estimating the range to the target. This estimation is critical in order to correct for the varying degree of projectile drop (and/or wind drift) at different ranges and thereby enable the shooter to hit the target. With training and familiarization, an experienced marksman can accurately estimate range to target by using this type of reticle and by making the appropriate calculations. Originally fitted to telescopic sights designed for military (and later police) use, the mil-dot reticle has seen growing acceptance in the civilian sector among target shooters and hunters.
By using a set of fixed references within the scope, the shooter can compare the size of the target, a portion of the target, or a nearby reference target to a series of precisely sized dots and spacing. By estimating the size of the target or nearby reference and noting the number of mils that equal the size of the target, the shooter can determine the range to the target by applying a formula (size of target in yards multiplied by 1000, divided by size of target in mils, equals range to target in yards), usually done with the help of a conventional hand held electronic calculator. However, there are problems associated with the use of an electronic calculator. The MILDOT MASTER is designed to eliminate these problems.
Problem: The necessary calculations are somewhat complex and depend upon the shooter’s ability to remember and correctly apply the formula. Solution: With the Mildot Master, you don’t have to memorize formulae, as the correct formulae are already built into the scales.
Problem: The size of the target is more often than not mentally estimated in inches, necessitating an additional calculation to convert the target size into a decimal equivalent of yards. ie: 18″ shoulder width. If the range is to be calculated in meters, an additional conversion from yards to meters in necessary. Solution: No conversion of estimated target size from inches into decimal equivalent of yards is necessary, as the Target Size Scale is in increments of feet and inches on the Mildot Master®.
Problem: Even after the shooter has gone through the range calculation procedure, the amount of bullet drop (or wind drift) applicable to that range must now be applied to the sight picture to enable a hit on the target. Either the scope must be adjusted or the sight picture “held over”, which necessitates a second series of calculations to translate the needed amount of correction into a scope adjustment or hold-over figure for that range and load. Solution: The Mildot Master makes this process extremely simple by performing range determination, sight adjustment, and hold-over calculations simultaneously. Once the range has been determined by aligning the Target Size with the measured number of mils, bullet drop/drift figures are automatically aligned with the corresponding sight adjustment/hold-over figures.
Problem: Aside from the possibility of errors occurring during these calculations, the time involved in such calculations can prove problematic in certain scenarios, such as military or police counter-sniping operations, timed competitive target-shooting events, or hunting situations. Solution: Speed of calculations necessary to determine range to target and required telescopic sight adjustment and/or hold-over can be significantly reduced by using the Mildot Master in lieu of a conventional hand-held electronic calculator.
The Mildot Master is an analog calculator designed along the principle of a slide rule, utilizing logarithmic and inverse logarithmic scales developed specifically for performing the following operations:
Rapid and simple calculation of range to target, based on a measurement of the target with a mildot reticle, by aligning the estimated target size directly opposite the mildot measurement, and then reading the range at an index mark.
Rapid and simple calculation of the amount of sight correction necessary to compensate for bullet drop and/or wind drift for a given range, enabling the shooter to determine either the equivalent telescopic sight adjustment (minute-of-angle, or MOA) or the equivalent hold-over (mils), by reading equivalents in both MOA and mils directly opposite the bullet drop/wind drift figure.
Additionally, angle of fire for uphill or downhill shots can be accurately measured, and the up/down compensation can be closely calculated to reduce the errors such shots can induce.
No conversion of estimated target size from inches into decimal equivalent of yards is necessary, as the Target Size Scale is in increments of feet and inches.
No entry of data or operations through a keypad is necessary, as the device is purely analog and only requires the alignment of figures on scales.
No memorization of formulae is necessary, as the correct formulae are built into the scales.
No complex calculations for determination of telescopic sight adjustment or hold-over at various ranges are necessary, as the scales of the device convert drop/drift figures directly into both MOA and mils.
No separate data sheet is necessary for bullet drop figures, as the reverse side of the device is designed to accommodate either commercially available data decals or user-produced data strips.
