NF 12-42 BR scope, parallax hash marks off

[PEI Rob]

Brand new, the AO hash marks are way off. The first pic shows the parallax correctly adjusted for 300 yards not 200. Can I fix it myself by some adjustment or does it need to go back? I am using it so it will have to wait until the end of the season.

While we're on this scope, the orange sealant around the objective lens doesn't seem to be complete either, it hasn't fogged up in the rain but I'm wondering if it will. I'm not a camera guy so sorry about the flash across the spot I'm talking about.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[alf]

I don't think I've ever had a scope that the A/O markings and the true yardage coincided. Adjust accordingly to what your eyes tell you, not the marks.

My orange goop looks just like your's.

Al

 

[PEI Rob]

Thanks for the reply Al.

As a comparison, my 4200 Elite has perfect hash mark alignment and focus. Focusing the target is always the correct parallax adjustment. Its a mil dot and I can range find with it by parallax adjustment and hash marks. Kind of thought maybe the NF should be at least as good in that department. I really like the turrets, 42 power and fine CH1 crosshair on the NF. With the NF, focus is not where I want it when the parallax is perfect. Adjusting the eyepiece throwing out the crosshair focus helps, so I normally make a compromise between the two.

 

[jackie schmidt]

Rob

When you say the "parralex" isoff, are you referring to the markings, or the actual parralex you can see as you look through the scope at a fixed object, and that object seems to move if you shift your head side to side.
Unless something is amiss in the focal plain inside the scope, it should be parralex free when in focus. And by that, I do not mean the marks neccessarilly lining up with a number on the Objective Bell.

Here is how criticle the focal length can be. Last year at Seymour, I had my Rail Gun, which has a 45 Competition Leupold sitting on top, sitting on bench one. In the morning, it was in perfect focus. But, as the Sun came around and hit my Rail Gun dead on, that scope body got warm enough to expand in length so the focus was no longer correct. I doubt that scope could have grown much more than a couple of thousanths in length.

If you do have a scope that is in focus, parralex free, and the marks actually lineup, feel fortunate. Most do not.........jackie

 

[John Kielly]

Does not the parallax adjustment location depend on the result of the shooter focussing the crosshairs? In other words, if the shooter happened to have perfect eyes that would discern properly adjusted crosshairs at the neutral eyepiece position, then maybe the parallax has marks would correctly coincide. For the rest of us......

Now, what do you do with all those side focus scopes which don't have any values associated with the hash marks? Crank until the picture is clear.

 

[PEI Rob]

When you say the "parralex" isoff, are you referring to the markings, or the actual parralex you can see as you look through the scope at a fixed object, and that object seems to move if you shift your head side to side. ...

When I set up behind the rifle my head bobbles like the hula girl on a dashboard The parallax error is eliminated but the hash marks are totally out to lunch, I was hoping they would be close, say within the thickness of the line or so. If the marks were close I could rough it in before getting into prone position. In case someone missed it, the parallax was corrected for 300 in the pic above.

...
Unless something is amiss in the focal plain inside the scope, it should be parralex free when in focus. And by that, I do not mean the marks neccessarilly lining up with a number on the Objective Bell. ...

... In the morning, it was in perfect focus. But, as the Sun came around and hit my Rail Gun dead on, that scope body got warm enough to expand in length so the focus was no longer correct. ...

Thank you, I will check into that. In your example does this mean the parallax was also out? How much bell adjustment difference can I expect on a very hot sunny day if it happens to be perfect on a cool cloudy day, considerable movement or just a tweak?

The scope is almost always at 42 power so I assume setting the parallax and focus demands alot from it. I didn't find the focus to be out much, its often impossible to focus perfectly crisp anyway with all the mirage going on.

Thanks

 

[Alan Warner]

Crank until the picture is clear

John
Not exactly "Crank until the picture is clear".

Adjustment should be made for zero parallax. That does not mean that the focus will be correct. There is not one Night Force I've ever seen that the two coincide. (at least with my eyes) Side parallax adjustment should always be in a direction from close to far, not exceeding the adjstment and cranking back. Allways come up to it and stop. If you pass it, crank it back close and try again.

FWIW; I've never had a Unertl or S&B that where not in coincidence.

Alan

 

[PEI Rob]

The eyepiece adjusts to focus the reticle, and that is its only purpose, to focus the reticle. Some cheat and use it to tweak the target focus and the result is sacrificing the reticle sharpness. Hopefully those that do this realize what is happening.

Mr Warner, I was corrected once when I said the trick about adjusting a side focus and not going past. Apparently it isn't an issue with new scopes, at least most of them. Maybe someone will clarify that issue.

 

[John Kielly]

Not exactly "Crank until the picture is clear".

Alan,

Of course you're right. I was being a tad sloppy there.

Hell, I should know. I''ve used Leupold VXIIIs!

John

PS: Interestingly, they got it right with my old 1" tube 24X, but then it has front parallax adjustment.

 

[tenring]

I shoot 200, 300 and 500 groundhog matches with my NF 12-42, and always check for parallax before commence fire is called. On the NXS model (like all side focus scopes) , run the focus to one extreme, then back to where it is parallax free. This will eliminate the lash factor.

Tip: During your range practice sessions, determine where parallax is minimal at the distances you intend to shoot. Place a small mark in your range book showing the AO distance mark, then make a dot or small arrow to tell you where it should be. This will get you close.

 

[Joe Ponto]

Brand new, the AO hash marks are way off. The first pic shows the parallax correctly adjusted for 300 yards not 200. Can I fix it myself by some adjustment or does it need to go back? I am using it so it will have to wait until the end of the season.
Cheers,
Rob

Spend a dime and call Nightforce directly. Looks like a cosmetic issue......