The Best Long Range Scope - Zero Compromise ZC527 vs Nightforce ATACR 5-25F1 Part 1

This video series is a detailed comparison and review of the Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56 F1 and the Zero Compromise ZC527 5-25x56.
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Gary Melton is a former U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret, Weapons Sergeant, and Sniper Team Leader with 4 combat tours. He has worked full time as a Unit Chief and Special Tactics Instructor at a federal agency, and is the owner and Lead Instructor for Paramount Tactical Solutions.
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
04:00 - Important Disclaimers
05:28 - Nightforce Likes
09:40 - Nightforce Dislikes
15:40 - ZCO Feature Overview
23:35 - ZCO Illuminated Reticle

[@Remnant1976]

I came across your channel a week ago and I really appreciate your in depth reviews. Plus the info is very understandable in making a thoughtful calculation on when I am ready for a purchase. I really do appreciate what you are doing in the industry!!!

[@mtnhunter5578]

Oustanding! This is the review we have all been waiting for....flawless execution Airborne, carry on.

[@johnwalsh7070]

By the time I get my rifle, it will be nothing like I thought I wanted! Now, I might be changing the scope!

[@marklloyd4153]

What a marvelous surprise for a Sunday

[@paramounttactical]

Just for you Mark!

[@jasonsponsler21]

Another great video. A lot to think about and consider. But no matter what I will be ordering from you guys. Thanks for everything

[@paramounttactical]

Jason, you're the best! We always appreciate your support homie!

[@orensalomon5534]

Love your reviews. Very informative. Could you do a review on Tract optics.

[@BimmerDudeXi]

Great timing. These two brands on my list but looking at the 4 - 20x models. The MOA-XT reticle :) is what winning me over versus the ZCO option.

[@ArkansasBadBoy]

I'm glad you touched on the sound of the turrets. I have an Athlon Cronus that will never be for sale, but the only thing I'd change is to tone down those clicks. My Bushnell Match Pro ED has that perfect balance of audible and feel. Thanks for another great video. Looking forward to the follow up(s) 😊

[@rickeylahey2152]

I’m assuming the Cronus has better glass but is there a significant difference?

[@ArkansasBadBoy]

It has outstanding glass. I prefer it over the Nightforce but that's in no way meaning the Nightforce glass is subpar because it's not, I simply prefer the Cronus altogether is all. The Zero Compromise is better and in a class all it's own; truly a remarkable optic. Hope this helps in some way. Take care.

[@rickeylahey2152]

@@ArkansasBadBoy thanks for the response! I have heard great things about the Cronus. Seems to come close to the $2500 scopes which is great considering it can be had for under $1400. Again appreciate the response and you take care as well.

[@jnblawnandlandscapellc]

I'd love to see a review on the Tangent Theta 5-25x56 vs the ZCO ZC840 for a ELR rifle.

[@marklloyd4153]

Me too

[@williamsonnie9935]

Tangent now has a 7-35!

[@camonly849]

I would like to try some higher end scopes but I hate how there's practically no warranty on them, however it seems there's a decent one for the zco. I'm use to vortex where I could use it to play on my kids softball league and break it and vortex would just replace it. Great review. I'd love to try the zco one day. Curious on your thoughts on the vortex razor line up or the new burris xtr pro. Haven't seen much on it but have heard good things. Also, thank you for your service.

[@juanislas4804]

I’ll save you 20 minutes the ZCO is better in glass and features. Not in the same realm. The 7-35 NF might be a bit closer but the ZCO is still a better option. Not saying the NF is not a good optic it’s just not in the same class, I loved my 7-35 ATACR. Also some editing notes, when you adjusted the diopter on the ZCO that was actually the lock ring of the diopter you have to still turn the diopter itself after unlocking to adjust then lock it in place.

[@paramounttactical]

You are correct on my mistake of just adjusting the locking ring and not the diopter. I’m including that correction in Part II. I 100% agree with your assessment. Great comment. Thanks for watching! -Gary

[@progressiveoutcomesus]

Agreed 100%

[@savagegentleman3583]

Hey Gary, this is a timely video. I am needing an optic and these, along with the Kahles K525i DLR, are what I have been considering. The optic will be going on a .308 work gun. I like the features of the Kahles DLR with the left-side windage and the parallax adjustment location, but I have been told to look at a used/like new Zero Compromise as well since it would be a similar price point. Do you have any experience with the Kahles DLR by chance? Thanks man!

[@paramounttactical]

I do and that exact model. I had it in a client’s gun. Kahles makes excellent optics. There were some things I didn’t like about it but I can’t even remember the details so it’s not even fair to bring up. If you’re wanting left hand windage it’s the only option out of the 3 you mentioned. Again, all 3 are top tier optics so you’re not going to go wrong with any of the 3. Thanks for watching! -Gary

[@savagegentleman3583]

@@paramounttactical Great, thanks for the response! About the only negative thing I can find about the Kahles is that some people feel their optical clarity/contrast has been passed by in their price tier and some have noticed CA, but that may have been on the K624i and K525i and not the DLR. Thanks again!

[@billy7188]

Would it be possible for you to review the Steiner M5xi 4-28x56

[@Gettingoaty]

Great review, i was deciding between NF and ZCO recently. Does nightforce say why they have the whole bell rotate on the ATCAR? I have an NX8 and it has a normal rotating ring, so there must be a reason?

[@paramounttactical]

Not sure. 🤷‍♂️

[@DS-gd1xw]

When are 2 & 3 released?

[@johntaylor2840]

I have both optics. I didn't think it could get much better than the NightForce, but I was wrong. The ZCO is just better in glass quality, light transmission and it's more user friendly. Im splitting hairs here, the NF is still an amazing optic, but the ZCO is just a little better. I also noticed the same thing in regard to parallax. My NF would be clear around 75-80 yards. ZCO was always spot on. I dont base anything off of that, but I think it shows the quality and attention to detail.

[@paramounttactical]

I think I could just read your comment for my summary. Well said. Thanks, Gary

[@johntaylor2840]

@@paramounttactical I watch all your reviews and I was waiting for this one to see if my opinions aligned with yours. Nightforce is a badass optic, I have it on my #2 rifle. For me the deciding factor was the zero stop. I like how much easier it is to set the zero stop on the zco over the NF and I like that the zco gives you some adjustment on the other side of zero. Similar to what vortex does on some of their optics. I feel zco took the best of all manufacturers and put them in European glass.

[@paramounttactical]

@@johntaylor2840 John, you reminded me I didn’t point out the difference in zero stops. While the 4 screw clutch system in the NF isn’t bad, obviously the ZCO zero stop automatically set to -.5 when you zero your turrets is a far more convenient and simpler system. I’ll add that to Part II.

[@johntaylor2840]

@@paramounttactical thanks for the interaction and allowing me to give my opinion on the topic. Hopefully it helps someone.

[@danihod2347]

I want you to review the valdada recon g2 4.8 ×30 - 56 mm with 40mm tube top notch 👌 scope i got one is top of the line took 7 years to night force optics to pass the quality dy 1/2 -% i recommended to you to become a valdada optics dealer

[@kennethmahl2391]

When you do set the Doppler it should be locked down the only time it should be adjusted again if your eyes change their prescription in my experience the rear Lens cap will move it if it doesn’t have a locking ring

[@kennethmahl2391]

Diopter

[@paramounttactical]

Oh I get it. Typically it’s a set once and forget thing. While I think the NF is a better overall optic than most, I do have other optics that don’t have a locking ring and I’ve never had an issue with it moving and I prefer that particular feature more. Like I said it’s strictly a personal preference. You’ll never go wrong with Nightforce. Trust me, I have more Nightforces than any other optic. I do think some features of the ZCO are objectively better but you’ll pay an extra $500-1000 for them. Is it worth it? Well that’s an individual decision. Thanks for watching! -Gary

[@MrFrenchHarp]

Why didn’t mention the weight comparisons? It’s a super quick and useful bit of information.

[@paramounttactical]

It’s in part II

[@matthewhelm7069]

Do you sell turrett protectors for atacr?

[@jasonrad9332]

🤘🏻

[@williamsonnie9935]

How do you like the ranging bars on the MPCT3 reticle on animals and rargets? Can the ZCO turret be adjusted past the .5 mil below zero? I feel the NF has the advantage over most optics with that ability… How does the ZCO compare to Tangents?

[@paramounttactical]

I haven't done extensive testing on the ranging reticle. I can say they work but I don't have enough reps on them to say I'm proficient with them and quite frankly I use a LRF and I am good at milling a target if I need to do range estimation. I need a day or so of using the ranging feature of the reticle to say one way or other. Yes, the ZCO turret can be adjusted below -.5. You can adjust the Zero Stop to set to whatever negative elevation you want. I have no idea how it compares to the Tangents. I've looked through tangents but have no real time on them. A Tangent Theta comparison is in the works. We'll see. Thanks for watching! -Gary

[@bryanwalden1095]

The differences between Tangent and ZCO are definitely minimal. I am biased towards the tangents, but it honestly becomes picking the reticle and features you like the most at that point. The glass is going to be super comparable, but the features that led me to Tangent are tooless zero, the most forgiving parallax adjustments, and the reticle. But it's completely subjective between the 2 and neither are a bad choice.

[@cstism]

I believe for the diopter adjust you were moving the locking ring right?

[@paramounttactical]

You are 100% correct. I’ll include a correction on that in the next video. Thanks for pointing that out. -Gary

[@cstism]

@@paramounttactical Love your channel, keep up the great work!

[@JohnVentarino-ey5ln]

Can you please let me know what you think of the DELTA OPTICS JAVELIN SCOPE 4.5/30/56 FFP. it would mean alot to me because i just bought one and it cost me a bit over a grand.

[@paramounttactical]

Haven’t used it. Hope it works well for you. Thanks for watching! -Gary

[@ppmnox]

exceptional overview. my only comment: that abrupt cutoff is a bit...abrupt. maybe a quick segue with a voice over announcing parts 2 and 3 are coming up soon would smooth the end of the video. as always, appreciate your work in getting this out.

[@paramounttactical]

I agree with that. Solid advice.

[@McgSpook]

@@paramounttactical yeah gary! smooth that stuff out. ffs what kind of hack videos are you making nowadays!

[@paramounttactical]

😂 I love you Jeff. If I even need an ego check, I look for your comments.

[@McgSpook]

@@paramounttactical lol i saw someone else getting after you, looked fun. since i have to be nice to jason now i thought it would be a good distraction.

[@johnwalsh7070]

Links to Part 2 & 3??

[@paramounttactical]

I'm editing Part II now. I might be able to get it done today but I'm thinking Wednesday morning for Part II and likely Saturday or Sunday for part III. Apparently late sunday or mondays are the worst time to publish YT videos.

[@alexmorin-borduas4127]

What is the mount on the NF?

[@paramounttactical]

Spuhr.

[@robertosborne1753]

You think the ATACR is the best at that pricepoint? You don't think the ZEISS LRP's or Gen 3 Razor's are as good as the ATACR?

[@paramounttactical]

This video was made before I had even looked through a Zeiss LRP S3. I think the S3 is probably neck and neck in performance of the 7-35 ATACR for less money. They are shockingly good for the money. Gen 3 Razors are ridiculously heavy but they are close in performance and they’re great optics. I have nothing bad to say about Vortex Razor and HD line. We’ll likely become dealers for vortex as well in the future.

[@robertosborne1753]

Sweet! Will you do a formal test comparing the three? Would love to see how they stack up in your thorough comparisons! @@paramounttactical

[@danielalmeida3064]

No tangent theta?

[@paramounttactical]

Nope. Just the ZCO and ATACR in this one. Maybe a Tangent in the future.

[@briangarcia1830]

Zco 5-27 or the tangent theta 5-25 ?

[@paramounttactical]

I’ve only looked through some tangents. I don’t have the experience on them to rule them out or say they’re awesome. You can’t go wrong with the ZCO. That I can say for sure. A review on the tangent is coming soon. Thanks, Gary

[@briangarcia1830]

@@paramounttactical I’m exited. Can you do a comparison between Zco and tangent theta ? That would be amazing thank you

[@paramounttactical]

@@briangarcia1830 ZCO vs Tangent vs NF ATACR.

[@briangarcia1830]

@@paramounttactical oh that sounds like a killer video

[@aeropixx]

MOA!

[@rosalindatical6171]

No March or S&B?

[@paramounttactical]

No.

[@McgSpook]

biggest dislike is both of those scopes are in MIL. Yuck, i believe the diopter is a set once kind of thing. there is a process for setting the parallax at max and then adjusting diopter to get a clean reticle. it makes your parallax markers line up cleaner. Not that a correct parallax helps Jason much 🙂, but for the rest of us its kind of nice to have. Have heard a lot of good thing about ZC. I will say that illum system is much better. The push on/off system on the NF gets weird.

[@jasonsponsler21]

You just had to go there. Couldn’t help yourself huh?

[@McgSpook]

@@jasonsponsler21 lol, you give me so so much drama that i had to throw some shade back.. Truce?

[@paramounttactical]

You two behave. Don’t make me separate you two. 😂

[@lmbear]

The no compromise is a no name optic. They better lower the price to get people on the bandwagon. You should also do some drop tests on it, to see how durable it is. Drop it, shoot it, rinse and repeat. Do some tall target and box tests to show us how well it tracks and returns to zero.

[@paramounttactical]

They are by far not a "no name optic". They are heavily used in PRS/NRL and you see them even more heavily used in rimfire competitions due to their close focus capabilities. They are well known in competitive long range shooting outside of bench rest and F Class where Nightforce and S&B take up the market share in high end optics. I may perform additional testing videos. The tall target test is a great suggestion. Thanks for watching. Gary

[@marinioaweischo6614]

There are enough cheap and mid priced scopes, why should they? That price range and quality is a niche, people who buy one appreciate and/or can afford it. As far as I know, they have a bunch of competent employees which worked for Kahles in the past. It would be waste if they wouldn't make great scopes...

[@paramounttactical]

@@marinioaweischo6614 agreed.

[@bryanwalden1095]

Lol okay dude. Tell that to the competitors running them everywhere. I don't own one but I've been behind them a couple of times and they are amazing and honestly one of the best scopes out there.

[@johntaylor2840]

Both are phenomenal optics. I've run them both side by side. The ZCO is just a TAD better in my opinion, but I absolutely love my NF it's a great optic. I like the zero stop on the ZCO and the Light Transmission on the ZCO. That's probably due to the 36mm tube on the ZCO vs the 34mm tube on the NF. As far as price, in my opinion if someone can afford a 3,400 dollar optic they can afford a 3,900 dollar optic. I don't think price is really a factor in this situation. I have done a tall target test on both and both were spot on. Now I haven't purposely dropped them and I won't purposely drop them because I'd probably have a heart attack watching them fall onto the pavement. I do believe if something like that were to take place, they'd both do just fine.

[@iamsomebodynobody]

NightForce is not top level scope these days, it's still a Tangent Theta, Zero Compromise and Schmidt & Bender's game.

[@paramounttactical]

We’ll just disagree on that. I’ve used them all, obviously own both NF and ZCO, get to use a lot of optics… never been impressed with S&B and I believe they’ve always underperformed for their price point. We were issued S&B and NF for our sniper systems in SF. S&B broke left and right. After initial T&E, they sat on the shelf while the NF never came off the guns. Perfect glass isn’t everything. NF may not have the absolutely best glass but their durability and tracking accuracy goes a long way. Glass is still great too.

[@iamsomebodynobody]

@@paramounttactical No problem, it's a personal choice/preference, I respect that. S&B may be overpriced, but who isn't on the top? It's the customers' decision whether they want to spend those extras for the small performance increase or special features. Bear in mind, S&B used to be the gold standard in terms of scope for about 10 years until others can bring some new scopes to the market with similar or better performance in recent years. No doubt, S&B was or maybe still have some Q&A issue, but they are just a family business, not those with big factories having more resources. But they still stand behind their warranty and ensure a good level of product quality. I agree glass is not everything, but it plays a major part on the optical side of the scope which is the main purpose for shooters to see their target. Tracking is important, I am sure most of the scopes above $2000 do not have this issue. Frank Galli and his team have proven that. We don't use our scope like a tank or hammer, it's a complex and precise optical equipment. We, the civilians do not use it on the battlefield, I won't be surprised if my scope has issue within warranty it just means you might have a lemon otherwise we hear a lot of voice about S&B's product, which they should be out of business already. My mate recently dropped his PM2 mounted a rifle from bench to concrete ground, it only has some minor dent on the turret and still track perfectly. I don't expect my scope will work for lifetime, S&B's warranty is sufficient for me as an average user. If your shooting condition is more rough or tough, then maybe NightForce is more durable than not just S&B but a lot of other scopes too. Plus, I've seen more issues on ZCO 527 and 840 than S&B's PM2 since they came out. In the end, you could compare any scope you think the best with a ZCO, and no doubt NightForce does make some good scopes, but the experts I know won't put the Atacr with ZCO in the same category for sure.

[@rvoykin]

@@paramounttactical great feedback, I think durability and probably the most important thing that really nice reticle and tactile adjustment knobs that hold zero stop are as if not more important than perfect glass.

[@billy7188]

Brother I couldn't agree more. Plus I think Steiner should be added to your list.

[@Dave-cf2ng]

They are all $2k+ more money, of course some things will be better. You are very ignorant if you think the NF isn’t top tier.

[@e.g.1026]

You're asking way more than other dealers.

[@paramounttactical]

I’m not sure what you’re talking about. Our Zero Compromise prices are set at Minimum Advertised Prices. No other dealer is allowed to advertise at a lower price than what we have listed. You have to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. The different reticles and other options increase price. Send us an email at [e-mail] with a link to any advertiser and we’ll beat the price. Thanks for watching. -Gary