The Nikon Black X1000 series is a recent release from the well-known Japanese optics and imaging equipment manufacturer. Designed from the ground up as a dedicated precision riflescope, this line is catering to the demanding shooter rather than the casual plinker or fair weather hunter.
Offered in either 4-16x or 6-24x, it’s clear Nikon wants to enable shooters to push their boundaries. I’ve had the opportunity to use and abuse a 4-16×50 Iluuminated X-MRAD model for a few months and have gotten a good feel for what to expect out of it.
The Specs:
This X1000 has an aluminum alloy 30mm body. Internal adjustment range is 90 MOA or 25 MRAD, with either 1/4 MOA or .1 MRAD adjustment clicks. A full revolution of the turret gets you 12 MOA or 5 MRAD. This is a second focal plane reticle, with the subtensions calibrated for 16x. Weight comes in at 24oz with length at 14.8″. At lowest magnification, field of view is 27.2′ at 100 yards, with eye relief at 3.6-4″. The 10 position illuminated reticle uses a single CR2032 battery with a 1 hour auto shut-off.
Fit and Finish:
As usual for Nikon products, this scope came in looking flawless. The external finish, the glass, the turrets and the magnification bezel all look flawless and function as well as a scope can. Clicks are sharp and distinct, the magnification bezel is firm without being stiff and the entire package looks and feels top-shelf.
The Reticle:
The heart of any good optic is the reticle. In this case I’ve been shooting Nikon’s X-MRAD (with a similar MOA based model available). The X-MRAD is an illuminated, glass-etched milliradian based crosshair, offering 10 vertical and horizontal MRAD’s with half-MRAD marks as well. With 10 positions on the rheostat, brightness is sufficient under any condition. The X-MRAD is an effective aiming device, yet visually simple and uncluttered.
The Glass:
It comes as no surprise to me that a company famous for their cameras, binoculars and digiscopes should produce such nice glass. I’ve compared the X1000 to every other optic I have in-house (Leupold, SWFA, Burris) and the glass does not come up wanting. Clarity, color and light transmission are all unrivaled within what I can bring to bear. Shooting on a cloudy day didn’t diminish the brilliance with which the colors came through. Fully multicoated, lead and arsenic free, and anti-reflective glass leaves the Nikon scope in a good position to help you make the shot. Eye relief was generous enough, even when shooting an uncharacteristically hard-kicking Ar-10.
Field Time:
While I have had plenty of problems with the host rifle the X1000 was attached to, the optic sure wasn’t one. I had no trouble using the reticle for holdovers, or for dialing adjustments and returning to zero afterwards. As I mentioned above, the turrets click nicely and both the side-mounted parallax knob and magnification bezel spin with no sloppiness or excessive stiffness.
Conclusion:
The whole design of the X1000 from layout to construction screams professional grade. My time with this scope has been enjoyable, with every aspect of the optic performing just as I need it to. Simple, straightforward and reliable. The X1000 retails for $599.99, which is a very fair price for a purpose-built precision rifle scope.
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