By Chris Parkin
Shop the Element Optics Nexus Gen II at The Sportsman Gun Centre
Although not identical in specification, the Element Nexus sits second on the Element optics optical ladder, above Helix, and Titan but below the Theos. In the first-generation format, the nexus was a very reliable scope both mechanically and with a good optical package to shoot out to longer distances. The latest Gen 2 has arrived with 4-25x magnification range coupled to first focal plane reticle and available in mRad or M.O.A. variants with two reticle options for each.
The Gen 2 arrives in a well-padded box with additional goodies. Obviously in size order, out first comes the scope with a very deep grey/black hue to the hard anodising of it’s 30mm maintube and the 59mm outer diameter of the objective lens bell. The lens within is 50mm diameter for a solid compromise of weight and size over ultimate light entry capability on a scope that is still more a long-range tool for daylight shooting than specifically a low light specialist. The central saddle supports an upper elevation turret with exposed markings and delightfully well-defined, 0.1 mRad clicks/1cm @100 metres (the scope is also available in M.O.A. with ¼ clicks). There are a very logical 100 clicks per rotation equivalent to 10 milliradians and the knurled turret is easy to grip and dial at 39mm in diameter, standing 25mm tall. Once the scope is zeroed you can remove the knurled turret cap without tools, lift it off and reposition to indicate `0` at your chosen range. There is also a zero stop and innovative rotation indicator, a small lever which flicks left/right exposing `1` or `2` as you enter the second rotation. This is visual and tactile which I think is beneficial.
The right side windage dial is capped and offers the same click values. Another feature from Element I really like is that if you choose to leave the cap off, they supply a slim metal collar you can fit over the exposed threads and effectively convert the scope to a dialling, exposed turret optic. Parallax control is sited opposite and runs from 10m to infinity so allows the scope to be used on even close-range airguns without optical compromise. The dial rotates smoothly with no discernible perception of internal motion from the lens packages controlling the image, bringing it into focus and negating visible parallax error. Element have chosen a push button in the centre of the parallax dial to initiate reticle illumination with a short hold, subsequent presses vary the intensity through 10 stages for best brightness compromise in your external light conditions. A CR 2032 battery is supplied and fits under the capped dial without tools. This scope has the APR-2D mRad reticle which has a lower Christmas tree of 0.2, 0.5 and full MIL holdover marking for windage and elevation which being first focal plane, remain constant in subtension as the reticle appears to vary though the magnification range.
The magnification control dial is heavily segmented for grip and an optional throw lever is included; these have become a desirable component under competition time pressure. The zoom collar meets solid stops at either end of the Magnification range without worrisome sponginess from the inner mechanics. Similarly, it’s smooth and silent throughout motion. The rearmost ocular lens body is parallel in profile which makes accessory addition simple over its 43.8mm diameter and the rearmost rubberised fast focus eyepiece is 43.1mm, so won’t interfere either. This rotates to compensate for your individual eyesight correction and although not specified in the manual, had no problem correcting for my own -1 dioptre requirements with additional range for those with greater optical needs.
There is 50mm of free tube space in front of the saddle and 57mm behind it for scope rings and flexibility to control position for the scope’s specified 77 to 92mm eye relief. On aper this looks quite broad but in fairness, using the scope you don’t notice the movement at all because it’s not overly long for most rifle types and sizes, it’s certainly accommodating allowing for a decent amount of head movement due to positional strain or recoil motion. This allows you to retain view of the target which with the increasingly popular attention to precision shooting disciplines is a key factor to appreciate when spotting your own bullet trace as they fly, and impact splash when they reach the target.
An 80mm sunshade is included as well as a Neoprene cover, lens cloth and 35mm threaded aperture ring that can be added either to the objective body, or sunshade if desired. Although the image through the scope is about 95% crisp right out to the edges, Element offer this aperture which they feel improves image quality at the centre of the lens so if ultimate image brightness is not your goal, adding it is suggested to improve contrast by minimising chromatic aberration. Lengthening depth of field with a smaller aperture is a simple optical fact but I didn’t find aberration notably problematic without the aperture although I certainly appreciated the sunshade on some very bright summer/autumn days. I used the scope a lot on a 17 HMR with notoriously small bullet holes and impact splash to see so was very pleased with the Nexus Gen 2 in this regard. The scope tracked reliably when dialling for longer ranges in both windage and elevation and as always, it’s great to maintain assured agreement between dialled or aimed off shot correct when compensation elevation error or atmospherics.
Conclusion
I though image quality of the Gen 1 was very good for its price point and specification. The improvement of the Gen 2, which has different optical specification anyway, is more difficult to appreciate but there is noticeably more refinement in the mechanics with subtle tactile improvements to clicks, zero stop and the end points of adjustment controls. The Nexus has Element’s Platinum warranty assuring any buyer of its durability and frankly, when I took it rabbiting, I was quite impressed by the low light capability of this target-oriented scope.
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Specification
- Magnification, 4-25x
- Objective lens, 50mm
- Maintube diameter, 30mm
- Exit pupil, 7.1-2.2mm
- Eye relief, 77-92mm
- Field of view at 100 metres, 9.7-1.6m (29.2-4.7ft at 100 yards)
- Overall elevation/windage adjustment range, 29/11.6mRad (100/40 M.O.A.)
- Reticle, APR-2D (others are available, mRad or M.O.A.)
- Minimum Parallax distance, 10m (11 yards)
- Overall length, 350mm (13.8”)
- Overall weight, 670gr (30.7oz.)
- Accessories, 80mm sunshade, 35mm aperture, throw lever, Allen key, cleaning cloth and thread protection ring for cap removal
- Platinum Lifetime Warranty covers damage through normal use and doesn’t require registration