1x or not they are still a Nightforce nxs. Nightforce still makes basically the same scope but a fixed 4.5x, they run close to $2000. But yeah they are the absolute best 1x you can get. Glad I picked one up when I had the chance a few years ago.
Side mounted sights don’t work well on a rifle that’s ergonomically set up for scoped shooting. They sit so low that you have to smash your face in the gun to see. This is a good option.