Illuminated Reticles

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lonely_wolf

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Curious about people's opinions on illuminated reticles.
How useful do you find them in general? When do you use them the most? Do you regret spending the extra money to have the option, or, now can't live without it?
 
I've never owned one but I have used them. Unless you do much low light shooting I don't see the need to spend the extra money.

YMMV
 
I'm looking for one as well. I got a Bushnell 3200 "firefly" which doesn't stay lit for very long in cold weather, so it sucks. I've also got a $100 Bushnell with an illum. reticle, but it's exactly that, a $100 scope.
So does anybody know who makes a half-ass illum. scope for under $500.?
 
lonely_wolf said:
Curious about people's opinions on illuminated reticles.
How useful do you find them in general? When do you use them the most? Do you regret spending the extra money to have the option, or, now can't live without it?
Click to expand...

I've got two illuminated reticle scopes, a Nightforce NXS and a Bushnell 4200 Elite. You don't really need it except at the first light or the very last light and then it will make all the difference - but only if your scope is good enough to use at first or last light.

So usefull but not a critical feature. Only useful in a better quality scope.
 
I had a Mark 4 Leupold with an illuminated reticle and hated it. The whole centre section with the mildots lit up. Found is was very distracting. On the other hand, the small dot in the very centre that is illuminated on my Falcon 1.5-5 is great. I turn it on even in daytime if I'm shooting dark targets since you don't have to hunt for the centre of the reticle.
 
They have their place, against certain backdrops you can't take an accurate shot without one, but those occasions are not common. I wouldn't be without the option now that I have a choice.
 
Interesting replies.

dizzy said:
I wouldn't be without the option now that I have a choice.
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This is also how I feel.

I have never used one, but I figure it would definitely have its uses in certain situations, especially hunting. Yet the option is rarely found on hunting scopes. In fact it is not even widely found on tactical scopes.

Also, I rarely hear anyone discussing them or their usefulness.
 
they are useful in very lowlight conditions (usually past the time one should be hunting game anyhow) and in heavily treed areas where the cross hairs can blend in with the dark background.

lonely_wolf said:
Interesting replies.



This is also how I feel.

I have never used one, but I figure it would definitely have its uses in certain situations, especially hunting. Yet the option is rarely found on hunting scopes. In fact it is not even widely found on tactical scopes.

Also, I rarely hear anyone discussing them or their usefulness.
Click to expand...
 
Don't forget its pretty new technology and hasn't really caught on yet. Hunters are a pretty set bunch so it takes a while for technology to make its way around the moccasin trail.
 
I didn't think realize it was new technology. That does explain why they are not as popular yet.

Anyone have any experience with their durability?

I have read once that the wires for illum. in the Leupolds are prone to damage. This was only one instance though, and Leupold has a reputation of being tough.

Savage Express also mentioned battery life being an issue in cold weather with the Bushnell.
 
lonely_wolf said:
I didn't think realize it was new technology. That does explain why they are not as popular yet.

Anyone have any experience with their durability?

I have read once that the wires for illum. in the Leupolds are prone to damage. This was only one instance though, and Leupold has a reputation of being tough.

Savage Express also mentioned battery life being an issue in cold weather with the Bushnell.
Click to expand...

Have no idea when they first came out but it wasn't that long ago or the tech would be on EVERY optic. Aimpoint comp M4 red dot has 80,000 hour battery life, so they are making improvements. for all others make sure you shut them off or next time you shoot your reticle won't light up.
 
I've got one, and I never use it. It's a gimmick IMHO.

They're pointless in the daylight, and if it's so dark that you need an illuminated reticle to see, you have no business shooting...

Waxy
 
Waxy said:
I've got one, and I never use it. It's a gimmick IMHO.

They're pointless in the daylight, and if it's so dark that you need an illuminated reticle to see, you have no business shooting...

Waxy
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Hmm coyotes are after the sheep and its pretty dark, can see the sheep pretty good, can't see the reticle against the darker fur. My business is to protect them from predators and anything that helps ensure a clean kill isn't a gimmick IMHO..
 
i have 2 of them, a night force and a burris full field II.
i have not hunted with the night force yet.
the night force has a rheostat u can dim it down to nothing.
the burris has a off ,medium and high setting.
what i have found is the brighter it glows the more ur pupil closes limiting the amount of lite to ur eye from the distant target .this is good if u want to see the retical but bad when ur picking hairs to make the shot.
i took back a ziess z 1000 for this reason against dark trees or animal they disappear and guessing aint part of the equation.....:)
there is probably a happy medium out there somewere
 
Waxy said:
I've got one, and I never use it. It's a gimmick IMHO.

They're pointless in the daylight, and if it's so dark that you need an illuminated reticle to see, you have no business shooting...

Waxy
Click to expand...

You may not need it, just like you may not need a welder or sewing machine, but for the right shot there are times when you can only take it with an illuminated reticle. Lots of folks thought running water was a gimmick and enjoyed using the outhouse. technology is good for those who need it, for those who don't you are absolutely right and they shouldn't be spending the money.
 
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