Scopes, the best for low light conditions?

sdwatt

sdwatt

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Here is your chance to give me your advice on which scope is the best all around scope with excellent low light transmission.
I am looking for a new scope for my Tikka .300 win mag. A lot of manufacturers claim this and that, but I trust the users more than the advertising. Thank you for your replies.

Sean
 
sdwatt said:
Here is your chance to give me your advice on which scope is the best all around scope with excellent low light transmission.
I am looking for a new scope for my Tikka .300 win mag. A lot of manufacturers claim this and that, but I trust the users more than the advertising. Thank you for your replies.

Sean
Click to expand...

What is your budget?
bigbull
 
The most practical hunting scope with good low light performance would be a fixed 6x, 42 or a 4x, 32 both with multicoating. Both will give 7mm or better exit pupil.

Bigger objectives eg 56MM are really not that practical in the field and add weight/bulk that is awkward. Also anything higher than a 6x tends to lessen the field of view and/or eye relief.

I am aware that European hunters fancy the 8x, 56 which gives the optimal "twilight" capability... but these guys aren't exactly bushwackers and their hunting practice is to use a stand...

You might want to consider a thick plex or post reticle as these are easier to pick-up in dim light.

Some folks with earlier illuminated reticles acknowledge that the bright reticle causes their pupil to contract and reduces the abilty to discern the target in low ambient light. Illumination on the reticle (if used) must be fully adjustable so that it is low but adequate enough when your eye has accomodated to the twilight normal around "first" and "last" light. AP


Personally I like ( and would recommend) the ZEISS Classic Diatal 6 x 42 T*
http://www.hensoldt-zeissgruppe.de/C12567A80033F8E4/Contents-Frame/0D01F620E30FCCD2C1256FB8002DAC68

with the No. 1 or No. 4 reticle
 
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Thank you all for your help, I really appreicate it. My budget is around 700.00 dollars. CDN. The Zeiss is a nice scope. I appreciate the advice. As for the elcan I will look around to see where I can at least look at one. Never heard of it before.
 
I have researched the Elcan, I feel pretty silly as it is probably the most well known scope in the world. I can appreciate that the Elcan with night vision probably would be suited for the "low light" conditions.
Haha
 
for $700 and the requirements you have I'd look at, in no particular order:
Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10x50mm - $599
Leupold VXII 3-9x50 - $529 (with the wide duplex)
Leupold VXIII 3.5-10x50 - $839.95 - with wide duplex, over budget but doesn't hurt to look
Leupold FX-III 6x42 - $569.95

Try to go to the shop in the evening so you can see how they perform in low light conditions

oops, forgot the Ziess Conquest 3-9x50 at $789.95 -

the more you compare, the happier you'll be in the end. Try to compare them side by side.
 
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Both of my Leupold 1.5-5x20 scopes perform very well in low light conditions. I have other higher power Leupold, B&L Elite, Pentax, Burris and Nikon scopes to compare to. Lower power scopes don't need as much light to perform well. Mine stays on 3x most of the time and it was lots enough magnification to put a 5 point Elk down at 400 yds a week and a half ago.
Good Luck
John
 
Actually fixed power, low magnification and a relatively large objective is what is needed for good low light performance. That is why the Elcan works so well without the night vision. The long and short is that with any good scope you will be past legal hunting time if you can't see the crosshairs.

Brian
 
LCQ said...The long and short is that with any good scope you will be past legal hunting time if you can't see the crosshairs.... I certainly agree with your views on fixed power, lower magnification and relatively large objective. Where I have found a heavier (thicker) reticle can be helpful is dusk/dawn dim light where the background is trees/bush and you are trying to swing on to moving game -- it is easy to loose a thin reticle in the dim/busy background. Personally I don't care for the thick picket post reticles for precision shooting but it is hard to beat them for most of my hunting opportunities. I think tritium is a wonderful idea for a reticle (like the Elcan) not to bright that it destroys night vision and sufficient to be easily seen in most situations - no batteries to worry about.... I just don't care for the radioactive material tag that accompanies it....AP
 
Best scope

I would suggest a VX111 2.5 to 8x Leupold Boone or reg duplex or even better send it to Premiere Reticales and they will put what you want, dot etc
I have a LPS 2.5 to10x its great, but for the price, the VX111 is the best value, and a top notch scope.You can buy one on ebay right now for $369.00 US dollars. Try to buy from a dealer who will accept your credit card directly if anthing goes wrong you have protection from Visa. believe me on this.
In my area Western Quebec, you can shoot 30 min after sunset, with the Leupold you will be fine. and from experiance get a vari scope, so you can use the 2.5x in close conditions its great.
Good Luck
 
Dustin said:
It's Z-E-I-S-S Dammit! Zeiss, not Ziess, Zeiss...It's not that freakin hard to spell...
Click to expand...

OK ............. just step back from the keyboard.

Things will different in the morning :D


SC....................
 
I hunt with the Elite 4200 2.5X10, 6X24 and both will work in less then legal light. I am now using the new Nikon Buckmaster SF and equal in performance. You don't need to spend enormous bucks to get great low light performance.

The key is FULLY MULTICOATED lenses. Most use the same thing from the few factories that make all the glass for all scope manf/assemblers.

Jerry
 
Thank you all for your help, It is appreciated. I am going to look at the Leupold vx111. Mainly becasue everyone raves about it and the price helps. However I am interested in the elite 4200, any advice or any one familair with this product?
 
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