Thread: Illuminated Scope Reticle Pros and Cons

What's the advantage of having an illuminated reticle in a rifle scope? I've shot deer right on dark with a cheap Bushnell Trophy scope and never had (or even seen through) an illuminated reticled scope! What's the pros of such an instrument or is it just another fangled toy with something else to go wrong?

Have found it comes in handy now and again but it's not a deciding factor for scope choice to me.

I never use the illumination on my scope in a hunting situation, allthough a few weeks back we were heading out for a trip so on the friday beforehand I shot down the back of the farm to check my zero, shot 100m and it was fine, decided I should dial up one of the gongs just to be sure, by this stage it was getting pretty dark, the gong at 640yards is 10"x10" and I could see it through my scope fine but turned on illumination and found it was much easier to hold on the middle of the gong with it turned on. Thats the only time I have used it!

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

I never use the illumination on my scope in a hunting situation, allthough a few weeks back we were heading out for a trip so on the friday beforehand I shot down the back of the farm to check my zero, shot 100m and it was fine, decided I should dial up one of the gongs just to be sure, by this stage it was getting pretty dark, the gong at 640yards is 10"x10" and I could see it through my scope fine but turned on illumination and found it was much easier to hold on the middle of the gong with it turned on. Thats the only time I have used it!

What scope have you got?

This is just pointing the rifle into a dark spot under the coffee table but it definitely is easier to pick the centre of the reticle with it turned on. As said though I have never felt that I HAD to use it, I actually forget that I even have it most of the time.

Originally Posted by Remington 5R .300 Win Mag

What scope have you got?

Vx6 3-18x44 Boone and Crocket reticle, illuminated

Yeah, you can see the difference alright, thanks for that.

Right you two, thanks for your comments. Now, it doesn't actually do anything for contrasting your target against it's dark background, does it? I'm just trying to work out whether it's worth the extra $300 or not. It's been put to me like this, if you buy it you'll never use it, if you don't buy it, you'll pine for it on every hunting trip!

The only time illumination is needed on a scope is if it's a FFP with a fine reticle , it's a gimmick iv had NF for years and never once in a hunting /shooting situation needed or used it. If you have to have a scope with it don't get a low/mid range brand as the flare or illuminated bleeding is off putting and like having a fluro turd in the middle of your scope. Leica , SB , swarovski NF are where it's at . A fluro Xmas tree reticle what were you thinking?

Originally Posted by von tempsky fan

The only time illumination is needed on a scope is if it's a FFP with a fine reticle , it's a gimmick iv had NF for years and never once in a hunting /shooting situation needed or used it. If you have to have a scope with it don't get a low/mid range brand as the flare or illuminated bleeding is off putting and like having a fluro turd in the middle of your scope. Leica , SB , swarovski NF are where it's at . A fluro Xmas tree reticle what were you thinking?

Yeah, yeah look, the only guy I know with one gives the same testimony, he never uses it... I'm suspecting it's probably a gimmick and just another thing to go wrong. Thanks.

Your better off lighting up the target with a decent light then you can id it properly and see what's behind it

Originally Posted by northdude

Your better off lighting up the target with a decent light then you can id it properly and see what's behind it

Nah, when the sun goes down, I go down, it's time to stop hunting and leave it till the morning. I think I'll be going for a 'non illuminated' scope!

I have a couple of scopes with illum reticles - these are firedot type (VX-R and VX6 and the Trijicon tritium reticles), not the xmas tree. The illum centre dot is VERY good for low light shooting, especially in the bush. I also find the illum dot very helpful for longer range shots in full light because I find it really helps to focus my attention on the precise POA. Best option would be to go look thru a couple in the field and see what you eyes like or not. Plenty of good buggers on the forum that would help u out.

Main advantage is on high end glass that gathers more light so target is able to be seen but the cross hairs disappear in the darker colour of the deer/target. Have only used mine 3 times in a hunting situation but wouldn't have been able to shot a 29" sambar without it so reckon its paid for its self.

Originally Posted by chainsaw

I have a couple of scopes with illum reticles - these are firedot type (VX-R and VX6 and the Trijicon tritium reticles), not the xmas tree. The illum centre dot is VERY good for low light shooting, especially in the bush. I also find the illum dot very helpful for longer range shots in full light because I find it really helps to focus my attention on the precise POA. Best option would be to go look thru a couple in the field and see what you eyes like or not. Plenty of good buggers on the forum that would help u out.

Yeah, I can actually imagine a red glowing dot helping to focus your attention to a certain point. You are correct about needing to look through in the field to see if it's likeable or not. I don't know anyone who can help with that though, I'd still like to find someone handy with a set of Leica Geovid 10x42 HD-b binoculars that I could look through, just to see if they're as crappy as my pair, before I send them back to the factory for repair!