OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Scopes > Rifle Scopes
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Illuminated reticle: How do you like them
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

Illuminated reticle: How do you like them

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
ourabmen View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: November/13/2004
Status: Offline
Points: 6
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ourabmen Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Illuminated reticle: How do you like them
    Posted: August/09/2005 at 10:25

I am toying with a new scope for a 25-06 Senedero.  Until now I have never really loked at scopes with illuminated reticles.  What are the pros and cons?  If you ahve one, how do you like it?  Thanks for the info.

 

OUrabmen

Back to Top
creakindoor View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: August/09/2005
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 1
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote creakindoor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2005 at 11:11
Hi, I have a Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10x50 illuminated reticle. Even at the lowest setting its is too bright in low light. The illuminated dot glows and shimmers lighting up the inside of the tube and hiding the target. Very disappointing for such an expensive scope.
Back to Top
cheaptrick View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar

Joined: September/27/2004
Location: South Carolina
Status: Offline
Points: 20844
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2005 at 16:24

I have had lit reticles, and frankly, I don't care for them anymore.

One was a S&B w/ a L7, and a IOR lit reticle.

 

I say no. 

If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
Back to Top
DAVE44 View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman
Avatar

Joined: November/11/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 652
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DAVE44 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2005 at 18:28
Why do you dislike lighted reticles? I am curious. Did you never see a need for them or did they mess up you scopes image?
Back to Top
ranburr View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master


Joined: May/16/2004
Status: Offline
Points: 1082
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ranburr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/09/2005 at 18:35

I think they have a place in tactical environments where you want to get on target immediately and hit something (preferably center mass).  Hunters need to be more precise.

 

ranburr

Back to Top
cheaptrick View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar

Joined: September/27/2004
Location: South Carolina
Status: Offline
Points: 20844
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/10/2005 at 04:15

Originally posted by DAVE44 DAVE44 wrote:

Why do you dislike lighted reticles? I am curious. Did you never see a need for them or did they mess up you scopes image?

 

I just think they are not worth the added cost, mostly. That and I have never been in a hunting situation that I felt it could have given me an edge. I'll take a good duplex reticle for hunting.

 

Personal preference. No more, no less. 

If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
Back to Top
mouflon View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: July/21/2005
Status: Offline
Points: 8
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mouflon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/10/2005 at 05:52

I am no expert, but I own several and have had even more opportunities to use illuminated reticles and find them useful. The times when they are needed are not common, but when you need them, you need them.  So for the trade off, I find the additional expense and very slight weight a sound investment on an alternative set-up to take when the conditions may occur where an illuminated reticle can help give you the edge.

 

The basic purpose is to illuminate the reticle against the dark backdrop of the game animal itself.  I have had this occur in the following hunting situations:

-         Leopard – silhouette animal on high branch against lighter background

-         Cape Buff – <60 yards, heavy cover; large dark body mass obscures reticle

-         Driven Boar/Bear – leading moving game in low light conditions, major advantage

-         Daylight deer – very bright daylight conditions, such as encountered when roe deer hunting, fine reticle washed out by brightness.  I discovered this utility by accident when I had to use an alternate rifle during a hunt

 

These conditions are only my own experience, and others may have more examples when they are useful, but I found them essential in these cases.  However, these are not common compared to the average hunting conditions I encounter throughout the season, nor are they at all common when hunting North American game.

 

One important consideration, however.  I urge you to go with a high end manufacturer (Swarovski, S&B, Zeiss) which offers full intensity control on the illumination.  You want the reticle to be just visible depending on the available light, like the standard reticle is in ideal circumstances.  Too bright illumination which is not variable enough will cause more issues than it solves.

Back to Top
cheaptrick View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar

Joined: September/27/2004
Location: South Carolina
Status: Offline
Points: 20844
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/10/2005 at 18:35

mouflon brought up an excellent point.

 

"One important consideration, however.  I urge you to go with a high end manufacturer (Swarovski, S&B, Zeiss) which offers full intensity control on the illumination.  You want the reticle to be just visible depending on the available light, like the standard reticle is in ideal circumstances.  Too bright illumination which is not variable enough will cause more issues than it solves"

 

 

If your going to get in the lit reticle game, go with the Euro's, if you can swing the cost!

They really seem to be on the cutting edge of reticle illumination, for sure.

If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.293 seconds.