Rifle Scopes Best low light scope?

[cckw]

I am trying to decide on a scope for a Bergara 308. I want everything to be wonderful of course. But the thing I am most concerned about is low light shooting with lit reticle.
I had a 1st gen Viper PST and the lit reticle on it's lowest setting was too bright and washes out the picture. So you can see the coyote but not the crosshairs. then you turn on the reticle to it's lowest setting and now you can't see anything other than the reticle. That scope wasn't all that great in low light in the first place. I have an older Nikon Monarch that does better at seeing in low light, but is an old school hunter with no toys on board.

I would like to have tactical turrets and FFP. I'm not a brand snob/fanboy, just want the performance. Lets say budget of 1200. but happy to spend less.

Edit: reading the 1st 10 or so responses, If not lit reticle, and even taking away everything else I mention. $1200 best night shooting scope(s) period.

 

[gnochi]

What’s your weight budget?

 

[Darayavaus]

best low light for a scope with target turrets (typically higher magnification) for 1200 bucks? On a new one that puts you somewhere in the mid to high 80's twilight transmission. realistically. nevermind what some lying companies claim (everybody claims 92-96% these days). Many people will disagree with what I just said, but if so they've never looked through the better stuff under true field conditions.

If your budget is that tight, to get more bang for your buck, look for a good used scope rather than overpaying for a new one. Try a used higher end zeiss if you can find one. Diavari or newer.

 

[RTH1800]

This may be contrary to what others advise but it’s based on a lot of low light shooting of coyotes and bobcats.

Illuminated reticules are not needed and actually a hindrance.

With today’s well designed reticules you can see them in any light you can see the target in. If you turn on the lit reticule it ruins your night vision.

 

[MarinePMI]

A used Leupold Mk 5 might fit that budget. Great low light performance.

 

[Darayavaus]

This may be contrary to what others advise but it’s based on a lot of low light shooting of coyotes and bobcats.

Illuminated reticules are not needed and actually a hindrance.

With today’s well designed reticules you can see them in any light you can see the target in. If you turn on the lit reticule it ruins your night vision.

Agreed. the lit reticle on my Meopta R2 still makes for a worse scope than my standard reticle zeiss victory, which is itself so close to my illuminated T96 S&B that there is really no practical difference.

 

[Chasing3]

Just curious, anyone have an opinion on how the Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 performs in low Iight and scenario described by OP?

 

[Darayavaus]

Just curious, anyone have an opinion on how the Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 performs in low Iight and scenario described by OP?

I like nightforce personally. It's not going to be as bright as an alpha zeiss or S&B, but way better than a lot of what's out there.

 

[Chasing3]

Thank you @Darayavaus! I am not in need of a alpha but what is glass comparable? Vortex PST Gen2?

 

[1holeaddict]

I totally agree with the above comments on the lighted reticles. I was sucked into the hype and bought several to become a hater very quickly.. With todays technology, a very oversaturated market, and a lot of lower end scope manufacturers stepping their game up to compete with the big names there are some inexpensive options out there.

 

[Darayavaus]

Thank you @Darayavaus! I am not in need of a alpha but what is glass comparable? Vortex PST Gen2?

I won't blow smoke.....I don't have any vortex, so I can't give an honest comparison.

with what I have, I replaced a Swaro Habicht with the nightforce because it was brighter, and it seems to be on the same level as my meostars. I was actually surprised that the NF was as bright as it turned out to be.

 

[cckw]

I edited my OP, forget everything I asked for other than best night hunting performance

 

[Darayavaus]

I edited my OP, forget everything I asked for other than best night hunting performance

for that money get a zeiss diavari V. You will be able to find one for that $. The newer zeiss alphas will be much more.
I dropped over 2k for a brand new S&B T96, and it is only slightly brighter than a 12 year old diavari-V which you can find used for 800-1200. I wouldn't waste money on a Leupold. sorry for offending some guys, but I've had them side by side in the woods. not close.
ok, I'm out before I provoke another scope fight.

 

[MarinePMI]

I edited my OP, forget everything I asked for other than best night hunting performance

Night? A thermal.

 

[wade2big]

This may be contrary to what others advise but it’s based on a lot of low light shooting of coyotes and bobcats.

Illuminated reticules are not needed and actually a hindrance.

With today’s well designed reticules you can see them in any light you can see the target in. If you turn on the lit reticule it ruins your night vision.

I would agree if it is a typical heavy duplex SFP scope. I haven’t found a FFP scope that I would say that is the case. The reticle all but disappears when the power is cranked down to 3-4x near dark. A $200 3-9x44 Leopold beats my $1600 razor and $2000 Steiner In low light. Of course if it actually a low light shot, it will be close so the typical hunting scope would be the ticket. I imagine there are some nice ones out there with target turrets.

I just received my new Razor hunter. I just haven’t used it yet to recommend it.

 

[MarinePMI]

Here we go again....

 

[koshkin]

If Doug still has any P4Xi 4-16x56 scopes for $800 that's your best bang for the buck as far as low light goes.

If those are already out, Meopts Meostar R1 3-12x56 is your hucklberry.

ILya

 

[wade2big]

I edited my OP, forget everything I asked for other than best night hunting performance

Night hunting stay away from FFP period. Get a scope with the thickest duplex reticle you can find. FFP are inferior in low light already. They make less sense at night.

 

[Rebels010]

I’ve have really enjoyed my Trijicon accupoint 2.5-10x56 but it doesn’t quite check all your boxes. Great low light hunting scope. I have the green mil dot in tritium.

 

[cckw]

By the way, to update this old thread I bought the P4Xi 4-16x56 DLO suggested. It is everything I was looking for. I have since been watching his you tube stuff and trying to get my mind more around the scope stuff. He is incredibly intelligent! Search Dark Lord of Optics on you tube if you are not familiar with him. He has some live videos where he answers questions live and those are full of insight as well.