Rifle Scopes Inverted reticles in Spotting Scopes??

Bull Arms

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 25, 2008
311
89
Good Morning,
What is purpose in the inverted reticle in the Leupold Mark 4 Spotting Scopes, the Horus reticles to be specific. Thanks in advance.
NT
 
Re: Inverted reticles in Spotting Scopes??

I understand the concept of the reticle in the spotting scope, just not sure what purpose inverting the reticle performs. Just trying to see if there is some logic behind the idea.
NT
 
Re: Inverted reticles in Spotting Scopes??

Well, if you look at the Mark 4 scope, you'll notice something poorly designed about it: it's upside down. It's a tactical scope intended for use in harm's way, yet the occular lens is ABOVE the objective lens, making it kind of hard to sneak a peak at something. Similar designs like the Hensoldt Spotter 60 reorient the scope properly. And knowing that a milling reticle in a spotter is handy for ranging targets and calling corrections, some companies had the brigght idea to install the reticle inverted so the scope could be used more "tactically". Granted, the standard mildot scope the first Mark 4s were fielded with weren't a problem, but try using an H36 upside down and you quickly realize....it's not as useful.
 
Re: Inverted reticles in Spotting Scopes??

Exactly, it's supposed to be used upside down.

Useful for when the spotter is behind cover/concealment and doesn't want his head exposed above the scope body/objective lens.

Stems from the design being based on typical non-combative use spotting scopes having higher eyepieces, especially angled ones. Cheaper and easier to flip the reticle than redesign the whole damn scope to make a "Tactical" version.
 
Re: Inverted reticles in Spotting Scopes??

I appreciate the responses, I must then imagine that there is a mounting system out there that flips your spotting scope over.
NT