Rifle Scopes Why would you want an illuminated reticle...

[SilentStalkr]

Ok, so I received my Leupold 6.5-20X50 mk4 m5 last night and I got to say this is a good piece of glass. You guys are right, it isn't quite NF but it is still very good and IMO, the difference is pretty minimal. Would I pay $1600 for this scope? No. Would I pay $1000, probably. Anyways while I was playing around with it last night I noticed that as long as whatever the scope was aimed at was somewhat lit up then I could see the reticle just fine as the glass is that clear. Then obviously if whatever I was aiming at had no light on it whatsoever then you would not be able to see it anyways. So, I got to thinking why one would need an illuminated reticle. If your target has no light on it whatsoever then your not going to be able to see it illuminated reticle or not and if I can see the reticle just fine normally as long as something has a little bit of light on it then I see no need for an illuminated reticle whatsoever. I could argue that sight pick up would be faster with the illuminated version but other than that unless you are blind then you should be ok with the regular one. So, what would be some other reasons other than quick sight pick up that one would want a illuminated scope over a regular one? I am just curious.

 

[RHutch]

Re: Why would you want an illuminated reticle...

Low to no light, black target, black reticle that blends in to the target. It can happen and does.

 

[Nate O.]

Re: Why would you want an illuminated reticle...

MOONLIGHT...you can see the target but its tough(not impossible) to see the reticle

 

[Bradu]

Re: Why would you want an illuminated reticle...

A good example was deer season last year, it was light enough out to see the doe at 150 yards but my reticle was hard to see. I pulled the know out on my NF and was able to see the reticle and make the shot.

 

[Genius.]

Re: Why would you want an illuminated reticle...

Shooting at something in a brush line, a black reticle can get lost.

 

[tman300wm]

Re: Why would you want an illuminated reticle...

I use them more often on my hunting rifles than I do on my match guns. In fact, I have only used my illum on my S&B twice at matches. However, they're quite useful on my deer rifles for all the reasons listed above.

 

[txgw]

Re: Why would you want an illuminated reticle...

We do a lot of hunting with spotlights at night. When you are at the edge of the spotlight on a black/dark colored hog black crosshairs can be difficult to pick up. Ill reticles make it much easier.

 

[Kubitza123]

Re: Why would you want an illuminated reticle...

Once you get a good scope with a illuminated recticle it's hard to ever go back to a scope without it. I use mine mostly for spot light hunting .

 

[42769vette]

Re: Why would you want an illuminated reticle...

illumination is like 4 wheel drive on a truck. you dont need it all that often, but when you do need it is sure nice to have

 

[Opticsspecialist]

Re: Why would you want an illuminated reticle...

depending on the kind of shooting your doing, you may or may not need it. for low light shooting, if you can afford it, get it

 

[locobob]

Re: Why would you want an illuminated reticle...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 42769vette</div><div class="ubbcode-body">illumination is like 4 wheel drive on a truck. you dont need it all that often, but when you do need it is sure nice to have </div></div>

Well said. I'm amazed that so many high end scopes don't have it. It doesn't add much in the way of weight or cost and you can always leave it off if you don't want it.