Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
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Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
Hello everyone,
i am having a little case of "parálisis by análisis"
I'm in the market for a specific model scope (Zeiss Diavari 6-24x56).
I have been able to find the model well priced in both illuminated reticle and non illuminated.
The price difference is about $650-700 more for illuminated.
Even thought I want illuminated, I am having a hard time abandoning the non illuminated version and saving $$$. On the flip side I don't want to save $$$ now only to go back and then buy the illuminated version anyways. I expect that i will be mostly bench shooting with it and i have yet to find myself ever using it. However, i typically live by the mantra of "rather have it and never need it, than need it and not have it"
What would you do?
Thanks
Martin
i am having a little case of "parálisis by análisis"
I'm in the market for a specific model scope (Zeiss Diavari 6-24x56).
I have been able to find the model well priced in both illuminated reticle and non illuminated.
The price difference is about $650-700 more for illuminated.
Even thought I want illuminated, I am having a hard time abandoning the non illuminated version and saving $$$. On the flip side I don't want to save $$$ now only to go back and then buy the illuminated version anyways. I expect that i will be mostly bench shooting with it and i have yet to find myself ever using it. However, i typically live by the mantra of "rather have it and never need it, than need it and not have it"
What would you do?
Thanks
Martin
- SPEEDY
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Re: Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
I don't use illuminated scopes, mostly because I don't like relying on battery's to hunt with.
They are good for low light but I'm still not a fan.
They are good for low light but I'm still not a fan.
I'm soft and I don't care.
- slugslinger
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Re: Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
Amen brother! I have been on a (now never-ending) optics journey because a few years ago I wanted to update a scope for a particularly special hunting trip. It started me down a road from which a can't return. Good optics totally spoil you!!!
I am not a benchrest guy so I can't speak to those skills, but I am at the rifle range virtually every week and I hunt a lot. Once I got into some of the better optics like Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss, and Kahles, I was already on the path to being spoiled. But then I got a high-end scope with an illuminated reticle and I am permanently doomed! Now when I look through a perfectly good scope like a Leupold VX-3, it just isn't good enough for my now-elevated preferences.
Furthermore, once you use an illuminated scope hunting in very low light conditions, you are even more spoiled. Viewing an Elk, back in the timber in the last minutes of legal hunting time is amazing when you have good illuminated optics. Secondly, even when low light is not the issue, and illuminated reticle (dot) seems to make my eye track more quickly to the target (whether paper or a game animal). If low light or speed of target acquisition is not an issue to a bench rest guy, then you make get off without the illumination.
So yep, because I hunt, I'd get the best scope I could afford (which I can't) and definitely with an illuminated reticle.
Regards,
Addicted to Optics
I am not a benchrest guy so I can't speak to those skills, but I am at the rifle range virtually every week and I hunt a lot. Once I got into some of the better optics like Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss, and Kahles, I was already on the path to being spoiled. But then I got a high-end scope with an illuminated reticle and I am permanently doomed! Now when I look through a perfectly good scope like a Leupold VX-3, it just isn't good enough for my now-elevated preferences.
Furthermore, once you use an illuminated scope hunting in very low light conditions, you are even more spoiled. Viewing an Elk, back in the timber in the last minutes of legal hunting time is amazing when you have good illuminated optics. Secondly, even when low light is not the issue, and illuminated reticle (dot) seems to make my eye track more quickly to the target (whether paper or a game animal). If low light or speed of target acquisition is not an issue to a bench rest guy, then you make get off without the illumination.
So yep, because I hunt, I'd get the best scope I could afford (which I can't) and definitely with an illuminated reticle.
Regards,
Addicted to Optics
NRA Patriot Life Endowment Member
USAF Veteran
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Re: Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
slugslinger wrote:Amen brother! I have been on a (now never-ending) optics journey because a few years ago I wanted to update a scope for a particularly special hunting trip. It started me down a road from which a can't return. Good optics totally spoil you!!!
I am not a benchrest guy so I can't speak to those skills, but I am at the rifle range virtually every week and I hunt a lot. Once I got into some of the better optics like Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss, and Kahles, I was already on the path to being spoiled. But then I got a high-end scope with an illuminated reticle and I am permanently doomed! Now when I look through a perfectly good scope like a Leupold VX-3, it just isn't good enough for my now-elevated preferences.
Furthermore, once you use an illuminated scope hunting in very low light conditions, you are even more spoiled. Viewing an Elk, back in the timber in the last minutes of legal hunting time is amazing when you have good illuminated optics. Secondly, even when low light is not the issue, and illuminated reticle (dot) seems to make my eye track more quickly to the target (whether paper or a game animal). If low light or speed of target acquisition is not an issue to a bench rest guy, then you make get off without the illumination.
So yep, because I hunt, I'd get the best scope I could afford (which I can't) and definitely with an illuminated reticle.
Regards,
Addicted to Optics
Damn these amazing optics!
- Twinn
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Re: Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
Even if the battery ends, the good quality scope will still work good in the low light then a low quality non illuminated scope does.
- Dom
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Re: Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
I'm a big fan of the illuminated dot in a scope, with variable intensity levels. I've got several on hunting rifles.
If only using daytime for bench, not required. However, if ever hunting dim, low light, or night conditions, absolutely fantastic.
I've had exactly one low battery issue in 15+ years of using them, which was corrected immediately on the highseat because you keep a spare battery in one of the adjustment caps, at least on the Swaro/Zeiss scopes I use Low battery has never interfered with a shot.
Speedy, technology has surpassed your battery fears many years ago
If only using daytime for bench, not required. However, if ever hunting dim, low light, or night conditions, absolutely fantastic.
I've had exactly one low battery issue in 15+ years of using them, which was corrected immediately on the highseat because you keep a spare battery in one of the adjustment caps, at least on the Swaro/Zeiss scopes I use Low battery has never interfered with a shot.
Speedy, technology has surpassed your battery fears many years ago
-------- There are those who only reload so they can shoot, and then there are those who only shoot so they can reload. I belong to the first group. Dom --------------
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- Meister der jagd
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Re: Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
I spent the extra on the illuminated versions of Zeiss, S&B, Kahles, etc., and almost never use it. At the bench, I'll turn it on, take a couple shots, and quickly go back to regular. The only time I've turned on an illuminated dot while hunting, was under heavy tree cover. (low light) That said, if I were to buy an optic today that offered the illuminated reticle option, I'd still get it, because I always feel like if it's offered, then I have to have it.
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Re: Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
Hi Martin
I went through the same thoughts as you - better to have it and not use it.
I ended up buying a Zeiss Victory Varipoint scope for the illuminated reticle. The truth is that I have never needed to use the illumination in a hunting situation. Sure, I could have used it, but have never 'needed' to.
On another rifle I have an almost identical scope, a Zeiss Victory HT that has the same reticle - without the illuminated dot - and I have never wished that I had bought the illuminated version when using it.
Hope this is some help.
I went through the same thoughts as you - better to have it and not use it.
I ended up buying a Zeiss Victory Varipoint scope for the illuminated reticle. The truth is that I have never needed to use the illumination in a hunting situation. Sure, I could have used it, but have never 'needed' to.
On another rifle I have an almost identical scope, a Zeiss Victory HT that has the same reticle - without the illuminated dot - and I have never wished that I had bought the illuminated version when using it.
Hope this is some help.
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- Meister der jagd
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Re: Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
The illuminated reticle has made me shoot better when hunting. The illuminated dot helps me aim where I want the bullet to go.
- mchughcb
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Re: Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
Super fine reticles are hard to see in the dark. Illumination is good for the department.
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- Meister der jagd
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Re: Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
Light it up.
- Gun Barrel Ecologist
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Re: Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
Illumination is the reason the reticles of European scopes have gotten thinner in the last two decades.
Personally I'll take a FFP reticle where the thick centre bar covers 10cm at 100m AND an illuminated aiming point thanks
Personally I'll take a FFP reticle where the thick centre bar covers 10cm at 100m AND an illuminated aiming point thanks
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Re: Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
If I was buying a scope that I'd consider to be a hunting scope I wouldn't buy it without illumination. As others have mentioned low light shots can be very difficult with standard hair thick reticles. I've made shots on whitetails where it was dark enough that you could see the reticle until it met the deer's body and then it flat out disappeared. This was a 4-16x50 Swarovski PH with the TDS-4 which was about as thin as any reticle I ever hunted with. I had to estimate where they crossed and put that spot on the vitals. One shot and I saw the white under belly as it lay on the ground. An illuminated reticle would have been frigging awesome. I've shot many a coyote at night with spotlights using standard reticles and never had a problem. First few with the illuminated reticle I forgot to turn it on.... Took a bit to get used to having it. Again as others have said it is easier to get on target with that dot than with the black cross.
Lastly if you take care of the optic you'll get a good portion of that difference back when you sell it later. Keep the box and documents as well. Nobody uses the box or docs but they'll pay extra for them.
I've never had the urge to use one for target shooting since the red dot is going to be larger than the fine reticle. The one Swarovski has is my favorite in that you can turn it down to where it is barely on for that extreme low light shot. You can also turn it up to bright where it's very visible on the sunniest days. Probably be nice to have if you were hunting in Africa for dangerous game or in grizzly country in their habitat.
Lastly if you take care of the optic you'll get a good portion of that difference back when you sell it later. Keep the box and documents as well. Nobody uses the box or docs but they'll pay extra for them.
I've never had the urge to use one for target shooting since the red dot is going to be larger than the fine reticle. The one Swarovski has is my favorite in that you can turn it down to where it is barely on for that extreme low light shot. You can also turn it up to bright where it's very visible on the sunniest days. Probably be nice to have if you were hunting in Africa for dangerous game or in grizzly country in their habitat.
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Re: Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
Gun Barrel Ecologist wrote:
Personally I'll take a FFP reticle where the thick centre bar covers 10cm at 100m AND an illuminated aiming point thanks
I had one of those FFP thick reticles. Made it to the range for one session and then it went on Ebay where someone else could enjoy it.
As for their reticles getting thinner, all I can say is THANK YOU! Might have had something to do with folks deciding that they could shoot rifles more than 100 yards and wanted a more precise reticle for those shots. Guessing on that last bit but think it certainly could have played a part in getting the railroad ties out of the scope.
- SPEEDY
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Re: Illuminated reticle opinions wanted.
If you shoot a lot of paper or LR then thin is king, but for hunting I like thick to give it better definition on game and for reliable low light use.
I'm soft and I don't care.