Is an illuminated scope needed?

Tried to search around for an answer but could not find what I was looking for (probably my search skills). Just got a lever gun and was thinking of putting a scope on it but debating on illuminated or not. Anyone have any great stories of the big one that got away due to a conventional scope? I know some use lights but like things compact. Guess I should post a picture of the new toy as well. thanks

To me when hunting in low light, they hurt my low light vision more than help... maybe just my eyes tho, if I can see the critter I can see the crosshairs as well

I've been able to make out silhouettes at the very end of shootable light but couldn't see my crosshairs. I've also got some solar walkway lights on the feeder legs and that helps to outline pig silhouettes but since I can't make out the crosshairs I have to just kind of put pig in the center of the FOV.

I've got an illuminated reticle (IR) now and I feel more confident knowing exactly where my bullet is going. Basically I get another 20min or so before sunrise and after sunset with the IR. On a full moon night I can see well enough to shoot a pig with the reticle on for a big part of the night.

Redneck Messiah is right though, they can mess with your "low light vision" but the good ones have very low settings so there is very little glare. I've got a vortex crossfire that just has a small red dot and if I turn it down real low I can still make it out and it doesn't effect my low light vision.

Oh yeah...

I have 2 of those Vortex Crossfires and I agree completely with MissingAK. But I put a green Hogzilla on mine and the contrast between the red reticle and green light gets me out past 100 yds most any night. Very happy with my setup.

I've only got 'regular' scopes, but I have recently added a light like the Hogzilla (mine is in red) and I can shoot out to 150 yards for sure, and possibly further. It clamps on to the scope tube. But, since you've got a lever action with a front sight, the light reflection off the front sight made it impossible to see through the scope while using the Hogzilla clone light when I put the light on my lever 22. Happily, the light will clamp to the rifle barrel and you can hang the light below the barrel. Works great.

I've got several of both. The thing is...with an illuminated scope you have the choice...turn the illumination on or off. Get one that allows for multiple brightness settings, most do. You can adjust the brightness of the reticle to the desired level that way. I think it's a no brainer if you're going to hunt at the edge of light or in dark. Paired with a light, you're good to go all night.

I much prefer an illuminated reticle as many of the hogs on our property have the Black hair, making the non-illuminated reticle difficult to see against their body. I usually use the second lowest setting, so there isn't a lot of flare within the scope. This hasn't affected my "night vision" with my eyes & has allowed for well aimed, low light shots.

Just my $.02. Best of luck to you.

I have two of the VX-R's and theyre awesome. All you have is a tiny red dot in the center of the reticle. For night hunting they're awesome. My ratio of headshots has went WAAAAAAY up with it. You see two eyes, put the dot between em and u got a dead critter.

You can get an illuminated firedot reticle from Leupold that works similar to a red dot sight but has full crosshairs as well. Also most have brightness settings that are easily adjustable. check out this Leupold

Thanks guys, I can see how the full lit reticle can mess with your vision. Most of the hogs I would be after would be black, I actually have yet to see any lighter colored ones. Thinking of getting something like this Bushnell Trophy but may just wait and get something a little nicer later. Seems like for this application just having the center lit would be best. I do like the idea of putting the little red dot between their glowing eyes

It's not necessary to have an illuminated reticle but it can help at times. Like others have mentioned having adjustable illumination means you can run as dim as you need to without taking focus away from the target. Likewise something such as the 'Firedot' is great for this as well.

Yep the leupold vx-r with the firedot Pig-plex is getting some good reviews for being a good fast reticle.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-vx-r-1-25-4x20-matte-rifle-scope.html


They also have a vx-1 non-illuminated with the pig plex for half the price.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-vx-hog-1-4x20mm-riflescope-matte.html

I'll jump on the VX-R bandwagon. It is the most fantastic scope I've used, day or night. You can get on target faster with it and the red dot requires much less effort to place your shot.

+1

I have a VX-R firedot and it is the best by far. tiny little red dot is perfect on a black hog. It is also visible all day.

runner up is Vortex Crossfire V-Brite. It has a similar red dot, but the dot is one size multiple brightnesses where the firedot is multiple brightness and multiple sizes. You wont see the red dot on the Crossfire V-Brite during daylight, but no big deal. Also the Crossfire reticle covers up .6 moa so it could in theory be less precise for target work.

I have tried illuminated crosshairs but they can be more distracting at night as compared to illuminated dot.

VX-R firedot $500-$600
Vortex Crossfire V-Brite $150

I dont think the $150 choice will loose you any game.
maybe move this post to Optics ?

To add to what Adelbridge is getting at between the Leupold and Vortex - I'd also mention that the Crossfire II gives you more magnification which depending on your hunting setups may be a big plus... or minus...

BB

I keep seeing a pattern of three letters and a hyphen popping up. The VX-R's must be really nice. Guess I will start saving more and wait to get good glass unless I find something that just jumps out at me.
I would like the Vortex if it was 2-7 or less and had a little more eye relief, maybe they will come out with one soon.
Thanks everyone, I now feel I am on the right path.... What about NcSTAR? I only kid thanks again

I have illuminated reticules on several scopes, and they all have the same problem: the lowest setting isn't low enough and creates glare / washout. This includes my Nikon Monarch, nominally a nice scope ( with which I'm completely unimpressed, although my regular 3-9 Monarch is quite good ). Most inexpensive illuminated scopes are useless.

If you go illuminated, make absolutely certain that particular scope has a setting without flare/glare/washout. I've yet to use a VX-R myself, but these reports sound very encouraging.

I've been using a Vortex 2.5-10x as my primary optics on my hog gun and I love it. In combination with one of my hog hunting lights its perfect - clear image no wash out from the illumination, etc.

I'll try to get some pics or a video this weekend.

It voids your warranty but for those who bought inexpensive scopes with illuminated reticles you can wire in a rheostat to dim it down more without the washout effect.

I did this when I was using a pvs14 behind my day optic.

BB

mcosi, I am looking forward to your vid/pics I see now that the crossfire II 3-9x40 has a longer eye relief. Was wanting something lower power but it sounds really good.

Benny, not really wanting to solder things into a scope but I am curious as to what that looks like, have any pics?

On the VX-R the lowest setting is definitely dim enough. It gets so dim that you almost can't see it in the pitch black.

I have a VXR and I love it. The dimmest setting is great, but the brightest is almost too much for me. Overall it is a great scope.

Video Link Click Here

Post with photos Click Here

and I misquoted, it isn't a rheostat but rather a potentiometer

BB

Sorry guys, had a busy weekend and dropped my phone in a creek while fishing!

I'll be getting pics/vids up this week showing illuminated vs non in conjunction with our hog hunting lights.

-Michael

That's a bummer. I hope you at least got a nice fish or two.

have an Eotech and it gets very dim on low. pretty good for 25 - 30 yards at night with only moon. (if open and no trees)

one word no

Good looking rifle. For my hog hunting needs I couldn't get by without one. I have a green kill light and a leupold vx-r on my R25. It's ideal. Not a necessity in all cases but it sure is nice to have.

I have an illuminated reticle on a Bushnell scope that goes either red or green, and has five intensity settings for each. No matter what I select it's too bright and tends to wash out whatever I'm trying to see through the scope. I never use the illumination.

I also have another rifle with an EOTech sight. That one I use frequently, even at night. It's not the version for use with night vision equipment (those get really dim) but it dims enough to be useable at night. That one I like. However, I don't know that it's necessary, it's just that the EOTech is useable at night - not that it's absolutely required.