OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Scopes > Tactical Scopes
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Illumination or NOT for Medium Range Scopes?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

Illumination or NOT for Medium Range Scopes?

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message Reverse Sort Order
Scrumbag View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Avatar

Joined: October/22/2013
Location: London, UK
Status: Offline
Points: 4205
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Scrumbag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Illumination or NOT for Medium Range Scopes?
    Posted: February/22/2017 at 07:48
Originally posted by hatton mann hatton mann wrote:

For hunting in low light illumination is helpful. To me a German  #4 w/ a bit of a red dot in the center would be ideal.


That's my choice. 3-12x50 or 56 is pretty much the ultimate hunting scope
Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
Back to Top
Kickboxer View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Moderator

Joined: February/13/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 23679
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2017 at 05:16
I like illumination.  I've not purchased some scopes because they don't offer it.  I've also purchased some with illumination that I later wished did not have illumination because it was so poorly done.  Overall, it is better now in most brands.  The thing about illumination is kind of like a concealed carry... you don't always, or, for some, even often or ever need it, but if you DO need it and don't have it, it really sucks....
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living
Back to Top
Urimaginaryfrnd View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Resident Redneck

Joined: June/20/2005
Location: Iowa
Status: Offline
Points: 14964
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/12/2017 at 15:37
Some of it is personal preference.  Some of it is task oriented.  I am always a bit concerned with battery leakage on battery powerd illuminated scopes which is why I really like the fiber optic + tritium in the Trijicon Accupoints.   I also tend to like the Aimpoint Comp M4s which runs an  AA battery that can actually be found without difficulty. I'm not real fond of the little button batteries but I have toys that use them. I had a Leupold FX3  fixed 6x with a heavy duplex and wish I still had it.  It was a wonderful choice for a lot of things, so no most of the time you don't need an illuminated optic, but most of the time you don't need a 20 X scope either.

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger
Back to Top
m1911 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: May/05/2016
Location: Maine
Status: Offline
Points: 48
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote m1911 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/12/2017 at 09:14
For CQB...(and I do some of that informally) I use the Vortex Razor 1-6x24.
Those are fantastic in all regards.

And like I said, I DO shoot on rainy, dim, days.....but never into deep, dark shadows.
I bought (Non-Illuminated) Mil-Dot-P3 Reticles on those 10-power S&B's....

I guess if I bought a S&B 3-12-PM-II P (no illumination) I'd stick with the Mil-Dot-P3.

If I get the same scope WITH illumination, maybe the P4L fein is the way to go....due to finer cross hair.

I just like to overthink things....that probably won't matter that much either way.
Loco



Back to Top
koshkin View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Dark Lord of Optics

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 13182
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/12/2017 at 00:53
Reticle illumination is not there to help you with seeing your target.  It is there to help you see your aiming point.  If you use thin reticles, then illumination is pretty important once the light gets low.  You will see the target well after you can no longer see the reticle if it is not illuminated.

If you never shoot in low light or into very deep shadows , reticle illumination does not give you much, if anything, given yo do not do CQB style drills either.

ILya


Back to Top
hatton mann View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: March/02/2011
Location: ne
Status: Offline
Points: 179
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hatton mann Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/11/2017 at 13:17
For hunting in low light illumination is helpful. To me a German  #4 w/ a bit of a red dot in the center would be ideal.
Back to Top
m1911 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: May/05/2016
Location: Maine
Status: Offline
Points: 48
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote m1911 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/11/2017 at 12:46
I've looked through and shot through quite a few scopes over the past few years.....cheap and expensive.
However:
1). I haven't shot further than 300 yards
2). I only shoot during the day, but many times dark, gloomy, rainy days
3). I'm not referring to CQB-Heads-Up fast shooting Scopes in the 1-6 range
4). I'm talking about 3-18, 10 power, 4-16, 3-12, etc

I'm wondering that if I have great glass from a premium maker, what does ILLUMINATION do for me?
I found myself automatically turning it ON.....just because it's there I think.
Obviously one's eye is keyed to a Red Cross-Hair automatically.....but I find it doesn't help MY shooting.
Honest question and id love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks!

Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.422 seconds.