Illuminated-reticle scopes... worth the $$ ?
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Greentown PA
Posts: 18
Illuminated-reticle scopes... worth the $$ ?
I'm looking at a Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x 50mm LR scope ($630)... but I'm considering spending the extra $120 bucks for the illuminated-reticle version. Anyone have any positive/negative experiences with it?
I've heard that Leupold has changed their illumination design a couple times recently, and that it might be another year or two until they really get it dialed-in, so I'm a little skeptical...
- aaron
I've heard that Leupold has changed their illumination design a couple times recently, and that it might be another year or two until they really get it dialed-in, so I'm a little skeptical...
- aaron
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Pine Hill Alabama USA
Posts: 1,280
RE: Illuminated-reticle scopes... worth the $$ ?
I have a leupold VariX III and I can easily see deer and my crosshairs well past legal shooting light with it. What more could you want or need?
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Blissfield MI USA
Posts: 5,293
RE: Illuminated-reticle scopes... worth the $$ ?
I had a scope with an illuminated reticle. It looked cool, but I never really used it in the field. I would think that if you need your reticle to light up it is too dark to be shooting any way? It might help if you have really bad eyes though.
If it were me, I wouldn't spend the extra money on it. The scope I wanted had it already I didn't really purchase the scope for that feature.
Or you could get one of the bushnell fire fly scopes, some like those pretty well.
Paul
If it were me, I wouldn't spend the extra money on it. The scope I wanted had it already I didn't really purchase the scope for that feature.
Or you could get one of the bushnell fire fly scopes, some like those pretty well.
Paul
#6
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Unfortunately, a \"Blue\" state
Posts: 1,943
RE: Illuminated-reticle scopes... worth the $$ ?
I'm looking at a Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x 50mm LR scope ($630)... but I'm considering spending the extra $120 bucks
#7
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Greentown PA
Posts: 18
RE: Illuminated-reticle scopes... worth the $$ ?
I know it's not a feature anyone can't live without, but I think it would come in handy sometimes... I often find myself sighting-in or target shooting at my home-range right up until dusk, at which time it gets pretty hard to see the reticle on a dark background. (Also, if it does crap-out, you're still left with a standard duplex reticle - it's not like the scope won't work at all)
So I guess my real question is - for those that have used the Leupold illuminated versions - has Leupold got all the bugs out yet? Does it work the way it should?
So I guess my real question is - for those that have used the Leupold illuminated versions - has Leupold got all the bugs out yet? Does it work the way it should?
#8
RE: Illuminated-reticle scopes... worth the $$ ?
I use an IR scope. I have the illuminated dot recticle and really enjoy it. Worst case if the IR stops working the standard cross hairs are still there. I do not like the IR's that light the entire recticle, too bright. Bad side, batteries die and glow in the dark (firefly) is not reliable. If you have the money I would say go for it.
#9
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 6,471
RE: Illuminated-reticle scopes... worth the $$ ?
Some people like them and some don't. Before I spent 750 dollars on a Leupold I would sure look at a Zeiss conquest of the same power and objective diameter. I can tell you it will be all you need to look through to make up your mind.
#10
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Greentown PA
Posts: 18
RE: Illuminated-reticle scopes... worth the $$ ?
Thanks for the info - I decided to go with the illuminated-reticle model. I'll let you know how it works out...
As for the Zeiss Conquest: I did check it out and was very impressed with it. But it's no Leupold VX-III.
As for the Zeiss Conquest: I did check it out and was very impressed with it. But it's no Leupold VX-III.