Illuminated reticles at close range

[kwaping]

FYI, illuminated reticles are very visible through the objective lens when used at close range.

I figured out that mine was spooking my rat quarry. I was initially confused because the rat would run as soon as I spotted it in the scope. I thought it was a reflection, so I checked it. I was shocked to see how big and bright the reticle was when viewed from the front!

 

[6gun]

FYI, illuminated reticles are very visible through the objective lens when used at close range.

I figured out that mine was spooking my rat quarry. I was initially confused because the rat would run as soon as I spotted it in the scope. I thought it was a reflection, so I checked it. I was shocked to see how big and bright the reticle was when viewed from the front!

We need more honeycomb objective lense device options. I have to put my hand in front of my objective after every shot for smarter quarry. I realized the crows know what it is.

 

[CoyoteGod]

I use illumination quite often, and honestly never thought of the animal seeing it in my objective lens. Not sure why, because it makes perfect sense. A honeycomb lens cover would be a nice add on. Trial and error would be needed to see how it would work in low light as it would hamper light gathering for the scope.

 

[6gun]

I use illumination quite often, and honestly never thought of the animal seeing it in my objective lens. Not sure why, because it makes perfect sense. A honeycomb lens cover would be a nice add on. Trial and error would be needed to see how it would work in low light as it would hamper light gathering for the scope.

In the low light I am a cheater and use the zulus with an eye piece boot, and almost never with the illuminator. I suppose a standard tubular sunshade could possibly help here too by narrowing the effective beam width of the light your quarry my see.
I figure this idea at least means they're staring down the barrel anyways and the shot will probably taken in short.

This is just real time workshopping ideas, don't mind me.

 

[MikeWarner]

FYI, illuminated reticles are very visible through the objective lens when used at close range.

I figured out that mine was spooking my rat quarry. I was initially confused because the rat would run as soon as I spotted it in the scope. I thought it was a reflection, so I checked it. I was shocked to see how big and bright the reticle was when viewed from the front!

That's a brilliant observation about front-facing reticle glow spooking game! I learned this same lesson the hard way while night hunting raccoons - even the dimmest illumination setting that seems invisible to our eyes can act like a beacon to wary animals.

One trick that worked for me was using electrical tape to reduce the brightness control range, effectively creating a "sub-low" setting below the manufacturer's minimum. Another approach is experimenting with different reticle colors; I've found green at its lowest intensity tends to be less noticeable to prey than red in most conditions.

The most effective solution I've discovered is combining flip-up lens covers with careful positioning to keep the objective angled away from the quarry's approach path. It's amazing how sensitive rodents and other nocturnal animals are to even faint light sources we barely perceive.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@kwaping Excellent obeservation.

That's a brilliant observation about front-facing reticle glow spooking game! I learned this same lesson the hard way while night hunting raccoons - even the dimmest illumination setting that seems invisible to our eyes can act like a beacon to wary animals.

One trick that worked for me was using electrical tape to reduce the brightness control range, effectively creating a "sub-low" setting below the manufacturer's minimum. Another approach is experimenting with different reticle colors; I've found green at its lowest intensity tends to be less noticeable to prey than red in most conditions.

The most effective solution I've discovered is combining flip-up lens covers with careful positioning to keep the objective angled away from the quarry's approach path. It's amazing how sensitive rodents and other nocturnal animals are to even faint light sources we barely perceive.

@MikeWarner Can you elaborate on how you are using the electrical tape? I don’t follow your explanation on how it is used create a setting below the manufacturer’s lowest illumination setting.