Illuminated Reticles for hunting/pesting

i specifically bought a falcon 3-18 because it had an IR. it was too hard for me to not let the reticle drop against a dark background / body. i use for deep dusk / or early night.

I love the UTG green it is crisp enough and bright

Just last Thursday evening I was putting the recycling and garbage out by the street. I was wearing a headlamp and I spotted a set of glowing eyes (rabbit) not very far from the driveway. I was able to grab my .177 Wildcat and make my way back to the rabbit without spooking it. Long story short, the bunny got the pass simply because I could not make out the reticle in the dark to make a proper shot. It was only maybe 8 yards away but I just couldn’t see to take the shot. I should have grabbed the Streamline because that one does have an illuminated reticle on it. I grabbed the 15 fpe .177 because of the compact size and short distance. I didn’t need the 30fpe of the Streamline and I wasn’t familiar enough with the aim point at such a close distance on low or medium power. So I agree, illuminated reticle sure can be a HUGE help in those dark lighting situations or dark backgrounds. I used to think illuminated reticle were “gimmicky”. Not anymore.

I do all of my home pesting at night and an illuminated reticle is a must have!

i put a UTG 3-12IR on my compatto. this is my first IR reticle. not much use for it yet. but the day will come....

2 of my scopes have the IR, a Hawke and a UTG. Both are etched glass and when shooting against a dark background I'll put the green on low and it really makes a difference. Before I bought them I thought it was a waste of money and added weight. I only use it occasionally, but it really is a nice feature.

On some scopes, the housing on ocular part of the scope prevents mounting something like the Tactacam FTS-just a thought. I like the way the Discovery scopes combine the side focus and illumination knob(s) on the side.

I have illuminated rets on most of my hunting pcps. My favorite is the Hawke 2.5-15 Frontier 30 L4 dot. I have 3 of them, plus a couple other illuminated scopes. There was a time I thought they was just a novelty, but at 60 my old eyes lose a ret against a dark background, with that lighted dot, that is never a problem. I also like the lighted dot way better the entire ret lit.

I have illuminated rets on most of my hunting pcps. My favorite is the Hawke 2.5-15 Frontier 30 L4 dot. I have 3 of them, plus a couple other illuminated scopes. There was a time I thought they was just a novelty, but at 60 my old eyes lose a ret against a dark background, with that lighted dot, that is never a problem. I also like the lighted dot way better the entire ret lit.

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Same here. I always liked them but they were hard to come by when I was young and hunting. Probably would've been a big help just after sunrise/just before sunset.

Agree here, IR is a must for pesting, ESP with a FFP optic. 

I didn't used to care for them and thought they were a bit of a fad when they started getting popular, but after several shots taken during twilight, I have now found that most of the scopes I own and use have illumination. I prefer to use the lower power settings, and I usually use green unless the backdrop is more conducive for the red.

PT

On black friday I bought a swfa 10x42 and it's great but you will lose the reticle in the trees for sure . I have been using hawke frontier with tmx ir and it could possibly have the best reticle I have ever seen. This scope has lockable turrents,ir,sidefocus and life warranty .

I bought mine on ebay from a sport shop that was going out of business....I actually bought 6 of them and sold four here for a gd price and wish I kept one more of them but i still have two .

love a good IR scope. dont have one on my AA410 as I *my mistake* ordered the wrong scope back years ago. but will go with an IR again for the next gun. 

I have NEVER owned a scope with an IR and really haven't felt that I've needed one. But reading this has gotten me wanting to try one.