Illuminated reticles?

[Bwana416]

Are these just hype or are they useful in targeting game that is in partial shade with diminished contrast behind it?

-Ray

[Bushman]

Ray, a little gimmicky from my old school point of view. Batteries are just one more thing to fail and bring along and mess with. I've read good things about the Trijicon scopes that use fiber optics though. Maybe for the guys who hunt varmints at night or the guys in Europe who can hunt much later than we can, a lighted reticle might be an aid. In legal light I have never had any problem with scopes with around a 42 mm front objective. 36 mm on a 2.5-8x36 Leupold I had an issue with once at first light, but never my upper end 42 mm scopes. I did try a Bushnell lighted reticle once for my .22 Magnum, but after a couple of outings condensation took out the electrics. I suspect that you might have the same issue in cold weather in NY. A big surprise was with how well the heavy duplex reticle in a 1.5-5x20 Leupold stood out on my .300 Savage in very low light.

[Hi Ball]

Bushman just something else to go wrong on a hunt! Now I personally don't like anything with plastic or batteries attached. It is a sure fire way to have an episode of Murphy's Law, just when you need it, they don't respond.