The Great Scope Debate!

[matt491]

Speaking strictly on scopes for rifles (3-9X40, for the sake of this discussion) regular scope or illuminated? What do you guys think? What do you use, where do you use it (indoor or outdoor), what do you prefer and why?

I open the floor to discussion.

[The Saint]

I thought you're getting out of airsoft.

I personally always go with illuminated on the odds that I need to use it at a night game. I've currently got a Tasco (or a Leapers knock off) 40mm, 2-6x. It's basically perfect power for airsofting outdoors.

[matt491]

I am getting out of airsoft, so to speak. Haven't been to a game in months, used to play every week. One of the only four guns I'm keeping is a JG BAR 10. She needs a new scope and I've always used non-illuminated scopes, I was just wondering if it's worth the extra bucks for one and what people think.

[Brakoo]

Personally on my M14 I have a non-illuminated scope but I got to admit that illuminated is great and not just for night games. Even during a day game if your target is in some bushes and there's a lot of shade you might end up losing your reticle on a regular scope.

I'd say if you're buying a new scope go for illuminated, personally I stuck to non-illuminated because it's what came with the gun and I was fine with that.

[FOX_111]

I'd say buy a name brand scope. I use Bushnell scope. They got a very good FOV and clear image at 3x. Illuminated reticule is kinda useless unless you plan on playing a lot in near pitch dark places, where you usually don't see well enought to shoot anyway. The money spent on the illumination could be spent on better glass.

I saw that Bushnell make a 3-9x40mm scope with illumination with sub 200$.I never tried it.

Stay away from Tasco if you like to have a wide FOV. If you don't care, I got a 3-9x40mm illuminated scope with graduated reticle for sale. Very cheap.

My M24 have a 3-9x40mm Bushnell Banner. My M700 curently have a 3-9x40mm Bushnell Trophy but will be soon be replaced by a 3-9x40mm Bushnell Trophy mildot. Best 150$ invested for airsoft sniping.

[Firewalker]

I use a Bushnell Iluminated Reticle 4-16x39 lol.

It's retardedly huge, but it works amazingly when you need to spot incoming targets. I see em before I can shoot em, but that's a good thing anyway.

Works well in low light, but is a bit too bright in full darkness. Can easily give away your position. Has red/green option with five brightnesses each.

[Blackthorne]

I have tried to use the iluminated scopes at night, sorry. All I can fucking see is the reticle and nothing else. Dawn/Dusk maybe. Night? Useless in my opinion.

I find a red dot is way better.

I get a deal on Bushnell so I am looking at their 50mm tactical series. Ton of light gathering for low light. Way too much mag for airsoft, but I can use it on my M14 for hunting.

The Elite 4200

[Firewalker]

Originally Posted by Blackthorne

I have tried to use the iluminated scopes at night, sorry. All I can fucking see is the reticle and nothing else. Dawn/Dusk maybe. Night? Useless in my opinion.

That's the big issue. But using a scope at night is pretty useless without Night Vision of some sort. IR or Not, it won't make the night any less dark, just the reticle more visible. That's why they're called Day/Night scopes, which is mostly a misnomer at best.

[Barf]

I go with regular. I'm with Blackthorne on this. The illuminated reticle screws up my night vision. At night, it's like looking into the business end of a flashlight.

[Crunchmeister]

The only scope I used is the 3.4x Classic Army Elcan M145 replica I have on my M15 rifle. The optics are pretty good and has a nice field of view. It's illuminated, but I usually have the illumination turned off in daylight. I prefer black crosshairs. But in low light, I could see the illumination work quite well.

[Jimski]

yep, I have the same one, it's nice.

tasco red dot mostly.

[Kimbo]

I have 2 illuminated scopes and have turned the illumination on only three times in 2 years. They are usually only needed at dusk, and then only for a half hour or so, then it's too dark to use a scope anyways. The only time at night that you could use one would be on a clear night with a full moon.

[CDN_Stalker]

I say spend the extra and get an illuminated scope. If I had to buy another scope I'd make sure it was illuminated. Really sucks to be able to see through a scope at night but not be able to see the reticle.

[Blackthorne]

Originally Posted by CDN_Stalker

I say spend the extra and get an illuminated scope. If I had to buy another scope I'd make sure it was illuminated. Really sucks to be able to see through a scope at night but not be able to see the reticle.

But that's just the problem, all you can see is the reticle (again in my experience in Muskoka, where its pretty friggin black ). It's so bright on the lowest setting that it overpowers whatever else you are looking at, unless the target is under as streetlight or really well lit...

[CDN_Stalker]

Originally Posted by Blackthorne

But that's just the problem, all you can see is the reticle (again in my experience in Muskoka, where its pretty friggin black ). It's so bright on the lowest setting that it overpowers whatever else you are looking at, unless the target is under as streetlight or really well lit...

Really depends, I borrowed one for a night game and it worked great. the glass itself was really good and actually made the image a bit brighter than what the eye could see, and the reticle was easy to use without overpowering anything. I guess it depends on the make and model of the scope. If too bright, use only used batteries in it to dim even more.

Now I'll just swap out my regular scope for a 2.8x NV scope I recently acquired.