https://www.boards.ie/ Tue, 07 Apr 2026 01:32:17 +0000 en centre dot — boards.ie - Now Ye're Talkin' https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2057074420/illuminated-reticle-what-are-your-thoughts Sat, 02 Nov 2013 18:27:54 +0000 Hunting Cass 2057074420@/discussions
The problem i had was time was going against me. I was cutting fast into the 1 hour after sunset law (about 15 minutes left). I rarely stay out so late into the hour, but after spending the time stalking them i wanted to see if one was possible. I got settled into a small drain at the other end of the field. Got set up and scoped the deer. They were visible, but my crosshair was not. When i looked to the side of the (while still looking through) i could see a little more clearly (peripheral vision) but when i looked directly at them the crosshair was not there. I turned on the illuminated reticle and even though it was on it's lowest setting it blinded me, and the target picture disappeared altogether.

So now i'm there, within 100 yards of three Fallow Doe, and no way to know where my crosshair/shot would be. I immediately decided it was too dark, and not worth the risk of wounding, missing, etc the deer. So i decided to leave them for another day, and just watched them for a few more minutes then left.


Here is where the thread title comes into it. When out lamping foxes i rarely use the illuminated crosshair. On the sidewinder scope the entire crosshair lights up. Even on the low setting it's more a hinderance than a help as it's too much. On the Sightron i had on the RPA the centre of the crosshair lit up only, and it was sublte. Meaning i could keep good target picture. However as i'm shooting foxes under a lamp i can see the fox and crosshair perfectly so don't need the illuminated crosshair. However as i don't even carry a lamp in the car when after deer, as i don't want to give the wrong impression, i never considered the issue with illuminated reticles before.

So i was wondering what are peoples opinions on illuminated crosshairs. I like the idea of having them on the occasion i might want or use it. Plus as it comes standard on the Sidewinder i don't need to make the decision as to whether i want it or not. However i'm wondering where they might be useful, and do people use them often/at all? Plus which do you prefer? Full crosshair, centre dot only, some combination of the two?


Just to be clear i am not suggesting or condoning the use of lamps on deer. I only used the deer event as it sparked my curiosity about their usefulness.

I've also added a poll. I've chosen three options just to keep it specific, but please post in the thread as to why you choose that option.]]>