Looking for the best illuminated scope for deer hunting? You came to the right place.
As the sun begins to set and the woods fall silent, the thrill of the hunt begins for many avid deer hunters. With the right equipment in hand, you can increase your chances of success and make your hunting experience all the more enjoyable. One crucial piece of gear to have is the best-illuminated scope for deer hunting, which can help you accurately and effectively take down your target in low-light conditions.
However, with so many options available on the market, it can be tough to know which one is the best fit for your needs. In this guide, we’ll explore the top illuminated scopes for deer hunting, their features, and what makes them stand out from the competition.
What Makes a Good Deer Hunting Scope?
Magnification– Although this depends on your intended hooting needs, a good deer hunting scope should have a magnification range suitable for the distances you plan to shoot. For most deer hunting, a scope with a magnification range between 2x and 10x is ideal.
Objective lens size– The objective lens size determines how much light the scope can gather, which affects the clarity and brightness of the image. A very large lens, however, can negatively impact the weight of your scope. Look for a scope with an objective lens size of at least 40mm for deer hunting.
Durability– Hunting can be tough on equipment, so a good scope for deer hunting should be rugged and able to withstand the elements and tough use.
Reticle– The reticle is the crosshairs or aiming point inside the scope. There are different kinds of reticles to choose from. Go for a deer hunting scope should with a reticle that is easy to see and use in low-light conditions.
Illumination– An illuminated reticle can be a game-changer in low-light conditions. Look for a scope with adjustable illumination settings to match the lighting conditions you encounter while hunting.
Eye relief– This refers to the distance between the eyepiece and your eye when you have a full field of view. Adequate eye relief helps to prevent eye strain making it easy for you to quickly acquire your target.
7 Best Illuminated Scopes for Deer Hunting
1) Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
The Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm rifle scope has a second focal plane reticle, meaning that it remains consistent in size regardless of the magnification. This provides accurate holdover and windage correction at any magnification setting.
The scope has a 3-9x zoom range and a 40mm objective lens, which deliver a clear and bright sight picture. It also has fully multi-coated lenses that ensure optimal brightness and contrast in low-light conditions.
The Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm rifle scope is built with aircraft-grade aluminum, which makes it rugged and durable. It is also waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof, ensuring reliable performance in any weather conditions.
The scope comes with a fast-focus eyepiece and resettable MOA turrets for easy and precise adjustments.
Specifications
- Magnification: 3 – 9 x
- Exit Pupil: 4.4 – 13.3 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 12.6 – 34.1 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.8 – 4.4 inches
- Weight: 15 oz.
- Length: 12 inches
- Parallax: 100 yds.
- Adjustment Range: 60 MOA
- Battery Life: 150 hours
- W/E Travel at 100 Yds: 60/60 MOA
Pros
- High-quality optics
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Strong Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
Cons
- None
2) Bushnell Prime 3-9x40mm Illuminated Rifle Scope
Bushnell Prime 3-9x40mm rifle scope is made to offer a 3-9x magnification range and a 40mm objective lens for a clear and bright sight picture. The scope uses an illuminated Multi-X reticle, which allows easy adjustment to match any lighting condition making it the best illuminated scope for deer hunting.
The scope is built with high-quality materials, including aircraft-grade aluminum housing and fully multi-coated optics, to ensure durability and optimal light transmission. It is also waterproof and fog proof, making it suitable for use in any weather conditions.
The Bushnell Prime 3-9x40mm illuminated rifle scope features a fast-focus eyepiece and capped turrets with a 1/4 MOA click adjustment for easy target acquisition. In addition, the scope comes with a side parallax adjustment, allowing you to correct for parallax and ensure accuracy at any range.
Specifications
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Reticle: Illuminated Multi-X
- Field of View: 33-11 feet at 100 yards
- Eye Relief: 3.7 inches
- Exit Pupil Diameter: 13.3-4.4mm
- Windage Adjustment: 60 MOA
- Parallax Setting: 10 yards to infinity
- Length: 12 inches
- Weight: 17 ounces
Pros
- Illuminated reticle
- Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
- High-quality construction
- Versatile application
Cons
- None
3) ATN X-Sight LTV 3-9x30mm Day/Night Hunting Rifle Scope
The ATN X-Sight LTV 3-9x30mm day/night hunting rifle scope is a high-tech optic designed for hunting in any lighting conditions. This scope features a 3-9x magnification range and a 30mm objective lens, providing a clear and bright sight picture. It also has a built-in IR illuminator that allows for night vision shooting.
The ATN X-Sight LTV 3-9x30mm rifle scope comes equipped with advanced digital features, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, a ballistic calculator, and a video recorder. It also features ATN’s Obsidian LT Core technology, which provides ultra-fast image processing and a user-friendly interface.
The scope is built with high-quality materials, making up a rugged and lightweight design that is waterproof and fog proof, for use in any weather conditions.
Specifications
- Magnification: 3 – 9 x
- Reticle: Multiple
- System/Lens Resolution: 160 lp/mm
- Display Resolution: 1280×720 pixels
- Video Record Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Eye Relief: 90 mm
- Field of View, Angle: 9 degrees
- Diopter Adjustment Range: -5 – 5 dpt
Pros
- Night vision capabilities
- Advanced digital features
- It has a user-friendly interface
- Rugged and lightweight
- Waterproof and fog proof
Cons
- Battery life could be better
4) Burris Fullfield II 3-9×40 mm Rifle Scope
The Burris Fullfield II 3-9×40 mm rifle scope is a reliable scope that features a 3-9x magnification range and a 40mm objective lens. The scope gives a clear and bright sight picture as well as a wide field of view.
The Fillfield II scope is made of rugged and durable construction, with a one-piece main tube made of aircraft-grade aluminum. It is also nitrogen-filled for waterproof and fog proof performance.
The Burris Fullfield II 3-9×40 mm rifle scope also has a Ballistic Plex reticle, which provides a simple and intuitive aiming point for hunters and shooters. The reticle is located on the second focal plane, meaning that the size of the reticle remains the same at all magnification levels.
Specifications
- Magnification: 3 – 9 x
- Reticle: Ballistic Plex
- Exit Pupil: 4.44 – 13.33 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 31 – 13 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.1 – 3.8 inches
- Weight: 13 oz.
- Adjustment Click Value: 1/4 MOA
- Length: 4 inches
- W/E Travel at 100 Yds: 50/50 MOA
Pros
- Rugged and durable construction
- Waterproof and fog proof performance
- Easy to use and adjust
- Affordable price point compared to other high-quality rifle scopes on the market
Cons
- None
5) Vortex Razor HD Gen II 3-18x50mm Rifle Scope
Vortex Razor HD Gen II 3-18x50mm Rifle Scope is designed to offer nothing but ultimate precision and long-range capabilities. The scope is built from a 34mm single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube for rigidity and features a 6x zoom range and a sophisticated L-Tec turret system.
The Vortex Razor HD Gen II 1-6x24mm Waterproof Scope utilizes an apochromatic objective lens system that uses index-matched lenses to correct color across the entire visual spectrum.
The scope has an ultra-sleek and built like a tank, the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 3-18x50mm fog-proof Rifle Scope is designed and engineered for dialing precision long-range shots in extreme environments – even under low-light conditions.
Specifications
- Magnification: 3 – 18 x
- Reticle: EBR-7C MOA
- Exit Pupil: 2.78 – 16.67 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 6.25 – 37.8 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.7 inches
- Weight: 46.5 oz.
- Adjustment Click Value: 1/4 MOA
- Length: 4 inches
- W/E Travel at 100 Yds: 34/71 MOA
Pros
- Wide Magnification Range
- Rugged build
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Expensive
6) Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44mm Rifle Scope
The Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44mm Rifle Scope is a top-of-the-line optic that has stand-out features such as a 3x to 18x magnification range, which allows for accurate shooting at long ranges.
The VX-6HD scope is constructed with high-quality materials, including aircraft-grade aluminum, which makes it both lightweight and durable. The scope is also waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof, meaning it can withstand harsh weather conditions and heavy recoil without losing its accuracy.
The scope comes with a 44mm objective lens that also provides a bright and clear image in low-light conditions, as well as a 30mm tube diameter that allows for a greater range of adjustment and a wider field of view.
The Twilight Max HD Light Management System is another notable feature of the VX-6HD scope. This system provides exceptional low-light performance, making it easier to see and track your target in low-light conditions. The scope also features a fast-focus eyepiece for quick and easy reticle focusing.
The scope’s reticle is a second focal plane reticle, meaning it stays the same size as you change the magnification.
Specifications
- Magnification: 3 – 18 x
- Exit Pupil: 2.4 – 14.6 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 6.4 – 38.3 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.7 – 3.8 inches
- Weight: 19 oz.
- Adjustment Click Value: 1/4 MOA
- Length: 5 inches
- Adjustment Type: MOA
- W/E Travel at 100 Yds: 75/75 MOA
Pros
- Exceptional optical performance
- Durable construction
- Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
- Fast-focus eyepiece for quick allows easy reticle focusing
Cons
- No BDC Dial
7) Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24mm Rifle Scope
The Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24mm Rifle Scope is ideal for close to mid-range shooting. This scope features a 1x to 6x magnification range, with a 24mm objective lens. This magnification range is perfect for fast target acquisition, while the 24mm objective lens provides a wide field of view.
The scope is constructed with high-quality materials, including aircraft-grade aluminum, which makes it lightweight and durable. It is also waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof, which makes it an ideal choice for hunters and shooters who require a reliable optic that can withstand harsh weather conditions and heavy recoil.
One of the standout features of the Strike Eagle scope is its Second Focal Plane reticle, which stays the same size as you change the magnification. The BDC reticle allows for accurate aiming at different ranges and is also illuminated, with 11 brightness settings, making it easier to see and track your target in low-light conditions.
The scope also features a fast-focus eyepiece, which allows for quick and easy reticle focusing, and a 30mm tube diameter, which provides a greater range of adjustment and a wider field of view.
Specifications
- Magnification: 1 – 6 x
- Reticle: AR-BDC3
- Exit Pupil: 4 – 24 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 19.2 – 116.5 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.5 inches
- Weight: 18.5 oz.
- Adjustment Click Value: 1/2 MOA
- Length: 5 inches
- Parallax: 100 yds.
- W/E Travel at 100 Yds: 140/140 MOA
Pros
- Affordable price
- Durable construction
- Waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof design
- Illuminated reticle
Cons
- The 24mm objective lens might be small for long-range shooting
Best Illuminated Scope for Deer Hunting FAQs
What is an illuminated scope?
An illuminated scope is a type of rifle scope that comes with a built-in light source. The light source is typically an LED that is powered by a battery. The illumination is designed to help you see your target in low-light conditions, such as early morning or late evening hunts.
Why do you need an illuminated scope for deer hunting?
Deer are often most active during dawn and dusk, which are times when natural light is limited. An illuminated scope can help you see your target more clearly in these conditions, allowing for a better and more accurate shot.
What magnification is needed for deer hunting?
Magnification requirements will depend on the hunting environment and personal preference. In general, a magnification of 3-9x is sufficient for most deer hunting scenarios.
See: Best Scope Magnification for Deer Hunting
What reticle should be used when deer hunting?
The reticle should be selected based on personal preference and hunting conditions. Popular reticles for deer hunting include duplex, mil-dot, and BDC (bullet drop compensating).
Conclusion
An illuminated reticle on a scope is a welcome addition to the challenging task of deer hunting. These scopes help with the proper placement of shots because they enhance visibility in all lighting conditions. Illuminated scopes allow you to hunt even in low lighting, as they maximize available light to provide clear, bright images. Most of the discussed scopes also have advanced technology for dark environments and will play a big role in your success when hunting deer.
We hope our best-illuminated scope for deer hunting review has been insightful.
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