Getting over the need for daylight bright illumination in low-powered variables

Very timely that this has come up for me too. I've been researching low power variables for the last couple weeks as I'm looking to get my first one. I believe it was some older posts by F2S that bumped me off the "daylight visible illumination" bandwagon. Now I'm looking at the reticles themselves and how usable it is (quickness) especially without the aid of illumination. To be honest, until battery life for variable optics reaches that of Aimpoints, I'd rather NOT rely on illumination as the means for which I am able to use the reticle.

For me, I want a reticle that uses horizontal and/or verticle bars that lead me to the center with preferably a "donut" that I can use to bracket the target and a center dot or cross if I need a little more precision. For top end magnification, I'd like a mil-based reticle, since I already know those holds. And as Defoor mentions, capped turrets since I wouldn't even dial out to 600, much less 400. For my price range, the SWFA SS 1-4x seems to be the best in class at this point. (If anyone has any other suggestions for a sub-$1000 optic that fits these parameters, I'm all ears)

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Originally Posted by Failure2Stop

More good stuff

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Thanks for the response! I have some experience with magnified scopes without illumination, I was curious how well it would work on a 1X. Thanks!

Well for a reticle that works well without illumination then a FFP with a properly designed reticle ala the SFWA circle at 1x and mil dot crosshair at 4x or 6x seems like a great way to go. Or a DFP like that USO. Other than the swfa and USO, are there any other contenders? I too may rethink my whole daytime illumination requirement now.

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Originally Posted by Koshinn

I've used the vortex 2.5-10x32 at close range set at 2.5 without issue during the day.

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It can be used but I think you would agree that it is far from ideal. I really like my 2.5-10 ffp scope but it really doesn't get alot of shooting time.

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Originally Posted by Koshinn

The only things I'd change is the illumination to a dot instead of the reticle so it's brighter and lasts longer and if possible, shorter and lighter are always things to strive for.

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I think it's a matter of degrees...

I didn't say it was unusable but in the interest of maximizing any situation, the combination of a low power FFP, and inadequate daytime illum, is not at the top end. (look at the thread title "getting over the need for Daylight Bright Illum"...)

Is a FFP @ 2.5 unusable? no, but it's not what I want... this would be helped by making the scope SFP because if I was far enough away to need to range, I really wouldn't do that at any power other than maximum anyway...

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Originally Posted by Ironman8

For me, I want a reticle that uses horizontal and/or verticle bars that lead me to the center with preferably a "donut" that I can use to bracket the target and a center dot or cross if I need a little more precision. For top end magnification, I'd like a mil-based reticle, since I already know those holds. And as Defoor mentions, capped turrets since I wouldn't even dial out to 600, much less 400. For my price range, the SWFA SS 1-4x seems to be the best in class at this point. (If anyone has any other suggestions for a sub-$1000 optic that fits these parameters, I'm all ears)

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I sold my SS 1-4 and got the SS1-6. this reticle is the reason:

1x and 6x

Attachment 23244

I'm sold on the Nightforce NXS 1-4 with the FC3G reticle. Thats the optic that is on my 14.5 BCM. I use a Burris XTR G2 1-4 on my 3gun rifle and it works just as well too. Both of them match up to the loads that I use both 75gr and 55gr so I can not complain at all. They do the job great. I like the nightforce for my go to gun(14.5) as its lighter and more robust. The Burris helps balance out my 3gun rifle as it has more weight to the optic but just as usable(to me). I run offset irons on both guns and rarely go less than 2 power on the optics.

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Originally Posted by ra2bach

I sold my SS 1-4 and got the SS1-6. this reticle is the reason:

1x and 6x

Attachment 23244

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Attachment didn't come through...

I've thought about the 1-6x but not sure I need the extra mag for the ranges I'm after.

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Originally Posted by jwfuhrman

I use a Burris XTR G2 1-4 on my 3gun rifle and it works just as well too.

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The Burris XTR 1-4 G2 is an under rated scope. Huge FOV, Great glass, both eyes open, very quick to bring on target at very close range and the reticle is fine enough to be precise at 300 yards. I just discovered the MTAC and I am really liking its massive FOV and circle dot reticle.

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Originally Posted by Ironman8

Attachment didn't come through...

I've thought about the 1-6x but not sure I need the extra mag for the ranges I'm after.

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hmmm, it worked in the preview. try this...

Attachment 23255

try this thread announcing the 1-6 over at the SWFA forum. page 8 has pics of the current version of the reticle -- http://www.opticstalk.com/swfa-16x24...730_page8.html

I had the 1-4 and it was nice but I didn't like that the circle stayed in view at max power. because of the FFP, it gives a circle/cross at 1x, but the circle recedes entirely from view at 6x. an excellent application of FFP, IMO, and the only reason I switched from the 1-4....

this also has covered turrets with thread protectors giving you the option to run with caps or exposed target turrets - the 1-4 was either/or...