Acog reticle brightness in darkness?

[An Undocumented Worker]

I just got a TA-11H and am wondering how bright (relatively speaking) the reticle should appear in total darkness. The reticle doesn't seem to have nearly the same level of apparent brightness as say the nightsights I just put on my CZ.

[556frags]

I can only see the Chevron in my TA31 in total darkness. I can only see the BDC if there is light reflecting off of something.

[An Undocumented Worker]

I can only see the Chevron in my TA31 in total darkness. I can only see the BDC if there is light reflecting off of something.

Same concept on my TA11 H, I can only see the horseshoe/dot in total darkness, but I am wondering how bright, relatively speaking, the illuminated part of the reticle should appear in total darkness. In my unqualified, and inexperienced opinion it doesn't approach anywhere near the relative brightness during daylight(relative to the brightness of the surroundings)

Unfortunately I am having trouble coming up with a benchmark from which to compare the unassisted luminosity of the tritium illuminated reticle.

[Gutshot John]

It's significantly dimmer than in daylight with fiberoptic, but it should be clearly visible even without any moonlight on a cloudy night. Brightness is somewhat subjective, but I wouldn't say mine at 2.5 years old is as bright as new night sights I got about four months ago.

How old is the lamp? You can call Trijicon with the serial number and find out a bit more.

[556frags]

Same concept on my TA11 H, I can only see the horseshoe/dot in total darkness, but I am wondering how bright, relatively speaking, the illuminated part of the reticle should appear in total darkness. In my unqualified, and inexperienced opinion it doesn't approach anywhere near the relative brightness during daylight(relative to the brightness of the surroundings)

Unfortunately I am having trouble coming up with a benchmark from which to compare the unassisted luminosity of the tritium illuminated reticle.

Mine has been like that ever since I bought it new so I think they are supposed to be that way.

[sff70]

The TA-11D (red donut) that I once owned (bought new) was visibly distinct in near total darkness, with dark adapted eyes.

Apart from those circumstances, the red donut was not very distinct when viewed in dim light.

[Harv]

ACOG reticles need to be viewed at night with eyes that have been ADJUSTED to the night,i,e, 20-30 mins. That's one of the issues with an ACOG. They are not bright like a RDS electro-optical sight.

Don't expect to go from bright outdoor sunlight to a dark interior basement and see the reticle JUMP out at you. If you read the owners manual (you DID read it.....didnt you) you will see the part that explains how you need to adjust your eyes to the darkness.

[sff70]

That's one of my issues with the ACOG . . .

I'm not going to be able to wait for my eyes to adjust when going from a bright environment into a darkened environment. No time outs when going after bad guys.

And then, to threat discriminate, use white light, which makes the reticle even less visible that it was before.

The TR24 triangle reticle may be bright enough to overcome this, but none of the ACOGs that I've ever owned or played with have.

Adding a small offset mounted RDS is, IMO, a great solution to this problem and gives you speed on close targets in full light, as well.

[An Undocumented Worker]

Yes I did read the part about letting your eyes be night adapted. I just wanted to make sure what I was seeing was typical of the acog, or something I needed to contact Trijicon about.

After further experimentation with the scope, and under more realistic conditions the brightness of the reticle appears to be more than adequate for nighttime use, especially considering here in the burbs, it's never pitchblack at night.

[BBB]

The ACOG isnt designed specifically for CQB operations, its a jack of all trades. If your in that kind of enviornment you choose the best tool for the job which would be an RDS/holographic sight.

If you know you need to go light/dark in short timespans bring some cyalume sticks and tape one to your fiber optic.