Last light scopes

[Turpentine21]

Kahles makes a great scope. I've got a Schmidt and Bender fixed 8X56 somewhere in the back of my safe and it does very well in low light. The only issue I have with it is the red dot is pretty big. I shot a big doe several years ago with it at 238 yards and the dot covered up most of the kill zone. You're right...... That Accupoint is a very small dot and just the right size even at longer distances.

A friend has a Meopta with the same problem. The reticle is perfect but the red dot in the center is there whether illuminated or not and it is huge. It blocks the shoulder and pocket area completely out on a deer at 250-300 yards. There is no way to be precise with that scope at distance. I've often wondered if Meopta would change the reticle just never got around to asking

 

[JimIsland]

Anyone who did a low light test knows higher magnification helps see things longer in low light.

Agreed. I'm no scientist on exit pupil however, I do know first hand that there is a point when higher mag trumps exit pupil. There's been many a night when at the tail end of legal shooting time, I zoom from 2.5 to 10. I realize my exit pupil is much higher on 3 but if I can't see my target I'm done. I've zoomed as high as 16 in order to see my target and still make an ethical shot whereas at 3 it wasn't possible. This where the Victory 4.8-35X60mm really shines.

 

[bluedog69]

A friend has a Meopta with the same problem. The reticle is perfect but the red dot in the center is there whether illuminated or not and it is huge. It blocks the shoulder and pocket area completely out on a deer at 250-300 yards. There is no way to be precise with that scope at distance. I've often wondered if Meopta would change the reticle just never got around to asking

Mine is almost not visible at all. I wouldn't even know it is there if I didn't know it is there. The eight intensity settings are also awesome. Bright outside you need it on bright to see it. Dark out at dusk and you can dial it down to where it is still almost invisible. Works the same in my wife's Z8i Swaro.

 

[birddog 68]

I've been looking at some light weight cross hairs with red dots. I'm using this for a light deer hunting rig with low rings for under 250 yards and won't be dialing.
I have a leupold vx3 with fire dot on a different rifle and happy with it but I see the night force shv 3-10x42 has a illuminated reticle although it's about 7 oz heavier.
Anyone have experience with this night force model? Is this a slight upgrade from the vx3 as far as glass goes and dependability?
I figured I'd piggy back on this thread since it's already going. thanks