Yes you can get them illuminated. But a waste of money in my eyes. If it is so dark you cannot see the animal or the reticle what good is illumination? The only use for it I can see would be a black bear in heavy timber. These scopes have a heavier crosshair than the VX3,s and it really stands out. And as I said the optics are awesome.A VX3 is like looking through a coke bottle compared to these. I can tell by your choice for elk you are a novice. If you cannot shoot big game like an elk or moose with a 10 or 12 power scope something is wrong. A moose or big bear field of view is more important. The 1 to 6 is a true 1 power and you can shoot both eyes open easily with 106 foot field of view at 100 yards. If something big and angry is coming fast that is what you need. I understand the rage these days is powerful optics. Jack OConnor used a straight 6 on his varmint rifle. I have 2 to 12 VX6 on my medium guns.I will never part with them.I have the 1 to 6 on my 375 rum.It is not a small game rifle. Remember something far away cannot bite you. Something close CAN. I always hunt with my scopes turned down as far as they will go. If I need more power I can always crank them up. Also remember a 375 is not a long range rifle.They get pretty tired after 300 yards. And a big bear is nothing to fool with. Never take a shot unless you can definitely kill him. No fun to dig out of the bushes.