10 Best Illuminated Reticles 2026 in the United States

The Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 Riflescope comes with an Illuminated FireDot Duplex Reticle, offering various features that make it a strong contender for hunting enthusiasts. The illumination of the reticle is a key highlight, offering bright and clear visibility in different lighting conditions, and the customization options for the brightness settings ensure adaptability in various environments. The FireDot Duplex design is intuitive, making target acquisition straightforward and efficient.

In terms of durability, this riflescope excels with a robust aluminum build and comprehensive weather resistance, including being waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. The Guard-ion lens coating further enhances its reliability by shedding dirt and water, ensuring a clear view without constant maintenance. The side focus parallax adjustment is an added advantage, allowing for quick and easy focusing adjustments from any shooting position.

Additionally, the Custom Dial System (CDS) with ZeroLock 2 feature is particularly useful for precision shooting, as it prevents accidental dial movement and allows for personalized adjustment based on specific ballistics. One area where the VX-5HD could improve is battery life, as illuminated reticles often require frequent battery changes, which might be inconvenient during extended outings. Also, while the riflescope is versatile, its price point may be a concern for budget-conscious users. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 Riflescope stands out for its high-quality optics, robust construction, and user-friendly features, making it an excellent choice for serious hunters looking for dependable performance in a variety of conditions.

The Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 3-15x44 riflescope is a solid choice for shooters who need versatility from close to long-range shooting. Its illuminated reticle, the EBR-7C, is designed with intuitive hold points that stay clear and uncluttered, making it easy to use in various conditions. The reticle brightness offers 10 intensity levels with off positions in between, which helps you find the right setting for different lighting situations, though it does not offer multiple color options beyond the standard illumination. The scope’s durability is impressive, thanks to aircraft-grade aluminum construction, water and fogproof sealing, and scratch-resistant Armortek lens coatings, so it can handle rough outdoor use well.

The first focal plane design ensures the reticle stays accurate and proportional across all magnifications (3x to 15x), which is great for making precise adjustments. Additional features like laser-etched turrets with a zero stop and fiber optic turret indicators help users quickly dial in settings, which is especially useful for hunters and target shooters who adjust for wind and bullet drop. One drawback is the lack of color reticle options, which some users prefer for different lighting or environmental conditions. Also, while the scope is well-built, it is somewhat bulky and heavier than some competing models, which might matter if you prioritize a lightweight setup.

This riflescope is well-suited for hunters and precision shooters looking for a durable, clear, and adjustable illuminated reticle with excellent optics and reliable performance.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18x44 AO riflescope is a versatile hunting scope with an illuminated reticle designed to aid in low-light conditions. Its V-Brite illuminated center dot stands out clearly with a single color option, while adjustable brightness settings allow customization to different environments. The battery-powered illumination is efficient, and the reticle design emphasizes simplicity for quick target acquisition without clutter.

Featuring a 6-18x magnification range and a 44mm objective lens, this scope delivers bright and clear images enhanced by fully multi-coated lenses and an adjustable objective for parallax correction. Built from aircraft-grade aluminum, it is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, ensuring durability in harsh weather and rough use. The long eye relief and forgiving eye box facilitate a fast sight picture, suitable for both beginners and experienced shooters, while capped turrets with resettable MOA clicks offer precise adjustments.

The illuminated reticle is located on the second focal plane, so its size does not scale with magnification, which may affect holdover accuracy at varying zoom levels. Night vision compatibility is not included. Backed by a lifetime warranty, this riflescope provides solid value for hunters seeking a rugged, easy-to-use scope with reliable illumination but without multiple reticle colors or advanced night vision features.