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10 Best Illuminated Reticles 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35x56mm M5C3 FFP Side Focus Riflescope, Illuminated Tremor 3 Reticle

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,416
Brightness Settings
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
26 reviews

Brightness Settings
The illumination enhances visibility, but the limited effective brightness settings can be a drawback in some conditions.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Durability is strong, yet some users experienced minor issues like the battery cover cable detaching and challenges with turret adjustments.

The Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35x56mm M5C3 riflescope is a solid choice for hunters and shooters who want a reliable illuminated reticle with strong performance. Its Tremor 3 reticle is on the front focal plane, meaning the reticle scales with magnification, which helps with accurate ranging and holdovers across its broad 7-35x zoom range. The illumination feature enhances visibility in low light. Built tough, this scope is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, making it durable enough for harsh outdoor conditions. The M5C3 turrets offer precise 1/10 mil adjustments with tactile and visual feedback, which is helpful for fine-tuning shots and avoiding confusion during extended use.

The optical quality is designed to offer excellent light transmission for clear images even in challenging lighting, which is crucial for hunting at dawn or dusk. Weighing about 3 pounds and featuring a matte aluminum body, it balances sturdiness with manageable weight. One downside is that it doesn’t support night vision compatibility, and the relatively high price and weight might be heavier than what casual shooters want. For those seeking a high-end riflescope with an illuminated reticle that excels in precision and durability, especially for serious hunting or tactical use, this model is worth considering.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,416
Brightness Settings
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
26 reviews

Brightness Settings
The illumination enhances visibility, but the limited effective brightness settings can be a drawback in some conditions.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Durability is strong, yet some users experienced minor issues like the battery cover cable detaching and challenges with turret adjustments.
#2

Zeiss LRP S5 3-18x50/MOA Illuminated Reticle First Focal Plane 34mm Heavy-Duty Compact Hunting Scope

Rating
7.9
Reticle Design

Most important from
1 reviews

Reticle Design
The first focal plane reticle maintains accurate hold-over and range estimation at all magnifications.

The Zeiss LRP S5 3-18x50/MOA is a high-quality hunting scope designed for precision at long distances. It offers a very bright daylight-visible illuminated reticle with advanced digital control, making it easy to see your aiming point under various lighting conditions. The reticle is first focal plane (FFP), meaning it stays accurate when you zoom in or out, which is great for adjusting shots at different ranges. This scope excels in durability and weather resistance, built to endure strong shocks and harsh environments with tough materials and extensive testing.

Its turrets provide precise, tactile adjustments, helpful for making repeatable and accurate shots. With a 34mm objective lens and 3-18x magnification, it balances compact size and power, suitable for hunters targeting game up to 1,500 yards away. The glass quality is excellent, featuring premium coatings to maximize light transmission and image clarity. However, the scope is relatively heavy at over 1 kg, which might feel bulky for some users during long treks. Also, it doesn’t support night vision, so it’s best suited for daylight or dawn/dusk hunting.

This scope is an excellent choice for serious hunters seeking durable, precise equipment with bright, reliable illumination and high optical performance, though it may be heavier and less versatile for low-light or night use.

Rating
7.9
Reticle Design

Most important from
1 reviews

Reticle Design
The first focal plane reticle maintains accurate hold-over and range estimation at all magnifications.
#3

Vortex Crossfire HD 4-12x44 Second Focal Plane, 1-inch Tube Riflescope - Illuminated Dead-Hold 2A BDC MOA Reticle

Rating
7.9
Brightness Settings
Reticle Design
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
47 reviews

Brightness Settings
The illumination knob includes an off position between brightness levels, making it easy to adjust without cycling through all settings.
Reticle Design
The illuminated center dot is bright and simple, providing just the right amount of information for quick and precise aiming.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope combines rugged construction with excellent optical performance, delivering strong value for budget-conscious shooters.

The Vortex Crossfire HD 4-12x44 Second Focal Plane riflescope is a solid choice for hunters or shooters wanting a reliable illuminated reticle scope. It features an illuminated Dead-Hold 2A BDC reticle with a floating center dot, which helps with quick and precise aiming, especially in low light. While it doesn't offer multiple color options for the reticle—only the illuminated dot—it provides good brightness control to suit different lighting situations. The provided CR2032 battery is standard.

Optically, this scope uses high-quality glass and fully multi-coated lenses to deliver sharp, clear images with minimal color distortion, which is helpful when tracking targets at varying distances. The adjustable parallax and fast focus eyepiece make it easier to quickly get a clear view, whether in dense woods or open ranges.

Durability is a strong point here. Made from aircraft-grade aluminum with a matte black finish, it’s built to handle rough field conditions. It’s waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, so it can perform well in bad weather or after bumps. The 1-inch tube size and 44mm objective lens strike a good balance between size and light gathering ability. Although it doesn’t support night vision, this scope is well suited for daytime and low-light hunting scenarios. The lifetime warranty also adds peace of mind. If you’re after a dependable, straightforward illuminated reticle scope with good clarity and ruggedness, the Vortex Crossfire HD 4-12x44 fits well. However, if you need multiple reticle colors or night vision compatibility, you might want to explore other models.

Rating
7.9
Brightness Settings
Reticle Design
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
47 reviews

Brightness Settings
The illumination knob includes an off position between brightness levels, making it easy to adjust without cycling through all settings.
Reticle Design
The illuminated center dot is bright and simple, providing just the right amount of information for quick and precise aiming.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope combines rugged construction with excellent optical performance, delivering strong value for budget-conscious shooters.

Buying Guide for the Best Illuminated Reticles

Choosing the right illuminated reticle for your scope can significantly enhance your shooting experience, especially in low-light conditions. An illuminated reticle is a feature in some scopes where the reticle (the crosshairs or aiming point) is lit up, making it easier to see against dark backgrounds. When selecting an illuminated reticle, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure it meets your needs and preferences. Understanding these specs will help you make an informed decision and find the best fit for your shooting activities.
Brightness SettingsBrightness settings refer to the different levels of illumination that you can adjust on the reticle. This is important because it allows you to adapt the brightness to various lighting conditions, ensuring the reticle is visible without being too bright and causing glare. Typically, scopes offer multiple brightness levels, ranging from low to high. If you plan to use your scope in diverse environments, look for a model with a wide range of brightness settings. For general use, a scope with 5-10 brightness levels should suffice, while more advanced users might prefer scopes with finer adjustments.
Color OptionsColor options refer to the different colors available for the illuminated reticle, commonly red or green. The color of the reticle can affect visibility and contrast against various backgrounds. Red is often preferred for low-light conditions as it is less likely to cause night blindness, while green can be more visible in daylight. Some scopes offer both colors, allowing you to switch based on your environment. If you frequently shoot in varying light conditions, a scope with multiple color options might be beneficial. Otherwise, choose the color that best suits your typical shooting environment.
Battery LifeBattery life indicates how long the illuminated reticle will function before the battery needs to be replaced or recharged. This is crucial for ensuring your reticle remains illuminated during extended use. Battery life can vary significantly between models, with some lasting a few hours and others lasting hundreds of hours. If you plan to use your scope for long hunting trips or extended shooting sessions, look for a model with a longer battery life. For occasional use, a shorter battery life may be acceptable, but always consider carrying spare batteries.
Reticle DesignReticle design refers to the pattern of the crosshairs or aiming points within the scope. Different designs can aid in various shooting activities, such as hunting, target shooting, or tactical use. Common designs include duplex, mil-dot, and BDC (bullet drop compensator). The design can affect how quickly you can acquire your target and how precise your aiming can be. Choose a reticle design that matches your primary shooting activity. For example, a duplex reticle is versatile and good for general use, while a mil-dot reticle is better for long-range shooting and estimating distances.
Durability and Weather ResistanceDurability and weather resistance refer to the scope's ability to withstand harsh conditions and rough handling. This is important for ensuring the longevity and reliability of your illuminated reticle. Look for scopes that are waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof, as these features will protect the internal components and maintain performance in various environments. If you often shoot in challenging conditions, prioritize scopes with high durability and weather resistance. For more controlled environments, these features may be less critical but still beneficial for overall reliability.

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