Illuminated hunting scopes provide a significant advantage for hunters venturing out during low-light conditions, such as dawn and dusk.

These critical periods in hunting often present challenges in visibility, making it essential to have the appropriate equipment to accurately target and take down the game. Illuminated hunting scopes are specifically designed to enhance image clarity and improve targeting in low-light situations, making them an invaluable tool for many hunters.

The key advantage of an illuminated hunting scope lies in its reticle, which can be lit up, allowing users to see their targets more efficiently in low light or against dark backgrounds. These scopes come in various designs and feature different types of illumination, such as red or green, with adjustable brightness settings to cater to diverse hunting environments and personal preferences.

When choosing an illuminated hunting scope for low light conditions, it’s essential to consider factors such as its magnification power, objective lens size, durability, and the quality of the optics. Besides, the type of reticle and its illumination capabilities are crucial for precise targeting.

You may also want to take into account any additional features, such as easy adjustments, and whether the scope is compatible with your specific rifle.

After thoroughly researching and testing a variety of illuminated hunting scopes, we have identified the top contenders that excel in low-light conditions, offering the clarity and precision that hunters need.

Join us as we dive into the details and discover the best-illuminated hunting scopes for low light that cater to your specific needs and preferences.

Best Illuminated Hunting Scopes for Low Light

We have compiled a list of the top illuminated hunting scopes for low-light situations to enhance your hunting experience. Discover our top picks below.

Burris Fullfield IV 4-16x50mm Hunting Scope

An optimal choice for those seeking an illuminated hunting scope for low light conditions, offering excellent performance and clarity.

Pros

• High-grade optical glass for brightness and clarity
• Improved 4x zoom system and multi-coated lenses
• Wide selection of reticles for various applications

Cons

• Adjusting zoom can be difficult initially
• No included throw lever
• Inconsistent quality compared to other Burris scopes

After using the Burris Fullfield IV 4-16x50mm Hunting Scope in low light conditions, we were impressed by the brightness and optical clarity it provided. The high-grade optical glass ensured crisp views even in dim environments, making it an excellent choice for early morning or late evening hunts.

The improved 4x zoom system allowed us to change the magnification with ease, though we did notice the adjusting process was slightly difficult due to its stiffness. We hope that with time and usage, it will become more effortless. Multi-coated lenses offer edge-to-edge clarity, which enhances low-light performance.

One of the standout features of this scope is the wide selection of reticles available for both hunting and long-distance target shooting. This versatility appealed to us greatly, as we could switch between reticles to suit our specific needs.

Despite the many positives, there were some minor drawbacks to the Burris Fullfield IV 4-16x50mm Hunting Scope. Mainly, adjusting the zoom required significant effort, and we feel a throw lever could have been included to make the process easier.

Additionally, when compared with other Burris scopes we have used in the past, the quality of this specific model seemed inconsistent and not of the same level.

CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e Red & Green Illuminated Scope with Green Laser

The CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e is an affordable and reliable illuminated hunting scope for low-light conditions, perfect for those who want quality without breaking the bank.

Pros

• Integrated bright green laser for enhanced precision
• Red/green illumination with 5 brightness levels
• Multi-coated lenses provide clear views in various lighting conditions

Cons

• Laser may not be as powerful as more expensive models
• No true night vision capabilities
• Some users may find the elevation marks difficult to see

In our experience, the CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e Red & Green Illuminated Scope offered excellent performance in both low light and daylight conditions. The integrated green laser stood out, allowing us to quickly and accurately aim at close-range and fast-moving targets. Its 300-yard range, while not the most powerful on the market, was more than enough for our needs.

We were pleased with the clarity and durability of the multi-coated lenses, which provided clear views whether it was day or night. However, we found ourselves wanting a true night-vision feature for those pitch-black hunts. Despite this, the five levels of brightness for the red and green illuminations still made the scope a solid choice in lower light conditions.

While the overall usability and performance of the CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e met our expectations, we noticed that the elevation marks were a bit small, making them somewhat challenging to use in practice. That being said, the scope held its zero well and maintained calibration.

The CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e Red & Green Illuminated Scope with Green Laser is a solid choice for hunters seeking an affordable, reliable illuminated hunting scope for low-light conditions.

While it may lack some of the features found in higher-priced scopes, its performance and functionality make it a worthwhile investment.

YINPOM 4-16x50AO Rifle Scope Combo

Choose YINPOM 4-16x50AO Rifle Scope Combo for a versatile and reliable hunting experience in low light conditions.

Pros

• Excellent illumination and brightness options
• Clear optics for sharp target acquisition
• Durable, waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof design

Cons

• A bit heavy, which could affect stability
• Laser sight range: limited to 200-400 meters
• Adjustment controls may loosen after heavy usage

We recently tested the YINPOM 4-16x50AO Rifle Scope Combo on our hunting excursions, and we were impressed by its performance. This multifunctional scope is perfect for various sports and offers 4-16x magnification, making it highly adaptable to diverse situations.

With red or green illuminated reticles, the scope delivers excellent visibility regardless of surrounding conditions or light levels.

The YINPOM’s Laser Class: IIIa, with a maximum output power of less than 5mw, provides a range of 200-400 meters, allowing for better targeting. Additionally, the scope’s 5-mode flashlight comes in handy for improved visibility and safety during nighttime hunts.

Attaching the scope to our rifle was straightforward, thanks to the high-quality mount holder. Once installed, we were thrilled by the clarity and optical performance offered by the fully multi-coated lenses. We also appreciated the 1/4″ fingertip resettable windage and elevation adjustments, which made fine-tuning our aim easy and precise.

One downside we noticed is that the scope is relatively heavy, which might affect stability on long hunts. Moreover, the laser sight range is limited to 200-400 meters, which could be an issue for hunters targeting long-range prey.

The YINPOM 4-16x50AO Rifle Scope Combo delivers excellent performance in low-light situations. Its versatility and durability make it an ideal addition to any hunter’s gear.

However, it could use improvement in terms of weight and laser sight range.

CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e Illuminated Scope with Green Laser

This CVLIFE illuminated hunting scope is a fantastic option for those looking to improve their low-light targeting, due to its combination of features and user-friendly design.

Pros

• Built-in green laser for precise target locking
• Pressure switch for quick target acquisition
• Dual-color illumination for versatile use in different lighting conditions

Cons

• Laser may require occasional adjustments to maintain accuracy
• Not compatible with night vision devices
• Weaver mount may limit the scope’s compatibility with certain rifles

Upon trying the CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e illuminated scope, we were immediately impressed by the built-in green laser. This feature allowed us to lock onto targets quickly and with exceptional accuracy, even when observing at distances of around 300 yards.

The pressure switch design, which enables easy control, further contributed to our swift target acquisition and enhanced shooting efficiency.

Next, we were pleased with the scope’s dual-color illumination options, offering both red and green lights. This versatility allowed us to adapt to various lighting conditions, ensuring clear reticle visibility and consequently improving our shooting accuracy.

The high-quality optical glass and multi-layer coating objective lens provided us with a bright and clear field of view, with minimal chromatic aberration.

However, we did notice that the laser may require occasional adjustments to maintain accuracy, and the lack of compatibility with night vision devices could be a downside for some users. Additionally, the scope’s compatibility may be limited due to the Weaver mount, which may not suit all rifles.

The CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e illuminated scope with green laser is a strong option for those seeking better low-light targeting performance.

With its combination of impressive features and user-friendly design, it can significantly improve your low-light hunting experience.

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×40 V-Brite Illuminated Riflescope

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×40 V-Brite illuminated riflescope is a top choice for hunters looking for a reliable and versatile scope in low-light conditions.

Pros

• Excellent low light performance with illuminated center dot
• Long eye relief and ultra-forgiving eye box for quick target acquisition
• Durable, waterproof, and fog proof construction

Cons

• The minimum focal point may be too far for some users
• Illuminated dot might not be essential for all situations
• The slight learning curve with reticle adjustment

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×40 V-Brite illuminated riflescope is tailored for hunters and shooters seeking an edge during extra-low light conditions. With its battery-powered illuminated center dot, acquiring targets becomes much easier under the cover of darkness or in dim environments.

One of the standout features of this scope is its long eye relief and ultra-forgiving eye box. We found that it allowed us to quickly get a sight picture and lock onto our target with ease. Additionally, the fast-focus eyepiece made reticle focusing a breeze, giving us the ability to make necessary adjustments on the fly.

Constructed from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum, the Crossfire II is designed for strength and shockproof performance. No need to worry about the weather, as it’s O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for waterproof and fogproof performance. This added durability ensures the scope can withstand various hunting conditions.

It’s worth noting that some users have mentioned the minimum focal point as too far for their needs. This may affect those who require closer focus distances. Moreover, while the illuminated dot is beneficial for low-light conditions, it may not be necessary for all shooting situations. Finally, there might be a slight learning curve when adjusting the reticle, but practice will make perfect.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×40 V-Brite illuminated riflescope is a solid option for hunters and shooters who require excellent low-light performance. Its durable construction, long eye relief, and easy target acquisition make it a valuable addition to your hunting gear.

Buying Guide

When looking for the best-illuminated hunting scope for low light, there are several factors to consider. In this buying guide, we will go through the most important features to help you make an informed decision.

Magnification

The first thing to consider is the magnification range of the scope. A larger magnification will allow you to see targets further away, but it can also make it more difficult to keep the scope steady. For low-light hunting situations, we recommend a magnification range between 3x and 12x.

Objective Lens Diameter

The size of the objective lens is crucial for low-light performance, as it determines the amount of light that enters the scope. A larger lens will allow more light to pass through, providing a brighter and clearer image. Look for scopes with an objective lens diameter of at least 40mm.

Illuminated Reticle

An illuminated reticle enhances target acquisition and shot placement in low-light conditions. There are different types of illuminated reticles, such as red or green, and with various illumination levels. We suggest looking for a scope with adjustable brightness settings to better adapt to different lighting conditions.

Coating and Lenses Quality

High-quality lenses and coatings are essential for a clear and bright image. Multi-coated lenses can reduce glare and improve light transmission, making it easier to spot your target in low-light situations. Look for hunting scopes that feature fully multi-coated lenses for optimal performance.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Since hunting scopes are exposed to various weather conditions and rugged environments, it’s crucial to choose a durable and weather-resistant scope. We recommend looking for scopes with a solid construction, such as aircraft-grade aluminum, and features like waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof capabilities.

By taking these factors into consideration, you can confidently choose an illuminated hunting scope that will meet your needs for low-light hunting situations. Remember to also consider your personal preferences and budget, as there are many options available on the market.