Best low light optic under $800

[sdupontjr]

In term of pure low light hunting optics to get you that last 10-15 min of quality hunting time, what is the best out there for under $800? Of course if money is no object, then the sky is the limit, but for around $750-$800 and below, whats out there? I know here in Louisiana our hard wood can get really thick and we also have legal shooting times. Some folks here swear by the Trijicon Accupoint 2.5-10x56, which falls into the budget. Ive seen some used ones for around $550-600 in very good condition. Also given the hard woods, the illumination help out tremendously. Is there anything else out there that I may not know about?

 

[General RE LEE]

If you can raise your budget to $900, Euro Optic has show room demos of the Leupold VX5HD 3-5x44 with the illuminated reticle. Leupold HD glass from my testing is excellent for low light. I hunt in Tennessee in both the woods and ag fields and I can see right up until legal ends. This is the scope I have on my gun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ChrisAU]

I'd say a Zeiss V4 3-12x56 from Red Hawk Rifles for $659, or illuminated for $729:

*USED* Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12x56 Rifle Scope

The Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12x56 is an exceptional riflescope for hunting in low-light and capable of taking manageable mid- to long-range shots.

redhawkrifles.com

or

Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 from Locked & Loaded at $678 shipped (must click email for price):

Locked & Loaded | Firearms - Ammo - Optics - Gear - Knives

lockedloaded.com

or

Swarovski Z3 4-12x50 from Sport Optics, should be able to get it around $722 (13% off) if you call them:

Swarovski Z3 4-12x50 - Plex

Swarovski Specifications Quick Review magnification range: 4X to 12X scope weight: 14.5 ounces scope length: 13.78 inches eye relief: 3.54 inches scope finish: matte black

www.sportoptics.com

 

[ChrisAU]

I do a lot of scope shopping...

 

[sdupontjr]

Chris, of all of those, looks like the V4 is illuminated. Of those listed, any one clearly better than the others?

 

[ChrisAU]

Chris, of all of those, looks like the V4 is illuminated. Of those listed, any one clearly better than the others?

I would trust the Zeiss mechanically/durability wise over the others, and I'm sure Zeiss glass in a 56mm package would be plenty enough to get you in trouble past the end of legal light.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I would trust the Zeiss mechanically/durability wise over the others, and I'm sure Zeiss glass in a 56mm package would be plenty enough to get you in trouble past the end of legal light.

+1
Zeiss is well known for their light gathering ability. 56mm objective makes it that much better.

 

[Pronghunter]

I can give an honest opinion based off owning the scopes mentioned. I have a ZEISS V4 6-24-50 and 2 5-30x50 V6’s. All on 6mm CM. I also have 1 Leupold VX 5HD 4-20x52 on a .243. I’ll say the Leupold has the edge on brightness over the V4 and V6. BUT, the V6 lasted a few minutes longer on the resolve chart. A strange thing to see. Almost as if your eyes are deceiving you. You can see more with the Leupold and see detail a little longer with the V6. I’m not sure on this, but it appears the V6 does have better glass than the V4 by a decent margin. At least to my eyes.
All are excellent and do what I need, but I prefer the Leupold VX5 HD by quite a bit. I really like my ZEISS products....but I had to send one of the ZEISS V6’s in right out of the box for a failed parallax knob and when the new one returned, I had a canted reticle within the first 10 firings with the Ultra Mag. With that said, ZEISS Warranty and CS immediately took care of both scopes. They have always had the best CS. Since then I’ve been a little reluctant to use the ZEISS on bigger calibers. Especially with muzzle brakes. I do have some smaller VX5 HD models and they all perform flawlessly. IMO, if you can swing the little extra $$$, the VX5 HD would be my pic. I honestly think it’s a much better optic than the V4.

 

[10ring1]

Bushnell elite series was awesome. Still can find used ones at great prices. Compared it next to my vx5 and would have to give it to the bushy

 

[Motown]

I just started using the Tract Toric this past season and gotta say it is tough to beat for the price for low light. I also have a V4 and HD5 and for my eyes the Tract seems to have the edge.

I think what really makes this scope great is the Tplex reticle. I made 350 yard shot on a doe this year about 35 mins past sunset with this scope and between the brightness of the glass and the boldness of the reticle made the shot really easy.