Most people prefer to go hunting in the early hours of the morning or late in the evening because most animals are nocturnal and hence will go out to look for food in the cover of darkness. For this reason, every hunter needs one of the best low-light rifle scopes on their shelves.
During these hunting hours, there is not enough light to precisely acquire targets and make accurate shots, especially with the naked human eye. Hunters have to use high-quality scopes that are equipped with features to help with low-light performance.
The best low-light rifle scopes differ from night vision scopes as they lack phosphor screens and heat sensors that allow the user to see in the dark. They are, however, specially designed to perform in any light situation, with features that make the most out of all the available light in the environment.
In this review, we dive into some of the best scopes for low light use.
Best Low Light Rifle Scopes Review
1) Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-12×56, 30mm Tube Riflescope
Vortex crossfire II scope features a V-Brite reticle and a 56mm objective lens that allow you to take shots behind heavy cover and in low light conditions. The scope features a hard anodized single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube that is strongly built for long time performance.
It has an adjustable objective that provides image focus and parallax removal to the shooter as well as anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses that provide bright and clear views. The scope is nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed for waterproof and fog-proof performance.
This Crossfire scope offers long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box allowing for quick acquisition of a sight picture and target engagement. The fast-focus eyepiece also allows quick and easy reticle focusing. The scope uses the V-Plex format along with battery-powered electronics to illuminate the center dot for better low-light performance.
Key features
- It is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum
- It has capped reset turrets that are finger adjustable with MOA clicks that can be reset to zero after sighting in
- It is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for waterproof and fog-proof performance
- It has a versatile 3-12x magnification
- It is ruggedly built to withstand hard use
- It has an illuminated center dot for a precise aiming point under low-light conditions
- It features second focal plane (SFP) reticles
Pros
- Supported by a lifetime warranty
- It is shockproof
- It comes with a sunshade for lens protection
Cons
- It is not ideal for use in complete darkness
2) Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-6×24 SFP Riflescope
Vortex Optics Strike Eagle riflescope is well known for its speed and versatility. It boasts powerful features in a trim, lightweight and durable package that is ideal for shooters.
This scope provides quick target acquisition in close-quarter scenarios, allowing adjustments to six times power for targets at a distance.
The scope features high-quality, fully multi-coated lenses that deliver a clear, crisp sight picture and optimal low-light performance. It has a low end of its zoom range that adapts to a wide range of scenarios, allowing you to engage targets from point-blank out to extended ranges.
The incredibly versatile 6x zoom range also lets you engage targets from intermediate to extended ranges, and is perfectly suited for an extremely wide range of applications.
Key features
- It has a fast focus dial on the eyepiece that ensures that your reticle is always sharp
- It has an illuminated, glass-etched BDC reticle with 11 illumination settings to accommodate changing light conditions
- It is waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof
- Eye relief: 3.5 Inches
- It has an adjustable 1-6x Magnification
- 24mm Objective Lens Diameter
- It comes with the Vortex Cantilever Ring Mount for a 30mm Tube
Pros
- It has a generous eye relief
- An extra battery can be stored in the windage cap and easily released
Cons
- A bit heavy compared to the Crossfire II
3) Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Riflescope
This Bushnell Banner riflescope is made in a beautiful design that ensures great durability and reliability. It is a low-light riflescope with 6-18x magnification and a 50mm objective lens, ideal for long-range varmint, silhouette, and target shooting.
The scope features dusk & dawn brightness (DDB) multicoated lenses which provide clear and bright images even in low lighting. This scope is O-ring sealed to ensure the inside stays dry even when totally immersed in water.
The scope’s Multi-X reticle has 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustments for easy and personalized use.
Key features
- It offers 3.5 inches of eye relief
- It has a fast-focus eyepiece
- The scope measures 16 inches long
- It has 18x magnification and a large 50mm objective
- It has a Multi-X reticle for a classic sight picture
Pros
- 100% Waterproof and fog-proof
- Lightweight
Cons
- Limited warranty
4) Leupold VX-R 3-9x40mm Riflescope
The Leupold VX-R 3-9x40mm Riflescope is designed with an illuminated Ballistic Fire Dot reticle that ensures great low-light performance. It has a quality matte finish that ensures a completely waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof performance.
This scope features motion sensor technology that increases the battery life by deactivating illumination after 5 minutes of inactivity. It also uses the Twilight Light Management System which adds up to 10 extra minutes of glassing light.
Key features
- It is made with 6061-T6 aircraft-quality aluminum
- Shockproof
- It has easy-to-adjust turrets
- Length: 12.84 in.
- Eye Relief (in) – Low: 4.17
- Eye Relief (in) – High: 3.66
- Linear FOV (ft. /100 yd.) – Low: 33.7
- Linear FOV (ft. /100 yd.) – High: 13.6
Pros
- Lightweight
- Completely waterproof, fog-proof
- Shockproof
Cons
- Rather small magnification range: 3x-9x
5) Burris Fullfield II Ballistic Plex Scope
The Burris Fullfield II Ballistic Plex Scope is a popular and premium traditional hunting riflescope that has won many awards within the shooting and hunting industry. For an affordable price, the scope features high-performance optical glass that provides excellent clarity and contrast with lasting durability.
The scope has multi-coated, no-glare lenses that allow maximum light transmission for clear images even in low lighting conditions. It also has quality, precision-ground lenses that are quite sizeable for better light transmission.
The Burris Fullfield II riflescope has a simple, integrated eyepiece and power ring with a no-slip grip for quick adjustment in the field. It also comes with a positive, steel-on-steel click adjustment to ensure repeatable settings for accuracy, on the range, and in the field.
Key features
- It features 1-piece tube construction with reinforced quad-seal gas seals
- The tube withstands shock and vibrations of even the heaviest-recoiling calibers
- It has index-matched, Hi-Lume multicoating for low-light performance and glare elimination
- The magnification/zoom ring is made of metal and knurled for easy grip and a lifetime of use
- Reticle: Ballistic Plex
Pros
- It is water, fog, and shockproof
- It is supported by a forever warranty
Cons
- It has no features to support use in total darkness
6) BARSKA 3-12×50 IR Huntmaster Pro 30/30 IR Cross Riflescope
Barska 3-12×50 IR Huntmaster Pro Riflescope is the perfect choice for shooters who are looking for the most essential features of a riflescope at an affordable price. The scope is ideal for hunting as well as target shooting and plinking.
This Burris scope features an illuminated Red 30/30 Reticle that allows easy adjustment to different brightness settings for pinpoint targeting in all conditions. It is also parallax-free at 100 yards and comes with fully coated optics making it the perfect scope for low-light environments.
This Barska riflescope also features a fast-focus eye bell, a large objective lens, and multi-coated optics that help deliver clear, high-contrast downrange views.
Key features
- It has 3 to 12X magnification
- It is easily adjustable for windage, elevation, and rheostat
- It features multi-coated optics for maximum light transmission
- It has a 13-Inch tube length and a one-inch tube diameter
- It features illuminated Cross 30/30 Reticles
- It is parallax-free at 100 yards
- Objective lens: 50-Millimeter
- Eye relief: 2.7-Inch
- It has a 0.25-Inch click value
- Length: 13″
- Weight: 21.34 oz.
Pros
- It has a limited lifetime warranty
- It is water, fog, and shock-proof
- Affordable
Cons
- Slightly heavy
7) NightForce ATACR 5-25x56mm F1 ZeroStop
This NightForce ATACR F1 scope is a superior scope made with a thick tube wall for strength and durability. The tube, which is about 34mm in diameter, makes it more durable than those that are only around 30mm or lesser.
The riflescope comes with an additional adjustment range that is useful for windage and elevation. It is O-ring sealed around the scope’s lenses with metal locks and bonding agents to create a waterproof and durable performance.
This NightForce riflescope uses off-white color for its markings, ensuring that they can easily be read. The lens is completely multicoated, to allow maximum light transmission as well as to prevent fogging.
Key features
- It has an ocular eyepiece with a fine-focus design for a more precise adjustment level
- It has a nice hard-anodized matte black finish on the exteriors for durability
- Generous eye relief: 3.54 inch
- It is O-ring sealed to keep the interiors dry
- Mounting Length (inches/mm): 6.3/160
- Tube Diameter: 34mm
- Weight (ounce/gram): 30/850
Pros
- An illuminated reticle is ideal for low-light use
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
Cons
- The minimum 5x power is not-so-ideal for very close shots
Choosing the Best Low Light Rifle Scopes
Magnification
You do not need a high magnification for a low-light scope. A very high magnification power can make shots more difficult as the details disappear more as you zoom in on your target. The best magnification range for a low light scope is ideally 3-9x or 4-12x zoom.
Weatherproofing
In the early mornings and late evenings, the weather can be very unpredictable. This is why your low-light scope should be able to withstand any kind of weather conditions. O-ring sealing and inert gas purging help to keep the interiors of the scope water and fog-free.
Lens coating
Your scope’s objective lens is important in determining the kind of image you see through the scope. The best low-light scopes have an anti-reflection film on the objective lens to help prevent light reflection. This means that there is maximum transmission through the scope for clearer images.
Objective lens
The objective lens diameter matters a lot when it comes to low-light scopes. The objective lens helps to gather available light from the environment and transmits it into the scope for clear images which translates to accurate shots.
Illuminated reticle
An illuminated reticle helps you to easily center your crosshairs at your target. This makes it better than a regular non-illuminated reticle.
Best Low Light Rifle Scopes FAQs
- Does a 30mm scope gather more light?
A 30-millimeter scope is believed to gather more light compared to a 1-inch tube. However, this is not entirely true as the objective lens size does not change and so is the case for the eyepiece size.
- Is a 50mm scope better than a 40mm?
The two scopes would have the same performance if they both share the same premium lens quality. However, the 50mm lens scope will definitely offer brighter, clearer target imaging, thanks to the higher light transmission of the larger lens.
- What is better for hunting FFP or SFP?
An FFP is great for long-range, high magnification, competition, and hunting applications. On the other hand, an SFP is the best for most target shooting, hunting, and CQB performance.
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Final Thoughts
There are great rifle scopes in the market that cannot be used in low-light conditions. The best scopes for those moments when there is not enough light are made with special features to utilize all available light to provide bright images.
These scopes allow you to have the best shooting/hunting experiences even when there is not enough light. They are meant to ensure you continue with your hunting spree even after the sun goes down.