Rifle Scopes Bushnell XRS lowlight capability

[redroan45]

So i have read everything I could find on this scope and I think I am going to pick one up, but I havent been able to find much of an opinion on this scope in lowlight. I am particularly interested in how it compares to the original HDMR in this regard.

 

[BobinNC]

I've not used either Bushnell model, but I do have an opinion, for what's it worth, about scopes in low light situations. That is you will loose the reticle long (up to 5-10 minutes depending on background/conditions) before you loose the ability to actually see what your shooting at. This is especially so with the relative fine style reticles used on most tactical scopes.

This can be alleviated by using a heavy hunting style reticle like a German #4 in a non-illuminated scope or illuminating a fine tactical style reticle. I would expect the plainer cheaper Bushnell LRS 3-12x44mm, which I do have, to be vastly superior to the HDMR or XRS in low light situations mainly due to it's illumination. It may be inferior in all other aspects, but when talking in the narrow scope of low light situations, illumination trumps anything else available.

In low light it does not matter how big your objective is or how much light it transmits, if you cannot see your reticle to aim, your done for the day...


IMHO and YMMV

 

[Brasscow]

I have a 4.5-30 I am probably going to be selling, though not for the lack of low light ability. I do find that it is only usable on the highest power while looking at a sunlit target. I find it comparable to most mid-high end scopes at around 25 and lower. It doesn't match premier, SB, or hensoldt, but I'd say on par with an NXS. It's really asking a lot of a scope to put 30x on a 50mm objective.

That being said, on a sunlit target I could see .308 holes on paper at 600yds while set at 30x. It offers MUcH bang for the buck, but I'm too invested in premier and MTC turrets and will probably sell it to grab another premier. Love the reticle though!

 

[CSTactical]

Over all they do very well in lowlight not as good as some of the really high-end optics but it will hold its own.

Mike @ CSTACTICAL

 

[trauma1]

I have the XRS, I will be giving in a go across fields this season at dark. I am concerned it will be difficult to see the G2 unless it is on a high power. I can hardly see it in daylight on 4. 5 power. I love the G2, I just wish there was an illuminated one. If you get one and plan on using it hunting, get a GAP throw lever. You will be able to find your target on low power and then quickly put the G2 on it w/ higher power.

 

[Irokcrawl]

I cant compare it to the HDMR but I do own a XRS with the H59 reticel and while I do like the optic for the price the lack of illumination pisses me off and Bushnells reasoning for no illimination in FFP optics is just stupid IMO. I do have some issues in low light but its not horrible, gets somewhat grayish to me but maybe that is just me and I do not have a ton of experience with it at those lighting levels, Anything above 25x is useless in that lighting for me on this optic. If I quickly swap over and look through a S&B or a Hensoldt in the same lighting I can tell a pretty big difference but that's also at an 1500-2K dollar difference on the price tag. That being said I did order a S&B PMII to replace the XRS. I will keep the XRS and put it on another gun for my wife and daughter since they can not shoulder mine due to the LOP being so much longer for me.