What happens when an illuminated reticle is off

[gherx]

G'day guys.

Probably a stupid question but just checking, with 'illuminated' reticles, what happens if they're off?

Do you get a regular black reticle or is the reticle gone?

I looked on the Bushnell and Leupold sites and couldn't find an answer along with their scope specs.

What's the dealio?

[AusC]

I can't speak for every scope, but the few I've used yes.

The Bushnell Elite Tactical does I'm sure, can't say for others.

[Joom]

Same for the few I've used. Switch off and they're back to a regular black painted reticle or whatever you call it.

[Blackened]

For dedicated dot reticles and such the light is the only reticle. No power, no reticle.

For any hunting/target scope though you can always switch it off and return to a standard reticle.

[gherx]

Thanks guys.

Wasn't sure what the story was and just wanted to check before I wasted too much time researching scopes with a reticle I wouldn't want.

Wouldn't want it if it couldn't be used in the regular 'off' mode.

Thanks again.

[Kelix]

I'm coming around to illuminated reticles...

To be fair I hadn't really looked at any for years, but some of the new scopes have really fine, sharp reticles for both the on/off modes which seemed to be a problem with them in the past.

I can see adding one to my collection at some point.

[boolia]

I'm only pretty new to shooting but it's clear a fine reticle is a must to me.

I started shooting on a mates gear. The first scope he bought was a mistake. It had too thick a reticle which I didn't appreciate at the time.

Learned his lesson pretty quickly though looking through better scopes later. So did I, and learned on his $$$ which is nice

Gots to have a fine reticle IMO.

[Dirtdart89]

From all the ones I have used if it's got 0 - 2x mag then it will be on or nothing.

But any higher and you will keep the regular sight once the red dot is off. Some you can even adjust e.g. The Trijicon 4x has a strip of fibre optic that most people I know stick a little leccy tape over it to reduce the brightness and make target acquisition easier.

But I don't really have much experience with red dots.

[sneaker]

Ditto for your comments DD.

Every dot scope I've looked through was light on or off. No black reticle.

That's using 1x or 2x sights as well.

Gotta get myself one of the Aimpoint red dot sights. They're nice

[Dirtdart89]

Yeah, I personally prefer iron sights myself but it seems I'm a dying breed. But I suppose one day when my eyes get older I'll have to make the switch.

[Boatman]

I like iron sights for some fun, TBH though I think a 1x scope is better.

Easier/faster to acquire with a cross hair than lining up two points of the irons.