What do reticles and reticle illumination do?
The reticle is the visible marking inside a riflescope. It may consist of a crosshair, dots or a more extensive scale. Its design is separate from the magnification of the target image. A fine reticle, a bright illuminated dot and a detailed image are also different characteristics.
The reticle is the visible marking inside a riflescope. It may consist of a crosshair, dots or a more extensive scale. Its design is separate from the magnification of the target image. A fine reticle, a bright illuminated dot and a detailed image are also different characteristics.
Reticle illumination makes certain markings easier to see. It does not automatically brighten the target image or improve the optic’s light transmission. Depending on the design, only a dot or a larger portion of the reticle is illuminated. Brightness settings, automatic shut-off and the battery are additional features.
Whether the reticle grows when magnification increases depends on its focal plane. In the first focal plane its apparent size changes; in the second it stays largely the same. Illumination does not determine this. Comparisons should therefore list reticle design, focal plane, angular unit and illumination separately. MOA / MRAD describe angles, not brightness or glass quality.