I used the leupold 1.75-6X for most of my hunting in Alaska. It was fine in the alders and "gathered" enough light for evening shots. I never figured I wanted an illuminated scope for bear hunting. If its too dark to see the reticle, it's probably too dark to go poking holes in a bear.
I like the the Leupold 1.5x - 5x I have on my 500 Jeffery a lot as well.