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Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle #9115018 08/21/14
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847 R RevMike OP Campfire Tracker
OP RevMike Campfire Tracker R Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847	OK, guys. What's your choice of reticle in a Leupold VX3 1.5-5x20 for low-light conditions (I know the arguments about objective size so am not concerned with that): Leupy's "German 4" or "Heavy Duplex"? Of course, I could save a hundred bucks and get a VX2 1-4 in standard duplex, which works fine on my VX3 2.5-8, so I might as well throw it into the mix as well. But mostly I'm asking about reticle choice for low-light conditions. What's your preference? "An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown

GB1

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle RevMike #9115028 08/21/14
Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,305 Northeast USA B beretzs Campfire Ranger
beretzs Campfire Ranger B Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,305 Northeast USA	I've got a VXR 1.25x4 #4 and the VX6 2-12 #4, both illuminated. I like the reticles and both have a decent amount of mass to see when it's very dark. I haven't really tested either illuminated yet as the plain old #4 is pretty good. Not quite as good as the real German #4's but still decent. Leupolds Heavy Duplex is a great reticle as well, I've got that in a 1.5x5 and it's works excellent for the tight and fast shooting in the SE. It's claimed many deer on the move, picks up fast and seems well suited for hunting. Semper Fi

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle beretzs #9115042 08/21/14
Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 12,664 West Virginia D Dave_in_WV Campfire Outfitter
Dave_in_WV Campfire Outfitter D Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 12,664 West Virginia	I've got 1 scope with the heavy duplex and 2 scopes with the post & duplex reticles. When I lose the reticles in dim light it's too late for me to shoot. I like the P&D a bit more than the HD. If I buy another fixed 4X I may try the #1 reticle. The Karma bus always has an empty seat when it comes around.- High Brass There's battle lines being drawn Nobody's right if everybody's wrong

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle beretzs #9115043 08/21/14
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847 R RevMike OP Campfire Tracker
OP RevMike Campfire Tracker R Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847	Originally Posted by beretzs I've got a VXR 1.25x4 #4 and the VX6 2-12 #4, both illuminated. I like the reticles and both have a decent amount of mass to see when it's very dark. I haven't really tested either illuminated yet as the plain old #4 is pretty good. Not quite as good as the real German #4's but still decent. Leupolds Heavy Duplex is a great reticle as well, I've got that in a 1.5x5 and it's works excellent for the tight and fast shooting in the SE. It's claimed many deer on the move, picks up fast and seems well suited for hunting. Thanks for the note. As you pointed out, for some reason Leupold's German 4 doesn't look quite like other German 4s I've seen. I love illuminated reticles and use a VXR Firedot 4, 3-9, on a MRC ASR, but I don't want to put a 30mm tube on a Ruger No 1a. I want to stay with a 1 inch...at least until an illuminated reticle comes in a 1 inch. "An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle Dave_in_WV #9115050 08/21/14
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847 R RevMike OP Campfire Tracker
OP RevMike Campfire Tracker R Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847	Originally Posted by Dave_in_WV I've got 1 scope with the heavy duplex and 2 scopes with the post & duplex reticles. When I lose the reticles in dim light it's too late for me to shoot. I like the P&D a bit more than the HD. If I buy another fixed 4X I may try the #1 reticle. I was seriously looking at P&D. That will have to be something out of Leupy's custom shop. I might try either the G4 or HD for a bit, and if it doesn't work out it's off to Leupold for a P&D. What is it that you like better about the P&D? "An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown

IC B2

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle RevMike #9115070 08/21/14
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Likes: 1 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle
ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Likes: 1 Southwestern Montucky	I have had stellar luck with the VX2 in a 1-4 with basic duplex. "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle ingwe #9115077 08/21/14
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847 R RevMike OP Campfire Tracker
OP RevMike Campfire Tracker R Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847	Originally Posted by ingwe I have had stellar luck with the VX2 in a 1-4 with basic duplex. Is that what's on the Ingwe Express (your Fwt)? "An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle ingwe #9115081 08/21/14
Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,305 Northeast USA B beretzs Campfire Ranger
beretzs Campfire Ranger B Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,305 Northeast USA	Originally Posted by ingwe I have had stellar luck with the VX2 in a 1-4 with basic duplex. That's a popular combo down here in our deer hunting area. Deer are usually moving quickly due to be pushed by hounds so you either have to learn to shoot them moving or let them pass. The 1.25x4, 1.5x5 and 1x4 Leupolds are the most popular around our place on slug guns. Plus they are fairly low profile and don't catch on every vine in the woods. I'd love to have the #4 in my 1.5x5 on my slug gun, but the Heavy Duplex works fine and hopefully upon retirement I won't have to hunt deer with a shotgun anymore! Semper Fi

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle beretzs #9115098 08/21/14
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847 R RevMike OP Campfire Tracker
OP RevMike Campfire Tracker R Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847	Originally Posted by beretzs I'd love to have the #4 in my 1.5x5 on my slug gun, but the Heavy Duplex works fine and hopefully upon retirement I won't have to hunt deer with a shotgun anymore! Moving west or farther south? I have some variation of the No 4 on two of my 7x57s, just not the standard Leupold No. 4. For some reason the P&D design catches my eye a bit better, but I'm not entirely sure at 0'Dark-Thirty as I haven't tried it. "An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle RevMike #9115112 08/21/14
Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,305 Northeast USA B beretzs Campfire Ranger
beretzs Campfire Ranger B Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,305 Northeast USA	Originally Posted by RevMike Originally Posted by beretzs I'd love to have the #4 in my 1.5x5 on my slug gun, but the Heavy Duplex works fine and hopefully upon retirement I won't have to hunt deer with a shotgun anymore! Moving west or farther south? I have some variation of the No 4 on two of my 7x57s, just not the standard Leupold No. 4. For some reason the P&D design catches my eye a bit better, but I'm not entirely sure at 0'Dark-Thirty as I haven't tried it. West is the plan. So far, from what I've seen is Meopta has the tightest #4 and Leupolds have the most space. I like the Leupolds but just wish they were a little tighter. I like the #4 reticle a bunch. But then again, I've done fine with regular Duplex or similar on my hunting rifles as well. Semper Fi

IC B3

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle RevMike #9115117 08/21/14
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Likes: 1 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle
ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Likes: 1 Southwestern Montucky	Originally Posted by RevMike Originally Posted by ingwe I have had stellar luck with the VX2 in a 1-4 with basic duplex. Is that what's on the Ingwe Express (your Fwt)? Nope, that was a 1.5-5 but I have since put a larger scope on it for older eyes�. However a VX2 1-4 served me well on a 7x57 mountain rifle years ago� Then the scope moved to my .375 for a couple years� Then it moved to Ingwewifes .30-06, where it still resides, 10 years later.. Its a real toss up whether or not the 1.5-5 is worth the extra $$$$ "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle beretzs #9115121 08/21/14
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847 R RevMike OP Campfire Tracker
OP RevMike Campfire Tracker R Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847	Originally Posted by beretzs So far, from what I've seen is Meopta has the tightest #4 and Leupolds have the most space. I like the Leupolds but just wish they were a little tighter. I like the #4 reticle a bunch. But then again, I've done fine with regular Duplex or similar on my hunting rifles as well. Have you taken a look at the P&D on Leupold's website? They'll change it out on an existing scope, but I'm not sure for how much. I have a note in to Leupold and will find out for sure. "An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle RevMike #9115131 08/21/14
Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,305 Northeast USA B beretzs Campfire Ranger
beretzs Campfire Ranger B Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,305 Northeast USA	Originally Posted by RevMike Originally Posted by beretzs So far, from what I've seen is Meopta has the tightest #4 and Leupolds have the most space. I like the Leupolds but just wish they were a little tighter. I like the #4 reticle a bunch. But then again, I've done fine with regular Duplex or similar on my hunting rifles as well. Have you taken a look at the P&D on Leupold's website? They'll change it out on an existing scope, but I'm not sure for how much. I have a note in to Leupold and will find out for sure. Nope, sure haven't seen that. I've got a 3.5x10 on its way to Leupold now for a # 4 retrofit. I'll take a look at the P and D though. Semper Fi

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle beretzs #9115148 08/21/14
Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,305 Northeast USA B beretzs Campfire Ranger
beretzs Campfire Ranger B Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,305 Northeast USA	I just looked at the Post and Duplex. Seems to be a #4 with pointed bars? Same same to me. Looks like a nice reticle though. I'd run one. Semper Fi

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle ingwe #9115184 08/21/14
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847 R RevMike OP Campfire Tracker
OP RevMike Campfire Tracker R Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847	Originally Posted by ingwe Its a real toss up whether or not the 1.5-5 is worth the extra $$$$ Nice pictures, Ingwe, as always. You realize you married up, right? Your question is a good one. "An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle beretzs #9115189 08/21/14
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847 R RevMike OP Campfire Tracker
OP RevMike Campfire Tracker R Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847	Originally Posted by beretzs I just looked at the Post and Duplex. Seems to be a #4 with pointed bars? Same same to me. Looks like a nice reticle though. I'd run one. Pretty much except the opening of the crosshairs (I'm sure there's a name for it) isn't as wide as between the G4. "An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle RevMike #9115235 08/21/14
Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 3,623 Likes: 1 Ala-Freaking Bama! via Texas H hh4whiskey Campfire Tracker
hh4whiskey Campfire Tracker H Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 3,623 Likes: 1 Ala-Freaking Bama! via Texas	I'm thinking of having a VX3 1.75-6 converted to post and duplex, and a 1-4 with that or #1, if they'll do it on a VX1? I think the post/duplex is basically a #4 done 'right'.

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle hh4whiskey #9115247 08/21/14
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847 R RevMike OP Campfire Tracker
OP RevMike Campfire Tracker R Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847	Originally Posted by hh4whiskey I think the post/duplex is basically a #4 done 'right'. I agree with that, at least in Leupold's case. I expect I'll eventually have a VX3 changed to that reticle. But until then, I'm just wondering which of the two - the current G4 or HD - will be better in low light conditions. "An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle RevMike #9115399 08/21/14
Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 3,623 Likes: 1 Ala-Freaking Bama! via Texas H hh4whiskey Campfire Tracker
hh4whiskey Campfire Tracker H Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 3,623 Likes: 1 Ala-Freaking Bama! via Texas	I like the HD better, if the other choice is G4, from Leupold, anyway. Other makes have tighter G4s, like Zeiss or Meopta. Minox's G4 is even wider, to me. For a hunting scope, especially of reasonable magnification (1-8x), having that smaller focal point in low light seems more practical, to me.

Re: Mule Deer and Others - Low Light Reticle hh4whiskey #9115407 08/21/14
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847 R RevMike OP Campfire Tracker
OP RevMike Campfire Tracker R Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 4,847	Originally Posted by hh4whiskey I like the HD better, if the other choice is G4, from Leupold, anyway. Other makes have tighter G4s, like Zeiss or Meopta. Minox's G4 is even wider, to me. For a hunting scope, especially of reasonable magnification (1-8x), having that smaller focal point in low light seems more practical, to me. The HD has heavier posts too, which make them stand out more in low light conditions. At least that's the way I'm leaning. "An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown

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