[SEW]

Low light scope test.

Recently, I was sent a prototype scope to test specifically the speed dial and range settings only. I thought I’d add a low light test also and against scopes I have on my other crossbows (MV36, 2x8 Duralyt, Vortex Razor 50 3x15, Vortex XBR).

The test was out of a hunting blind on a hill, facing a 150 yard long, 5 yard wide shooting lane going down into a valley then up the other side. This valley gets dark very early.

A foam deer target was placed in the center of the lane 50 yards from the blind. The scopes were all set on the lowest light setting, 10x on the 2 Vortex’s, 8 on the Duralyt and 400’/sec on the MV36.

Usability ratings were G(good), F(fair), P (poor, but usable - can’t tell if antlered) and U (unusable).

7:38 was SS+ 30 minutes. This area gets prematurely dark.

Duralyt. Razor. XBR. MV36
7:34. G. G. G. G
7:35. G. G. G. P
7:36. G. G. G. P
7:38. G. G. G. P
7:39. P. G. G. U
7:41. P. G. G
7:43. P. F. F
7:46. P. F. F
7:47. U. P. P
7:48. U P. P
7:49. U U. U

Unexpected: the XBR equaled the much more expensive Razor in this test at crossbow ranges, including another test in the open, at 80 yards. However, at 180 yards, with the decoy against a tree line, near total darkness , the Razor was the clear winner. It is a rifle scope, after all!

The MV 36 still made a very good showing!

I HATE IT WHEN THE COLUMNS ARE COMPRESSED BY THE IPAD LIKE THAT, UNLIKE HOW I PRINTED IT. I WILL TRY TO CORRECT.

 

[*Jay*]

Did you test the experimental scope as well or did I misunderstand your post???

 

[Huntersthompson]

No Black Eagle 2.5x10x50?

 

[SEW]

I did test but don’t know if the glass will be actual production glass or not. Also, no permission requested nor given.

No, I expect the Black Eagle would score higher. It should ($$$).

 

[bowmanmt]

I think Duke will concure, the digital scope not even with night vision on has a remarkable low light capabilities. Like the 4k

 

[SEW]

 

[No1Rackmaster]

thanks for the the information......very interesting. I would have bet on the Duralyt without
hesitation.

We sure due for a nice new Multi aim point scope with some real good glass.

 

[burky247365]

Looks like the razer and XBR made it the farthest in to last light .

 

[rt2bowhunter]

I would have liked to see a Huskemaw in the mix. I ran it against my XBR both on 4 power. I gave the nod to the Huskemaw. Just because it had a smaller dimmer single dot that let me see longer. The XBR probably could have beat it if i used the variable power sometimes it helps and to my eyes 5 power is the best and that's where vortex put the indent in the power ring.
Hunting season will sort things out when i'm looking at deer at dusk.

 

[burky247365]

I would have liked to see a Huskemaw in the mix. I ran it against my XBR both on 4 power. I gave the nod to the Huskemaw. Just because it had a smaller dimmer single dot that let me see longer. The XBR probably could have beat it if i used the variable power sometimes it helps and to my eyes 5 power is the best and that's where vortex put the indent in the power ring.
Hunting season will sort things out when i'm looking at deer at dusk.

I just picked up a Husky , had to see what all the fuss is about ,LOL
I got the 1 MOA scope , all I want it for is 40 45 n 50 Yds

 

[rt2bowhunter]

I just picked up a Husky , had to see what all the fuss is about ,LOL
I got the 1 MOA scope , all I want it for is 40 45 n 50 Yds

Good Hope you like it.

At 4 power shooting at little bulls at 50 it makes you bare down lol.

 

[burky247365]

Good Hope you like it.

At 4 power shooting at little bulls at 50 it makes you bare down lol.

LOL I try and go paint my bulls about the same size as the dot in the scope !!
Usually a little bigger than a base ball .

 

[Iron Duke]

I think Duke will concure, the digital scope not even with night vision on has a remarkable low light capabilities. Like the 4k

We all know ... I've had my trials & tribulations with the ATN X-Sight 4K Pro, but it's low light performance is astounding! And that's in daylight mode, not even night mode. I may go back to playing with it over the summer now that my disappointment has subsided again...lol

 

[Iron Duke]

That's the ... way I cut a shooting lane...lol

 

[SEW]

Actually, that’s a trail that is used for a shooting lane. There are 3 trails that converge from that hilltop 6’ elevated blind.

 

[Zebrafive]

My limited low light testing was looking a sign. I set all the scopes to the same power, not the highest. I did not have scopes mounted so it was free hand. That may have skewed my results.
I stopped for each scope when I could not read the sign. The sign had red letters on white background, probably not the best color combination. I think I set it about 30-35 yards away.

 

[SEW]

I probably should have explained why I chose this particular setting for my scope test.

1) For a crossbow scope evaluation, I use a deer decoy against a background where and when I will most likely take a shot at a trophy deer. A deer trail crosses my shooting lane at 51 yards, generally left to right. A little corn or doe scent will usually cause a brief stop there.

2) That is the earliest, darkest place I hunt. I’ve killed most trophy deer there over the past 40 years.

3) 50 - 60 yards is my preferred shot distance. The closest distance that is virtually assured to have zero deer response to the shot noise other than maybe a slight head raising to look around. and that’s usually looking away since that’s where they heard the sound bounce back to them, since I virtually only shoot when the deer is looking away from me. 50-60 yards thru an excellent rifle scope on 8-10x is a very easy shot.

4) When testing a scope, I try to always have the same background that will exist in the most trying conditions . For a crossbow, the above conditions are it. For my smokeless powder, 40 cal MLers, it’s 200 yards with a deer in the field right against the woodline for my ultralite (3x15 Razor now, formerly Duralyt 2x8) and 300 yards for my heavyweight rifle (6x24 Sightron 3).

5) For working up loads, I’d use a sign with letters or #s as mentioned in post #16.

This is just how I do it. Not necessarily the best or right way. It’s just what I’ve come up with.

 

[Tnmtns]

I probably should have explained why I chose this particular setting for my scope test.

1) For a crossbow scope evaluation, I use a deer decoy against a background where and when I will most likely take a shot at a trophy deer. A deer trail crosses my shooting lane at 51 yards, generally left to right. A little corn or doe scent will usually cause a brief stop there.

2) That is the earliest, darkest place I hunt. I’ve killed most trophy deer there over the past 40 years.

3) 50 - 60 yards is my preferred shot distance. The closest distance that is virtually assured to have zero deer response to the shot noise other than maybe a slight head raising to look around. and that’s usually looking away since that’s where they heard the sound bounce back to them, since I virtually only shoot when the deer is looking away from me. 50-60 yards thru an excellent rifle scope on 8-10x is a very easy shot.

4) When testing a scope, I try to always have the same background that will exist in the most trying conditions . For a crossbow, the above conditions are it. For my smokeless powder, 40 cal MLers, it’s 200 yards with a deer in the field right against the woodline for my ultralite (3x15 Razor now, formerly Duralyt 2x8) and 300 yards for my heavyweight rifle (6x24 Sightron 3).

5) For working up loads, I’d use a sign with letters or #s as mentioned in post #16.

This is just how I do it. Not necessarily the best or right way. It’s just what I’ve come up with.

Thanks for taking the time! My XBR's seem to be ranked right up there.... I just can't take them off and I know they aren't the best out now, but that's besides the point! LOL

 

[SEW]

What is better than the XBR?

In my 200 yard rifle scope testing, the manually parallex adjustable Razor set on 15 does better than the XBR set on 15. However, as reported, in the 50 yard crossbow test with both set on 10, and the Razor’s p-adj optimized, there is virtually no difference.

Again, what is better than the XBR?
Duke has a Razor (I think I remember it), but is using an XBR.

Why?I think he has a reason.

 

[Huntersthompson]

I need a rifle scope with mildot reticle. What do you suggest? Like to keep length and weight down.