Neomet Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 (edited) Okay, with the confession that I am still painfully learning my way around actually shooting an AR at distance I have what may be a stupid question. If the stage has mainly long range targets why wouldn't I turn off the illumination on the scope? I am using the subtension lines and not the center dot. The illumination seems to be more of a distraction than anything at that point. Granted I have an XTR II which makes an Aimpoint look dim combined with a tendency for me to think 11 is always the appropriate setting. That might be part of the issue. . Edited June 17, 2015 by Neomet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocMedic Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 I guess the better question would be why do you feel that you need to run the illumination during those situations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moltke Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 I only use the illumination when I have to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blairmckenzie1 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 For me it depends on the target. If it's a black target at a decent distance I leave it on. White targets I leave it off. It's a contrast thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 (edited) On matches where everything is close, I prefer a Burris MTAC with its donut recticle. For targets under 60 yards I prefer it illuminated. Past 60 yards, the illumination is more of a distraction. For matches with targets past 100 yards, I prefer a Burris XTR scope. I've found I rarely use the illumination. Edited June 17, 2015 by Flatland Shooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neomet Posted June 17, 2015 Author Share Posted June 17, 2015 I guess the better question would be why do you feel that you need to run the illumination during those situations? Because by gosh it is there and I paid for it!! :-) Thanks guys. I guess I had wandered to the right answer after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothandnail Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 (edited) I haven't ever used ILL. on any magnified optic in 3Gun, I do use an Eotech on my SG and a Burris FFlll on 45* on rifle Edited June 18, 2015 by toothandnail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Therealkoop Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 I crank it up most of the time. I have a razor 1-6 though, so the brightness is good but the dot is still pretty small. I dont know if I would do it if it was an MTAC or a vortex viper ect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Sierpina Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 I'll use the illumination on my Vortex Razor 1-6 on paper on close stages. Mayyybe on steel that are 200 yards and closer, and I'm not using the BDC. I find the illumination helps on steel if it is in shadows. The horseshoe works great on round plates, illumination or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinT Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 Absolutely. My illumination is center dot only, and even that's off 97% of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealthyBlagga Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 The XTR II has OFF settings between each illumination setting... my default would be to run illumination at close range then turn the knob 1-click to shut it off (or dial it down if appropriate). Then again, I am an Aimpoint guy, so very used to fiddling with my knob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neomet Posted June 18, 2015 Author Share Posted June 18, 2015 That is a thought. I was also thinking of throwing the offset red dot back on as well for the close stuff. btw you were right. I should have run the bipod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothandnail Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 For me the offset RDS is way faster on close stuff than the 1x scope. I thought a RD in the scope would work the same, for me it doesn't, maybe all the other in stuff in there is distracting ? ? ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 I ran a Burris XTR for awhile and hardly ever used the illumination. couldn't see it bright enough to make a difference. Got a Vortex Razor and love it. I use the illumination on any stages that have close paper. For mid range steel stages or long range, steel only stages I may or may not use it. Depends on what I see during my sight picture at "Make ready" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bwikel Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 I run a razor and even on distance targets I run the illumination and use it for holds vs the BDC for quicker shots if the steel is big. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 The illumination on the XTRII is very bright, like at least twice that of other optics including the XTR. If I have close paper and long steel, I will set it for the close paper and turn it off for the steel. I usually run it off on most courses though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobS761 Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 The easy thing for me is to look at the targets during walk through and decide what provides best contrast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.E. Kelley Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 (edited) I understand if you paid for it damn it you want to use it...but if your scope has a GOOD reticle the illumination is not needed within 3-gun. (at least not for speed) For example no illumination... Edited June 18, 2015 by P.E. Kelley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neomet Posted June 18, 2015 Author Share Posted June 18, 2015 (edited) But, but, but.... hahaha. Thanks Patrick! The buy it use comment was more an amused observation on the incorrect assumptions noobs (well, at least noobs coming from Open pistol where how bright the dot is determines how good the optic is) will make. Makes ya wonder what else I may be 180 degrees off on. edited to add btw, Love the hammer! Edited June 18, 2015 by Neomet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.E. Kelley Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 (edited) But, but, but.... hahaha. Thanks Patrick! The buy it use comment was more an amused observation on the incorrect assumptions noobs (well, at least noobs coming from Open pistol where how bright the dot is determines how good the optic is) will make. Makes ya wonder what else I may be 180 degrees off on. edited to add btw, Love the hammer That was not directed so much to you as to the many who feel that a "scope it dead to them" without illumination. Edited June 18, 2015 by P.E. Kelley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobS761 Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 But, but, but.... hahaha. Thanks Patrick! The buy it use comment was more an amused observation on the incorrect assumptions noobs (well, at least noobs coming from Open pistol where how bright the dot is determines how good the optic is) will make. Makes ya wonder what else I may be 180 degrees off on. edited to add btw, Love the hammer That was not directed so much to you as to the many who feel that a "scope it dead to them" without illumination. It's a valid question I think. When I first used my MTAC, (which I only consider OK, but it's what I have), I just thought one was supposed to have the illumination on. But one time my kids were screwing with it, killed the battery with me not knowing before a match, and I haven't turned it on since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neomet Posted June 18, 2015 Author Share Posted June 18, 2015 But, but, but.... hahaha. Thanks Patrick! The buy it use comment was more an amused observation on the incorrect assumptions noobs (well, at least noobs coming from Open pistol where how bright the dot is determines how good the optic is) will make. Makes ya wonder what else I may be 180 degrees off on. edited to add btw, Love the hammer That was not directed so much to you as to the many who feel that a "scope it dead to them" without illumination. Ahhhhh, still pretty funny the way I read it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerritm Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 I have a Vortex on my long range rifle and turn the dot on high for up close and very low for long range only because I have crappy eyesight and it helps me find the center consistently. Especially in low light and with dark targets. On my lightweight hoser rifle I have a PA and have had an M-Tac before. Never turned them on unless it was very dark out and need some contrast. The black outline of the reticle was more than enough. gerritm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJW Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 None of my scopes are anything like Swarovski bright. I have an SWFA 1–6x and a Primary Arms 1–6x, and both can manage a sort of brick red glow at at the highest setting if it's not in direct sunlight. My solution is pretty crazy—I use the illumination when I feel like I need it and I don't use it when I feel I don't. I suppose it could be problematic if, say, there was a 1x hosefest in a bay under bright sunlight followed by shooting 400 yard targets in a shaded wood, but in practice that means I set the illumination for the dimmer condition and then don't care about under the brighter condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtm Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 We used to tape over the fiber optic pipe to kill the "glow" on the TA-11,s for long range precision.....when 3-gun involved shooting at Dinosaurs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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