[GreenTN]

Looking at a Leupold Mark 4 1.5-5 x 20mm...

My options include a 30 mm tube that has the illuminated reticle... for close to $900...
vs.
a 1" tube with a non illuminated reticle for close to $630..

What are the advantages of the illuminated reticle?

Is the 30 mm tube and the illuminated reticle worth the difference in price?

Please advise and as always, Thank You

[rcmodel]

Well, for me the illuminated reticle would not be worth an additional three bills because I don't run around in the dark shooting at things that shoot back.

The illuminated reticule is for contrast against black targets in dim dark places.

The rest of the time, in normal light, you can see a black cross-hair against a target just fine.

As for 30mm over a 1" tube?

The main advantage to the bigger tube is a greater amount of elevation & windage adjustment available.

It is important in a high power long range scope when you might run out of elevation adjustment at 1,000 yards.
Not so much in a low power scope at normal .223 range.

rc

[GreenTN]

The VX-3 line has a 1.5-5x20mm illuminated 30mm tube for close to $600...compared to the mark 4 line (30mm illuminated) at $900...

In your opinion is the mark 4 line worth the 3 bills? I cant find any difference in the specs worth the difference.

[rcmodel]

One could suppose for the extra $300, you get a higher quality, tougher, mil-spec scope.

That might be important if you are a sniper in Iraq, or a top level competition shooter.

Otherwise?
Probably not so much for blasting beer cans on a sunny day 10 miles from home like most of us.

rc

[edSky]

If I could hit a can 10 miles away I'd be famous! :D (Actually I'd be in jail. But I can hit a paper target 20 miles from home.)

I was struggling over the same thing and finally just this morning opted for a non-Leupold non-illuminated Pride-Fowler Rapid Reticle RR800-1 (http://www.rapidreticle.com/rr800-1.htm). I know, it's made "over there" but it has a nice design and is only 600 or so dollars at Smith Enterprises (http://www.smithenterprise.com/products18.html).