Do you seek to know about the best low-light AR 15 scopes? You are in the right place. This post highlights the features and benefits of these remarkable apparatus. Keep reading to discover the best partner to marry with your AR 15.
Low light settings present tricky scenarios for accurate target acquisition. The right low light AR 15 scope will change the game when hunting in these infamously dark hours when prey is often roaming around. It will illuminate your shooting experience and give you an upper hand in these complicated situations.
These contenders have been handpicked from a multitude of options available on the market. This will shave off the hassle that comes with looking through a flooded market. Without further ado, let’s get straight into the best options.
Best Low Light AR-15 Scopes
1) NightForce ATACR 4-16x42mm Riflescope
NightForce ATACR 4-16x42mm riflescope is the top contender for the best low light AR 15 scopes. It is designed to tremendously improve the quality of your shots with its powerful and compact formation.
The riflescope has an eyepiece with enhanced engraving, an integrated Power Throw Lever, and an XtremeSpeed thread for faster diopter adjustment.
The 42mm objective lens makes light transmission efficient in low light conditions because of its huge size. The 4-16x magnification is ideal for taking down game at medium to long ranges.
The glass is fully ED with a multi-coating to boost the light collection capacity. This leads to the best possible contrast, resolution, clarity, and brightness.
The hunting instrument boasts a first focal plane reticle that guarantees fast hold-off adjustments and accurate ranging calculations. The Digillum digital reticle illumination is handy in not-so-ideal lighting conditions.
Another parameter that makes the ATACR rank highly is the precise, tactile, and repeatable adjustments. The eyebox is generous promoting speedy target acquisition.
Features
- ED glass
- First focal plane reticle
- Generous 4-16x magnification
- Power throw lever for easy magnification adjustments
- Built like a tank
- Digillum reticle illumination
- 42mm objective lens for plenty of light penetration
- Tactile and repeatable adjustments
Pros
- Great eyebox
- World-class optics for excellent clarity and contrast
- Dead on adjustability
Cons
- The power is difficult to turn
2) Trijicon ACOG 4x32mm Scope
Trijicon ACOG 4x32mm scope is second to none when it comes to legendary performance, durability, and reticle illumination. It has a unique dual illumination whereby Fiber optics illuminate the reticle during the day, and tritium provides illumination at night.
It illuminates your environment in low or no light without depending on batteries susceptible to failure. The anti-reflective coated lenses deliver impeccable light-gathering power for no distortion, clear, and bright images.
The housing is forged from 7075-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, providing an optics that is virtually indestructible.
This military-grade riflescope features the Bindon Aiming Concept that supports shooting with both eyes open. This increases your peripheral awareness, making target acquisition fast and easy in any light.
Each feature of its mechanical and optical design is curated to offer increased hit potential in all lighting conditions non-dependent on batteries.
Features
- Fixed 4x magnification
- 32mm focal aperture
- Bindon Aiming Concept makes target acquisition easier and faster
- Aircraft-grade aluminum structure
- Broadband multicoated lenses with anti-reflective properties
- Fiber optics/tritium illumination
Pros
- Bright and A-plus optics
- Advanced illumination technology
- Bulletproof construction
- Battery-free
Cons
- Price
3) Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24mm Riflescope
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24mm riflescope produces clear and bright images with peak low-light reliability thanks to the world-class fully multi-coated lenses.
The glass has XD elements that contribute to brilliant and beautiful pictures with maximum resolution and color fidelity.
The fast-focus eyepiece revamps your accuracy and overall shooting experience as it keeps the reticle in focus at all times for speedier and easier target acquisition. This is paramount as each second counts in the field.
The scope performs well in all conditions owing to its superior durability. It is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum with an anodized outer for wading through unfavorable conditions.
It is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof for resistance to weather elements that could interfere with performance. Besides, it is lightweight, making it an ideal partner for lugging around without struggle caused by heavy-weight units.
The AR-BDC reticle is situated on the second focal plane, meaning it remains the same across all power settings. It is illuminated for visibility in low-light areas. Better yet, it is etched on glass to optimize reliability and durability.
Features
- 30mm tube diameter
- Full multi-coating with multiple anti-reflective coatings
- Eye relief of 3.5 inches
- Multiproof for impact resistance and weather protection
- AR-BDC reticle
- Fast focus eyepiece
- XD glass enhances resolution and color fidelity
- Reticle illumination
Pros
- Adjustments are easy
- Clear optics
- Tough build
- Attractive price
Cons
- Some distortion at zoom limits
4) Leupold VX-R Patrol 1.25-4x20mm Riflescope
The other candidate that has earned distinction as one of the best low light AR 15 scopes is the Leupold VX-R Patrol 1.25-4x20mm riflescope. This illuminated unit has a sleek and ultra-light design to make your shootings enjoyable.
It is built with a readily available CR 2032 coin-cell battery that delivers amazing runtimes, while the fiber optic light pipe does away with the need for an eyepiece-based control module.
The VX-R Patrol brings on board an index-matched lens that couples with the blackened lens edges for remarkable light collection and clarity.
Another great feature is the motion sensor technology that deactivates the scope after five minutes of non-operation and then turns it back on mechanically when any slight motion is sensed. This helps to conserve battery life so that you have it when it matters most.
The extreme fast-focus eyepiece provides optimal diopter adjustment on the fly. Nevertheless, it is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof to withstand rigorous shooting and hunting adversaries like rain, impact, snow, fog, and recoil.
6061-T6 aluminum is used to craft the scope, giving it robustness and longevity. The FireDot SPR reticle has illumination with seven brightness settings to choose from, depending on your ambient lighting.
Features
- Magnification can be adjusted from 1.25-4x
- Motion sensor technology for battery preservation
- 6061-T6 aluminum constitution
- Extreme fast-focus eyepiece
- All-weather construction
- Second focal plane FireDot SPR reticle
- Shockproof
- Index-matched lenses
- Finger-click adjustments for optimal precision
Pros
- Ultra-light design
- Unwavering reticle crispness
- Simple to use
- Phenomenal glass quality
Cons
- Doesn’t include lens caps
5) Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24mm Riflescope
We wrap things up with Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24mm riflescope. It is lightweight, thus keeping the heft down for fast execution in the field. While it is lightweight, it is tough to handle the challenging conditions inevitable on the hunt.
This 6063 aluminum-made scope suffices in harsh weather conditions like a pro. This is made possible by its weatherproofing capability. It also fights recoil and impact pretty well, as it is shockproof.
In addition to that, this AR 15 scope has a matte finish that is hard anodized to increase durability and keep glare at bay. You don’t have to worry about exposing your position to the prey, as this design takes care of that.
The lenses are fully multi-coated to increase the light-gathering rates of the scope. Clarity, brightness, and sharpness are all yours, regardless of the time of day.
The scope shines because of the Advanced Combined Sighting System reticle that offers bullet drop compensation, wind holds, moving target leads, and estimation of range.
The reticle is a second focal plane type hence stays constant in all zoom levels. This design enables fast acquisition at low power and high functionality at maximum zoom.
The illumination color is red, and you get eleven intensity settings to choose from depending on your lighting situation.
Features
- 1-6x magnification range
- The lenses have a full multi-coating
- ACSS reticle on the second focal plane
- Single-piece tube made from 6063 aluminum
- Matte finish
- Eye relief ranges from 3.3 to 3.5 inches
- Pinpoint accuracy from 300 to 800 yards
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
Pros
- Robust finish
- Decent glass
- Crisp adjustments
Cons
- Brightness diminishes noticeably at maximum zoom
Guidelines When Buying the Best Low Light AR 15 Scopes
Getting good light is important any time you are shooting. When buying the best low-light AR 15 scopes, here are some instrumental factors that will make the process easy:
Magnification
Magnification is the backbone of any riflescope. A common range used for most applications within 1000 yards is 3x to 9x. Consider your range and intended target to determine the appropriate magnification.
Construction Quality
The best low-light AR 15 scopes are durable, as revealed by the construction materials. Ensure that your scope can withstand serious abuse as transportation or hard use exposes it to damage. Aircraft-grade aluminum is your best bet as it is shockproof, rigid and lasts long.
Also look for o-ring seals and gas purging, as these ensure that waterproof and fogproof integrity is not compromised.
Reticle
A unit with a good reticle design aids with accurate shot placement and target acquisition. The best design comes down to your needs and preferences. It is recommended that you get a simple, accurate type that does the job and gives you an uncluttered sight picture for aim, estimation of range, and target acquisition.
Lens Coating
Lens coating is another vital detail when selecting the best low-light AR 15 scopes. There are various lens coatings that boost clarity and brightness in weak light. Some are designed to minimize glare and reflections, making it easier to see targets. Look for fully multi-coated lenses, as they deliver the best light transmission and glare-lessening for phenomenal image rendition.
Illumination
Reticle illumination can be achieved in different ways. One is to use fiber optics that transmit light down the barrel and into the scope. This is common in high-end scopes as it delivers a clear and crisp reticle always. Another way is to use an LED light source that illuminates the reticle from above or behind the scope. This is power in lower-end scopes but still offers a clear reticle in dismal lighting.
Some scopes are equipped with both illumination models, so select the one that suits your needs.
Size of Objective Lens
Most scopes have an objective lens with a size between 32mm and 44mm, which is handy if you want to see the most distant game. A wide objective lens promotes efficient light gathering, improving the quality of the image.
However, it can impede your mounting position, leading to poor eye alignment and eye discomfort. To deal with this, you need a higher mounting ring to keep the objective bell off the barrel of your rifle.
Also Read:
Best Low Light AR 15 Scopes FAQs
Q: What Is a Low Light Scope?
A low light scope is tailored to function in low light levels. It typically sports a higher magnification than conventional scopes, empowering it to see details and targets at faraway distances. It is also engineered to be more accurate in weak lighting, which is valuable for shooting difficult-to-see targets in other lighting environments.
Q: Do I Need an Illuminated Reticle?
No. An illuminated reticle is not a must-have. However, it is beneficial to have, particularly when hunting in the dark. You will need an illuminated reticle for aiming accurately if your reticle color blends with the target.
Q: Why Is Light Transmission Essential in a Scope?
Light transmission is pivotal as it impacts the clarity of the views seen through the scope. Low light transmission translates blurry views.
The other reason it is crucial is that it determines the scope’s performance in lighting conditions that are not so ideal. A unit with high levels of light transmission will see better in poor lighting than one with low transmission rates.
Q: What Makes an AR 15 More Accurate?
A barrel replacement can enhance accuracy, especially at extended ranges. Although they can be pricey to upgrade, a quality barrel significantly impacts your rifle’s mechanical accuracy.
Conclusion
The difference between a missed or successful opportunity in the realm of low light AR 15 scopes can be as subtle as a shadow. It is apparent that quality scopes are a must-have for budding shooters and hunters who want to get the most out of their low-light sessions. The scopes in this review are perfect companions whether you prioritize speed, versatility, or accuracy. They have all you need to ensure you hit the mark and revamp your shooting experience.