Which Vortex Scopes have Illuminated Reticles?

Founded in 2002, Vortex Optics has become a major player in the sporting optics industry by providing quality optical products (such as rifle scopes, spotting scopes, and binoculars) at reasonable prices, backed by one of the better warranty programs in the industry.

Given the popularity of Vortex rifle scopes, it’s no surprise that I spend a great deal of my time at my day job answering various questions about the Vortex line of products. One of the more recent questions that I’ve been seeing and been asked several times is: Which Vortex scopes have illuminated reticles?

While the illuminated reticle option in rifle scopes has been around for a number of years, only in the last few years has it really begun to rise in popularity. And that popularity is predominately in the areas of AR battle scopes and hunting rifle scopes. And I completely understand the popularity of both of those uses.

As a hunter, there’s nothing worse than having a shot at a trophy buck right at the end of legal shooting light, only to not be able to make out the crosshairs in the scope. A scenario like that is where an illuminated reticle can shine (no pun intended) as the crosshairs will be visible enough to make an accurate shot.

But, it’s also important to be aware of the potential downsides associated with an illuminated reticle on a scope, and those are:

• Added weight – The electrical components and the battery required to power it, no matter how small they may be, end up adding some weight to the scope. Now it may only be a few extra ounces, but that weight can add up if you’re covering 15 miles of ground with the rifle slung on your shoulder.
• The potential of malfunctions – Let’s face it, electrical components have a much higher failure rate compared to mechanical components, so the components used in the illumination functionality are potentially just one more thing that can break or go wrong on the scope.
• Replacing batteries – While most illuminated reticles require very little juice to run, most all run on some kind of battery, which means, at some point, that battery will die. When it does, it will have to be replaced, and carrying an extra set of batteries is just one more thing that one has to stock and carry.

So are illuminated reticles a good thing?

I actually like an illuminated reticle for home defense use and for hunting applications. I’m not really a fan of them on a benchrest rifle or long range rifle that isn’t also used for hunting as there isn’t really a need for the illumination (at least IMHO). But, at the end of the day, it really comes down to each person’s personal preferences.

Now, let’s get back to answering the question of which vortex scopes have illuminated reticles?

All of the following Vortex scopes are available in a version with an illuminated reticle. However, there are a significant number of Vortex scopes with the illuminated reticle option; I’ve broken them down by scope families below. The list starts with the least expensive models and goes up based on costs:

Vortex Crossfire II Scopes with Illuminated Reticles

The Crossfire II series is one of Vortex’s more entry-level series of scopes. This series isn’t the actual entry-level model, but it’s a more budget-friendly option. It’s also one of Vortex’s most popular selling series. Currently, the Crossfire II family of rifle scopes is available in 13 different models, Of those models, only the five listed below come with an illuminated reticle.

Vortex Strike Eagle Scopes with Illuminated Reticles

When the Strike Eagle series was first introduced, it was a complete line of 30mm scopes with models that started with a 1-6X24 configuration and topped out with a 5-25X56 configuration. All the Strike Eagle models were available with an illuminated reticle option, but Vortex ended up discontinuing the 3-18X44 and 4-24X50 models in second focal plane. In 2023, they reintroduced the 3-18×44 model, but in an FFP configuration.

Since the 3-18 and 4-24 Strike Eagle models in SFP have been discontinued and are no longer listed on the Vortex web site, I did not include those models in the group below. However, you can still find the 3-18X44 models (which can be seen here) and the 4-24X50 models (which can be seen here) with the Vortex EBR-4 illuminated reticle option available in the market (although I can’t say how long that will last). They are an excellent value for the money as I have a few of the 4-24X50 models myself.

Vortex PST GEN II Scopes with Illuminated Reticles

The PST GEN II scope family isn’t quite up there with Vortex’s higher end Razor series, but it’s also not what I would call a budget-friendly or entry-level scope series either. From a Vortex hierarchy of scope models perspective, the PST GEN II is ahead of the Vortex HST and HS LR series, but just under the Razor series.

Built on a 30mm tube, the PST GEN II is available in 6 versions with both Second Focal Plane (SFP) and First Focal Plane (FFP) models. The glass on the PST models is very good as well, but this series isn’t cheap either. All the PST scope models listed below are available in illuminated reticle models in either an MOA or MRAD configuration.

Vortex Razor HD LHT Scopes with Illuminated Reticles

Next up in the Vortex scope hierarchy is the Razor HD LHT scope series. This scope family is specifically geared towards hunting. Instead of a 34mm or 35mm tube, the HD LHT scopes are built on a 30mm tube, and feature power magnifcation ranges that are more in line with traditional hunting applications.

The smaller tube size and lower magnification ranges equate to a light weight optic with excellent glass quality and features. The HD LHT series is only available in four second focal plane models and a two first focal plane models. The 4.5-22 configurations are built for longer range hunting applications where a longer distance shot could be the only option.

All the HD LHT models are equipped with illuminated reticles.

Vortex Razor HD GEN II Scopes with Illuminated Reticles

Next up the Vortex scope hierarchy of scopes with an illuminated reticle option is the Razor HD GEN II series of rifle scopes. Very much like the name implies, this series of scopes is a second generation design of the Razor HD scope family.  Vortex markets this series of scopes towards precision long range shooting, law enforcement uses, and long range shooting.

Built on a 34mm tube, the Razor HD Gen II scope models were really designed to for use on the AR platform, although they work equally well on a bolt gun. Only available in an FFP configuration, this series comes in two different power ranges, a 3-15X50 model and a 4.5-27X56 model.

Here are all the Razor HD GEN II models that are available with an illuminated reticle:

Vortex Razor HD GEN III Scopes with Illuminated Reticles

Originally, the Razor HD Gen III scopes were designed as a top of the line, close and medium range AR scope. However, Vortex opted to expand the line with higher powered magnifiction options, so the Gen III models now have options for short range, mid-range, and long range shooting applications. Built on a 34mm tube, the GEN III models are only available in an FFP configuration.

All the illuminated reticle models in this scope series is listed below:

FAQS

Here are some of the more common questions that I’ve seen asked and been asked regarding Vortex scopes with illuminated reticles:

How can I tell which Vortex scope models have an illuminated reticle?

There are a couple of different ways to do that:

1. First, check out the list above, and it features every rifle scope that is currently offered by Vortex in an illuminated reticle option
2. If you are browsing the official Vortex web site, look at what they list as coming with the scope. If you see a listing for a CR2032 battery being included, then that particular Vortex scope model comes in an illuminated reticle option.

How is the battery life on the Vortex illuminated reticles?

All the Vortex scopes that offer an illuminated reticle are powered by a single CR2032 battery. Most all the scopes also feature a brightness setting so you can adjust the level of the illumination in the reticle.

My personal experience has been that the battery life on the Vortex models is pretty good. Now, if you leave the illuminated reticle on the brightest setting, you can expect to get about 3-4 hours of straight use.

If you use it sparingly but turning it on and off only when needed, you can probably get months of battery life. It really depends on how often you use the illumination, how long its left on, and on what brightness setting.

Can you suggest or recommend a vortex scope with lighted reticle?

My answer to that would be very much dependent on the following factors:

Your Budget

If you’re on a strict budget, but want an illuminated reticle within the Vortex line, then I’d suggest focusing on the Crossfire II series or the Strike Eagle series as they are generally the most affordable.

Your Desired Power Range

Your desired power range will play a direct role in determining which Vortex scope models with illumination would be potential candidates.

If you’re looking for something in the lower power ranges, then the Crossfire II, Strike Eagle, Viper PST GEN II, and the Razor HD GEN II-E series of scopes all have at least one model in the series that might work for your needs.

Your Desired Focal Plane

Your preferred focal plane will also play a major role in determining which Vortex scope models would be an option for you.

If you wanted an SFP scope with a lighted reticle, then the Crossfire II series and the Viper PST GEN II series would have potential options for you.

If you prefer an FFP focal plane, then you will have more options within the Vortex line, and would want to check out the Viper PST GEN II series, the Razor HD series, the Razor HD GEN II series, the Razor HD GEN III series, and the Razor AMG series of scopes.

Type of Shooting

The type of shooting application that you’ll be doing can also play a role in the answer, although I don’t consider it quite as important as some of the other factors.

If you’re shopping for a hunting scope with an illuminated reticle for low light situations, then I’d look at the Crossfire II models, the Viper PST GEN II models, and most any of the illuminated Razor models.

If you’re shopping for a scope for long range, tactical applications, or precision long range shooting, I’d suggest focusing on the Viper PST GEN II series, and the higher end Razor models as that’s really what they were designed for.

Is the Vortex Deadhold BDC reticle available in an illuminated version?

Unfortunately, Vortex does not currently offer the Deadhold BDC reticle in an illuminated version. About the closest illuminated reticle to the Deadhold BDC reticle that is illuminated is the Vortex AR-BDC reticle that is found on some of the Strike Eagle models.

Can you recommend a Vortex illuminated reticle scope for deer hunting?

Certainly. My favorite two are these:

Vortex Crossfire II 3-12X56 with Illuminated V-Brite Reticle

Although Vortex actually advertises this model as “Hog Hunter” model, I have found it to be an excellent option for most deer hunting needs as well.

The 3-12X56 power range is versatile enough to for close in shots on the lower magnification range, and the more powerful 11X and 12X magnification is more than enough to longer, mid-range shots that you see while hunting over on a field edge.

And, of course, I’m also a fan of the illuminated V-Brite reticle that can be very beneficial in low light shooting situations that most hunters run into at dawn or sunset.

---

Vortex Crossfire II 6-18X44 with Illuminated V-Brite Reticle

If you need or want a scope with a power range over 12X, then have a look at this model. Although the 3-12X model I mentioned above is usually more than enough power for most deer hunters, there will be some who want or desire a scope with a higher range of magnification for various personal reasons.

If you’ve read any of the other articles I’ve posted on the site, then you probably already know I’m a fan of higher magnification scopes as I prefer to have the higher magnification and not need it, versus need it and not have it.

Like the 3-12X model above, the 6-18 model also features a power range that is more than versatile enough for most any deer hunting, including ones that may take place in more of an open plains type setting.

And, with a parallax setting that goes all the way down to 10 yards, this model is also suited to up close and personal shots at deer that wander in close.

Can you explain the Vortex V-Brite reticle more?

So the Vortex V-Brite illuminated reticle is basically a traditional set of crosshairs, that taper down to a line break right where the horizontal and vertical lines intersect.

Directly in the center is a floating dot that is illuminated once the user activates the illumination feature.  The illumination functionality feature offers 11 levels of brightness for the illuminated reticle.

Can you point me to the Vortex lighted reticle scopes?

Any of the Vortex scope models that I’ve identified above are available in a version with an illuminated (lighted) reticle. The lists above should make it easier to determine which Vortex scopes are illuminated versus those that are not.

Hopefully, if you’re shopping for a Vortex scope with an illuminated reticle, the information above will save you some time and energy.