Fall is upon us with Christmas right around the corner. All across the US hunting seasons are already in full swing and will continue yet for several months in most states. With that goes the required trip to the range to zero rifles, then on to a special hunting spot to hopefully bag that big game species you’re fortunate enough to have a tag for.
The need for not just a quality scope, but also for a good binocular and possibly even a spotting scope depending on the terrain you’re hunting cannot be understated. Here in the west, I spend lots of time glassing for whitetail, pronghorn, mule deer and elk.
Over the past few years now I have been fortunate to have utilized Lucid Optics on hunts ranging from Africa to Texas to New Mexico. During these hunting excursions I have put Lucid binoculars, compact spotting scope, and just one of Lucid’s rifle scopes thru their paces. All have proven tough and useable for hunters wanting to add an edge to their game during any trip to the field.
Outlined below are the optics I utilized on the hunt over the last few years:
Lucid offers both the B-10 binocular (10×42) the B-8 (10×8) binocular. The B-10 and B-8 are almost identical in specifications with the magnification being the obvious difference.
Specs for Lucid B Series are as follows:
- Magnification — 8x or 10x
- Objective Lens — 42mm
- Ocular Lens Diameter — 24mm
- Length — 6.5 inches
- Tripod Adaptable — Yes
- Weight — 234oz.
- Construction Material — Polymer frame
- Prism Material — BaK-4 high-definition resolution
- Color & Finish — Matte Black
- Waterproof — (IPX8) Yes
- Fog Proof — Yes (Nitrogen Purged)
- Lens Coating — (Multi Coated) FBMC
- Light Transmission — 92% to 94%
- Field of View — 370ft @ 1000yds for B-8, 341ft @ 1000yds for B-10
- Close Focus — 5.5 to 7 feet
- Warranty–Limited Lifetime
I like both of the Lucid binoculars, preferring the B-8 model when hunting in thicker cover areas where a wider field of vision is needed and the B-10 when glassing those far off ridges or plains.
Another awesome Lucid optic I have some hunting time with is the model SC9 spotting scope. With a length of just over eight inches and weighing only 21 ounces, you can throw this spotting scope in your cargo pocket or day pack. The SC9 is a variable magnification of 9x-27x making it ideal for the hunting field.
Overall specifications of the Lucid SC9 spotting scope are as follows:
- Magnification –9x-27x
- Objective Lens –56mm
- Lens Type — ED Glass
- Length — 8.25 inches
- Mounting — 1/4-20 Standard
- Weight — 21 ounces
- Material — Aluminum (6061)
- Waterproof — Yes IPX8
- Lens Coating — FBMC Multi Coated
- Fog Proof — Nitrogen Purged
- Light Transmission — 92%
- Ocular Focus — Yes
- Eye Relief-14mm — 17mm
- Exit Pupil –7mm
- Field of View — 9x,120 feet @1000 yards
- Close Focus — 7.2 feet
- Warranty — Limited lifetime
I have now personally used the SC9 spotting scope on a number of big game hunts in the southwest. You may want to consider coupling the SC9 with Lucid’s TP4 aluminum tripod for super stability and that can be used as a traditional tripod or as a monopod.
I like this spotting scope for field use because it’s so compact and lightweight. I found that the SC9 is very useable without a tripod by just bracing the compact spotting scope on a rock, fence post or tree.
If you recall I wrote of utilizing the Lucid L5 rifle scope on an African Safari in May of this year. Additionally, I have used the L5 to take a nice barbary sheep and a desert mule deer in New Mexico.
The 30mm tube offers precise 1/8 MOA windage and elevation adjustments on lockable, tactical style turrets. Along with side parallax adjustment and the ocular diopter adjustment, this scope provides for a sharp target image over the entire magnification range of 4-16×44. Lucid also offers a 6-24×50 model. The L5 Reticle can also serve as a precise MOA measuring device with 2 MOA increments below the rifle’s zero along with viable windage values built in.
Specifications for the Lucid L5 4-16×44 Scope:
- Magnification –30mm tube
- Length –14.25″ long
- Weight — 23 ounces
- Objective Lens Size — 44mm objective lens
- Lens Type — ED Glass
- Material — Aluminum (6061)
- Color & Finish – Matt Black
- Waterproof — Yes IPX8
- Fog Proof — Nitrogen Purged
- Shockproof — Yes up to .338 Lapua
- Lens Coating — FBMC Multi Coated
- Light Transmission — 92%
- Side parallax adjustment
- Reticle — Lucid L5 etched reticle
- Adjustment Value — 1/8 moa adjustments
- Turrets — Lift to adjust, Press down to lock
- Windage & Elevation Adjustment — 80MOA
- Warranty — Limited Lifetime
The fact is hunting can be a tough environment. All of the optics written of here I have put to the test in the field over the last few years. Lucid Optics have served me well in my hunting endeavors and will continue to do so for many years I have no doubt.
Interested in checking out Lucid Optics? Now is a great time with Christmas just around the corner. Check out these and many other great products from Lucid at lucidoptics.com
About the Author:
TERRY NELSON – is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement with police and sheriff agencies, including SWAT and sniper roles, and has served as a state game warden. Nelson also served seven years with New Mexico State Guard. A lifelong hunter, guide, tracker and firearms enthusiast, Terry is sought for training in multiple disciplines by both civilian and police-serving agencies and companies. Nelson also holds a Basic Tac Med instructor certification from Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
