While putting the essential constituents of your hunting gear together, it is advised to get the best items. One of which is the best crossbow scopes for night hunting in 2023. Professional hunters can attest that it is challenging to get accurate shots, especially at short ranges.

However, with a good crossbow scope, you will have a better field of view and enhanced vision at any time of the day. In this review and buying guide, I have made things simpler for those who feel overwhelmed anytime they want to make a buying decision. 

Top 3 Crossbow Scope for Night Hunting 2023

Excalibur Twilight DLX

If you are a crossbow enthusiast or hunter who loves the sport, this is one of the few scopes on the market that will satisfy you. In low-lighting situations, this is one crossbow scope you can trust to give you sufficient light. This implies that it would be clear for every target acquisition, thereby giving you an ample chance for proper target acquisition.

Hence, you can take clear shots at dusk and dawn with the Excalibur Twilight DLX. Besides, this crossbow scope comes with multi-layer glazing that helps absorb light well, thereby providing clear and crisp visuals.

Furthermore, you can select either the green or red illumination in the reticle, which can either be brightened or reduced as you want. With this feature, you can use your crossbow scope in low-light situations and still achieve accurate arrows’ placement.

It would also interest you to realize that this night vision bow scope has a multiplex crosshair system. This system allows for precise trajectory compensation. And it is best for hunters who are familiar with “longer-than-usual” scopes.

To wrap it up, this scope provides a reliable solution based on its top-notch design that allows for seamless use both in the morning and evening.

Pros

  • It is outstanding in low-light conditions
  • Clear and bright reticle
  • Presence of the multiplex crosshair system
  • Red and green illumination

Cons

  • It does not come with mounting rings

Takeway

Perhaps the multiplex crosshair system’s presence is an outstanding feature that makes the Excalibur Twilight DLX different. And a crossbow scope with this feature would provide an accurate trajectory.

Barnett Whitetail Pro STR

For those who love hunting at night and need a crossbow with the needed features, this unit should be on your consideration list. If you want to hunt game like buffalo, coyotes, squirrels, foxes, and the likes, this is a weapon you can use to your full advantage.

First off, the Barnett Whitetail crossbow is lightweight, making it easy to carry about without getting tired. This atn x sight on crossbow has ample capacity to knock down any game instantly. It has a kinetic energy of around 109 ft. lbs that provides about 400 fps speed.

What’s more, this best crossbow scopes for night hunting in 2023 has a multi-reticle scope with a 4×32mm range that gives perfect precision and accuracy from as far as 60 yards. It also comes with a three-arrow quiver suitable for accommodating three arrows of 20-inches each. These arrows fit in so well that you will have to exert extra force to pull them out in the quiver.

Unlike several crossbow scopes on the market, you can quickly assemble this unit, thanks to the instructional manual that come with the product package.

Pros

  • Powerful and fast crossbow
  • Portable and lightweight unit
  • Ideal for any game hunts
  • Easy to assemble

Cons

  • It gives off a loud vibrational noise for each shot

Takeway

The Barnett Whitetail crossbow is one of those crossbow scopes that you can conveniently carry about without getting tired.

Excalibur Dead-Zone

One of the few crossbow scopes on the market that is ideally suited for both beginners and professionals is the Excalibur Dead-Zone scope. This crossbow scope is well illuminated, and it comes with a 2x to 4x magnification. Its durability is unmatched among several crossbow scopes on the market as it is glazed with aluminum (aircraft-grade) to keep it useable in the long-term.

Also, it comes with a top-quality unique lens that helps you adjust the contrast color and the brightness to your preferred settings. Hence, you don’t have to worry about seeing clearly at night or early in the morning because this night vision bow scope provides the needed illumination.

Similarly, it has a red and green illuminated reticle that helps you to target with increased accuracy. It would interest you to know that this illumination comes with various brightness adjustment levels. With your reticle, you can quickly and easily set your hunting target at night and day.

Furthermore, with this unit’s eyepiece and field of view, you can promptly focus on the target and take it down. The exciting part about this cheap night vision scope for the crossbow is, it is fog proof.

To wrap it up, this is the type of crossbow scope you can use for both recreational and hunting activities.

Pros

  • Multi-glazed lens
  • Images clarity
  • Great for shooting at dusk and dawn

Cons

  • Quite heavy

Takeway

The Excalibur Dead-Zone scope’s durability is attributed to several factors, like its aircraft-grade aluminum design and its ability to withstand intense fog.

Buying Guide

The crossbow scopes mentioned in this piece have their pros and cons. To make the right decision, it is essential to know the features to consider before you opt for any of them or other excellent scopes on the market.

Battery life

It is crucial to opt for a crossbow scope with good battery life to avoid getting stuck when hunting. You need to know that if a scope provides ample illumination while hunting, it saps the battery quite fast. Hence, you need to check out the battery life of each scope before making a decision.

If you will be hunting in a place far away from home and not heading home that day, you need to take enough batteries with you. Some crossbow scopes give you the luxury of connecting an extra battery pack with higher capacity.

However, while you consider the battery life, you need to remember that it constitutes an additional weight. Hence, it would be best if you were careful not to make your scope too heavy.

Durability

When you are buying any product on the market, one of the features that would typically cross your mind is durability, which applies to a crossbow scope. No one would want to get a crossbow scope that would last for a few months. Before you buy a crossbow scope, you need to know that environmental and weather factors can affect its durability.

The good part is, some scopes are designed to stand the test of time. Therefore, no matter how rough the weather might be, they can hardly get damaged. If you want to make a great choice, opt for a crossbow scope that is fog proof, waterproof, and shockproof. Also, select a scope that is resistant to any form of impact in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Magnification

Watching out for the magnification levels is essential when selecting a scope. Before making any purchase, you have to be sure it strikes the ideal balance with your field of view. One of the primary features that help you make an informed decision is, the magnification level should grant you a clear view of the target.

As the magnification level increases, the field of view decreases. Hence, while you view your target through the crossbow scope, you can quickly lose sight if you are not careful. Worthy of mention is, a high magnification level reduces the intensity of light entering your eyes.

For most crossbow scopes, they have a range of between 100-150 yards. With this range, you need a moderate magnification level and not a high one. It would interest you to know that low-quality scopes do not give good images at a high digital magnification level.

Optical Clarity

If you want to obtain a good view when identifying your target, the optics’ quality is essential. The optical clarity determines how well you identify the target and enhance accuracy. Typically, the measurement for resolution is LP/mm (lines-per-millimeter). Hence, a scope with a high value has a fair image resolution. And invariably, a top-notch crossbow scope should have between 50-70 Lp/mm.

Also, for targets that move very fast in the dark, you need a high-quality lens to track and take them down. There are two types of lenses: The fully multi-glazed, fully coated, and multi-coated lenses. The essence of coating is to improve the durability and performance of the scope.

Also, ensure to use high-end glass types to step-down the image’s distortion levels. You might not notice this distortion in short ranges, but distortion plays a pivotal role in long-range shooting.

Size

The size of a crossbow scope is not usually discussed until it is time to take it for hunting. If you don’t want to avoid being burdened by heavy hunting gear, you need to consider the crossbow scope’s size. In addition, the scope’s size is vital when you consider the weight and balance of your crossbow.

When you buy a crossbow scope that is too big, it might be challenging to balance and aim with your crossbow. This hindrance implies that you would hardly be able to take down targets.

Recognition range

The crossbow scope’s recognition range is crucial, and it should not be confused for the detection range. When an object is detected, you need to identify it. And this factor depends on the optics’ quality and the size of the objective lens.

For the best results, opt for a scope with a greater recognition range than the total range. The ambient light determines the recognition range. Hence, a crossbow scope can give a long recognition range during a full moon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can crossbow scopes be used in a fog?

Yes, they can. However, not all crossbow scopes are suited for this purpose. If you need a crossbow scope that works well irrespective of the weather condition, you need to confirm this feature before purchasing.

It is challenging to identify moving images and shapes during foggy conditions, particularly at quite a distance. It would be easy to see if there is fog, dew, or rain with the right crossbow.

How can I maintain my crossbow scope?

Even though you have confirmed that your crossbow scope is highly durable, you still have a part to play. After using your scope each time, it is advised to always clean. You can achieve this by wiping the dust and dirt off it. When dust, dirt, and other elements mix with water, the fungus is formed, leading to damage soon.

This is why I recommend weatherproof units if you don’t get to clean your scope every time. Moreso, it is advised you follow the recommendations for cleaning included in the product package. More importantly, avoid using concentrated detergents for cleaning your scope and when you want to store your batteries, keep them in a waterproof case.

If you have any reason to change the batteries, make sure it is in a dry environment. And if you will not be using your scope for a long time, take out the battery and store it away in a dry and safe place.

Can a rifle scope be used on a crossbow?

Yes, a rifle scope can be used on a crossbow. However, it would help if you were sure its weight is not too heavy. Some heavy rifle scopes prevent the crossbow from functioning as expected. You need to get a rifle scope whose weight complements your crossbow. 

Summary

One of the mistakes people make when buying any product on the market is based on aesthetics and instinct. And most times, they end up discovering the product isn’t best for them. In this guide, I have provided beginner hunters and professionals with ample information on some good crossbow scopes on the market and how to make the right choice.

I advise that, before you buy the best crossbow scopes for night hunting in 2023, you research correctly.