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Nikon Laser IRT Riflescope By Chuck Hawks  IRT stands for "Immediate Ranging Technology" and indicates that Nikon Laser IRT riflescopes incorporate a laser rangefinder into what would otherwise be a conventional hunting scope. The result is what I believe will be the next step in riflescope evolution. So many hunters carry a hand held laser rangefinder these days that combining a rangefinder with a riflescope makes a lot of sense. Nikon Laser IRT scopes come complete with with dust caps, 2-piece mount bases for Weaver style mounts, an infrared remote control unit, batteries for the rangefinder and remote control units, a Nikon cloth, Instruction Manual, and warrantee registration card. If equipped with the BDC reticle a Guide booklet explaining the BDC reticle is also included. When the rangefinder feature in an IRT scope is activated the distance to the target is displayed in a very lightly tinted area at the top of the scope's field of view, in yards (from 33 to 766), by LED's. The Nikon Laser IRT functions like a normal riflescope if you don't activate the rangefinder feature, and it continues to do so if the battery is dead or removed. When the rangefinder is not activated the view through an IRT scope is like looking through a standard Nikon Monarch scope. The main body of the Laser IRT is thicker than a standard riflescope (see photo above) and appears to be made of aluminum. The external finish is matte black. Included with IRT scopes is a remote control that can be strapped to the rifle for convenient activation of the rangefinder. There is also, of course, an "on" button on the left side of the scope. Here are the key features that Nikon claims for the riflescope part of the Laser IRT:
And here are the key features that Nikon claims for the laser rangefinder part of the Laser IRT:
The Laser IRT is as rugged, waterproof, and fog proof as any other Nikon riflescope. The mounting system is very flexible. There is a dovetailed rail along the bottom of the scope to which the supplied mounts attach. After the mounts have been attached to the scope they can be clamped to any standard Weaver type mount base. Because this system eliminates conventional scope rings, it also insures that the scope's reticle is level when mounted on a rifle. The first Nikon Laser IRT riflescope is a dual-purpose (varmint and big game) 4-12x42mm hunting scope. (I predict that there will be others.) Here are some abbreviated specifications. (For the complete specifications, see the review of the 4-12x42mm Laser IRT on the Product Review Page).
Our sample Laser IRT scope was supplied with Nikon's Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) reticle. It is also available with a standard Nikoplex reticle, which having now seen the BDC, I'd prefer. The Nikoplex is simpler, and to me simpler is generally better in scope reticles. The Nikon Laser IRT is fun to use. The novelty of having a fast, accurate laser rangefinder built right into a fine riflescope had us hitting the "on" button to measure the distance to all sorts of targets. I can't wait to use the Nikon Laser IRT 4-12x42 riflescope on our upcoming "Great Oregon Varmint Massacre III." (Check the Hunting Stories and Articles Page for the results of that adventure after April, 2007.) If a rangefinding riflescope fits your needs and you can afford the not inconsiderable price, I recommend a Nikon Laser IRT riflescope. Note: A full review of the Nikon Laser IRT 4-12x42mm riflescope can be found on the Product Review Page. |