Hauptjager,

I have an illuminated reticle in my Zeiss Varipoint VM 2.5-10x50. I haven't had time to shoot more than about 100 shots yet with it on my .375H&H, but so far I've had no problems. Nor have any other Zeiss owners I know (and I know quite a few). I guess you get what you pay for...

But I would like to point out that the center red dot is black if the light is off, and thus is just as usable as a non illuminated scope if the battery runs down... So the way I see it, you have no problems either way. In dawn/dusk situations the light is a definate benefit on a dark animal standing against a dark backround (at least in our hunting situations here in Norway, where it's often quite dark even during the day...).

Erik D.