Recommend some good crossbow scopes?

[beanbird05]

Hello folks, This past year I got into deer hunting, and borrowed a crossbow (with its "factory optic") for bow season. I didn't really notice the optic much (I think it was maybe 2-5x or something), until I had my only shot of the season, 5 minutes before legal end of hunting day.

Too dark. Didn't take the shot because I wasn't 100% comfortable.

I'm going to buy my own crossbow for this year's season -- probably the Excalibur Micro (Recurve).

I'm wondering if yah'll can recommend some scopes? Really I don't need much magnification, obviously, for a shot 30-40 yards away. What I need is durability and light gathering ability.

Oh, and budget is not really an issue. Any recommendations?

Oh and a separate question -- should I limit myself to "crossbow scopes"? For instance the Leopold crossbow-specific scope (crossbones 2-7x) doesn't seem to get great reviews.. might I be better served by a Leopold VX-3 1.75-6x32mm? Or, is the crossbow-specific reticle really a big must-have?

Thanks in advance for any ideas...

 

[lloydsmale]

I have a vortex crossbow scope but there discontinued. Buddy uses a Nikon crossbow scope on his. Its doest have illuminated reticles like mine but probably has better glass