How to choose a Luna Optics riflescope
Check the recoil rating first
Luna rates the Quantum Elite for rimfire and small centerfire rifles, up to 18.5 ft-lb of recoil energy. Its chart of acceptable loads includes .223 Rem, .243 Win and .308 Win loads and a 150-grain .30-06 in an 8 lb rifle, but no .300 Win Mag, and a heavier bullet or hotter load in the same caliber can pass the limit. The G3 is rated to 4.5 ft-lb, for rimfire and air rifles.
35mm or 50mm
The 3.5-21x35 starts at a lower magnification for a wider view at close range, and weighs 510 g, or 588 g with the rangefinder. The 6-36x50 starts at 6x and sees farther at night: Luna rates it to about 1,100 yards at night with the illuminator, against 872 yards for the 35mm. It weighs 780 g, or 890 g with the rangefinder.
Quantum Elite or G3
The Quantum Elite records 4K to microSD cards of up to 512 GB, streams to a phone over Wi-Fi through the iRSight app, and its sensor is rated to 0.0005 lux, against 0.002 lux for the G3. The G3 records up to QHD, reaches 600 m (654 yd) at night, and works handheld too, with a carry case in the box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Luna Optics riflescopes ship to California?
No. Each has a built-in infrared illuminator, and we do not ship them to California addresses (California Penal Code 468).
Do Luna Optics riflescopes work in daylight?
Yes, in color. The Quantum Elite switches its filter between daylight and infrared mode automatically, and the G3 comes with a daylight color-enhancing filter.
How long do the batteries last?
The Quantum Elite runs up to 4.5 hours on CR123A batteries with the illuminator off, and the G3 is rated to 3.5 hours.
For how they compare with other night vision and thermal scopes, read Best Night Vision Rifle Scopes 2026, and for all of Luna, browse Luna Optics.