The basic reticle provides your central aiming point, the crosshairs. If you’re an eastern deer hunter who doesn’t often need to make really long shots, this basic reticle is sufficient. The clean field of view you’ll find with these reticles allow shooters and hunters to get on there targets quickly.

Another thing that all people with glasses experience is that they sometimes can’t see where they put their glasses at when taking them off, even if it’s out in plain view. They either find someone to help them or they have to pat around to find them (personally, I avoid doing that because I don’t want the hassle of cleaning the fingerprint smudges from them for the 9000x time). Other times the wearer is so experience in wearing glasses that they’ve designated a spot where they always put their glasses at when they take them off (or they place their glasses on top of something bright because their glasses may be dark in color and doing so will make it easier to find). But that’s depends on your character’s eyesight. You need to know what kind of poor eyesight they have in order for you to know what their limitations are.

+ Oblong Faces - Recommend tall frames help create a shorter face. Broad glasses with an accented top rim or decorative temple that adds width. Avoid small frames that are out of proportion and short frames that accentuate face length.

I came across a writer wanting advice when it comes to characters that wear glasses. They want to be realistic and write a main character that actually needs them and isn’t just wearing glasses because they’re a “nerd”, to look “smart” or to used as a fashion accessories.

glasses writing reference writing writing advice writing tips writing help character help writing resources writing fanfiction fanfiction help writing references characters with glasses nearsighted farsighted OC original character eyeglasses character with glasses character with eyeglasses characters characters with eyeglasses eye glasses

I’m nearsighted. When I was younger I would have to sit in the front row in school because that was the only way I could see the writing on the black board. It sucked because I couldn’t get away with passing messages or whispering to friends. When I had to sit in the back of the class (be it for group projects or partnering up) I would have to constantly ask a classmate near me if I could copy their notes. It became obvious that I had an eyesight problem because I was struggling to see distance objects, while everyone else was fine. My education was becoming affected and at that point my teacher noticed and had me go to the school nurse to have my eyes checked.

Also, if a character was transported into an alien world where eyeglasses are unheard of then don’t be surprise that they’ll attract attention for wearing them. It’s not just the character with glasses that you have to keep in mind but the characters around them as well. How would they react to your character? Are they the type that like to try on people’s glasses? Do they find the glasses the character is wearing strange because nothing like it exist in their society/world/time period?

So I’m writing this to help answer their question, since I do wear glasses and I know the great and not so great things about wearing them. Just keep in mind that I’m writing this from a nearsighted – myopia – perspective.

Now, what many don’t know is that there are some pros and cons to wearing glasses, just as there are for many things in life. Some people like to wear contacts instead of glasses, while others prefer it the other way around, and then there are those that use both for different situations.

A general understanding of rifle scope reticles can help significantly in the decision-making process when it comes to selecting a new scope.

Is your character absent minded? Or are their glasses so lightweight that they forget they are even wearing them? If so, then they might have a habit of forgetting they are still wearing their glasses when they are about to shower, go for a swim or about to rub their eyes from tears, tiredness or itchiness. Is your character always aware of their own glasses, so much that they put their glasses away when they’re doing activities that can cause them to break? Did they learn how to fight or do things by relying on their other senses because they know that their eyesight is poor?

People get glasses because they need them in order to see properly. Their eyesight is so poor that they tend to squint a lot in hopes that it’ll somehow make them able to see things clearly. And not every person’s eyesight is the same either.

Choosing the type of reticle for your rifle scope, and how it applies to the type of hunting or shooting you plan to use it for, is nearly as important as the scope itself. You can still find rifle scopes with your basic t-plex (crosshairs) reticle, and these are very efficient. But again, as shooters evolve, so have the reticles with the introduction of various bullet drop compensating (BDC) and mildot reticles.

BDC rifle scope reticles are designed to give you true points of aim at known distances to compensate for bullet drop. In essence, you’re compensating for a horizontally fired bullet’s drop over a significant distance, due in large part to gravity. Once you find your zero, the dots will give you an exact point of aim whereas a basic reticle would require a bit of guesswork.

Shoulder your rifle, and looking at a blank image, simply turn the eyepiece until the reticle is razor sharp. Then you’re good to go. Jon LaCorte explains further in the video below.

The Impact Ballistic program allows you to match your specific cartridge to any of the TRACT rifle scope reticles, providing bullet drop compensation for long-range accuracy and precision in a simple and easy-to-use online program. Simply select your scope, caliber, and actual round of ammunition. Or select your bullet and enter your muzzle velocity if you are a handloader. The program does all the work for you by calculating the distances related to the dots or hash marks in your scopes reticle. BDC can now be calculated before you even get to the range.

Reticle size

+ Oval Faces - Recommend square, rectangular and geometric shapes which add angles to soft curves. Avoid frames that are too large for your features..

A general understanding of rifle scope reticles can help significantly in the decision-making process when it comes to selecting a new scope.

Microscopereticle

Some people need glasses because they are nearsighted – myopia, which means that near objects are seen clearly without glasses, but distant objects are blurred. The further away the object are, the more blurred they will be.

First, you must focus the reticle to your eye. Rifle scopes are not a one-size-fits-all, much like binoculars. Everyone’s vision is different, as is the way our eyes are set in our heads. To focus the reticle, look through the scope at an object that has no image, like a bare wall or the sky, so that the reticle is the sharpest image within the scope. If you tried to do this by looking at a target, your eye would have a natural tendency to look at the image first and not the reticle.

Also characters that need glasses find them important because it’s the only thing that keeps them from being practically blind and/or a hazardous mess. It’s not surprising that many people who wear them are very protective of their glasses, especially when they don’t have a spare. So definitely keep that in mind when your character is in another world or time period where glasses are rare or don’t exist. The last thing they need is for their glasses to be lost or destroy because they’ll be extremely miserable without them.

+ Triangle Faces - Recommend semi-rimless frames that accentuate the upper face. Top-heavy styles that balance the width of the jaw. Frame bottoms that angle inward. Avoid low-set temples that widen the jaw and narrow frames that are out of proportion.

But as shooters and shooting equipment evolves, the need for customizable reticles has increased. Understanding rifle scope reticles can greatly enhance your shooting, especially as you begin to challenge yourself with smaller targets at longer distances. It can also help significantly in the decision-making process when it comes to selecting a new scope.

A reticle is defined as a series of fine lines or fibers in the eyepiece of an optical device. Like what you see when you look into a rifle scope. For most of the rifle scope’s history (the first appeared between 1835 and 1840), the standard crosshair and plex-type reticles have been very effective.

The Impact program is one of the most comprehensive databases of factory ammunition and reloading comments in existence today. We are constantly updating it with the latest ammunition and ballistic data. Additional features include the ability to change your sight settings (zero/sight in versus actual target distance), entering atmospheric conditions, compare load feature, ballistic/dope charts, printable ballistic cards, windage correction tool, and much more!

The TORIC 30mm FFP 4-20X50 MOA PRS rifle scope, for example is a Christmas Tree style reticle that is broken up into 1 MOA increments as well as 5 MOA increments along the horizontal Crosshair with larger hash marks indicating 5 MOA increments while the vertical cross hair provides 1 MOA hold points as well as larger 5 MOA holds.

The same can be said for those that wear contacts lenses. So here’s the pros and cons for them. Remember to keep these things in mind if your character wears them when you write your story. And always research what you don’t know!

What if your character is learning how to fight with swords, daggers or any other type of weapon? Glasses can sometimes get in the way when it comes to certain activities. If a character had to roll headfirst on the ground to get away from an enemy, a swipe of the sword or whatever, they can loose their glasses like that. Or their glasses can get knock off and break, especially with a direct hit to the face. It can also get in the way if they had to swim (especially in the ocean because I almost lost my glasses when I got knocked down by a wave).

MicroscopeReticleeyepiece

There’s a reason why I listed the pros and cons for wearing glasses. It’s moments like that, where the writer has to keep in mind about their characters that wear glasses. It’s not only realistic but another way to bring your character to life. It allows the readers who don’t wear glasses to understand more about those that do, and those who do wear them to feel a connection with that character, to sympathize with them.

+ Round Faces - Recommend angular and geometric frames that sharpen facial features. Rectangular and horizontal styles makes faces appear longer and thinner. Upswept frames that draw attention to top of face. Glasses with temples that connect at the top of the frame add length. Avoid small frames that are out of proportion and short frames that accentuate face length.

+ Heart Faces - Recommend bottom-heavy frames that add width to lower face. Styles with low-set temples to draw attention downward. Narrow, round frames that soften the forehead. Avoid top-heavy styles that draw attention upward. Decorative temples that accentuate the broad upper face.

+ Square Faces - Recommend oval and round frames. Glasses with temples that are center set or that connect at the top of the frame. Butterfly shaped glasses. Avoid geometric and square shaped frames, as well as low-set temples or color accents on the bottom of the frames that draw emphasis to the chin.

The school nurse confirmed my fear. I needed glasses. I was reluctant to get them because I didn’t like change. I didn’t like the thought of wearing glasses, but I needed them apparently. The first time I got them I was surprise at how clear and detail everything was. It was amazing! I don’t know how else to best describe it, but it was like I was watching a Ultra HDR television for the first time after being so use to the basic, crappy, low definition version. I didn’t realize how terrible my eyesight was until I was able to see everything in such vividly clear detail.

But don’t worry, after a while though (the adjustment period largely depends on the type of prescription you have and your eyesight’s condition), you’ll get use to your glasses. It took me about a month or two to get use to wearing mine. During the first stage I was told by my Optometrist to wear them only when I needed them the most (such as when I needed to take notes down from the blackboard or to see something from a distance like the pedestrian signals when crossing the street). Once my eyes adjusted and I felt comfortable with them, I was wearing my glasses more often. Eventually, I started to wear them all the time on a permanent basis.

If you’re shooting a magnum cartridge that gets up to around 3,000 fps, then you’re zero is likely going to be at 200 yards. Each dot below center would still represent 100 yard increments; your second dot is going to start at 300 yards, the third 400, etc. The BDC reticle is useful for western hunters who’ll likely need to take longer shots.

We know that understanding rifle scope reticles is a pretty difficult task. There are so many tactical elements that, unless you’re a professional shooter or military, may seem foreign. If you’d like to learn more or have specific questions, we are always available via email, phone, or live chat. We always look forward to hearing from you!

The mil or milliradian reticle is designed for the shooter who is really looking to maximize the performance of their cartridge. It is typically offered in the traditional Mildot or a Christmas Tree style reticle that provides precision and speed with hold points along both the horizontal and vertical crosshair to aid in measurement of targets or holdover compensation.

In the case of the T-Plex rifle scope reticle, we removed the thick top vertical post. This creates a cleaner field of view that allows you to get on the target quickly.

For example, if you’re shooting a cartridge in the neighborhood of 2,800 feet per second (fps), you’re probably going to zero the rifle at 100 yards. Each dot below center would represent 100 yards – the second dot 200 yards, the third dot 300 yards, and so on.

The Minute of Angle (MOA) style reticles are probably the most popular. Many American hunters know that one click on their rifle scope turret is equal to 1/4″ at 100 yards. Since the adjustment value is finer than MRAD, you have a bit more precision, especially at closer ranges. For example, at a recent 100 club event, I was not able to zero the rifle as precisely as I would liked. My MRAD adjustments were putting the round either slightly too high or slightly too low of dead center in the ¼” bullseye. I moved to an MOA scope after that for that situation.

Reticlelimit

The strategically placed ½ MOA BDC dots and pointed post bracketing system provide bullet drop compensation with a definitive aiming point that does not obscure the target, even at long range.

The Christmas Tree style reticle featured in the TORIC 34mm FFP 4.5-30X56 MRAD Extreme Long Range (ELR) rifle scope, for example, provides .2 milliradian increments as well as .5 milliradian increments. These are staggered on opposite sides of the crosshair providing extreme precision as well as quick acquisition. The .04 mil floating dot center allows precise placement of the reticle and does not obscure small targets at extreme ranges.

Everyone’s first time of wearing glasses is like that, being amazed at the clarity in their eyesight. Of course, every first timer is also told by the Optometrist that it takes some time for their eyes to adjust to seeing everything with such clearness. It also takes some time in getting use to wearing glasses. That is why most people get headaches and other symptoms like dizziness, sore and tired eyes, or sore ears, sore nose and the sides of their head being sore too. They’re not use to wearing them. It’s also normal for your eyes to be tired because they’re not use to not being overworked anymore. This may even apply to when you take your glasses off after your eyes have gotten accustomed to wearing them.

+ Diamond Faces - Recommend upswept styles like cat eyes that emphasize the cheek bones. Oval frames that maintain balance and rimless styles that allow cheek bones to shine. Avoid narrow frames that draw attention to narrow eye line.

The thing to keep in mind is that each click with an MRAD scope is equal 1/10 of a Miliradian. This is equal to approximately .34” at 100 yards, meaning the MRAD adjustment is more coarse (larger value) then MOA. The benefit of MRAD adjustments, especially when shooting long range, is that your do not have to dial as much of the turret as you would with an MOA turret for long ranges.

While others need them because they are farsighted – hyperopia, which refers to people who find it harder to see near objects but are better at seeing objects far away. Hyperopia is sometimes referred to as ‘hypermetropia’.

Now when it comes to writing about a character with glasses, keep in mind why they need them and what kind of glasses do they have. Is the frame and style of their glasses Wayfarer, Aviator, Cat-eye, Round, Square, Rectangle, Rounded, Oval or Wrap? Maybe they can’t afford the more stylish frames so they have to get a basic version of one of those? Also, keep in mind the shape of the character’s face because one of the main factors of knowing which glasses to get is knowing what frame can compliment their face.

Glass-etched reticles are far better than copper wire reticles that are typically used. The reticle is actually carved into the glass. Glass etched don’t break or shift and are more precise. Can make thinner and finer lines for long-range precision.

There’s also those that need ‘reading’ glasses because as you get older (occurring typically in middle and old age), your eyes will naturally start to deteriorate. This condition is known as presbyopia.

Most writers tend to forget that there are issues that those specific characters can face because they wear glasses. For example, what if your character is cooking a stew? As they are stirring the pot it wouldn’t be surprising to see that their glasses start to fog up, causing them to be temporarily blind until they move away. It can also happen when it’s winter and your character is turning on the hot water to take a shower. That will cause their glasses to fog up, just like their bathroom mirror and windows. Even taking a sip from a hot drink like tea, coffee and whatnot can cause their glasses to fog up. Or maybe the character is outside and it’s raining, which will make it difficult for them to see things clearly.