VIEWING OPTIC WITH A BASE HAVING A LIGHT MODULE

1 . A viewing optic comprising: (a) a main tube; (b) an objective system coupled to a first end of the main tube that focuses a target image from an outward scene; (c) an ocular system coupled to the second end of the main tube, the main tube, objective system and ocular system being configured to define at least a first focal plane, with a reticle at the first focal plane; and (d) a base coupled to the main body and having a light module to direct light at the first focal plane reticle.

2 . The viewing optic of claim 1 , wherein one end of the base attaches near a magnification adjustment ring of the main body and the other end of the base attaches near the objective assembly of the main body.

3 . The viewing optic of claim 1 , wherein the base is from 40% to 65% the length of the main body.

4 . The viewing optic of claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a power source.

5 . The viewing optic of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the light module attaches to an outer perimeter of the first focal plane reticle.

6 . The viewing optic of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the light module attaches to an outer perimeter of the first focal plane reticle from about a 3:00 position to about a 6:00 position of the reticle.

7 . The viewing optic of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the light module attaches to an outer perimeter of the first focal plane reticle at about a 6:00 position of the reticle.

8 . A viewing optic comprising: a main body with an optical system for viewing an outward scene and a base that couples to a bottom portion of the main body, the base having a light module to direct light at a diffraction pattern on a reticle of the optical system in the main body.

9 . The viewing optic of claim 8 , wherein the reticle is located at a first focal plane of the optical system in the main body.

10 . The viewing optic of claim 8 , wherein the reticle is located at a second focal plane of the optical system in the main body.

11 . The viewing optic of claim 8 , wherein a reticle is located at both a first focal plane and a second focal plane of the optical system in the main body.

12 . The viewing optic of claim 8 , wherein a portion of the light module attaches to an outer perimeter of the reticle from about a 3:00 position to about a 6:00 position of the reticle.

13 . The viewing optic of claim 8 , wherein a portion of the light module attaches to an outer perimeter of the reticle at about a 6:00 position of the reticle.

14 . A viewing optic comprising: a main body having an optical system comprised of an objective lens system that focuses an image from a target to a first focal plane (“FFP Target Image”), with a reticle located at the FFP; an erector lens system that inverts the FFP Target Image and focuses it to a second focal plane (“SFP Target Image”), an eyepiece lens system that collimates the SFP Target Image so that it can be observed by the human eye, and a knob for adjustment of the optical system, wherein the knob has a light module to illuminate the first focal plane reticle.

15 . The viewing optic of claim 14 , wherein a portion of the light module attaches to an outer perimeter of the reticle from about a 3:00 position to about a 9:00 position of the reticle.

16 . The viewing optic of claim 14 , wherein a portion of the light module attaches to an outer perimeter of the reticle at about a 3:00 position of the reticle.

17 . The viewing optic of claim 14 , wherein a portion of the light module attaches to an outer perimeter of the reticle at about a 9:00 position of the reticle.

18 . The viewing optic of claim 14 , wherein a portion of the light module attaches to an outer perimeter of the reticle at about a 12:00 position or at a 6:00 position of the reticle.

19 . The viewing optic of claim 14 , further comprising a reticle at the second focal plane.

20 . The viewing optic of claim 19 , wherein the light module further provides illumination to the reticle at the second focal plane.