Bushnell · Prism Sight · Hunting & Shooting
Bushnell Lil P Prism Sight
Etched BDC Reticle – 1x Prism
Compact 1x prism sight with a permanently visible etched reticle – works even without a battery.
Etched reticle – always visible, even without a battery
The Bushnell Lil P is not an ordinary red dot sight. As a true prism sight, it uses an etched Circle Dot/BDC reticle engraved directly into the glass – remaining visible at all times, even with the illumination off or the battery dead. This is the decisive advantage over conventional reflex sights, where a battery failure causes the reticle to disappear entirely. With 12 red brightness levels, the illumination can be seamlessly adjusted to any lighting condition. The compact 1×11 mm prism system delivers a distortion-free image with a generous field of view of 70 ft at 1,000 yds – ideal for rapid target acquisition at close and medium range.
Technology · Prism Sight
Prism vs. Reflex – why an etched reticle makes the difference
While a conventional red dot sight projects the reticle via LED onto a lens, the Lil P uses a prism system with a reticle physically etched into the glass. The Circle Dot/BDC design features a 3 MOA centre dot for precise aiming, surrounded by a 50 MOA circle with floating crosshair lines for rapid target acquisition and range estimation. Even in the event of complete battery failure, this reticle remains visible in black – a safety reserve no reflex sight can offer. The 12 red illumination levels complement the etched reticle with brilliant contrast when needed.
Two mounts included – standard and hi-rise
The Bushnell Lil P ships with two mounts: a standard mount and a hi-rise mount (approx. 32 mm). Both are Aimpoint-compatible and fit any Picatinny rail. The hi-rise mount is particularly suited for use with rifles requiring a higher line of sight – such as AR-15 platforms. Windage and elevation adjustments use 1 MOA clicks with a total adjustment range of over 100 MOA.
Rugged and weatherproof – ready for any mission
The Lil P housing is made from aluminium with hardcoat anodising – the same surface protection used in military-grade optics. O-ring sealing and nitrogen purging make the sight waterproof and fogproof. The multi-coated lenses deliver a clear, high-contrast image in all lighting conditions. Weighing just 125 g (without mount) and measuring only 63.5 mm in length, the Lil P is one of the most compact prism sights available.
Lifetime Warranty – Bushnell Ironclad Warranty
Bushnell backs the Lil P with its Ironclad Lifetime Warranty – a lifetime manufacturer guarantee covering manufacturing defects. This is the promise of one of America’s most established optics manufacturers, producing precision optics for hunting and shooting for over 75 years. In addition, the statutory 2-year Swiss warranty applies.
Key features – Bushnell Lil P Prism Sight
- 🎯 Etched Circle Dot/BDC reticle – visible even without a battery
- 🔴 3 MOA centre dot – precise aiming at close and medium range
- ⭕ 50 MOA circle with floating crosshair lines – rapid target acquisition
- 💡 12 red brightness levels – adjustable to all lighting conditions
- 👁️ 90 mm eye relief – comfortable viewing
- 🔧 2 mounts included – standard and hi-rise (~32 mm), Aimpoint-compatible
- 💧 O-ring sealed + nitrogen purged – waterproof and fogproof
- 🛡️ Aluminium housing with hardcoat anodising – rugged and durable
- ⚖️ 125 g at 63.5 mm length – ultralight and compact
- 🏅 Lifetime Warranty – Bushnell Ironclad lifetime guarantee
Who is the Bushnell Lil P Prism Sight for?
The Lil P is designed for shooters and hunters seeking a compact, reliable sight for close and medium range – with the security of an etched reticle that works even when the battery fails. Particularly suited for AR-15 platforms, semi-automatic rifles and compact hunting firearms.
Technical Specifications – Bushnell Lil P
| Model | Bushnell Tac Optics Lil P (BT71XPS) |
|---|---|
| Type | Prism sight |
| Magnification | 1x |
| Objective lens diameter | 11 mm |
| Reticle | Circle Dot / BDC (etched) – 3 MOA dot, 50 MOA circle, floating crosshairs |
| Illumination | Red, 12 brightness levels |
| Eye relief | 90 mm |
| Field of view | 70 ft at 1,000 yds |
| Parallax | 50 yds |
| W/E adjustment | 1 MOA clicks, over 100 MOA total range |
| Coating | Multi-coated |
| Housing | Aluminium, hardcoat anodised |
| Sealing | O-ring sealed, nitrogen purged (waterproof & fogproof) |
| Mount | Aimpoint-compatible – standard + hi-rise (~32 mm) included |
| Battery | 1× CR2032 |
| Length | 63.5 mm |
| Weight | 125 g (sight only) |
| Warranty | Lifetime Warranty (Bushnell Ironclad) + 2-year Swiss statutory warranty |
Package Contents – Bushnell Lil P
- 🔴 Bushnell Lil P prism sight (BT71XPS)
- 🔧 Standard mount for Picatinny rail
- 🔧 Hi-rise mount (~32 mm) for higher line of sight
- 🔋 CR2032 battery (1×)
- 📄 User manual
Frequently Asked Questions – Bushnell Lil P
What distinguishes a prism sight from a standard red dot sight?
A prism sight uses an optical prism system with a reticle physically etched into the glass. This means the reticle remains visible even with the illumination off or the battery dead – unlike reflex red dots, which display no reticle without power.
Does the reticle really work without a battery?
Yes. The Circle Dot/BDC reticle is permanently etched into the glass and appears in black when illumination is not activated. The battery is only needed to illuminate the reticle in red.
What does BDC reticle mean?
BDC stands for Bullet Drop Compensator. The floating crosshair lines below the centre dot allow for range estimation and holdover correction at various distances – without manually adjusting the aiming point.
Which mounts are included?
The Lil P ships with two Aimpoint-compatible mounts: a standard mount and a hi-rise mount (approx. 32 mm). Both fit Picatinny rails.
Is the Bushnell Lil P waterproof?
Yes. The sight is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged, making it waterproof and fogproof – even during extreme temperature fluctuations.
What battery does it require?
The Lil P uses a CR2032 coin cell battery. These are widely available at any specialist retailer or online.
Which firearms is the Lil P suitable for?
The Lil P suits any firearm with a Picatinny rail – particularly AR-15 platforms, semi-automatic rifles and compact hunting firearms. The two included mounts cover different sight heights.
What warranty applies to the Bushnell Lil P?
Bushnell provides the Ironclad Lifetime Warranty – a lifetime manufacturer guarantee covering manufacturing defects. In addition, the statutory 2-year Swiss warranty applies.
