So you are a beginner looking for the ideal optic for your first gun, and that’s where the image of a red dot sight pops up in your head. You’ve previously seen this optic in movies and video games but can’t remember its name.
You start reading about it on the internet, and now you are impressed by its features and advantages. However, as you read further, you begin to feel overwhelmed by the range of technical terms and specifications.
You keep searching the web to find an easier and more detailed explanation of a red dot sight. Well, your search ends here because, in this article, I will explain what a red dot sight is and all you need to know about the red dot sight in detail using the simplest vocabulary.
So let’s get started!
What Is A Red Dot Sight?
A red dot sight uses a red dot as a reticle to assist you in aiming and targeting. It creates this red dot using an LED light, a mirror, and a lens.
People prefer to use the red dot sight optic on guns like pistols and shotguns that are used at short range because it is unmagnified.
Furthermore, it also has an ideal range of 100 yards for close-range shoot-offs. To use this optic, all you have to do is point the red dot at your target and hit the trigger.
How Does A Red Dot Sight Work?
The red dot sight uses a system comprised of an LED, a mirror, and a lens to project a red dot that your eye can track. The LED projects light on the mirror, and the mirror reflects it as a dot onto the front lens.
You cannot see the red dot from the other side of the lens, so it is only visible to the shooter.
Where Does MOA Play A Part?
We use MOA to measure the reticle’s size in a red dot. A red dot comes with different MOA sizes; the most common of these sizes are 2 MOA, 3 MOA, and 6 MOA.
Different MOA values are appropriate for different situations. A smaller MOA dot is more suitable for long-distance shooting, and a larger MOA dot is good for shooting targets up close.
Why is that so? A smaller dot is preferable for shooting targets at longer distances because the target appears smaller at a greater distance, and you need more precision to hit it. A smaller MOA dot will give you that precision.
On the other hand, when a target is close to you, you don’t need precision; you need speed. A bigger MOA is easier to pick and hence gives you that speed.
You will also find red dots with a combination of a dot and a circle like the Holosun optics with the Multiple Reticle System. With these red dots, you can either use just the dot, just the circle, or a combination of both.
What Does Zeroing Your Red Dot Sight Mean?
Zeroing your red dot sight means modifying it perfectly to make it as accurate as possible so that your shots always land where you intend them to. This is a technique used by many pro shooters to improve their aim and reach pinpoint accuracy.
You will need a target, a shooting rest, and a way to measure the distance to zero your red dot sight. You can use a tape measure, a ruler, or a laser rangefinder to measure the distance.
In the zeroing process, you have to aim to hit the center of the target by making adjustments on the red dot.
You use the windage and elevation turrets on your red dot sight to make adjustments. The elevation setting is used to adjust the vertical aim, and the windage setting is used to adjust the horizontal aim.
What Is It Used For?
Red dot sights are used at close range in guns like pistols, rifles, and shotguns because they are ideal to use in close-range encounters. They allow you to use both eyes when targeting, which is useful at close range where you have to track moving targets.
Furthermore, they are small and light, which makes them easy to use on shotguns and pistols. Finally, they are unmagnified, allowing you to see the real image of the target through the optic, making it faster to shoot and improving accuracy at short range.
Why You Should Use One
There are many reasons to use a red dot sight. Some of them are:
- Red dot sights are incredibly fast and easy to acquire a target with.
- Red dot sights are forgiving when it comes to eye position, meaning that you don’t have to be perfectly aligned with the sight to see the dot.
- Most red dot sights are extremely rugged and can take a lot of abuse.
- Red dot sights are usually very lightweight, making them ideal for use on lightweight weapons.
- Red dot sights offer an unlimited field of view, meaning you can see your target and the surrounding area without obstruction.
Benefits Over Iron Sights
Red dot sights have the following benefits over iron sights:
- Firstly, red dot sights give more accuracy than iron sights. This is because, with iron sights, you need to align the front and rear post to the target, which keeps your mind occupied and hinders accuracy. But with red dot sights, you align the dot with the target and pull the trigger. This allows you to focus on the target and get more accuracy.
- Secondly, red dot sights give faster target acquisition than iron sights. The 3-point alignment with the iron sights takes a lot of time, while with the red dot sights, you can just place your reticle on your target and be done.
- The red dot sight allows you to use both eyes when aiming, giving more situational awareness. In contrast, when using iron sights, a common tendency is to close the non-dominant eye to increase focus level to align the sights with the target. Closing one eye can be dangerous if a threat comes from the side of the closed eye.
- The red dot sight also makes aiming at the night or dim light a lot easier because the illuminated red dot is visible in the dark. And when it comes to iron sights, even those with Tritium or Fiber optics don’t give visibility as good as a red dot sight.
Drawbacks Of A Red Dot Sight
However, despite being one of the best and most used optics out there, red dot sights have some cons:
- The first major con of red dot sights is that they are not very effective at a long distance. They have a maximum range of 100 yards, and in situations where the target is very far, you will have to guesswork your way out.
- The second con of a red dot sight is that it requires batteries. Even though the batteries help the red dot last longer, they are a limitation.
- Red dot sights are also prone to parallax error, leading to inaccurate shots. This error occurs when the reticle moves in the direction of the shooter’s head.
- The size of the reticle of the red dot sight magnifies when attached to a magnifier. This is a hindrance because it makes the reticle difficult to see and causes inaccuracy when shooting.
Conclusion
If you are a beginner looking for a new optic that is easy to handle and accurate, then the red dot sight is a perfect choice. It has many benefits, such as better situational awareness, speedy target acquisition, and accuracy.
Being familiar with specific terms like MOA and knowing what zeroing your red dot means will surely help you in your shooting journey. I hope I have explained everything well enough for you to understand. Happy shooting!
FAQs
What is a red dot sight good for?
A red dot sight is good for close-quarters combat and target shooting. It is more accurate than iron sights.
What is the difference between a red dot sight and a laser sight?
A red dot sight is an optical sight that uses a red dot as the aiming reticle. A laser sight is a laser-based aiming device that projects a visible red dot onto the target.
Is a red dot sight better than a scope?
A red dot sight is better than a scope as it is more accurate than a scope because the red dot is always in the same place, while a scope can be off by a few inches.
Do red dot sights work at night?
Red dot sights work very well at night compared to other sights because the red dot is visible in the dark.
How far do red dot sights work?
Generally, red dot sights work at a distance of 100 yards.
How long does red dot optics last?
The minimum battery life of some red dot sights is 1000 to 3000 hours, but sights like Aimpoint or Holosun can go up to 10,000 to 50,000 hours.
