Hey! Welcome back to another expert review. If you are reading this article, then you are probably looking for sights for your weapon, and we know how tough making that decision can be. But do not worry. We will discuss each of these sights, their advantages and drawbacks, and what they are best suited for, which will guide you in choosing the best sight for your weapon and take your shooting game to the next level. Let’s not waste any more time and begin right away!
Red Dot Sights
Before we get into the debate of which sight is better and superior, we should first know what red dots are and how they work.
Red dots consist of a diode that is the source of light. When this diode emits light, there is an optic glass placed in front of it. This beam falls on the optic glass and reflects that light back into the eye of the shooter.
Red dots are not always necessarily red in color; they can also be green, and the dots are not always circular. They can be square as well and crosshairs as well.
The unit of measurement for them is MOA which stands for “minute of angle.” 1 MOA equals one inch at one hundred yards.
Types of Red Dots
The three main types of red dots are
Holographic Sights
They use mirrors and a lens. While using holographic sights, you can shoot with both eyes open, and they are durable. They cannot be used on handguns but can be used on rifles.
Reflex Sights
They consist of two lenses placed face to face with one another,
A beam of light is shot from the first lens that falls on the second lens, is reflected back to the eyes, and is perceived as a dot.
Prism Sights
They use prisms rather than mirrors or lenses. They are not ideal for short-range shooting but good for mid-range and long-range shooting. It is better for people with astigmatism to use a prism sight rather than a reflex sight.
Now onto discussing more reflex sights.
Some Best Red Dot Sights
Following are some of the best red dot sights along with their amazon ratings:
- Vortex Optics SPARC red dot sight Gen-2
- Vortex optics spitfire 3X prism scope
- Bushnell trophy TRS-25
- C-More systems railway red dot sights
Reflex sights
They use two lenses that are placed face to face with one another,
A beam of light is shot from the first lens that falls on the second lens, is reflected back to the eyes, and is perceived as a dot.
Now that we know, reflex sights are just one of the types of red dots, but let’s keep in mind that all reflex sights are red dots, but not all red dots are reflex sights. What makes them different? Let’s find out.
Speed and accuracy
Red dots improve the overall accuracy of the shots as long as they have been correctly zeroed. They just eliminate the doubts and uncertainties. Not only that, but they help with faster and quicker target acquisition, which will also help make the shooting process faster and more accurate.
Range and size
Red dots come in various sizes, starting from 1 MOA to 12 MOA. Since it offers a variety of different sizes, it means that they can be used at different ranges, the smaller dots are good for shooting over long distances, and the bigger MOA dots are better for shooting at close ranges. So depending on what distance you are shooting from, you have a lot of variety to choose from.
Pros
Not only can red dots be used for home defense, but they can also be used for hunting, in the military, and competitive shooting as well. They are made using advanced technology. There is no optical distortion while using a red dot sight. Red dots allow the shooters to shoot with both eyes open. If not all, then most red dots are compatible with night vision devices, allowing you to shoot at night as well. Bright lights and sunlight do not have any effects on the red dot, it is not dimmed down by the sunlight, so it can easily be used in brightly lit environments. They are lightweight and small in size, and durable. They are mostly parallax-free, and most companies claim to be 100 percent parallax free, but unfortunately, with the technology available, it has not been possible yet. However, most of them do get close to being parallax free.
Cons
They are powered by batteries, which are long-lasting but need maintenance if they run out. They require zeroing, which is not a disadvantage, but some people might find it a hassle. You can find red dots at various price points ranging from lower to higher price points, but in comparison to reflex sights, they are pricier.
Types of Reflex Sights
As we discussed previously, reflex sights are one of the three types of red dot sights.
Reflex sights consist of two lenses placed face to face with one another,
A beam of light is shot from the first lens that falls on the second lens and is reflected back to the eyes, and is perceived as a dot.
There are two different types of reflex sights
- Exposed reflex sights
- Tube reflex sights
Exposed reflex sights
They have one lens, which is placed in front of the scope and is smaller in size. They provide eye relief.
Tube reflex sights
They have two lenses. The light is emanated by the first lens and is reflected back by the second.
Mounting
A person needs to be mindful of the fact that the reflex sight they are buying should be compatible with the weapon they are using because not all reflex sights are compatible with all types of weapons.
Precision and accuracy
They greatly help with accuracy, faster target acquisition, and more precision for shooting at the targets. They are better for shooting at close ranges.
Some Best reflex sights
- Sig Sauer 52001 Romeo5 2 MOA red dot sight
- Leupold delta point pro reflex sight
- Sight-mark Ultra Shot M-spec reflex sight
- Vortex Venom red dot sights
Red Dots Vs. Reflex Sights
| Red Dots | Reflex Sights | |
| Eye relief | Some do others don’t | No eye relief |
| Magnification | 1x magnification | No magnification |
| Durability | More durable | Less durable in comparison to red dots |
| Price | Pricier than reflex sights | Comparatively cheaper |
| Parallax | Parallax free | Parallax free |
| Night vision | Compatible | Compatible with night vision |
| Range | Both long as well as short-range | Better for Short range |
| Speed | Provides good speed | Quick target acquisition |
Final Verdict
You might be wondering which one of them is the winner. Well, in today’s article, we do not really have one. It’s a tie! Both of the options are aiming devices that have several benefits to offer. Red dots are a bit more advanced in comparison to reflex sights, but it does not mean that they are not useful. If you are a beginner and want to start shooting with something simple, easy, and something that won’t be too heavy on the pocket, you might want to start with reflex sights. If you are into competitive shooting or want something fast and accurate for your home defense and have a higher budget go for red dots. Both are equally useful in different circumstances. Depending on the distance you usually shoot and your requirements for speed, accuracy, eye relief, parallax, etc., you should choose accordingly. It is all a matter of preference. Reflex sights are, after all, just one of the types of red dots. Happy shooting!
FAQs
Can a person with astigmatism use reflex sights?
A person with astigmatism might not have the best time using a reflex sight. However, they have many options to choose from the other types of red dots that are specially designed for people with astigmatism.
