Red dot sights.

Dilbert · April 20, 2006, 02:54 PM

Is it just me or are they not as good as a lot of people think? I'll admit I have little experience with them, I've used 2, but I just didn't think it was that great an idea. The first one I used was on an air rifle, the second was on a Colt Anaconda. I noticed when I was trying to use them that if I didn't hold the gun just right the dot moved and threw off my aim, which in a life or death situation could be deadly. Am I the only person who thinks that they are kind of silly and a bad idea, or am I missing something?

Zak Smith · April 20, 2006, 03:02 PM

1x red dot optics can provide fast and easy sight picture acquisition, without parallax error, and maintaining the same or more situational awareness as open or iron sights. The Aimpoint is the most used combat optic in the US Military.

Quote:

I noticed when I was trying to use them that if I didn't hold the gun just right the dot moved and threw off my aim, which in a life or death situation could be deadly

Perhaps your criticism should be aimed at 1x red dot optics which were designed and/or built poorly.

-z

Dilbert · April 20, 2006, 04:16 PM

Hmm, maybe I'll check out one of those aim points at the gun show this weekend. I don't know, the one on the Anaconda was a pretty good one, or so I was told.

Lycanthrope · April 20, 2006, 10:27 PM

Aimpoint or Eotech. Both are pretty much parallax free.

What you describe is also common with cheap scopes.

Jayb · April 21, 2006, 07:12 AM

Here's a link to a very good (in my opinion) article about red dot sights. I have an EO Tech, and an UltraDot, and have previously owned several "inexpensive" red dot sights.

http://www.bullseyepistol.com/dotsight.htm

Personally, I feel that red dot sights are in the category of getting what you pay for.....at least that's been my experience.

dfaugh · April 21, 2006, 08:30 AM

Quote:

I noticed when I was trying to use them that if I didn't hold the gun just right the dot moved and threw off my aim, which in a life or death situation could be deadly. Am I the only person who thinks that they are kind of silly and a bad idea, or am I missing something?

Me too...Mounted one on my shotgun for deer season this year...And, found it was not at all good for quick target aquisition...Trying to center (which is very subjective) the dot takes far too long. Next yeat it'll have a low power scope on it. I'm much more comfortable (and fast) with crosshairs, than with the "dancing dot"....

Jayb · April 21, 2006, 10:21 AM

red dots or scopes, are completely an individual preference, but I have no issues with my EO Tech, or Ultra Dot at all. If the red dot is visible and on the target, that's where the bullet strikes. On my two sights, the dot does not have to be centered to be accurate.

I practice weekly, my ability to "point shoot". There would be no red dots on my carry gun. My red dots are used for plinking and small game shooting. They're also very good for teaching grip, and body mechanics to new shooters.

April 20, 2006, 02:54 PM	#1
Dilbert Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: DMAFB, AZ Posts: 342	Red dot sights. Is it just me or are they not as good as a lot of people think? I'll admit I have little experience with them, I've used 2, but I just didn't think it was that great an idea. The first one I used was on an air rifle, the second was on a Colt Anaconda. I noticed when I was trying to use them that if I didn't hold the gun just right the dot moved and threw off my aim, which in a life or death situation could be deadly. Am I the only person who thinks that they are kind of silly and a bad idea, or am I missing something? __________________ Gun Control-gun con·trol n. definition 1. The theory that a woman found dead in an alley, raped and strangled with her panty hose, is somehow morally superior to a woman explaining to police how her attacker received that fatal bullet wound. 2. The ability to hit what you are aiming at.

April 20, 2006, 04:16 PM	#3
Dilbert Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: DMAFB, AZ Posts: 342	Hmm, maybe I'll check out one of those aim points at the gun show this weekend. I don't know, the one on the Anaconda was a pretty good one, or so I was told. __________________ Gun Control-gun con·trol n. definition 1. The theory that a woman found dead in an alley, raped and strangled with her panty hose, is somehow morally superior to a woman explaining to police how her attacker received that fatal bullet wound. 2. The ability to hit what you are aiming at.

April 21, 2006, 07:12 AM	#5
Jayb Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 103	Here's a link to a very good (in my opinion) article about red dot sights. I have an EO Tech, and an UltraDot, and have previously owned several "inexpensive" red dot sights. http://www.bullseyepistol.com/dotsight.htm Personally, I feel that red dot sights are in the category of getting what you pay for.....at least that's been my experience. __________________ Freedom has a flavor the protected can never taste... USMC 8652, 2531, RVN Jun '66, - May 68 Some of my rifles

April 21, 2006, 10:21 AM	#7
Jayb Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 103	red dots or scopes, are completely an individual preference, but I have no issues with my EO Tech, or Ultra Dot at all. If the red dot is visible and on the target, that's where the bullet strikes. On my two sights, the dot does not have to be centered to be accurate. I practice weekly, my ability to "point shoot". There would be no red dots on my carry gun. My red dots are used for plinking and small game shooting. They're also very good for teaching grip, and body mechanics to new shooters. __________________ Freedom has a flavor the protected can never taste... USMC 8652, 2531, RVN Jun '66, - May 68 Some of my rifles

April 20, 2006, 10:27 PM	#4
Lycanthrope Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2001 Location: PA Posts: 1,752	Aimpoint or Eotech. Both are pretty much parallax free. What you describe is also common with cheap scopes.