Yup, lasers on pistols are a crutch, that's for sure. I'm one of those that is happy to admit that I take advantage of that crutch for my HD weapons. Figure that if I need to use it, it'll most likely be at night, when I can't find my d... glasses.
Now, on the other hand. Outdoors on the 25yd and 50yd line, I tend to use a red-dot as my crutch of preference over irons, when shooting bullseye. Much easier for my old eyes to get on target.
AFAIC, ALL sights are a crutch of one type or another. It's just up to each one to find out which one works best for them under the circumstances. You'll never know for sure unless you give them a try though.
