Could someone please explain red dot sights to me?

Scoob_ · January 29, 2005, 04:54 PM

What are they? How do they work? Thanks

HAWKIN · January 29, 2005, 05:42 PM

They use the same system employed by fighter aircraft. Unlike laser sights, reflex sights only use the red (or green) dot within the sight. The dot is not projected to the target. The red dot (or reflex sight) works by reflecting a light emitting diode (LED) off a coated Lens, bringing the red or green color back to the eye in the form of a reflection. This is why it is parallax-free The dot on the lens is superimposed on the target. There is no need to focus in a front and rear sight with the target. There is no need to center the dot. After sighting in, if you see the dot on the target, you're on target. 1

What is important.

1. You are looking through a coated lense. What field of vision do you require? How big a dot do you require? The field of vision (the size of the lense is fixed, but, some manufacturers provide changeable patterns and sizes of dots. Tubes come in many tube widths (mm) and screens dimensions.

2. Do you want to use your standard iron sights? Do you wan your standard sights to display a red dot on them (Co-incidental / co-axial /co witness red dot)? In some cases the mount you choose will alow for your iron sights to be available to you, sometimes not. Co-witness requires an exact mount for your weapon.

3. Battery life.

4. Strength of the unit. Some are much stronger. Some have armored housing that can be purchased.

5. DO you anticipate using your red dot in bad weather. Think of it as a zero power scope. THis may be a real consideration.

6. Reflextion of the lense. Do you have a KillFlash requirement.

7. Do you need ranging? Do you need magnification? What range will you be shooting at? What are your holster requirments?

Scoob_ · January 29, 2005, 09:16 PM

Thanks a lot TFL. I knew the basic concept somewhat, heard them mentioned, but knew practically nothing about them. I take it that a red dot would be excellent for fast, close range, target aquisition?

Thanks again.

HAWKIN · January 31, 2005, 12:57 PM

If you can get it out of your holster.
If you can clear your clothes.
If you can turn it on.
If your batteries are in good shape.
If you can see your target, because its light enough,it is fair weather.
If you are not facing the sun or catch the sun in a rear reflection.

Yes.

Scoob_ · January 31, 2005, 06:03 PM

Plenty of positives and negatives to it...thanks again.

mc_oliver · February 2, 2005, 03:25 AM

xmastree · February 3, 2005, 02:42 AM

Take a look here. That's my toy.

If you see the third picture, that's how it looks in use. Notice that the dot seems to be in focus, along with the target (the bedhead...)

So when you look through it, you see the illusion of a dot on the target.

If you can keep the damn thing still while squeezing the trigger, that's where the bullet will land.

January 29, 2005, 04:54 PM	#1
Scoob_ Member Join Date: May 24, 2004 Location: NC Posts: 16	Could someone please explain red dot sights to me? What are they? How do they work? Thanks

January 29, 2005, 05:42 PM	#2
HAWKIN Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Posts: 132	They use the same system employed by fighter aircraft. Unlike laser sights, reflex sights only use the red (or green) dot within the sight. The dot is not projected to the target. The red dot (or reflex sight) works by reflecting a light emitting diode (LED) off a coated Lens, bringing the red or green color back to the eye in the form of a reflection. This is why it is parallax-free The dot on the lens is superimposed on the target. There is no need to focus in a front and rear sight with the target. There is no need to center the dot. After sighting in, if you see the dot on the target, you're on target. 1 What is important. 1. You are looking through a coated lense. What field of vision do you require? How big a dot do you require? The field of vision (the size of the lense is fixed, but, some manufacturers provide changeable patterns and sizes of dots. Tubes come in many tube widths (mm) and screens dimensions. 2. Do you want to use your standard iron sights? Do you wan your standard sights to display a red dot on them (Co-incidental / co-axial /co witness red dot)? In some cases the mount you choose will alow for your iron sights to be available to you, sometimes not. Co-witness requires an exact mount for your weapon. 3. Battery life. 4. Strength of the unit. Some are much stronger. Some have armored housing that can be purchased. 5. DO you anticipate using your red dot in bad weather. Think of it as a zero power scope. THis may be a real consideration. 6. Reflextion of the lense. Do you have a KillFlash requirement. 7. Do you need ranging? Do you need magnification? What range will you be shooting at? What are your holster requirments?

January 29, 2005, 09:16 PM	#3
Scoob_ Member Join Date: May 24, 2004 Location: NC Posts: 16	Thanks a lot TFL. I knew the basic concept somewhat, heard them mentioned, but knew practically nothing about them. I take it that a red dot would be excellent for fast, close range, target aquisition? Thanks again.

January 31, 2005, 12:57 PM	#4
HAWKIN Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Posts: 132	If you can get it out of your holster. If you can clear your clothes. If you can turn it on. If your batteries are in good shape. If you can see your target, because its light enough,it is fair weather. If you are not facing the sun or catch the sun in a rear reflection. Yes.

January 31, 2005, 06:03 PM	#5
Scoob_ Member Join Date: May 24, 2004 Location: NC Posts: 16	Plenty of positives and negatives to it...thanks again.

February 2, 2005, 03:25 AM	#6
mc_oliver Member Join Date: May 30, 2002 Location: Philippines Posts: 35

February 3, 2005, 02:42 AM	#7
xmastree Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2004 Location: Tagum City, Southern Philippines Posts: 120	Take a look here. That's my toy. If you see the third picture, that's how it looks in use. Notice that the dot seems to be in focus, along with the target (the bedhead...) So when you look through it, you see the illusion of a dot on the target. If you can keep the damn thing still while squeezing the trigger, that's where the bullet will land.