Dead Battery

[I'vebeenduped]

I picked up my home defense rifle this weekend just to make sure that all was in order. Lo and behold, I had a dead battery on my red dot!!! I started to think that, if this was an emergent situation, this could have not been so great. Does anyone know of an AFFORDABLE option to the trijicon scopes which I could use in a scout position? Are there scopes that have a low battery indicator? Scoped that turn the lit reticule off after so much time? Please, give me ideas of how to minimize the risk of running a dead light in such a situation. Thank you,

David

[ScottRiqui]

Which Trijicon do you have, and how old was the battery?

I thought Trijicon was the one where the battery life was measured in YEARS of continuous use, as long as you didn't have the brightness cranked all the way up.

[I'vebeenduped]

My apologies for not being clear enough. I wish I could afford a trijicon, I really do. I know just enough to know someone would recommend buying one. I have a dot scope that my brother gave me. It was battery and solar powered. The solar option broke. Subsequently, the battery died soon thereafter.

[ScottRiqui]

Does the battery still work without the solar charger feature? If so, I'd just put in a fresh battery and get in the habit of checking the red dot as often as you need to in order to feel comfortable that it'll work when you need it.

[I'vebeenduped]

I replaced the battery. I am thinking about something with a permanent reticule or some other kind of backup. I tried an unsuccessful search with Bing. I couldn't find anything. I am checking to see if someone has something they like that I couldn't find. Who knows, I grew up on iron sites. I was in the Army back when scopes were for snipers. Maybe I should stick to that?

[wogpotter]

Several options exist that might help you out.
Some red dots auto switch offf 15 minutes or so after they're placed in darkness.

Get one with a regular battery & carry a spare at all times on the gun. (this is what I do & I automatically swap the batteries & buy a new spare every birthday so I don't forget)

There are a couple of "luminous" ones that light up by being exposed to sunlight as well, IIRC they're called "firefly" sights.

[alex0535]

I have a Burris Fastfire III 3moa red dot and have not managed to run the first batteries out yet. There is an automatic 8 hour shutoff. From what others say of the battery life I am not expecting to need to change the batteries for at least another 8-12 months, but apparently it should indicate to me when they are getting low. Love it though, been very happy with it so far.

I would avoid magnified optics on a home defense rifle. If you do use a scope, consider a 1x and a rifle mounted flashlight.

[The Great Mahoo]

Last time I picked up my AR, I noticed I had left the red dot on, full brightness, and it was dead as could be. I still need to get a replacement battery for it...

I recommend back-up irons just in case.

But, ill be interested in seeing what all suggestions are made.

[wogpotter]

Sneaky trick for thems of youse what lets yer batteries die.

As long as its some kind of "button, or coin" type battery try this wizard wheeze.

Get a sheet of the old "slide file pages" or any similar multi-pocketed ringbinder page made of plastic. Cut out a few of the "pockets" individuslly leaving a sealed border of about 1/8".
Put a spare battery in the pocket.
Tape the opening shut & tape the sealed pocket to the outside of your stock with non-marring tape.
If you need a coin to open the battery compartment tape a second pocket with a washer or quater in it as well.

You'll never even know its there till you sudenly need a spare battery at midnight in the middle of a field. Then you'l be real glad you had it on there.

[AK103K]

What make red dots are we talking about? I leave my old Aimpoint M2/ML2's on 24/7/365, and just swap the battery out once a year, when I change the smoke detector batteries. I have yet to find one dead yet. I hear the newer models, go almost 10 years on a battery.

[g.willikers]

Wouldn't hurt to practice just using the dead scope to aim with.
The large round glass can make a decent aiming device, too, in an emergency.
Try it - turn the scope off and see if you can hit anything, just using the glass to aim.
Bet you surprise yourself.

[MTSCMike]

Aimpoint and BUIS

[ClydeFrog]

Stay alert, stay alive isn't just a clever slogan, it's a good way to go thru life.

Any battery powered device or gear needs to be checked often. Heat, cold, rain, water, muck, sand, sunlight, fog, etc could have a - impact.

I'd get night sights(tritium type) as a back-up.
In the early 1990s, the NRC was all touchy about tritium & how it was used in firearms/weapons but they aren't as strict now.

I prefer Li batteries over regular AA types. I do however use the Li AA type batteries now offered. Li batteries hold up better in extreme cold.

CF

[I'vebeenduped]

"Wouldn't hurt to practice just using the dead scope to aim with.
The large round glass can make a decent aiming device, too, in an emergency.
Try it - turn the scope off and see if you can hit anything, just using the glass to aim.
Bet you surprise yourself. "

^^ OK, I am doing THIS on my next range trip!
When I was young, my Dad taught my brother and I to fire while just looking over the barrel. Almost like shooting a shotgun without the bead. We weren't dead on accurate mind you, but we were awful close to the center of what we were firing at. Sometimes I think, "maybe I am too old to get used to the red dot systems?" Then I go to the range and remember how much fun they are.

I think I need a quick release so that, God forbid this happens again, I can easily revert to irons. Are these any good?

"Aimpoint and BUIS" "they're called "firefly" sight"
^^ I will DEFINITELY be looking into these!