What is a Red Dot Sight?

Some may ask, “What is a red dot?” Nothing is better than waking up on a crisp fall morning, knowing you are headed to the woods.

Whether you are hunting turkey, deer, elk, or bear, red dot sights are a must-have appliance when hunting game. Even if you are not an avid hunter, red dot sights are also for you. The sights are made to be mounted on any firearm, including pistols, rifles, shotguns, or ARs, and are perfect for shooting sports and matches.

Red Dot Optics and How Red Dot Sights Work

Red dot sight optics can be used with a variety of firearms. This appliance ensures you shoot accurately at your target using a red dot laser reflecting system. This system uses mirrors and bright LEDs to project a dot into the reticle of your eyepiece. A LED light is set up pointing at the glass, which allows a reflection to bounce off and glare into the user’s eye, comparable to a prism. Red dots allow you to shoot more accurately at a closer distance. Red dot sights are not like regular scopes. With a red dot scope, you do not have a magnifying lens, allowing you to see much more clearly while keeping both eyes open. This is ideal if you have two dominant eyes.

These sights allow you to shoot at a short distance, but red dot sights work to enable the user to shoot at a quicker, fast-paced speed. This product is supreme for shooting turkey with a shotgun, squirrel with a 22 caliber rifle, or bear with a crossbow. Unlike iron sights, the red dot allows you to see more of what you are shooting.

These tiny dots are the best way to train youth. The shot is more accurate with the dot lined right on the target. When using iron sights, you always have to introduce new shooters to shoot under the bead, which is harder to understand. The simplicity of the red dot optics ensures you are right on the target. You do not have to aim higher or lower, unlike other accessories.

When Was the Red Dot Sight Invented?

Red dot sights have evolved tremendously over the years, making hitting the target more accurate. While many ideas of electronic sights were tossed around and tinkered with during WW2 and the late1900s, the red dot sight is credited with being invented in 1975. Aimpoint AB, the Swedish optics company, created the first electronic sight. These sights were operated by mercury batteries allowing them to only function for a limited period. Unlike past models, current red dot sights can survive for years in the present time, and many even use solar batteries. Since the first electronic sight, technology has evolved remarkably. For example, the Lucid Optics M7 Compact Red Dot Sight reticle geometry has been proven to shave time getting on target by over 25% as compared to a conventional dot. The M5 reticle is set in the M7 with (11) brightness settings to provide a clear reticle sight picture in bright sunlight down to NVG-compatible operation. With a quality battery installed, the M7 offers over 1000 hours of battery life, making sure you enjoy the match or stay on the mission without fail.

What is the Difference Between Reflex Sight vs. Red Dot Sight?

Red Dots will align your eyeball to the dot when looking through the scope. Many will say, “All red dots are reflex sights, but not all reflex dots are red dots.” What is the difference between reflex sight vs. red dot Sight? A red dot is a general term for electronic dot-transmitting scopes, allowing excellent target acquisition. Red dots can fall under many different categories. One of the differences with a red dot is the field of view. The HS510C Open Reflex Circle Dot Sight has an open frame for a wide-sight picture. All red are reflex sights because a red dot sight is being reflexed. Red dot sights encompass reflex and holographic sights. With a reflex sight, you have a more extensive range of view. Reflex sights have multiple options for retinal shapes. Red dots project a brighter illuminating reticle, while reflex sights allow for a larger field of view. The 2×30 Red Dot Sight from Barska illuminated dot sight is perfect for rifles, handguns, shotguns, and even crossbows. The 2x30mm Dot Sight has a red 5 MOA reticle and an adjustable rheostat allowing variable reticle brightness control.

How Far Can You Shoot with a Red Dot Sight?

Many wonder how far you can shoot with a red dot and if these optics are worth it. Red dot sights are typically used at closer ranges, usually around 100 yards. However, several factors contribute to the distance and the accuracy of a red dot sight. Some of these factors include:

• The size of the dot
• The size of the target
• The distance of the target
• Weather conditions
• Environmental conditions

The red dot’s coverage and the dot’s size can be referred to as the MOA, minutes of angle. One inch equals one minute of angle at about 100 yards. The bigger the dot, the more inches it covers. For example, a deer walks out at 100 yards, and you are using a 6.0 MOA Dot. Your dot is shooting within six Inches of where you are aiming. The smaller the size of your dot, the more precise you will be shooting. It is better to use a larger dot at a moving target that is close to you. It is more efficient to use a smaller dot when your target is at a longer distance. That way, your shot is more precise. “If you aim small, you will miss small.”

The size of your red dot also helps you determine what gun you should use with your red dot. The smaller the gun, the higher the number of MOA red dots. For example, you would not have a 6.0 MOA dot on a rifle. This would not make sense because rifles are utilized for longer distances. You are shooting at a longer distance. Hence, if the dot is larger, you have a better chance of missing. For example, the Ultradot 1 25 mm would be an excellent red dot sight for a pistol with a 4.0 MOA. The dot is larger, and you shoot at a closer distance with pistols.

Is Red or Green Dot Better?

Some may ask, is a red or green dot better? This is your own opinion and depends on the use of the red dot sight. It is your personal preference. For hunting, the red dot is better. It is more visible and illuminating. With green trees, fields, etc., the red dot is likelier to be the most visible. The green dot will be most beneficial if you shoot at a range with red dirt. The time of day is another factor that affects your personal preference. The green dot is more visible in the daytime when it is bright. The green light is less harsh on the eyes, making it easier to use. In darker and dimmer situations, the red dot is better on the eyes, making concentration easier, or you could even use thermal dot sights. Red dot sights cost less and have a longer battery life. Green light costs more, and the battery life is reduced. However, the green dot is less harsh on the eyes and can operate on a lower brightness level.

Either way, these options are efficient and get the job done. The final decision is up to you, red or green?