How to Compare Red Dot Sights

Red dot sights have been in routine use in certain shooting competitions since the 1980's. Since the United States' insertion into war in 2001, red dots have been widely developed, built and sold by many manufacturers around the world. Red dots come in the forms from simple snap-on, external devices to very complex, contained optical devices. The external types you snap on the barrel over your front bead or blade are relatively primitive and tend to be very similar between manufacturers. The optic types vary and choosing the right one can be confusing, particularly if you intend to spend a lot of money on it.

Things You'll Need

  • Shooting device
  • Periodicals
  • Internet access
  • Accessories retailer
  • Shooting range
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine why you want a red dot sight. Consider what applications it is intended for, and if you want to be able to mount it on more than one shooting tool. Red dots have been mounted on firearms, archery devices and blowguns. Do you want to be able to mount it on a rifle and a pistol? There are several considerations.

      Decide your budget for the purchase of your sight. Prices range from $20 to thousands of dollars. If you intend to shoot a rifle and a pistol with red dots on them, you might decide to purchase more than one sight. Buying more than one may provide versatility you can use to your advantage, and this will effect your budgeting.

      Some red dots are contained in long tubes like traditional rifle scopes. Some are much shorter tubes. The diameter of both types can vary from about 20mm to 50mm. Are you going to be shooting at close targets or distant ones? Some red dot scopes have magnification and some do not.

      A more recent development in red dot sighting devices is the introduction of the holographic sight. Holographic sights project a laser-generated, three dimensional reticle, generally onto a flat piece of glass mounted on your shooting tool. The reticle types and dimensions vary.

    • 2

      Research product models based on the needs and limitations you have determined. Read all the articles you can find or can stand to read. Firearms periodicals and the Internet are ideal sources for user feedback about products in the field. Manufacturer's literature and websites are good for getting specifications, but reports from the field can be your best sources to give you a head start on your decision making.

      Perhaps the best sources for feedback is talking one-on-one with experienced users once you've done initial research on your own and have valid questions to ask.

    • 3

      Visit gun shops and sporting goods stores and put your hands on as many different types of sights as you can. Without using a sight on your shooting tool, you'll never really know if you like a product or prefer one type over another.

      Some shooting ranges offer rental guns with sights mounted on them for buyers and enthusiasts to try out. Some archery shops do the same. What is available might not be the exact model you want to test or what you want to use it on, but there are certain advantages to using like models. For instance, testing an holographic sight versus a standard tube model.

      The ideal tests are the ones when you test the exact model sights with the devices you intend to use them on. But planning and research will get you to a clear idea of what you want or need. You can always get another one if you are not happy with your choice.