okay i'm embaressed to ask this.. but what exactly type of enhancment does the red dot do for the rifle? I will admit i've never looked through one so maybe i should just shut up now.. but can you really "acquire" your target better/faster with a red dot than with an iron sight? The basic red does does not magnify, right? So is there some sort of other tactical advantage to the red dot? Yes i think i understand that pulling trigger on the red dot is probably faster than having to line up a front and rear site.. I'm just wondering if there is something else..

I'm a newb to guns too...I'd love to know more about what exactly a red dot does. I'm thinking I might want to add one to my rifle down the road.

The thing about a dot like an Aimpoint, is that you don't need to be in perfect form to make a sight picture in order for the dot to be on target. Regardless of how you look through the sight, the bullet goes where the dot is (within a very minimal margin if it has a parallax). Faster target acquisition? Absolutely. An Eotech is usually better with this because it has a bigger viewpoint and less obstruction around the glass, but an aimpoint is absolutely fast to acquire. It isn't so much about magnification either. If magnifying is what you want, than you can add a magnifier to the equation, or just used a magnified scope instead. It really depends on what you're using the rifle for. If it's close quarters, run and gun type stuff, then red dot all the way. Long range 200yd+ I would go with a scope. Try to find someone you know, or a someone at the range who has one. Just about anyone will highly recommend them, just as I do.

waiting for bbk, high exposure or shane545

 

I'll only add this, you get what you pay for.

The thing about a dot like an Aimpoint, is that you don't need to be in perfect form to make a sight picture in order for the dot to be on target. Regardless of how you look through the sight, the bullet goes where the dot is (within a very minimal margin if it has a parallax). Faster target acquisition? Absolutely. An Eotech is usually better with this because it has a bigger viewpoint and less obstruction around the glass, but an aimpoint is absolutely fast to acquire. It isn't so much about magnification either. If magnifying is what you want, than you can add a magnifier to the equation, or just used a magnified scope instead. It really depends on what you're using the rifle for. If it's close quarters, run and gun type stuff, then red dot all the way. Long range 200yd+ I would go with a scope. Try to find someone you know, or a someone at the range who has one. Just about anyone will highly recommend them, just as I do.

 

This is all true. The other big advantage I can think of for a red dot sight is that it makes it much easier to shoot with both eyes open.

I'll only add this, you get what you pay for.

 

Absolutely true. Higher quality glass, mounts, light source, nitrogen filled, battery life, and recoil resistance. Typically, the dots that change color or reticle, aren't as consistent and don't hold up as long.

 

This is all true. The other big advantage I can think of for a red dot sight is that it makes it much easier to shoot with both eyes open.

 

This has become such a second nature to me, that I forgot about it. Both eyes open is a HUGE advantage.

 

I'll only add this, you get what you pay for.

 

+1 on what Ray said but you can find a middle of the spectrum and be completely happy with it like a Vortex.

 

So ray ray, are you saying my ncstar reflex red dot is no good? Wtf???

are you saying my ncstar reflex red dot is no good? Wtf???

 

YOUR WHAT?!? Blasphemy! lol

Like Jay said, its all about what your expectations of the gun you're putting said optic on. The type of use will dictate what kind of optic (red dot vs. scope); what kind of quality; the price point; etc. I do think there are relatively inexpensive quality red dot optics on the market (Primary Arms for example), but there is a reason why people gravitate towards names like Aimpoint.

 

The greatest advantage I see of red dots as a whole is that they allow for a more efficient target acquisition, like was noted by the OP and others. That's not to say that a person can't do the same with irons, or that red dots will magically make someone a better, more efficient shooter. Both take enormous amount of hours of practice. However, as its been said, red dots that are parallax free [as possible]-- and not all are, this is where quality vs. price point comes into play-- allow for more efficient shooting with both eyes open... and really what that means is that a person can better continue to scan downrange even when they're looking through the tube. Parallax also of course plays a part in unorthodox-position shooting as well.

 

ETA: There is still the danger of tunnel-vision with a red dot sight. But I feel this is less mechanical, and more psychological.

+1 on what Ray said but you can find a middle of the spectrum and be completely happy with it like a Vortex.

 

So ray ray, are you saying my ncstar reflex red dot is no good? Wtf???

 

Burris bro, they make decent stuff.

 

 

YOU'RE WHAT?!? Blasphemy! lol

 

Hahaha, I have one on all my guns even on the mosin it's only $10 and ncstar has great customer service. I even put one on my Kriss vector it looks sick!!!!

Hahaha, I have one on all my guns even on the mosin it's only $10 and ncstar has great customer service. I even put one on my Kriss vector it looks sick!!!!

 

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I hope that is a joke lol.

 

 

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I hope that is a joke lol.

 

Yeah sorry it's a joke.

Yeah sorry it's a joke.

 

I was gonna say...NcStar on a Mosin?!

 

 

Burris bro, they make decent stuff.

Burris fastfire is sexy low profile easy to use and to sight in. And for 230 bucks to your door is a great deal

okay i'm clear on that now..

 

thanks for the answers!

What kind of gun are you putting it on? What do you use the gun for?

 

I put a cheap, cheapy cheap BSA (less than $60 I believe) on my CX4 that I use a LOT for knockdown steel at my club. Must have an easy 1000 plus rounds through that gun and that Red/Green DOT has not lost zero, has been perfectly flawless for me. It isn't a hard-hitting gun, but it isn't a .22 either.

 

Would I like a "real" DOT, heck yeah! But I'm not spending that kind of coin on one. If my life depended on it I would, but since it is just used for fun, I'm perfectly satisfied with what I have.

Another thing to add. As important as the actual optic is, don't forget about the mounting. A bad mount can ruin the actual rail system; or obviously lose zero consistently, which is a catastrophic issue, IMO.

A really great red dot at a decent price is the Lucid HD7. It's built like a brick shithouse and can be had for ~$200. Here are some good vids: http://madogre.com/?p=2446

To get something better than the Lucid, you are going to have to jump up a few hundred dollars to Aimpoint or Eotech. Or you can go nuts and drop a G or more on an ACOG. Frankly, some reviewers think the Lucid is as good as the Aimpoints and Eotechs. I haven't had mine long enough to make that call.

 

For less $$, the Vortex Strikefires are nice. I have two and they seem to be holding up pretty well.