Red Dot Sights Buying Guide

What is A Red Dot Sight?

Red dot sights are firearm attachments that enhance shooting accuracy. These sights replace traditional iron sights or the stock sight on the gun by emitting an LED onto the parabolic objective lens, which reflects to the user's eye, creating a red dot in the center of the reticle. These sights come in various optics, such as a closed-style emitter, open hood, full-size tube dot, and micro red dot sight. Depending on the type, the reticle shape and size can also differ, yet all red dot sights function similarly.

Benefits:

• Easy target acquisition

• Parallax free

• Sighting system regardless of cheek position, or stability.

• Flexible and simple to use

• Durable and versatile

• Great battery life 

• Unlimited eye relief

• Can be used with a magnifier

Drawbacks:

• Edge distortion

• Tinting around the edges 

• Unmagnified image

What is a Reflex Sight?

A reflex sight is a type of red dot sight that projects a reticle onto a lens, allowing the shooter to aim at a target with both eyes open. The reticle is usually a red dot, hence the name "red dot sight". However, while all reflex sights are red dot sights, not all red dot sights are reflex sights. Red dot sights can use different methods to project the reticle, such as using an LED or laser, and may have different shapes and sizes of the dot. Reflex sights are typically more compact and have a wider field of view than other types of red dot sights, making them ideal for close-quarters combat and rapid target acquisition. They may also use different types of lenses and have different battery requirements.

Benefits: 

• Quick target acquisition

• Wider field of view

•  Suitable for close-quarters combat

•  Available in various shapes and sizes of reticle

Drawbacks:

• Limited effective range due to low magnification

• May not perform well in bright daylight conditions

• Battery life can be shorter than other types of sights

What is a Prism Sight?

A prism sight is a red dot sight that is shaped like a tube. These sights use a glass prism to reflect and filter light much like binoculars, creating an image for the shooter to aim with. This type of sight features an etched reticle that is etched into the lens of the optic, that can be viewed without batteries. The glass prism allows the user to see very clear and crisp images of whatever they’re aiming at. The etched reticle is also illuminated for easier targeting down range. Prism sights are often referred to as red dot scopes for their magnified view down range. Plus, these sights are very heavy and durable as well as being simple to use.  

Benefits: 

• Etched reticle

• Great for shooters with astigmatism

• High level of durability

• Bright and sharp images

• Magnified reticle optic

Drawbacks:

• Shorter eye relief

• Heavier and less compact 

• Fixed power optic

What is a Holographic Sight?

A holographic sight is a type of red dot sight that differs in the way that the reticle is emitted. Holographic sights utilize a laser instead of an LED to emit the reticle to the user's eye. The Lazer is pointed at a holographic element that is then reflected back toward the user. Holographic sights utilize windows or mirrors to emit the reticle back to the user instead of curved lenses like a traditional red dot sight. Because of this, holographic sights produce very clear, flat images with no distortion to the user's eye.

Benefits:

• Produces a flat field of view

• True target focus

• Reduces forward light emission from the optic (Lens flash)

• No parallax

• Unlimited eye relief 

• Bigger eyebox (larger viewing window)

• Mountable anywhere on the gun

Drawbacks:

• Weaker battery life

SCHEELS offers a wide selection of sights for your hunting, shooting, or sporting needs. Whether you’re looking for a traditional red dot sight, a modern holographic sight, or a combination of the two, you’ll find exactly what you need. Stop by your local SCHEELS today to browse our selection or speak with an optics Expert and get the perfect sight for your next hunting or shooting adventure!