Red Dots for Handguns VSS Seminar Wednesday, October 18th, 2017
Topics What s a Red Dot? History Tube vs Reflex Internal Design Parallax MOA Mounting Zeroing Advantages Features The Future Price Ranges Brands Samples Summary
What s a Red Dot? A firearm aiming device Quick Target acquisition Quicker Aim Target Internally projected reticle(s) Does NOT project like a laser Good at all light levels Increasingly used on carry guns
Sight Picture &Alignment
History Introduced in 1960 by Burris Bullseye Pistol Scope Black Dot Reticle Heavy Poor in Low Light Swedish Aimpoint 1975 Electronic Expensive Heavy
History UltraDot late 1980s Mediocre copies of Aimpoint Affordable Tasco (Florida) Japanese Manufactured ProPoint - tubular Tag Line: Mount. Shoot. Gut. Eat. & Repeat Very Affordable, Next Step Forward
Internal Design Reticle projection R = Reticle CM = Collimating Lens
Internal Design Tube Version Design Zeroing Collimating Lens LED
Holographic Sights Differences VS LED Reticle Etched into Glass Incredible Battery Life Polarized Light Recoil Resistant Zero Parallax Error Can be Costly $80 to $1000+ May Not Fit Handgun 1 MOA 65 MOA
Tube vs Reflex Tube Heavier More Robust Rail Mounted Filters Shade Polarizing Open (Reflex) Smaller Lighter May be Slide Mounted More Susceptible to Reflections
Parallax Definition: An apparent change in the direction of an object, caused by a change in observational position ALL LED Red Dots have Parallax Error No error at design point 75+ yards Minimization of Parallax Error Mount Scope as low as possible Collimating Lens Design Optics View in line with barrel
Parallax 17 Yards 50 Yards Design Point 25 Yards
MOA Definition Minute of Angle 1 MOA = 1 @ 100 Yds What it Means Dot Size Adjustments MOA 10yds 25yds 50yds 100yds 1 1/8 ¼ ½ 1 2 ¼ ½ 1 2 3 3/8 ¾ 1 ½ 3 4 ½ 1 2 4 5 5/8 1 ¼ 2 ½ 5
Mounting Rail Various Options Always on Top
Zeroing Options Two Options Fixed Distance Traditional Sights POA Zero POI 7 Yards
Zeroing Options Two Options Parallel to Barrel Zero POA 1.25 1.25 POI Any Distance
Red Dot Advantages vs Open Sights Much easier to aim Nothing to line up Major improvement in accuracy Quicker Target (Re)Acquisition One focal point Usable in low light Both Eyes Open vs Lasers Better in bright light Better at longer distances Better against dark target Adjustable brightness Changeable colors Multiple reticles
Available Features Colors Red / Green / Blue Multiple Reticles Brightness 3 11 Automatic MOA Range 1 7 Size Weight Battery Life Parallax Collimating mirror design Mounting Fixed or Quick Release Digital Controls
The Future Mini-Reflex Miniaturization New features Auto Brightness Motion Sensor Price Points Reduced New Competitors Technological Advancements Wider Range of Integral Mounts
Mini Manufacturers Mini-Reflex Sights Trijicon RMR EOTech MRDS Bushnell First Strike Leupold DeltaPoint Burris Fast Fire 3 Docter Sight C Sight Mark Mini Shot Vortex Razor 3.25 MOA $575 3.5 MOA $500
Gun Manufacturers Firearms Glock MOS S&W C.O.R.E. Kahr Gen2 Premium High Open Sights Sig Sauer P320 RX FN America FNX-45
Mounting S&W M&P PRO C.O.R.E. Glock MOS
Price Technology Demand Curve HIGH Early Adopters (Heat Seekers!) LOW LOW Trijicon EOTech Quantity Value Mfgrs HIGH
Price Ranges Low $$ Less than $75 One Color One Reticle Dot Modest Quality Short Battery Life Less Reliable Lose Zeroing Manufacturers Beileshi BSA Ohuhu Tactical Optics Truglo UTG Vokul Walther
Price Ranges Medium $$ $75 $200 Multi Color Multi Reticles Good Quality Very Reliable Hold Zero Medium Battery Life Manufacturers Ade Vortex Sightmark Primary Arms Bushnell Burris
Price Ranges High End $$ $200 & Up 2-3 Colors 4-6 Reticles Extremely Reliable Auto Brightness Extreme Battery Life Motion Sensor Waterproof Manufacturers Aimpoint Burris EOTech Leupold Trijicon Vortex
Samples Tubular Reflex Make Model Price Make Model Price BSA 30mm 5 MOA $25 UTG 4.2 ITA QD R/G $50 Burris Trophy TRS-25 $92 Vortex Optics Sparc II $199 Aimpoint CompML3 $380 Trijicon MRO-C $504 Aimpoint Micro T-1 $648 Generic Holographic $27 Dagger Defense DD119 $47 Truglo Tru-Brite $65 Sightmark SM26008 $130 EOTech Waterproof Mini $444 Trijicon RMR $630 EOTech 517 $739
Summary Benefits Quicker Target Acquisition Multiple Targets Moving Targets Quicker Aiming vs Open Sights Faster Repeat Shots Max Eye Relief Desirable Features Multi Color R/G Multi Reticles Light Weight Holding Zero Low MOA (2-5) Long Battery Life Convenient Mounting Overall Quality
Any Questions?