A few newbie Red Dot sight questions...

[Rylan]

I have a few newbie red dot sight questions...

Okay, first... do they use batteries? I have heard that some have fiber optic technology or something and some how do not require batteries. Is this true?

I plan to get a tactical AR-15, so if I mount it on a flat top AR15, how do I get past the front sight? Do I remove the sight, or should I mount it on top of the carry handle?

I have heard aimpoint is a good brand, what is the best model for an AR15? how do you sight it in... and how much should I expect to spend on a good quality sight?

Also, what are the disadvantages of a red dot sight... if any?

It would be nice if someone could clear up a few of these questions, I really appreciate it

 

[Steiner]

I'm no expert but just bought an Eotech. My thoughts....

Aimpoint and Eotech are good sights, both highly rated with good reliability. Wolverine Supplies sells both and good pricing. Depending on model $440-$560or so. I just got an Eotech (AA battery type - 600hr battery life? can't recall) from them.

Go to the Eotech website - they have a demo version of their sight online. Some like this one because large outer circle, with a small 1moa center dot, may help in fast target acquisition.

Aimpoint - great sight also - but only with single 1moa dot. Longer battery life. Robust. Not sure if Aimpoint has a demo on their website.


It may boil down to personal preference. I tried both at a CGN shoot (thanks Wittman and S.A.W. Gunner). I liked both and it was a difficult choice of what to get. In the end I kinda liked the Eotech's sight picture better so that's what I went with. Maybe you can go to the range and someone can let you peek through theirs?

 

[bill c68]

Not sure about what to mount on an AR but I have used a few of the cheaper red dots, love them but they are useless in snow and at dark.
Maybe the higher end ones are better but I found that in teh snow, the dot disappears (as well as pointing in the sky on a bright day)
And in the darker hours the dot is over powering and you can't see your target.

Hope that has been helpful.

Oh yeeah.. fiber optic.... may father has a quickpoint scope from the 70's or 80's it is like a red dot, no battery, fiber optic, but it is big, bulky and looks fragile. it works great though, at least in the daylight.

 

[westie47]

I have a few newbie red dot sight questions...

Okay, first... do they use batteries? I have heard that some have fiber optic technology or something and some how do not require batteries. Is this true?

Most dot sights use batteries, the EoTech's come with either 'AA' (512, 552) 123(553, 557), or lithium(511, 551)

Aimpoints use either the little round flashlight batteries (can't remember the name) or the new model uses a 'AA', the best option.

Trijicons don't use batteries and I have not used them so cannot say.

I plan to get a tactical AR-15, so if I mount it on a flat top AR15, how do I get past the front sight? Do I remove the sight, or should I mount it on top of the carry handle?

You don't need to get past the front sight, it should be co-witnessed with your red dot inc ase your dot sight goes down. If it really bugs you, it's easy to mount spacers for both the EoTechs and Aimpoints

I have heard aimpoint is a good brand, what is the best model for an AR15? how do you sight it in... and how much should I expect to spend on a good quality sight?

With EoTech and Aimpoint it's kind of like 'six of one, a half dozen of the other' The new Aimpoint Comp M4 is the best bet as it has the longest battery life of all the sights, 80,000 hours

Also, what are the disadvantages of a red dot sight... if any?

The only disadvantages are engaging distant targets but that can be solved by adding a magnifier, both EoTech and Aimpoint make magnifiers designed to work with their sights.

It would be nice if someone could clear up a few of these questions, I really appreciate it

Hope this helps.

 

[BC_Guy]

I'm no expert but just bought an Eotech. My thoughts....

Aimpoint and Eotech are good sights, both highly rated with good reliability. Wolverine Supplies sells both and good pricing. Depending on model $440-$560or so. I just got an Eotech (AA battery type - 600hr battery life? can't recall) from them.

Go to the Eotech website - they have a demo version of their sight online. Some like this one because large outer circle, with a small 1moa center dot, may help in fast target acquisition.

Aimpoint - great sight also - but only with single 1moa dot. Longer battery life. Robust. Not sure if Aimpoint has a demo on their website.


It may boil down to personal preference. I tried both at a CGN shoot (thanks Wittman and S.A.W. Gunner). I liked both and it was a difficult choice of what to get. In the end I kinda liked the Eotech's sight picture better so that's what I went with. Maybe you can go to the range and someone can let you peek through theirs?

Actually the Aimpoint dot is either 2 or 4moa. Although eotech calls theirs a 1moa dot, I'm thinking that at least on the earlier models it's more like 2+ (I haven't seen the latest greatest ones). Both aimpoint and eotech are great sights, and are being used with good success overseas. Either one would be a good choice, probably coming down to price/availability more than anything.

 

[Rylan]

Thanks for the comments, I think I understand them a bit better now.

If the battery really lasts that long, I guess it isn't like its a big deal to just buy a battery operated one. Probably for the better... if you want to use it at night etc.

Cheers