red blob sights and astigmatism

jjohnwm

jjohnwm

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Like a lot of other people who suffer from some degree of astigmatism, I find typical LED-powered red dot sights are becoming less and less useful as the years pass. I once liked them very much, especially the very fine 1MOA dot types, but nowadays that nice crisp little dot looks more like a stepped-on jelly doughnut.

Does anyone with this problem have any experience with a larger dot, say something along the lines of 7 or even 9 MOA, that is illuminated via tritium and/or fibre optics? I know that when I use a Leupold VX-R scope it is still perfectly crisp and clear, so there is something about the projected dot in an Aimpoint or similar type of sight that is related to my visual problem. I haven't any convenient way to try one out ahead of time; any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
I too have the same issue. I found holosun to be the best for my eyes currently...it’s a but better than eotech reticle for me. But I noticed that if I focus on the target and not the reticle it goes crisp
 
I’ve got a vortex 3x spitfire with an etched reticle and love it. The holosun has a similar reticle I believe All the red dots look like snowflakes to me.
 
Its my experience that magnified optics are generally OK for folks with an astigmatism, some find that running a "magnifier" behind the RDS solves the problem. I'm guessing that up close the "blurred" dot/image wouldn't be an issue, it's the longer range and smaller targets where the dot could become an issue if it's not "crisp". Running the rear BUIS small aperture up can sometimes "clean up" the dot? This is probably why folks like myself find the Eotech and the Holosun reticles better than just the single red dot.

I thought that a "prism" optic might solve the problem using an "etched" reticle, however in my case, I found that once it was illuminated it wasn't that crisp for me. YMMV
 
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thegrandpoohbah said:
I have the same issue. I found that an Aimpoint PRO works pretty well for me though.
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I had one of these before, it seemed like the dot was sharp and clear to everybody except me (it looked more like a squiggle in my eyes). I sold it and bought the UH-1 instead, and the reticle looks perfect
 
Thanks for the perspectives. The dots I've used are still very indistinct even though I am focussing on the target; focussing on the dot makes them far worse.

A dot that was merely "out-of-focus" wouldn't be that bad. That's kind of why I am thinking about the larger 7 or 9MOA dot; if it remains round, but with evenly blurred edges, it will still be a big improvement over a small dot that is not merely blurry, but distorted into some squirming worm-like thing with no consistent shape...which is what I have now.

Sadly, I once owned one of these sights, a 7MOA RMR; back then, my vision was much better, and I was turned off strictly by the size of the dot. Now I think that size may be a benefit, but I don't know anyone who has one locally, either for sale or just to try out. I think I may get one off the EE and give it a whirl, can always sell it off again if it doesn't work out.
 
Duncan71 said:
What model holosun is everyone talking about here? I have the same issue - looking for the best bet for a rifle.
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Try the 510t for size, they have 2 "closed emitter" models, one for the pistol (509t) and I believe the 512C? for rifle applications.
 
Just as an update to my original question: no, a larger dot is not really more useful than a small one, or at least not to my eyes. I just grabbed a 7MOA RMR off the EE, and the 7MOA dot is not merely fuzzy (as I thought it might be) but just as misshapen and squiggly as the 1MOA in my Aimpoints and Bushnells. Too bad, as I really like the function and simplicity of the RMR.

I also picked up a second Nightforce with illuminated reticle, and the reticle, once focussed, is perfect, just like my older NF and Leupold VX-R. Those reticles can be focussed to crystal clarity even with my astigmatism. Worth trying if you have the same problem. Personally, I'm thinking I may go with prescription shooting glasses.
 
Floaters? Pffft...I've had floaters all my life; don't even notice them now unless I consciously look for them.

Is your issue an astigmatism? My eye doc...just saw him 2 days ago...gave me a prescription which he says will solve my problem. I know that most of my scopes allow me to dial out the goofy visual effect by using the diopter adjustment; a couple of them don't have sufficient adjustment range to completely eliminate it, but most can be gotten very sharp. So it appears that corrective lenses are the solution, if you are willing to wear them.
 
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