Red dot sights help

kowloon

A few days ago i was chatting with a few friends about shooting and as someone who just points and shoots my eyes glazed over when things like parallax and focal planes became the topic of conversation.

Can anyone explain to me in english what all these red dot and holographic sights etc. actually do and how and why someone would use such a device?

jaycee

What are you shooting ..?
Pistol or rifle ....?

Clare gunner

In a nutshell these sights are designed to get you on target alot quicker than old iron or telescopic sights. Also they are supposed to prevent /eliminate the one eye closed sin that many shooters have when using telescopic sights.
There are three types;
Projected beam [laser or a hi intesity torch with a cross hair engraved on the glass.Not used very much]

Red dot [Aimpoint is the most common type,A red dot is electronically produced in a tube,when you look down the sight keeping both eyes open your brain automatically compensates and pts the red dot on the target.So you dont "see" the scope,just the red dot] There is another version of this that uses a small amout ot radioactive tritium,which gives you limited night capability as well,called the armson sight,it's main advantage is it doesnt need batteries.

Holosights.These are the newest type. Quite often seen on TV used by the US army in Iraq on their m16s.Again a target reticicle is projected onto a LCD screen. You keeping both eyes open "see"the Xhairs,dot or combo thereof impressed onto your target.Very fast and more accurate than the red dot,because it can be brightened or dimmed as well depending on conditions by pushing a button.It is also night vision capable.Plus there are differnt mods now for ,shotgun,rifle or pistol and they do not require much fancy gunsmithing to mount like the other two.

Like anything they have their advantages and disadvantages.If you are shooting practical gun they are used alot now on "raceguns".Or if you are hunting running game in thick cover they are helpful.But for flying targets or precision shooting they cant hold up to proper shotgun leading or telescopic sights.Also the laser type is not legal to be mounted on a firearm here in Ireland.[Sombody was watching the Terminator movie when they were doodling up the legislation back in the 90s methinks:rolleyes: ]

Hope that helps

kowloon

Cheers,

So am i right in assuming you can only see the dot/X when lined up properly?

Clare gunner

Near enough,on the holosights,you can be abit "off" as with the laser sight.
The aimpoint you need to be dead on with your alinement.

kowloon

Sound like the reflector gunsights on WW2 aircraft

Clare gunner

Thats exactly what the reflex/holosight is based on."Heads up" fighter cockpit display.