Benefits of Red Dot Sights

Whether you are a new AR owner or have owned an AR for many years but have not added any optics to it, this is for you. You might ask, what are the benefits of adding optics such as red dot sights or aim points? Are they hard to install? How much do they cost? This article is aimed to inform all AR users of the benefits of red dot sights and optics.

There are different types of red dot sights, for example there are red dots that are contained within a tube, such as the Aimpoint Comp ML3, there are “Roll Bar” red dots, like the EOTech XPS2-0, and Reflex sights, which are smaller, less durable, flat lens red dot sights.

Red dots, aim points, and holographic sights, have a lot of benefits and almost no down side. They offer faster target acquisition, more precise shooting, increased aiming confidence, wider field of view, allows for fast follow up shots, and better target visualization.

Iron sights tend to block a big portion of the visible area in front of the shooter, because of this it is harder to acquire a target from longer distances, because the iron sights could possibly block the target. Because red dot sites are very low profile, streamlined, and clear, it allows the shooter to see clearly, and adjust aim for the acquisition of a target.

Red dot sights, aim points and holographic sights all do the same thing, they offer the shooter a red dot that appears to be projected further out on top of the target, but the red dot stays on the optic. This allows the shooter to keep both eyes open, and visualize the red dot on the target with both eyes fully concentrated down range. The brain will automatically superimpose the red dot image coming from the dominant eye, giving the shooter full depth perception. This gives the shooter a wider field of view because one eye is not shut. A major benefit of a red dot is that it can be held at any distance from the shooter, and at almost any angle, and it will not distort the image of the target or reticle.

Red dots are simple to install, and can be attached to your AR within minutes. Red dot sights such as the EOTech 553 attach right to your top receiver, on the rail. Tube style red dots require a mount that holds the tube sight and that mount attaches to the rail on your top receiver. After that, you can zero the red dot sight like you would any other optic. You can keep your iron sights as a “Co-witness” to the red dot, you can remove them or you can install back up iron sights (BUIS) that flip up, that way you can have them out of the way while using a red dot. If for some reason your red dot sight malfunctions or runs out of batteries, you can flip up the BUIS’s and use them.

Red dot sights are generally powered by standard batteries, but some use other technology like Tritium, a self glowing particle. Red dot battery life ranges from 1,000 hours to 10,000 hours, depending on the sight and battery type. Alkaline batteries are on the 1,000 hour end of the spectrum while Lithium batteries tend to last up to 10,000 hours.

Cost is the next issue when considering a red dot sight. Some AR shooters purchase the cheapest red dot available and are instantly disappointed when it breaks from rough use, or when it does not hold a zero. If you are using your AR for self defense, or recreational use putting a quality reticle on it is crucial. It is not logical to purchase an expensive AR and then equip it with a cheap reticle. The reticle is the only interface between you and your target. You want it to be durable, dependable and working when you need it to. A quality red dot will cost between $400-$800.

So if you are an experienced AR user or a brand new AR owner, purchase the accessory that matters the most, your red dot optic.