Guide: Red Dots and Reflex scopes
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Guide: Red Dots and Reflex scopes
Red Dot / Reflex Scopes
by Moondog
Red dot or Reflex scopes are sights that use an illuminated reticle in the form of a cross-hair, circle or dot (commonly a red dot) projected on a semi-mirrored glass lense, reflecting back into the shooters field of view. The benefit is that less training is needed to learn to aim a weapon vs. iron sights. Red dots enables fast accurate aiming in low-light situations and CQB when iron sights would not be visible.
This projection creates the illusion of a red-dot or laser dot floating in the air at the point of aim of the weapon. When properly set up, the dot appears to move on the glass to wherever you point the gun.
You're not actually seeing the dot on the glass move but rather the 'reflection' of the projector on the glass. This pseudo movement is like when you move a mirror makes it look like the reflection is moving but in reality it's the mirror that moves.
Non-magnified red dots are meant to be used with both eyes open, creating a full-range of view and helping the mind superimpose the image onto the target.
Red dots come in either closed tube or open reflex designs. Closed tubes offer better visibility in bright sunlight, ruggedness and protection for the optics which is why they are used by the military. Reflex sights (aka 'holographic sights') offer a more unobstructed field of view due to their lack of a protective housing but require more care and cleaning. EoTech's are a reflex sight with a semi-open enclosure to improve daytime visability.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_dot_sight
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_C ... l_Gunsight
Contemporary US military and special forces use Aimpoint®, Trijicon ACOG and EoTech style red dot sights. High quality airsoft replicas cost over $50 (except for one NC Star Aimpoint). Real ACOGs are magnified red-dot scopes that use radioactive Tritium and fiber optics to illuminate the reticle instead of batteries (which is why they cost over $1000 each!)
Most airsoft ACOGs are non-magnified.
But back to the cheap stuff. Evike has a couple under $50. http://www.airsoftpost.com/scopes-optic ... 2_182.html
Low End Options
These work but a pretty cheap looking up close. Toy quality plastic bodies and the 'glass' is also plastic and can break if hit by BB's. These are the same sights included as accessories with cheap LPEGs.
http://www.airsoftpost.com/rail-mount-i ... 26695.html
JBU Aimpoint
http://www.airsoftpost.com/illuminated- ... 27463.html
Budget Reflex style open sights
These are a little better quality but these models has a rather small viewing areas.
http://www.airsoftpost.com/star-15mm-ra ... 26708.html
(You may remember this one from Rainbow Six Vegas)
http://www.airsoftpost.com/1x25-combat- ... 26704.html
Classic Wide Barrel Red Dots
http://www.airsoftpost.com/matrix-shoot ... 27078.html
http://www.airsoftpost.com/star-1x42-in ... 26706.html
Aimpoint® replica
http://www.airsoftpost.com/30rd-replica ... 26698.html
EoTech replica
http://www.airsoftpost.com/type-scope-a ... 28462.html
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Re: Guide: Red Dots and Reflex scopes
How are the AEX aimpoint replicas as far as realism, functionality, and durability? Most replicas I look at are discontinued or out of stock.
http://www.airsoftextreme.com/store/ind ... ts_id=5485
http://www.airsoftextreme.com/store/ind ... ts_id=6732
I was also looking at the g&p.
http://www.evike.com/products/29872/
http://www.evike.com/products/32163/
Are there better options?
http://www.airsoftextreme.com/store/ind ... ts_id=5485
http://www.airsoftextreme.com/store/ind ... ts_id=6732
I was also looking at the g&p.
http://www.evike.com/products/29872/
http://www.evike.com/products/32163/
Are there better options?
If you are getting shot at shoot back.