Guide: Red Dots and Reflex scopes

Scopes, Red Dots, Taclights, Stocks, Claymores and anything else
Post Reply
User avatar
Moondog
Site Admin
Posts: 4386
Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:24 pm
First Name: Tom
Last Name: DelMundo
Location: New York
Contact:

Guide: Red Dots and Reflex scopes

Post by Moondog »

Image

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.

Image

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
Goggles fogging? Get Moondog D-Fog :: See the RULES forum :: Please complete your new account activation. :: Read the guide on face photo avatars

youngbuck
Posts: 106
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 12:54 pm
First Name: Benjamin
Last Name: Baum
Location: NY

Re: Guide: Red Dots and Reflex scopes

Post by youngbuck »

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?
If you are getting shot at shoot back.

Post Reply