Reflex sights and red dot sights have become incredibly popular in the world of shooting. You’ll find them used everywhere, from recreational shooting at the range, to competitive shooting sports, to law enforcement and military applications.
Many people use the terms “reflex sight” and “red dot sight” interchangeably, but that’s not quite accurate. The term “reflex sight” is actually a broader category that encompasses red dot sights.
So, what is the difference between a reflex sight vs red dot sight? This article will break down the nuances between the two, explore different types of each, and give you some guidance on choosing the right one for your needs.
We’ll discuss the technology behind these sights, their best uses, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Reflex Sights and Red Dot Sights: What’s the Difference?
When you’re talking about aiming devices for firearms, you’ll often hear the terms “reflex sight” and “red dot sight” used. But what do they actually mean, and how are they different?
What is a Reflex Sight?
A reflex sight is actually a category of optic that uses mirrors and lenses to create an image of a reticle (that’s the aiming point) in the user’s eye. When you look through a reflex sight, the reticle appears to be right on the target, which makes it easy to quickly line up your shot.
Two things that set reflex sights apart are unlimited eye relief (meaning you don’t have to hold your eye a specific distance from the sight) and parallax-free aiming (meaning the reticle stays on target even if your eye isn’t perfectly centered behind the sight — at least within a certain range).
There are several types of reflex sights, including:
- Red dot sights (the enclosed kind)
- Open-emitter reflex sights
- Holographic sights
What is a Red Dot Sight?
A red dot sight is a specific type of reflex sight. The key feature of a red dot sight is that it has an enclosed emitter. That means the LED that creates the red (or sometimes green) dot is protected inside the housing of the sight. The LED shines the dot onto a lens, which then reflects the image back to your eye.
Because the emitter is enclosed, red dot sights are generally more durable and better protected from the elements compared to open-emitter reflex sights.
Red dot sights are popular for their simplicity, durability, and ease of use, making them a favorite among shooters of all levels.
Types of Reflex Sights: Exploring the Options
Reflex sights come in a few different flavors, each with its own set of strengths and weaknesses.
Enclosed Red Dot Sights
Enclosed red dot sights feature an LED emitter safely tucked inside a tube or housing. This design makes them incredibly durable and resistant to weather. Plus, they typically boast impressive battery life.
Some popular enclosed red dot sights include:
- Aimpoint Micro T-2: Known for its exceptional durability and a battery life of around 50,000 hours. It’s also night vision compatible and can handle being submerged in water.
- Aimpoint COMPM5: Another rugged option from Aimpoint.
- Holosun AEMS: A solid performer with a good balance of features.
- Trijicon MRO: Offers a wide field of view in a compact package.
Open-Emitter Reflex Sights
Open-emitter reflex sights have an LED emitter that’s exposed, projecting the reticle onto a lens. This design allows for a smaller size, lighter weight, and a wider field of view compared to enclosed red dots.
The downside? They’re not as durable and can be more vulnerable to rain, dust, and snow.
Popular open-emitter reflex sights include:
- Trijicon RMR/SRO: Known for their ruggedness (especially the RMR) and clear reticle.
- Holosun 507C: Offers multiple reticle options and often includes Solar Failsafe technology (meaning it can run on solar power if the battery dies).
- Vortex Venom/Viper: Affordable options that provide good performance for the price.
- Primary Arms Classic Series 21mm Micro Reflex Sight: A compact and budget-friendly choice.
Holographic Sights
Holographic sights take a different approach, using a laser transmission hologram to project the reticle image. This results in an extremely clear and precise reticle, a wider field of view, and reduced parallax (meaning the reticle stays on target even if your eye isn’t perfectly centered) compared to traditional red dot sights.
However, holographic sights tend to be more expensive, have shorter battery life, and are generally larger than red dot sights.
Some popular holographic sights are:
- EOTech EXPS3-0: A favorite among law enforcement and military personnel, offering night vision capabilities and a battery life of 1,000+ hours.
- EOTech 512-0: A more budget-friendly option from EOTech.
- Vortex UH-1: Known for its crisp reticle and rugged construction.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Sight
So, you’re trying to figure out which sight is right for you? There’s a lot to think about. Here are some of the biggies:
Intended Use
What are you planning to do with your firearm? Are you carrying concealed? Then you’ll probably want a small, lightweight open-emitter sight. Is it for home defense? A durable, reliable red dot is a good choice. Competition shooting? Look for a wide field of view and fast target acquisition. Duty or law enforcement? You’ll need something rugged and dependable.
Firearm Type
The type of firearm makes a difference, too. Handguns typically use compact red dots or open emitters. AR-15s are compatible with red dots, holographic sights, or magnified optics. Shotguns often pair well with red dots or reflex sights.
Also, consider mounting options and compatibility. Not every sight works on every gun.
Reticle Type and Size
You’ve got options when it comes to the reticle. There are different dot sizes (measured in MOA), circle-dot reticles, and even BDC (Bullet Drop Compensation) reticles.
The reticle size affects how quickly you can acquire your target and how precise you can be. Smaller dots are better for precision shooting, while larger dots are faster to acquire.
You can also choose between reticle colors: red or green. Green can sometimes be easier to see in certain lighting conditions.
Battery Life
Don’t forget about battery life! It’s crucial for reliability. Compare the battery life of different sights and models. Look for features like automatic shutoff and solar power backup.
Durability and Weather Resistance
If you’re using your firearm for duty or spending time outdoors, durability is key. Consider the housing material (aluminum vs. polymer), water resistance, and shock resistance.
Budget
Let’s be real, budget is a factor for most of us. Prices vary widely depending on the type of sight and its features. Do some research to get a sense of the price range for the kind of sight you need.
Zeroing and Aiming with Reflex and Red Dot Sights
Once you’ve chosen the right sight for your needs, you’ll need to zero it and master some aiming techniques to get the most out of it.
Zeroing Your Sight
Zeroing is crucial for accurate shooting. It means adjusting your sight so that where you’re aiming matches where the bullet hits at a specific distance. Think of it as calibrating your sight to your firearm.
Here are the basic steps to zero a reflex or red dot sight:
- Start with a stable shooting platform, like a bench rest or sandbags. This will help minimize movement and improve your accuracy.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to adjust the windage (left/right) and elevation (up/down) screws on your sight.
- Shoot groups of shots (usually 3-5) at your target. Observe where the bullets are hitting relative to your point of aim.
- Adjust the windage and elevation screws based on your shot groups. The goal is to move the point of impact closer to your point of aim.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 until your shots are consistently hitting where you’re aiming at your chosen zeroing distance.
- If your firearm has iron sights, consider zeroing those first. This can give you a baseline and make zeroing the reflex or red dot sight easier.
Aiming Techniques
When using a reflex or red dot sight, it’s important to focus on the target, not the sight itself. The dot or reticle should simply be superimposed on your target.
A popular technique is to shoot with both eyes open. This improves your situational awareness and allows for faster target acquisition. Your brain will naturally merge the image from your non-dominant eye with the red dot from your dominant eye.
To take an accurate shot, position the red dot or reticle precisely where you want the bullet to hit. Make sure you have a good sight picture and a steady trigger pull.
Keep in mind that parallax – the apparent shift in the position of an object when viewed from different angles – can affect accuracy, especially at longer distances. Some higher-quality sights are parallax-free, but it’s always a good idea to be aware of this potential issue.
Co-witnessing: A Backup Option
One thing to consider as you choose between a red dot and a reflex sight is whether you want to “co-witness” your sight. Here’s what that means:
What is co-witnessing?
Co-witnessing means lining up your iron sights so they can be used along with either a reflex or a red dot sight. This gives you a backup sighting system to use if the optic fails or the battery dies.
Types of co-witnessing
There are two main kinds of co-witnessing: absolute and lower 1/3. With absolute co-witnessing, the iron sights line up directly with the optic’s reticle. With lower 1/3 co-witnessing, the iron sights are visible in the lower third of the optic’s field of view.
Absolute co-witnessing is easier to set up, but the iron sights can get in the way and obstruct the optic’s field of view. Lower 1/3 co-witnessing gives you a less obstructed view, but it requires taller iron sights.
Considerations for Co-witnessing
If you plan to co-witness, you’ll need to make sure you have compatible iron sights and optic mounts. It’s also important to zero both the optic and the iron sights for the most accurate shooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, reflex sight or red dot?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? There’s no single “better” option – it really boils down to your specific needs and preferences. Red dots offer a more robust build and often longer battery life, while reflex sights tend to be lighter and provide a wider field of view. Consider your shooting style, the environment you’ll be in, and what you value most in an optic.
Can you hunt with a reflex sight?
Absolutely! Many hunters successfully use reflex sights, especially for close- to medium-range engagements. Their quick target acquisition and wide field of view can be a real advantage in dynamic hunting situations. Just be sure your chosen sight is durable enough to withstand the rigors of the hunt and offers sufficient brightness for varying light conditions.
What are the disadvantages of a reflex sight?
Reflex sights, while great, do have some drawbacks. Some models can suffer from parallax issues, meaning the point of impact can shift slightly depending on your eye position. Battery life can also be a concern, particularly with older or less efficient models. Also, the open design can make them more susceptible to environmental factors like rain or snow.
What is the difference between reflex and enclosed red dot sights?
The main difference lies in the housing. Reflex sights have an open design, where the LED emitter is exposed, projecting the reticle onto a lens. Enclosed red dots, on the other hand, have a fully enclosed tube, protecting the emitter and lens from the elements. This makes enclosed red dots more durable and resistant to environmental factors.
Conclusion
Reflex sights and red dot sights offer shooters fast target acquisition and improved accuracy, but it’s important to remember that “reflex sight” is the broader category encompassing a wide range of designs, including red dot sights.
Choosing the right sight depends on several factors, including your intended use (competition, hunting, tactical applications, etc.), the type of firearm you’ll be mounting it on, your preferred reticle type and size, battery life expectations, desired level of durability, and, of course, your budget.
Before you buy, it’s important to carefully consider your specific needs and preferences. What works well for one shooter may not be the best choice for another.
Do some more research, read reviews, and, if possible, get some hands-on experience with different types of sights. The best way to determine which one is right for you is to try them out and see how they perform with your shooting style and requirements. With the right sight, you can take your shooting to the next level.