No matter the shooting situation, red dot sights are a great option. We’re going to take a closer look at some of the benefits, how they stand up against the classic iron sight, and which red dot sight the US military deems the best choice.
Benefits are using a red dot sight
Co-Witness
While red dot sights are typically the preferred option over iron sights, you don’t have to choose between the two. One of the best things you can do to improve your accuracy even further is by enabling co-witness. Co-witnessing is having the ability to see your iron sights through the red dot optic.
There are a couple of options if you want to use your red dot optics in conjunction with your iron sight: absolute co-witness and lower one-third co-witness. Absolute co-witness means you get the full view of the iron sight through your optics. When using the lower ⅓ co-witness, only the bottom third of the iron sights are visible through your red dot.
Eye Relief
Arguably one of the biggest benefits of going with a red dot sight is that you basically have unlimited eye relief. This allows you to aim and shoot without concerns about kickback. This can be especially helpful if you wear glasses and prefer generous eye relief.
Both Eyes Open
Another major perk of using red dots is that you can keep both eyes open when using your optics. This allows you to have a massive field of view. Being able to see that much also improves your accuracy, helping you hit all of your targets with ease.
Reduced Parallax
If you’re not a fan of sights that make you deal with parallax, red dots may just be your new favorite type of optic. Parallax is when the reticle seems to move in relation to a target when the shooter moves their eye behind the optic. As the position of your head changes, the point of impact shifts as well. Higher quality red dot sights do have a small amount of parallax at a close range, but at most engagement ranges, parallax is pretty much nonexistent. This means the positioning of your head should have little to no impact on the accuracy of your shots.
Which red dot sight does the military use?
When it comes to guns and optics, the military definitely has high standards. The preferred red dot sight of the U.S. military is the M68 CCO. The Aimpoint CompM4 is a close combat optic and is a non-magnified style of red dot optic that is made by Swedish company Aimpoint AB.
This specific sight is a tubed style reflex sight with 16 brightness settings, 7 of which can be used in combination with night vision devices. It has unlimited eye relief and amazing battery life, with one AA battery being able to last up to 8 years.
Are iron sights better than red dot sights?
Iron sights can definitely get the job done, but red dot sights are ultimately better. With an iron sight, you have to aim just right, but red dots do most of the work for you, keeping the dot lined up with the target no matter what position your head is in.
Is a red dot sight worth it?
Overall, red dot sights are definitely worth the investment. They can be used in any shooting situation, whether you’re at the shooting range, on a hunting trip with your friends and family. They can even be used in any lighting situation.
Best red dot sights
Best Red Dot Sight Best for Price
If you’re looking for a great deal, the best bang for your buck is going to be the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25. It’s less than $100, which is affordable enough for most budgets. This would be a good choice for a beginner, since you’re not dropping a ton of cash on something that may or may not work out for you.
Aimpoint PRO Red Dot Reflex -Sight Overall (AR-15)
$445
This is definitely on the high-end as far as pricing goes, but like with most things, you get what you pay for. The Patrol Rifle Optic from Aimpoint is one of the best red dot optics around. This manufacturer is the same that creates the red dot sight the military uses. The Aimpoint PRO is bomb-proof and has fantastic battery life, with one battery lasting up to 3 years.
Trijicon MRO Reflex Sight
$515
If you want something compact that can be mounted on your favorite firearm, whether that be a pistol or a shotgun, the Trijicon MRO, or Miniature Rifle Optic, is a fantastic choice. It offers a large viewing area and allows fast target engagement. This sight has ambidextrous brightness controls, advanced lens coating, and it is waterproof.
Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 -Under $100
$70
There are several reasons the Bushnell TRS-25 is a top contender. This is is an ideal choice if you’re looking for a basic, simple red-dot sight that you can mount to your favorite rifle. With the price point of around $70, most people can afford this, making it ideal for any skill level. Even if you are a beginner and aren’t sure if this is an activity you’re going to stick with, the Bushnell Trophy won’t break the bank.
Vortex Venom -Money
$240
If lightweight, compact, and easy to use are important to you, the Vortex Venom is a wonderful option. It has 10 brightness levels, weighs just 1.1 oz, small and compact, and it comes with a picatinny rail mount. Because this is such a small and compact sight, many people choose to use it as a second optic on their rifle.
Sig Sauer Romeo5 -Budget
$130
This traditional tube-style red dot sight is very affordable and easy to use. This is another budget option that would be ideal for anyone of any experience level. The Sig Sauer Romeo5 has awesome battery life, as it will automatically turn off after 2 minutes of inactivity, but once it senses motion again, it turns back on with the same settings that it was on before turning off.