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With advancements in camera, point-and-shoot, telescopic, and lighting resources, the use of red dot scopes has become increasingly important.
To help you choose the perfect sight for you, we listed and reviewed the best three red dot sights on the market.
3 Best Red Dot Sights Reviewed
Let’s start with the individual reviews.
1. Winner: Bushnell Red Dot Sight
- Matte black featuring a 3 MOA Dot reticle with 11 brightness…
- Waterproof construction: O ring sealed optics stay dry…
- Shockproof construction: Built to withstand bumps, bangs,…
Why is it better?
- Incredibly low and affordable price point
- Resistance-designed control knob
- Unlimited eye relief for heavy-duty guns
Bushnell has been a leader in the optics industry for the last few decades, so it is only right to expect good things from their red dot scope.
This scope is durable, well designed, and priced very competitively, considering the quality. Perhaps the most impressive thing about this sight is how clear the view is when looking down the scope.
Bushnell has designed a world-class scope that can transmit 91% of the light, making it easier to see your target than ever.
Moreover, its waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof design prevents the scope from becoming foggy or unclear in any conditions. This scope’s nitrogen-filled housing maintains a crisp, clear picture under any conditions.
An LED light powers the red dot, making it visible in any light condition. Indoor, outdoor, bright, or low-light, the reticle is very visible.
Additionally, “amber-bright” optics, specially designed for the scope, aid in distinguishing targets. Identifying your prey has never been easier with this scope.
The Bushnell TRS-25 is an extremely well-rated red dot scope. Earning over 3,000 ratings with an average of 4 stars, both product testers and customers enjoyed this product.
People who used this product had these things to say about it: “For the price, this is an excellent sight,” “tough to find another scope that will compare,” and “fits well, great field of view.” Overall, at a stellar price, this is the best red dot scope in this price range.
Pros
- Incredibly low and affordable price point
- Resistance-designed control knob
- Unlimited eye relief for heavy-duty guns
- The red dot lens’s positioning is off-axis.
- Extended battery life
Con
- Some report losing centers.
Extra Information
- Sports an amber-bright high contrast
- Built to withstand abuse
- Price: This one’s tough to beat.
- Lens Objective: 25mm
- MOA: 3
- Brightness Levels: 11
2. Runner-Up: DD Dagger Defense Red Dot Sight
- Both red and green dot, four position reticles
- Equipped with a locking set screw to stabilize your sighting…
- APERTURE：33mm LENGTH：82mm WEIGHT： 291g FIELD OF…
The second-best option in our roundup of red dot scopes is the Dagger Defense DDHB. This scope offers functionality while also allowing for reticle customization, all in an affordable package.
As stated before, the Dagger Defense scope allows for reticle customization. Offering the option between a red and green dot, as well as four different-shaped reticles.
This is a very durable scope, built with aircraft-grade aluminum. This scope should last a lifetime if taken care of.
Another nice design feature included with this scope is the ergonomic body, which saves space for other attachments on your gun.
The Dagger Defense DDHB is another highly rated scope, with more than 80% of the reviews 4 or 5 stars.
Some things that buyers had to say about this scope were: “more than pleased with my purchase,” “optics are bright and easily seen,” and “can’t beat it anywhere for quality and price.” Overall, this is an excellent scope, and the reasonable price makes it even more enticing.
Pros
- Can withstand heavy use for a long time.
- Extremely lightweight
- Simple design for ease of use
- Reticle is available in different patterns and colors.
- Features a durable battery
Con
- Does not have an auto-off feature.
Extra Information
- Premium construction
- Impressive accuracy
- Aircraft-grade aluminum
- Lens Objective: 33mm
- MOA: 3
- Levels of brightness: 2
3. Best for Hunting: Ozark Armament Red Dot Sight
- CO-WITNESS CAPABILITY OUT OF THE BOX: Designed to co-witness…
- REFLEX LENS: Aperture provides a wide field of view,…
- DUAL ILLUMINATED RED DOT RETICLE: (Red and Green) red dot…
Although this is the most affordable product on our list, that does not mean that it is not of high quality.
The creators of this product designed it with durability in mind. The designers built this scope with an ultra-rugged design to withstand the toughest of conditions. This package includes two flip-down covers to help protect the optics.
With its convenient cantilever mount, the scope mounts easily on most weapons. This scope also offers customization, with the option to choose between red and green reticles.
Another nice thing about this scope is that you don’t have to worry about buying a lemon. The manufacturer offers a “no questions asked” one-year warranty with the purchase of this scope, which is a testament to its quality.
The general consensus among product testers was that this was a decent scope for a great price. Some customers had concerns about the sharpness of the reticle, but the insanely low price makes up for that.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Short-medium range
- 4 MOA
- Adjustable brightness
- Co-witness capability
Con
- Not too accurate
Extra Information
- Enhanced accuracy
- Quick targeting
- Long battery life
- Lens Objective: 35mm
- MOA: 4
- Levels of brightness: 5
Red Dot Sights Explained
People commonly use a red dot scope, a non-magnifying target light, to aim firearms. Invented in 1900, the original models relied on batteries or used ambient light to illuminate the reflector or reflex sight.
It wasn’t until 1975 that optics companies began utilizing “electronic” red dot sights, which introduced the use of light-emitting diodes.
The red LED in these sights aligns with the firearm or object, enhancing the aim’s accuracy. Firearms, cameras, and telescopes are some of the most commonly used technologies.
Target shooting, hunting, and police and military use red dot sights most frequently because they help to ensure shot accuracy.
People frequently use cameras for point-and-shoot photography, as well as for photographing flying aircraft, birds in flight, and distant objects.
Their use of telescopes allows the user to locate distant objects within a finder’s scope.
How Does it Work?
Red dot sights are reliant on a series of lenses and a reflective mirror.
The lens size, or the tube’s diameter, determines how much light the tube, or the body of the scope you’re looking into, can hold.
A larger lens allows more light into the eye. Red dot sights, similar to camera interiors, feature tiled, spherical mirror reflectors with a red LED light at the focus.
The mirror’s coating allows light to pass through most other light forms, making the sight a strong aid to users who are targeting over longer distances.
Ultimately, the size, material composition, coating of the mirror or lens, and other factors all affect how the sight functions for its user.
Types of Red Dot Sightings
The physical anatomy of the various red dot sights can vary, but their use with various firearms or technologies can also have an impact.
Not only do all of these sights look different, but they also function with different types of firearms and have different features. For example, the Bushnell TRS-25 is a compact sight. It attaches easily to smaller firearms, making it useful for new pistol trainers.
This specific sight is known for its durability and accuracy, as it offers a high operating speed and precise balance.
The multi-reticle is similar in size, but rather than offering a fixed dot size, like most other red dot sights, this version allows the user to sift through eight different options, which helps shooters with precision over longer distances.
Some are designed to mount larger firearms. In these cases, users typically adjust the dot brightness for fast and nearby shooting. Users have the option to alternate between a green and red dot, which can help different users when adjusting their brightness.
Why They’re So Popular
Due to their accuracy and versatility, red dot sights have been in use for decades. Users specifically use them to quickly and accurately find and zero in on their targets.
The red dot itself is particularly popular because of the introduction of the LED light. LEDs improve the shot’s reliability, but they also require less power and, overall, conserve battery life.
Their durability and precision combined make them some of the most reliable aids for target shooting, photographing, and astronomical studies.
When it comes to firearm use, red dot sights are increasingly popular because of their ease of use and positioning. When you use red dot sights, the sight and target are nearly on the same optical plane.
This allows for fast and easy acquisition, as well as allowing the user to follow its target with little trouble. There is also no need for eye relief, which is required to magnify scopes on firearms with heavier recoil.
You can adjust red dot sights so they don’t rest against your face or around your eyes, yet they are still easy to use and see through. With its varying models, sizes, makes, and uses, the red dot sight continues to grow in popularity for its wide range of options for targeting.
Final Word
Whether it is out in the field, in military use, following a bird or distant object, or using a telescope, red dot sights hold a lot of versatility for their users. They improve accuracy, minimize damage, and allow users to never lose sight of their targets.
As technologies have advanced, the red dot sight has followed suit, making it easier for users to locate and follow their targets with LED accuracy while making adjustments to conserve battery life and ultimately make the sight longer-lasting.
These improvements to red dot sights just keep getting better with time, so make targeting easier and set your sights on the perfect one.
