Tag Archives: Red dot

Apex Optics Atom Red Dot

September 28, 2024Optics, Product review, Uncategorizedapex optics, atom, Red dotcoldboremiracle

Preface

Apex Optics is a relatively new manufacturer in the optics market, with their roots planted firmly in the mountains of Alberta Canada the company has aggressively pursued the firearms market worldwide. I was introduced to Apex Optics with their Rival precision rifle scope, and I’ve been shooting with it for about a year now. Having experienced great performance from their product, I embraced the opportunity to try another. Today I bring you my impression of the Apex Optics Atom red dot, a compact reflex sight.

The Apex Optics Atom

The RMR footprint is a very popular style, and the Atom utilizes this footprint for its universally accepted popularity. Using a battery to power it’s Smart-Light auto adjust reticle for up to 50,000 hours. With a structure made from aluminium, the light and robust Atom is made to last. Incorporating as much technology as possible was done by adding their 7-layer lens coating as well as incorporating motion sensing electronics to power up the unit with any activity.

Whats in the Box

In the box comers the Atom red dot, as well as a picatinny rail mount should you chose to mount it to a carbine or other type of weapon. There also came three different screw sets to help you with options for mounting on different firearms. There also came the typical literature and lens cloth, the manual came with a great deal of information on how to configure, adjust and mount the Atom. And of course it came with a custom tool that helps get the right fit to both mount and adjust the Atom. In addition to whats included, the Atom also has the ability to install a hood (available separately) that encloses the red dot. Protecting it from dirt and debris.

Specifications

Footprint: RMR
Magnification: 1X
Wind/elevation range: 100moa
Eye Relief: Unlimited
Battery Type: CR1632 3V
Reticle: Apex MRX reticle
Shockproof Rating: 1500G
Dimensions: 46x31x26mm
Operating Temp: -30C to +60C
Weight: 31 Grams
Brightness settings: 10 (plus Auto)
Battery life: 50,000 hrs at setting 4

Apex Optics atom red dot installation — Installing the Atom, note battery compartment

Installing the Atom red dot

I decided to install the Atom on my BCA Grizzly, a Glock 17 clone with a slide cut for the RMR footprint. This would make it easy, and using the provided screws and a couple drops of blue Loctite it was done quickly. When mounting red dots I always try and ensure as I bolt them down to the slide that they are as close to lining up with the iron sights as possible. This practice reduces the need to adjust the reticle much after install.

On the Range

Once I’d done that, it was time to head to my shooting spot to test them. With quite a few boxes of Trailforger 9mm ammo, I wanted to have good time while testing this little dot. The first thing I had to decide was how I wanted to configure the reticle. The MRX reticle is a circle dot style reticle, you can select between the 2MOA dot alone, the 34MOA circle alone, or the two features together if you like. I ended up mostly using the circle, its small enough that I would basically just bracket whatever it was I wanted to hit and squeeze the trigger. More precise shooting could be done using the 2MOA dot.

Adjusting the reticle and brightness is all done using the two buttons on the left side of the Atom. As well as set the Smart-Light feature. The lowest two settings are designed for night vision use, which is pretty typical. I also noted that the manual mentioned something I see on most red dots, it is recommended to not use the dot on the highest brightness settings unless it is warranted. The highest brightness settings often cause a glare and whats called “reticle blooming”. Reticle blooming is when the reticle becomes so bright that it looses it definition and makes aiming harder. This affects all red dots in my experience, which I usually use on the lowest setting that is clearly visible while shooting.

A nice look at the generous window of the Atom red dot

The Atom was very nice to shoot with. The brightness was more than enough for midday shooting, and it allowed me to accurately hit my targets. I have recently gotten used to the extra-large window of some other red dots, so it took a minute to get used to the slightly smaller window of the Atom. Once I’d familiarized myself with it though, I really liked the less obtrusive window size. I feel like I’d like to put this on my CCW pistol for confident shooting.

While the lower housing of the Atom was a touch too thick to allow the use of my iron sights, I was still able to use them by using the “look through” method. Basically pretending the obstructed front sight isn’t obstructed 😅. These sights are pretty low profile, so any slightly taller sights would be useable through the Atom red dot.

The significant travel of the reticle mechanism in the Atom is very nice, should you need to make big adjustments to zero. Luckily I didn’t for this purpose, but I was happy to see there was so much adjustment available as other red dots I have only offer a third of the movement range.

Pros and Cons

Lets talk about the pros and cons of the Atom. First of all, keep in mind that I am used to quite a variety of different red dots.

I like the size of the Atom for the RMR footprint, I like that it has a rounded top with fewer corners to snag on things. Despite being smaller than many of my other red dot windows, I still feel like it is big enough to be very useful.

The reticle options is where it really shines, as we all love having options. I like that you can select the various circle or dot options, and the motion activation and auto-brightness are a fantastic options to have.

The fit and finish of the Atom is outstanding. The tight fit of all the parts and fasteners make for a very professional presentation. As do the packaging and included accessories.

If I had to change something on the Atom it would probably be this; I like the reticle options, but I wish there was like a 40, 50, or 60 MOA option as well. I am ready to accept that this is simply my personal preference though. I wish I’d gotten one of the Weather Shield hoods for the optic as well, to see how it works and if it inhibits function at all.

While I have no reason to suspect any failure, I was surprised that the battery compartment is secured only by a friction detent. Part of me wants to think a screw or other mechanical method of securing would be better. But in all my shooting, I cannot think of a scenario where it could be knocked out. So I think its fair to say my concern is misplaced.

Last Words

Much like my previous experience with Apex Optics, the Atom has left me with a great impression. There are so many options out there for red dots these days, so standing out from the crowd is a challenge. I think the Atom offers some great features, there are others that offer similar performance for less, but they don’t stack up as well. And those who’s features exceed these, are priced above and even well beyond what the Atom costs.

While I like my dollars to stay in America, I’d rather send them to Canada than China or some other sweat shop. Especially when there are better options like these made in Japan where there is a higher quality standard. If you find yourself looking at the Apex Optics Atom red dot, I think you will enjoy shooting with it and feel satisfied with your purchase.

-CBM

Shop all Apex Optics Here

Holosun 507 Comp Red Dot

September 19, 2024Optics, Product review507 comp, holosun, Red dot, staccatocoldboremiracle

Introduction

My recent descent into the joy of hand-gunning has given me many opportunities to try new things. One of them is checking out many new red dot options, and it has been a great journey. Today’s topic is a result of my search for a good red dot to put on my Staccato XC pistol. One of the many options I tried during that process is the very popular Holosun 507 Comp red dot.

staccato XC 9mm, Holosun 507 Comp — not a bad looking setup with the **Surefire X300 Turbo**

The 507 Comp is a big windowed beauty, it seems to share some feature with other 507 models but its obviously larger. These types of red dots are optimized for competitive style shooting which I find to be very fun. Lets get into this neat little optic.

The Holosun 507 Comp Red Dot

Specifications:

Window Size: 1.1×0.87
Dimension (in): 1.8×1.3×1.3
Weight (oz): 1.7
Reticle: 2 MOA Dot & 8/20/32 MOA Circle
Reticle Color: Red or Green model
Parallax Free: Yes
Battery Type: CR1632
Battery Life: 50000 hours
Brightness Setting: 6 Day Light & 2 Night Vision
Housing Material: 7075 T6 Aluminum
Surface Finish: Anodize
Adj. per Click: 1 MOA

Included in the Box

T10 L Key
User Manual
CR1632 Battery
Lens Cloth
Mounting screw assortment

As I cracked open the box from Holosun, I was greeted by the typical accessories. I was happy to see that the Comp had come with a few different screw sets for different mounting situations. Though my Staccato had come with a specific 507 Comp screw set. The included tool was very handy for installing and adjusting the optic.

The 507 Comp also uses Holosun’s shake awake technology, which you can set to turn the unit on with movement. It will also power down after a set time of inactivity. Adjusting this feature and the brightness levels can all be done using the two + and – buttons on the left side. On the opposing side you’ll find the typical Holosun screw affixed battery door. I also notice that compared to other XL sized red dots the 507 Comp footprint was more universal than some others.

Using the appropriate optics mounting plate and screws, the 507 Comp dropped perfectly onto the XC’s slide. The back end of the red dot’s housing is thin enough that I can still see both front and rear sights through the window of the 507, which was also a nice addition. I adjusted the reticle to match the sights before heading to the range.

Rangetime

Initially my adjustments were pretty close, but I decided to refine it slightly to make sure I was hitting my point of aim. I spent a while going through the various reticle options to see what I liked. It’s really quite interesting how the different options present themselves. I like the dot with the largest ring, it seems to help in target bracketing and still gives the precise shot placement of the fine dot. That said I could see somebody using the circles instead for fast shooting up close.

Another reason I couldn’t have anticipated liking the large circle dot reticle was it’s utility at distance. Shooting the Staccato XC at distances like 100 yards is doable, and the bottom edge of the circle made a perfect holdover point for such distances.

I did notice, as did others who picked it up, that the reticle of the 507 Comp seemed a bit fuzzy. But after some comparison I think it was simply because we were looking at things up close. For example, looking across my desk at the wall the reticle seemed fuzzy. But when looking at a wall 20-feet away it was perfectly clear. And the same was true outside on the range, so I think perhaps there might be a slight parallax issue.

holosun 507 comp, staccato XC, safariland ALS — the **Staccato XC** and Holosun 507 Comp fit perfectly into the **Safariland ALS Holster**

The various brightness setting were very visible even in the high heat of full noon sun out in this desert. I like being able to adjust the intensity of the reticle, and keep it low at night when its dark.

Pros and Cons

With such a large window, red dots like the 507 comp give you a huge field of view. This makes it very quick to find the target in the window. Additionally the larger reticle of the Comp gives you more to see, something to pick up on visually if you don’t immediately see the dot when presenting the pistol. This can of course be changed to fit your needs as your skill level varies.

The ability to change the reticle to fit your preference is a huge advantage in itself. Something I expect we’ll see quite a few other optics manufacturers adopting soon. The fact that this unit can be ordered in either red or green is also a nice option for those shopping.

According to the manual, the 507 Comp only has 30 MOA of travel for both windage and elevation. I didn’t find this to be a problem, and I had no issues zeroing the optic.

There are those out there who think it’s a shame to put a Chinese made red dot on such a fine pistol as the 2011. I will admit that I also second guessed the proposition, but followed through my plan based on a few good points made by fellow shooters. I was initially thinking of putting something like a Trijicon SRO or RMR HD red dot on the gun, despite having a significantly higher price and wait time. But many friends and associates pointed out that many of the popular domestic manufacturers don’t seem to innovate their dots like Holosun does. I was also told that its not if I’ll break an SRO but when. I guess I’ll continue to shoot with this one, while looking for additional good options to outfit my guns.

Shop all Holosun products here

As far as problems with the 507 Comp, I could only say a few things. The aforementioned fuzzy reticle turned out to be a very small issue, and one I don’t even notice or care about now. I also had the battery cover screw come out and get lost. But to their credit Holosun CS was quick to respond and sent me a replacement as fast as I could have hoped.

Last Words

Having spent some time with this optic, and shot a great many rounds with it I am quite happy with my purchase. I wouldn’t say that its the greatest option out there, but it certainly fits my modest purposes very well. Due to the popularity of this red dot, I’d say that I am not the only one who thinks its a good option.

In the world of big window red dot’s, there are lots of great options. The 507 Comp offers nearly everything the competition models do and more. It provides adaptability in a robust and proven design. And it cost’s less than half of what some comparable units. That doesn’t mean I wont be trying those models out though, so stay tuned for more. In fact, if you like the Holosun 507 Comp, check out my comparison against the Vortex Defender XL.

-CBM

holosun, vortex, staccato, shadow system

Vortex Defender XL Red Dot

August 10, 2024Optics, Product reviewdefender, defender XL, Red dot, Vortex, vortex opticscoldboremiracle

Introduction

It would be hard to discuss the US sport optics market without bringing up Vortex Optics. Offering innovative products that consumers want at a price that they can afford has made the company one of the biggest names in the US shooting market. Everything from binoculars to spotting scopes and optical sights are all part of the Vortex product line. And today I am going to share yet another one of my experiences with a new Vortex product; today I bring you the Vortex Defender XL red dot.

I’ve got quite a collection of Vortex Optics, I’ve shot through plenty of their rifle scopes over the years. But it doesn’t end there, Fury Binoculars have accompanied me on many hunts, and more recently I was introduced to the Defender line of red dot sights. Having more recently become a bit of a red dot junkie, it was only a matter of time before another Defender would join my stable.

The Vortex Defender XL

the little brother of the Defender XL, the **Defender CCW**

I had already had an experience with the compact sized Defender, you can see more about that in this article about the Taurus Defender revolver. After my experience with that model, I felt confident that its extra large sibling would also fit well into my red dot needs. Most of which revolve around short range firearms like carbines and handguns, and in this case shotguns as well.

Specifications

Magnification	1x
Reticle	5 MOA Dot
Adjustment Graduation	1 MOA
Parallax Setting	Parallax Free
Max Windage Adjustment	115 MOA
Max Elevation Adjustment	120 MOA
Dot Color	Bright Red
Battery Runtime	25,000 Hours
Mounting Footprint	DeltaPoint® Pro
Mount Type	Picatinny
Eye Relief	Unlimited
Length	2.03″
Weight	1.93 oz.

Vortex Optics Defender XL red dot — What comes in the box

I was excited to receive the small box when it showed up. And just like the previous Defender red dot I’d received, this one came with lots of extras. The Defender came with a picatinny rail mount attached, something I would use later. But it also comes with a plethora of screw options that give you incredible flexibility on what you can mount your Defender to. Different thread-pitch screws, different lengths and such have allowed me to mount the Defender to a variety of pistols and other firearms without needing anything that didn’t come in the box. It also came with a Glock MOS optics plate allowing easy mounting to your Glock pistol.

Additionally, Vortex went above and beyond to have some very nice little red dot wrenches made, that are much better for adjusting the tiny turret screw to zero. Not to mention making it easy to mount and dismount the red dot. They even threw in some blue loctite. There is also a little rubber hood to go over the Defender when not in use to keep it clean and safe.

The Defender XL uses a 5 MOA dot inside a really good sized window. I used to think some of these red dot windows were too big, but I’ve since learned to love them. The broad lens gives you a better view of the target, making it easier to find the dot and center on target. Additionally the XL shares the rugged texture around the frame that the whole Defender family has, incase you need to snag some stuff.

The Defender XL also uses Vortex’s smart electronic system. So smart it continues to evade my understanding. You can configure the unit to power-up with motion, or have it turn on only with button operation. You can also lockout the buttons to avoid inadvertent adjustments. There are 10 different brightness settings and 2 for night vision.

Shooting with the Vortex Defender XL

To get a good start with this new Defender, I wanted to mount it to my Shadow Systems DR920. A pistol I am very familiar with, and also constantly changing out red dots on. The Defender dropped right into place, and I snugged it down with the provided screws. It was easy to adjust the turrets to get the dot to co-witness with my sights, which would have to do till we got to the range. After some slight adjustments the dot was right on point of aim.

I did a lot of my traditional shooting, drawing from holster and under time shooting various targets. The big window and big dot made it pretty easy to find my target and paint it red. I messed with the various brightness settings to find what looked best. Too bright a dot tends to cause blooming of the reticle, something I’ve heard others complain about. Carrying the gun over the past few weeks with the Defender XL in place has given me countless opportunities to draw and present the pistol looking through the Defender. I am quite happy with its performance as a pistol sight, though I really wish they made a circle dot reticle option.

Shotgun time

I’m not a huge shotgunner, and have never had reason to add a red dot to my shotguns. But today was an exception, because I was shooting the Panzer Arms M4 defensive shotgun. A weapon as ideal for a red dot as any other in my opinion.

I mounted the Defender XL using the provided picatinny rail mount that came with it, and after re-zeroing the dot we were once again in business. I really liked using the Defender as a shotgun sight, shooting at grounded targets and from barricades was quite fun practice. I think the only thing I would have changed would have been a slightly shorter picatinny mount, to get a better cheek-weld.

Using the large window of the XL made it again easy to find my targets, it only slightly obscured my overall view. But I did find it much easier than trying to line up the ghost ring sights under pressure.

Pros and Cons

I’ve mentioned already how I like the large window of the Defender XL, and the provided mounting solutions. Another thing I like about the Defender XL is the battery replacement design. Though a little more complex than others, it is easy to quickly swap out the battery without removing the unit from your firearm. This is ideal for not loosing your zero. The battery hatch is opened by pushing in a recessed detent, while pushing down the battery cover. Once the release button is depressed, the battery hatch opens and you can swap the CR2032 cell out.

The bright reticle works well in nearly any lighting situation, and the programmable operation is very nice once you figure it out. All in all its a very good weapon sight in my opinion.

I guess if I must say something against the Defender XL, it would probably be the reticle options. I think Vortex missed a great opportunity to offer a circle-dot reticle in this optic that will likely be used by competitive shooters. This seems like one of the only downsides to the Defender XL, but I doubt it will be that way for long. I will be putting it up head to head with my Holosun 507 Comp to compare the two, watch for that to come out later this year.

Final Thoughts on the Defender XL

It came as no surprise that I liked the Defender XL red dot. Vortex does a great job at listening to customers and innovating products to match. Its semi-permanent home will probably be on my DR920, a pistol I probably use more than any other. Aside from the couple drawbacks I’ve mentioned I think the Defender XL is a fantastic red dot that brings a lot of added value. The extras are nice, the performance has been flawless, and its nice to buy from a company who knows where their bread is buttered. I’ll keep running the Defender red dots, and look forward to seeing what the next neat little thing Vortex Optics brings to market.

-CBM

Best Red Dots for your Rifle: Enclosed Emitter

February 16, 2024blog, OpticsMRO, Red dot, Romeo 5, SLX, strikefire II, TSR-1xcoldboremiracle

Introduction

The red dot optic market has become a whirlwind of options. Today we are looking at a few options to put on your carbine or rifle. Red dots make a handy sighting device for short and medium range firearms. Whether it be a rifle carbine, pistol caliber carbine, or even a shotgun. The rapid targeting advantage of red dots make quick shooting with accuracy a reality. There are plenty of articles discussing the best red dots, today I will be discussing my recommended best red dots for your rifle.

the **CMMG Banshee 9mm** with a **Romeo5 red dot** and **YHM R9 suppressor**

Vortex Strikefire II

There are plenty of decent red dots out there, and some of them are made in a country famous for its red flag and cheap manufacturing. The Vortex Strikefire II is one of those, and while it may not enjoy the legendary status and service record of other popular red dots, it is still a decent option for a carbine.

The Strikefire II has the added benefit of illuminating in either red or green, the dot itself is a 4MOA. It utilizes a 30mm main tube for a larger objective than many other comparable red dots. It also has an auto-off function should you forget to power it down, if you don’t, you should keep some extra CR2 batteries around. The included mount also gives it optimal height for most carbine rifles, it also comes with some handy flip-caps.

All this is included for the MSRP of $275.00, but if you hurry you can find it on Optics Planet for under $140. I’ve had a couple of these red dots for several years now, and while I wouldn’t consider my purposes abusive, they have stood up to everything. I really appreciate the ease of swapping them from one gun to another.

Primary Arms SLX

Primary Arms has stomped their way into the affordable optics market with an impressive host of options. Every PA optic I’ve had the good fortune to use has been more than adequate for everyday shooting purposes. The SLX also features a larger objective, for a broad field of view. It is available with different reticle options like the traditional 2MOA dot, as well as PA’s popular ACSS CQB reticle which feature a circle-dot style reticle with several holdover points. Its lightweight aluminum construction keeps it light, and the included mount makes it just the right height for most carbine rifles.

The SLX uses the very popular CR2023 battery, and using its auto-shutoff feature will greatly extend your useful life of the SLX red dot. It would be silly of me not to mention that PA makes a great companion magnifier for the SLX that renders the two of them a medium range duo.

Prices for the SLX start at $150 and go up if you want to add the better reticle or accessories. Again this presents a great value for everyday shooters, and when affixed to a good carbine we have greatly enjoyed medium to short range shooting fun.

the Vortex Strikefire II has been swapped between too many rifles to mention

US Optics TSR-1X

Another great little enclosed emitter red dot for carbines is the US Optics TSR-1x. The TSR-1x is a little more compact than the above mentioned red dots, which results in a slightly smaller objective and field of view. This may or may not be a big deal to some, you be the judge. The compact TSR-1x is made from aluminium, keeping its weight down. Like many others it uses the CR2023 coin battery, giving it an expected use of two to three years. The TSr-1x has 12 brightness settings you can adjust for ambient light or even night-vision. You can also have it in any color you want as long as it is red. regardless of brightness setting the 5MOA dot gives a great aimpoint for fast shooting. It also comes with a Zro Delta FRZ™ QD mount that allows you to quickly change between rifles without needing any tools.

The US Optics TSR-1X has an MSRP starting at $250, though it can be found for less in places like Optics Planet or Euro Optic. The price comes as no surprise as names like US Optics typically command a higher price point. I’ve used them now for several years, and have again swapped them between too many rifles to mention. After all these years, I’ve yet to change a battery. And the only thing I’ve ever had to do is retorque the mounting screws with a droplet of blue loctite.

The QD mount has made the TSR-1X one of my go-to red dot sights. Being able to quickly swap between guns in the field without tools is very handy. The various brightness settings also make it convenient for different shooting conditions.

the **CMMG Dissent 5.56** paired with a **US Optics TSR-1X**

Sig Sauer Romeo 5

Sig Sauer’s Romeo 5 is another affordable red dot for your carbine, particularly if you are a big fan of the brand like me. The Romeo 5 is a 1X red dot that uses a 20mm objective enclosing its emitter. The Romeo has ten brightness settings; eight for day use, and two additional ones for use with night vision. The five ounce Romeo features a 2MOA red dot powered by the same CR2023 battery for over 40K hours. The turrets, like several other mentioned here today are easily adjusted using the turret cap reversed to easily make adjustments in the field. True to the name, the Romeo is only available with a red emitter.

The Romeo 5 might win as the most affordable optic mentioned here today. You can buy it direct from Sig Sauer for $140, or you can find it for even less from Euro Optic. While I have perhaps a little less time behind the Romeo 5, I still find it be a great little red dot. Perhaps the fact that my wife bought it for me has influenced my judgement…

Sig also offers the Romeo 5 in combination with the Juliet 3 Magnifier, making the two units together a great medium range combination. The Romeo is perhaps a little more tedious to swap between firearms than other models, and the included bikin cover will likely be lost on the first trip to the range. But it is still a great little dot.

the **Sig Sauer Romeo 5** red dot mounted on the Keltec RDB

another shot of the US Optics TSR-1X on a carbine rifle

Trijicon MRO

If you thought the TSR-1X was a bit expensive, you might just skip this part. Because we are about to discuss the Trijicon MRO, perhaps the gold standard in enclosed emitter red dot sights. The Trijicon MRO is available in a variety of mounting configurations, designed to be able to use with other sight options such as magnifiers and co-witnessing with iron sights. The MRO also uses the same CR2023 battery to illuminate its red or green reticle. The reticle is available as either a red or green 2MOA dot, or as a circle-dot reticle. The control is situated a the top of the MRO for use with either hand, and gives the user 8 different brightness settings and two additional night vision options. The large objective gives a wide field of view, and is filled with Trijicons high quality glass and coatings.

Trijicon has a well known duty service with the MRO, so it should come as no surprise that it is priced well above the rest. With an MSRP starting around $600, it is probably not for the fair-weather shooter. But even with various mounting options available, the MRO can be had for well below the MSRP, with some options as low as under $400 from Optics Planet.

Like many of the other red dots mentioned here, I have been using the Trijicon MRO for years. I’ve never had to change the battery, nor do anything else to it. It usually finds itself mounted to my “Oh Sh*t ” carbine, and there it typically stays. The bright dot does well when used together with a light or Trijicon’s 3X magnifier.

an elevated Trijicon MRO mounted a little high on a Magnum Research MLR

Final Thoughts on Enclosed Emitters

This is certainly not meant to be a complete list of good red dots. These are just some great options that I have had a great deal of experience shooting. Whether you want an inexpensive sight to throw on a cheap AR for your kids to shoot, or if you have a serious defense shotgun in need of a sight. You will find some good options here. There certainly are other good options out there, and I intend to try them all. Let us know in the comment section what your favorite enclosed emitter red dot sight is.

-CBM

another **Trijicon MRO** on a cantilever QD mount affixed to my **CZ Scorpion EVO**

Three Red Dots

August 13, 2021Optics, pistols, Product reviewpistol, Red dot, riton, us optics, Vortexcoldboremiracle

Pistol shooting, like most shooting disciplines has benefitted greatly from technological advancements. Incredible improvements have made todays handguns lighter, faster, more accurate, and reliable. One of these many improvement is in the sight market, pistols have long relied on the simple task of lining up a front and rear sight as you press the trigger. But today we will discuss the hot and competitive red dot sight options that are frequently replacing traditional iron sights. We’ll also look at it from the perspective of home defense use.

The three sights we will specifically look at today are the Vortex Viper Red Dot, the US Optics DRS 2.0 Enhanced, and the Riton Optics X3 Tactix PRD. To give the three sights all a fair rattling, I ran all three of them on the same pistol. The Canik TP9 EC is a poly framed pistol featuring a SAI barrel and trigger, its very accurate and its cut slide makes a perfect host for this trio of optics. To read more about the pistol click here.

The Vortex Viper MSRP $349.99

With a well known name like Vortex, I was sure I was going to like this optic. It was the first of the three in this article that I got my hands on, it wasn’t long at all before I had it mounted up and ready to shoot. The tools provided made zeroing the optic a snap, I was blown away at how quick I went from adjusting the zero, to stacking a whole magazine into a small hole.

The US Optics DRS 2.0 Enhanced MSRP $349.00

US Optics has long been part of the optics game, though they are a relative newcomer to the electronic sight realm. As soon as I opened the box, I was as impressed as ever with USO’s quality and presentation. But more importantly was the impression on the range.

I was a bit confused at first, because the DRS 2.0 didn’t appear to have a button or control to adjust the brightness as did the Viper and the Tactix X3. But in perhaps my favorite discovery of the whole project, I read the owners manual to find that the DRS 2.0 is always on, and has a built in photo-eye to automatically adjust to ambient light. Another beneficial feature I was happy to see, was the side-loaded battery compartment, which doesn’t require the user to remove the sight to change the battery as the Viper required.

As with the Vortex, the USO was easily and quickly zeroed, and in no time I was back to banging targets.

The Riton Optics X3 Tactix PRD MSRP $299.99

Riton is a relatively new company, but persistently bringing out more products. The X3 came to me before the USO and after the Vortex, it did require changing the Viper type baseplate to the RMR type, as it doesn’t share the same plate as the other two.
Similar to the Vortex, the X3 has armored up/down rubber buttons to adjust the six level brightness settings of the reticle. It also has a four hour auto shutoff. It features a 3 MOA dot for some very precise shooting, at least for red dot shooting.
It wasn’t until after I had it mounted that I noticed the X3 features a rear sight cut, something you can use in the event your reticle goes out. This is something the other two lacked, and while not likely to be used often, it is still handy. The X3 features a top loaded battery, so you wont need to remove the sight for battery changes.

All three red dots took a bit of getting used to, as the reticle appeared higher than expected as compared to the iron sights. But once I grew accustomed to the hold and sight picture, I was addicted to it. One of the many pros of using red dot pistol sights that is often mentioned is the shooter’s point of focus. When using iron sights you have to focus to some degree or another on the sights that are at arms length. Shooting with a red dot sight gives a great advantage because you never have to take your eyes off the target.
For example, if there is a threat approaching you, simply bring the pistol into the plane between you and the threat. The glowing reticle is naturally brought into place without ever having to change focus from the target. Obviously after much practice and training, it becomes second nature. That is one thing less you’ll need to focus on in a defensive situation.
And even if its not a dangerous target, shots can be made faster as can target transitions because you never have to take your eyes off the target[s].

Also, if you are shopping on a budget, UUQOptics makes some great budget pistol red dots — great value without sacrificing reliability or usability

As it pertains to home and/or self defense, I think a red dot sight could be a valuable asset. The bright red reticle makes a very easy focal point when tension is high, and the precise nature of its aim is very useful in a life or death situation. The aforementioned point about keeping your eyes on the threat is also a strong reason, especially in a low light or no light scenario.

I was surprised by this experience, it wasn’t that I liked the USO the most, it was actually that the Vortex was at the bottom for me. After much shooting with the Viper, I found the Riton X3 to be a preferred fit for my eyes. And perhaps the finer reticle also helped. The sight picture of all three was more than satisfactory, they all got dirty and dusty just the same. But what really won this comparison for me was the reticle on the DRS 2.0, I never had to turn it on, or up or down. Every time I jerked my pistol from the holster, regardless of time of day, indoor or out, the reticle was lit, and nearly perfect brightness. I only say near perfect because it occasionally might have been a smidge dimmer than I would have set it, but surely not enough to be a concern. All three of these red dots are great pistol sights, I would feel very confident shooting any one of them in a competitive situation.

I have shot pistols without red dots for many years, so I was a bit apprehensive about trading my iron sights for a red dot. But I’m happy to say that after some practice I feel just as if not more confident with one of these three sights than the iron sights I always used before. Give one of these three a try, you will very likely be surprised how much you like it.

-CBM

Three Red Dots for your Pistol

February 4, 2021Optics, pistols, Product reviewpistol, rds, Red dot, rmr, rmsccoldboremiracle

Pistol shooting, like most shooting disciplines has benefited greatly from technological advancements. Incredible improvements have made todays handguns lighter, faster, more accurate, and reliable. One of these many improvement is in the sight market, pistols have long relied on the simple task of lining up a front and rear sight as you press the trigger. But today we will discuss the hot and competitive red dot sight options that are frequently replacing traditional iron sights. We’ll also look at it from the perspective of home defense use.

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