Red Dot sights
The past few years have spawned an incredible surplus of red sot sights (RDS) and new technologies around them. Red dots offer a parallax free aiming option, meaning you needn’t focus back and forth between the sights and target. I’ve spent a great deal of time using various red dots over the last few years, and today I am bringing you another brand new option. Our subject in today’s review is the US Optics RISE red dot.
The US Optics RISE Red Dot
From US Optics, the Red dot Integrated Sight Enhancer (RISE) is a compact battery operated sight. Built for precise aiming in high-speed situations. The RISE uses a 3 MOA dot, which is big enough to pick up quickly, but small enough to still offer precise shot-placement.
The RISE has 10 brightness settings include 2 for night-vision use. The brightness and other features are easily controlled using the two buttons on either side of the housing. Like most RDS, the RISE is adjusted using a small blade screwdriver to adjust the windage and elevation for zeroing the sight. It also incorporates some really handy features like a sleep mode where it shuts down after two minutes of motionlessness. It instantly resumes the previous brightness setting as soon as the host firearm is moved.
This feature helps maintain battery life, which is anticipated to last some 75,000 hours with a single CR2032 lithium cell. The battery is easily changed through the RISE’s top loading battery lid using common tools or the included tools that come with the optic. Mounting the RISE RDS is easily done using the supplied fasteners, and it is built to fit Delta Point Pro footprints. One of the more common patterns.
Specifications
| Window Size: | 24x20MM |
| Footprint: | DeltaPoint Pro |
| Magnification: | 1X |
| Dot Color: | Red |
| Dot Size: | 3 MOA |
| Light Source: | LED |
| Adjustment Type: | Manual, (+, -) |
| Sleep Mode: | Auto-off after 2 mins; Auto-Revive with movement |
| Brightness Settings: | 10 (8 Daylight, 2 NV) |
| Click Value: | 1 MOA per click |
| Elevation Travel: | 80 MOA |
| Windage Travel: | 80 MOA |
| OA Length: | 47.98 MM/ 1.889 IN |
| OA Width | 31.20 MM/ 1.228 IN |
| OA Height | 28.80 MM/ 1.134 IN |
| Rear Deck Height: | 7.60 MM/ .300 IN |
| Weight: | 37.54 G / 1.32 OZ |
| Material: | 6061 T6 aluminum |
| Coating: | Black Hard Anodized |
| Waterproof Rating: | IP67 |
| Battery: | CR2032 |
| Battery Load: | Top |
| Battery Life: | 75000 hrs at setting 1, 26087 hrs @ setting 5, 600 hrs @ setting 10 |
Mounting the US Optics RISE RDS
Initial testing of the RISE RDS was done on my Sig Sauer P320 X5 Legion 9mm pistol. This was an easy fit as the pistol comes ready for Delta Point optics. Using the supplied screws, I set the RISE in place, and kept it as close to zero as possible while I torqued down the fasteners with a wrench. The fit was perfect, and it looked as though the RISE was made for it. In just a few moments I had adjusted the dot to co-witness with the iron sights. I found that the small notch built into the back of the RISE worked as a rear sight that would work in the event the battery died.
I also mounted the USO RISE RDS to my Shadow Systems DR920. The pre-cut slide makes it an easy host for a variety of optics, and the RISE was a perfect match as well. The lower cut slide of the pistol made it the perfect height for seeing both front and rear sights through the window.
Shooting with the US Optics RISE
I have pretty extensive shooting experience with this pistol (hasn’t gone off by itself yet) so it was a great gun to test it on. I already had the US Optics DRS enhanced red dot on the pistol, but this was definitely an upgrade.
My immediate first impression was the much bigger window, the RISE uses a larger lens than its predecessor. I have become accustomed to these larger windowed red dots, and I like them quite a bit. You can read more about that here. The RISE is a nice compromise, its bigger than many standard RDS windows, but not quite as obtrusive as the XL sized competition sights. It might be a touch large for a CCW pistol, but thats obviously a bit subjective.
I did find the big window great for finding targets quickly, and the 3MOA dot was very precise for putting shots on conspicuous places on the target. The parallax free targeting I mentioned at the top makes for faster shooting, you never have to take your eyes off the target. You simply bring the pistol to bear on the target and the dot comes into your field of view, only slight adjustments are needed before pulling the trigger.
Shootability
The big lens is one of the great features of this dot, but the controls are very nice, and simple as well. I’m not a huge fan of complication, so I like the no-nonsense two button operation. If you don’t like the auto-off feature it can be easily locked into the ON or OFF position using the buttons.
Its a simple system for folks who don’t want to wonder. I leave the dot in the recall mode, that way every time I grab my pistol the dot is on and ready for action. Finding the bright red dot is easy and comforting when you are looking for a target.
Like most RDS, if you have the dot set on a brighter than necessary setting you might find the dot blooming. Or bleeding out across the lens, I found that simply turning it down a bump or two takes care of the issue. The brightest setting was easily seen in full sunlight, so while I found it unnecessary, you can adjust it how you like.
Reliability
During our testing, we had zero issues with the RISE red dot. It never came loose or lost zero, and I never had to make any adjustments other than the brightness settings based on our surrounding conditions.
I like the robust construction of the RISE, it is thicker than the hood on other RDS which makes me think it will stand up to more abuse. Additionally the RISE is rated IP67 for dust and water protection, just incase you drop your CCW into a pool or something. And like all US Optics products, the RISE has a no bullshit warranty covering; function, quality, workmanship and material.
Value Comparison
With an MSRP of $279.99 the US Optics RISE is a great option if you are looking for a bigger windowed RDS. While other sights like the Delta Point Pro, and Vortex XL have a little bit bigger windows they are $75 to $125 more in their street price. The Romeo 3 MAX and the Holosun 507 Comp are two other popular RDS and they too cost about $100 more than the RISE. To be fair some of those sight offer enhanced reticle options as well so keep that in mind.
Conclusion
Like many other US Optics products, I have found the RISE RDS to be a great option for my purposes. If there was one thing I would change about it, I think it would be cool to add some reticle options like some of the other companies have done. But if you like the simplicity of a dot, then you’ll need look no further.
The US Optics RISE red dot is a quality sight for your pistol or carbine. It brings a durable no-nonsense performance with compatibility from a quality brand you can trust. I look forward to shooting more with this sight, perhaps I’ll mount it to my ZRO Delta FKS 9 CCW pistol to see how it performs there.