Holographic vs. reflex sights and "parallax" - question

[gunsrfun1]

I'm starting to look at some sights for my AR, and am considering both the holographic (Eotech, Vortex) and reflex (Holosun, Sightmark). Whichever I choose, I will go for the dot-in-circle reticle.
My question is about parallax ... I think. I want a sight where, no matter where in the glass the dot appears (top, bottom, left, right, center, etc.), as long as I put the dot on the target, it should hit the target. (Not sure if that is what is meant by parallax or not.)
If I understand correctly, the holographic sights enable you to shoot to the target no matter where in the sight the dot is, but the reflex sights do not. But maybe I am not understanding.
So my question is whether either type will enable me to do this, or only the holographic.
Thanks

 

[troy fairweather]

Before u buy one or the other check to see if u have an astigmatism in your eyes, This can make these sights hard to near impossible to use. most guys see a horse shoe with the dots and can look fussy with like the eotech.

 

[Odd Job]

If I understand correctly, the holographic sights enable you to shoot to the target no matter where in the sight the dot is, but the reflex sights do not. But maybe I am not understanding.

Not necessarily.
I have two Burris Fast Fire 3 reflex dots and they retain point of aim regardless of head position.

 

[RecoilRob]

Some interesting reading for you: https://www.breachbangclear.com/parallax-free-isnt/

I have a couple BSA 40mm red-dot's (very inexpensive) which are a great 'bang for the buck' deal but DO show significant parallax error especially being they're pretty large and you can get your eye pretty far from the center. The 'holographic' designs are much better in this regard but also cost multiples of the $30 cheapo's. According to testing that I've seen (not done myself) even those sights advertised as 'parallax free' can show some shift in certain situations...I think it depends on how much is 'some'. For pistol shooters it's probably not enough for even an expert marksman to notice...but a precision rifle at distance will likely show some drifting due to the sight....but who is going to be using such a device under those conditions?

 

[chicharrones]

Not necessarily.
I have two Burris Fast Fire 3 reflex dots and they retain point of aim regardless of head position.

Some interesting reading for you: https://www.breachbangclear.com/parallax-free-isnt/

I have a couple BSA 40mm red-dot's (very inexpensive) which are a great 'bang for the buck' deal but DO show significant parallax error especially being they're pretty large and you can get your eye pretty far from the center. The 'holographic' designs are much better in this regard but also cost multiples of the $30 cheapo's. According to testing that I've seen (not done myself) even those sights advertised as 'parallax free' can show some shift in certain situations...I think it depends on how much is 'some'. For pistol shooters it's probably not enough for even an expert marksman to notice...but a precision rifle at distance will likely show some drifting due to the sight....but who is going to be using such a device under those conditions?

Yep, I've noticed that the "parallax free" red dots I've owned do indeed have some parallax error. But usually only near the outer view edges of the optic.

In my limited experience with micro pistol red dots, it does seem that the small viewing window (that won't allow extreme dot movement range) contributes to limiting parallax error.

 

[CapnMac]

Parallax, at least how it was taught to me, was the situation where the tube of the scope was virtually parallel to the bore of the weapon. And, at short ranges, less than the "zero" range, that difference creates a miss.

It's primarily a problem, at least as I understand it, in small-diameter scope tubes that do not use first focal plane recticules (which used to be rather a lot of "discount" scope back in my youth, 30-40 years ago).

One of the great advantages a red dot offers is a ghost ring with that dot in it. The dot diameter typically is larger than any possible observed parallax (mostly, generally, sorta). The hologram sights also are a "cure" for parallax by having only the one focal plane.

I've been using the Holosun 503 a bit now, and it has really been issue free for me. Depending on the range and the light conditions, the horseshoe sometimes blurs into a nice big fat dot; other times I can resolve that right down; it's near reflex now that I've used it a while. In a number of ways, it's better than my ACOG. For those that it's not, I'm going to add a tip-out magnifier..

All that's about 2¢, spend it as you will.

 

[rpenmanparker]

Parallax is not a problem with most decent red dots including the Burris and Vortex. BTW, I’m pretty sure the Vortex models are not holographic.

 

[gunsrfun1]

Thank you all. I went to a store today and was able to view both an Eotech 512 holographic and a Sightmark reflex sight, both with the same dot-in-circle reticle. While I would much prefer to buy made-in-USA, even though it might cost a bit more, I just can't get used to the "fuzzy" Eotech reticle, which I am told is a characteristic of true holographic reticles. (Plus I believe I do have some astigmatism.) So I will probably go with a reflex sight by either Sightmark or Holosun. But I am still thinking about it. (Really prefer a US scope on my AR, but that is just me.)
BTW, Rpen and others, Vortex has come out with a holo sight called the UH-1. I am going to try to take a look at that one as well. A bit pricey, but made in USA.

 

[rpenmanparker]

Thank you all. I went to a store today and was able to view both an Eotech 512 holographic and a Sightmark reflex sight, both with the same dot-in-circle reticle. While I would much prefer to buy made-in-USA, even though it might cost a bit more, I just can't get used to the "fuzzy" Eotech reticle, which I am told is a characteristic of true holographic reticles. (Plus I believe I do have some astigmatism.) So I will probably go with a reflex sight by either Sightmark or Holosun. But I am still thinking about it. (Really prefer a US scope on my AR, but that is just me.)
BTW, Rpen and others, Vortex has come out with a holo sight called the UH-1. I am going to try to take a look at that one as well. A bit pricey, but made in USA.

Thanks. You should be aware that I have had trouble with Sightmark Mini Pro Spec sights not being bright enough to be visible in bright sunlight when I was wearing sunglasses. No such problem with the Burris FF3 and Vortex Venom.

 

[imashooter]

If you like a reflex, my Holosun HS510C is circle / dot and has a very large glass compared to my tiny, but very good, Vortex Venom. It's a little big but not an issue. Comes with a QD mount.

 

[gunsrfun1]

Thanks Ima, I have heard good things about the Holosun 510. At this point it is between that and the Sightmark Ultrashot Mspec LQD Reflex, which is one of their latest models. Not sure which company is considered higher quality, or if they are basically the same.