LexusNexus
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What's the better type of sight? Brand is irrelevant. The types of red dot is the question here. Pros and Cons of each for those of you used them?
What type of red dot sight do you prefer, open vs. tube?
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wally
Member
I've got both and have no strong preferences other than the only ones I've junked are the open kind. They seem more fragile, at least in the low end models.
I've a $20 1" tube "Target Sports" from CDNN on a .44Mag S&W 629 and so far its held up very well. Their $50 open model kept shooting loose on a Ruger MKII, replaced it with a tube model and its been fine for thousands of rounds. I could like the open models if I find a reasonably priced one that holds up.
My suggestion is to try a cheap one of each and see which you prefer. Lots of folks say they "don't hold zero" but that's most likely because they look at the dot -- you have to look thru the dot and focus on the target, unlike a regular sight where you focus on the front sight.
EOTech's rock if the cost don't put you off, but I think they are a bit large for handguns. Fantastic on an AR however.
--wally.
I've a $20 1" tube "Target Sports" from CDNN on a .44Mag S&W 629 and so far its held up very well. Their $50 open model kept shooting loose on a Ruger MKII, replaced it with a tube model and its been fine for thousands of rounds. I could like the open models if I find a reasonably priced one that holds up.
My suggestion is to try a cheap one of each and see which you prefer. Lots of folks say they "don't hold zero" but that's most likely because they look at the dot -- you have to look thru the dot and focus on the target, unlike a regular sight where you focus on the front sight.
EOTech's rock if the cost don't put you off, but I think they are a bit large for handguns. Fantastic on an AR however.
--wally.
Ultra Dot L/T is one of my favorites.
I also have various tube types. Some tube types have a very restricted view through the tube, (30MM tube/20MM window) but some are real good.
I have an old Tasco PDP3(I think) that is AWESOME and I would buy more if they were available. It is around 42MM with a BIG dot that is great for fast stuff with pistol or carbine. The view through the tube is almost as big as the tube. I can't say that for many others.
I like the open Red Dots, but they simply can't be as sturdy as the closed tube type as far as bumps and bangs. They can hold up to recoil etc just as well. Going to battle I would want an EOTech or something brute strong.
A couple of the open style dots have "winged" mounts that give some protection. Check out the J-Point and Pride/Fowler AR mounts for their open type Red Dots. They are upside down in the pic. They bolt to the carry handle and the sight mounts inside the wings.
I also have various tube types. Some tube types have a very restricted view through the tube, (30MM tube/20MM window) but some are real good.
I have an old Tasco PDP3(I think) that is AWESOME and I would buy more if they were available. It is around 42MM with a BIG dot that is great for fast stuff with pistol or carbine. The view through the tube is almost as big as the tube. I can't say that for many others.
I like the open Red Dots, but they simply can't be as sturdy as the closed tube type as far as bumps and bangs. They can hold up to recoil etc just as well. Going to battle I would want an EOTech or something brute strong.
A couple of the open style dots have "winged" mounts that give some protection. Check out the J-Point and Pride/Fowler AR mounts for their open type Red Dots. They are upside down in the pic. They bolt to the carry handle and the sight mounts inside the wings.
offroaddiver
Member
Both are fun. I put a open style on a bb gun and used it to pop sewer rats and pigeon where i worked last. I have seen people use em on shotguns and "tactical" rifles.
Someone told me they are great for quicker target and sight picture.... but have never seen one on a shooting clays shotgun.
I know several who use em on race guns in competitions.
but since you wanted pros and cons on each... here's mine
open ...
pro...is open sights minimal restrictions on seeing target and objects around target.
con... usually no magnification and sometimes a little annoying to adjust
scope style...
pro... possibly magnification. more familiar set up to a scope.
cons... bulky.
Con to alot of them... if you get one get it with adjustable brightness... after hunting rats at night your eyes will hurt with too much light.
Someone told me they are great for quicker target and sight picture.... but have never seen one on a shooting clays shotgun.
I know several who use em on race guns in competitions.
but since you wanted pros and cons on each... here's mine
open ...
pro...is open sights minimal restrictions on seeing target and objects around target.
con... usually no magnification and sometimes a little annoying to adjust
scope style...
pro... possibly magnification. more familiar set up to a scope.
cons... bulky.
Con to alot of them... if you get one get it with adjustable brightness... after hunting rats at night your eyes will hurt with too much light.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
I prefer my Ultra Dots to my Docter.
Deanimator
Member
I'm a bullseye target shooter, so a large field of view is nothing more than a distraction. I use a 1" tube type dot sight on all of my bullseye guns, except of course my ball gun. Almost every bullseye shooter I know uses a 1" or 30mm tube type dot sight.
Virtually every shooter I know who's used an open type dot sight for bullseye has been disappointed.
Virtually every shooter I know who's used an open type dot sight for bullseye has been disappointed.
LexusNexus
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Yeah, I too thought Open Type would give better field of view and peripheral vision, but the Tube definitely feels more durable, yet bulkier sitting on top of a rifle.
kwelz
Member
I personally prefer the open type. Eotech 553 or 512 depending on the gun. Nothing wrong with Aimpoints or any other Tube type. It just comes down to personal preference.
Nightcrawler
Member
I'm in a distinct minority in my group of shootin' pals in that I prefer Aimpoints to EoTech sights. I've tried both; haven't noticed a difference in speed/accuracy/field of view either way. With both eyes open, and the sight forward-mounted, neither inhibits your FOV much.
EoTech would sit too high on my FAL. That's what it boiled down to. Plus I like the Aimpoint's long long battery life.
For a pistol or something, though, I think I'd prefer a smaller open type optic. Though Aimpoint has their new T4 micro out that could be a contender in that role as well.
EoTech would sit too high on my FAL. That's what it boiled down to. Plus I like the Aimpoint's long long battery life.
For a pistol or something, though, I think I'd prefer a smaller open type optic. Though Aimpoint has their new T4 micro out that could be a contender in that role as well.
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