I bought and am returning an inexpensive ("Firefield") reflex sight ($39.99). It works intermittently, and the red dot is not solid - looks like a star or a splash. I need a small, lightweight open red dot sight that will not cost me an arm and a leg... for my .22 handgun plinking needs. Your suggestions and recommendations are welcome and appreciated. Thanks.

Pete

Edit - I'm thinking about this one, ATN Digital:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/atdigulsigwi.html


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Even a minor vision problem can cause a red dot to look like a red blob. Try it before you buy it.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Get an eye exam first, see what degree of astigmatism you have and whether it can be corrected. Personally, I'd suggest paying for a C-More. Decent quality and while not cheap, not the most expensive thing either.

^^ What they said.

If I have my contacts in that's the same view I get. If I take my contacts out my Accudot works fine. Like others have said, it may just be your eyes!! At first I thought the red dot was malfunctioning, until I happened to look through it without my contacts or glasses. YMMV

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USAF Retired IYAAYAS

Fellers - my eye doctor tells me that my eyesight rivals that of a healthy man of 50, I got 43 years over that man. I've owned several red dots in the recent past, from this cheapo to a grown-up toy of $350+ - all have given me a solid dot. This last one started as a glob, then quit altogether, within couple of minutes. Now, lets get back to your recommendations for a decent red dot at a reasonable price. Thanks, much appreciated.

Pete

I have the eyes of an unhealthy 93 year-old. I've had good service from the Burris Fast-Fire. Optics Planet had the best price at the times of purchase, though they are about $50.00 more than I gave. I have one on my M41 and Colt OM Target.

Thanks for your recommendation on the C-More, great features, especially the auto-off and battery life - worth considering.

Pete

I thought you might like to know, I decided on the Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot; It is receiving high marks, great reviews. On sale at Cabela's, $99 bucks. Thanks. Pete

If you want a cheap reflex that's suitable on a 22, Gander Mountain sells the Sightmark 4 reticle reflex sight for about 70 dollars. I had one on my 617 and the reticle image was VERY crisp. However, on my 610 it wouldn't hold zero, so I can't recomend it for anything with more recoil that a 22.

I've now replaced that Sightmark with a J Point reflex in a direct mount. The dot is NOT as sharp or distinct as that on the much cheaper Sightmark, partially due to the J Point only featuring 4 automatically selected illuminition levels as opposed to the 9 or 10 presets on the Sightmark. Also the J Point features an acrylic lens in order to shave a bit of weight instead of a glass lens like that on the Sightmark.

However, one feature of the J Point that makes it a hands down winner for me is that it's only offset from the bore axis by about 0.9 inch. Currently I have J Points on my 617, 620, and 610 and all 3 guns will shoot within one inch of the dot from 20 feet out to at least 130 feet. That's something that I couldn't do with any rail mounted sight that I tried. The converging sight line relative to the bore axis made the guns quite sensitive to distance. Set the sight for 100 feet and they would shoot between 3 and 4 inches low at 25 feet. Sight them closer and they would shoot high at long range.

As for the slight fuzzy dot, I'll admit that I would like a sharper dot to shoot with. However, it's certainly good enough to do what I want to do. I've managed a 1.75 inch group at 35 yards with the 620, and IMO for me to group any tighter at this distance would require using a handgun scope with 2 to 3X magnification.

Bottomline, if your only shooting at one distance, a cheap reflex such as that Sightmark will work quite well. However, if you shoot at a variety of distances, a sight with a large offset from the barrel will start to drive you bug eyed nuts.

When that happens, you might want to look at the J Point. While it's not perfect, it's the best shooting all around reflex I've tried even if the dot is a bit fuzzy in some lighting conditions.

BTW, if you didn't see my report, here's the link. Scroll down a bit and you'll find pics of the way the J Point can be easily fitted to a standard holster.

Purchased 2 more J Point Reflex sights, range report.

Thanks for that info, Scooter - if the Bushnell I selected doesn't work out for me, I'm going to give your selection a try.

Pete