Does anyone use a red dot magnifier?

[phreddy]

Hey Folks,
I need some help. If I get a red dot magnifier, are they placed in front of the sight or behind? Does it magnify the dot also? I would assume if you put it behind the red dot the dot would not be magnified. Right???

Thanks

 

[Shinny]

It goes in front....closer to your face than the red dot. You look through the magnifier and it looks through the red dot.

 

[phreddy]

Thanks. Does it magnify the dot also?

 

[Shinny]

I'm not sure, I don't have one and I can't order one yet. I live in Md and they want to ban everything, so why order it and well you know
A few of the more experienced guys/gals will chime in and let you know about magnifying the actual dot.
Enjoy and be safe

 

[cyphertext]

Yes it will magnify the dot...however, everything else is magnified as well, so it is still in proportion to the target.

 

[phreddy]

Thanks for the help.

 

[JaPes]

The magnifier will magnify the dot. Do the math to figure out how much area on target the magnified dot covers, and the amount of shift in poa/poi of each click of adjustment moves the dot on target.

An EoTech does not have this issue with a 3X magnifier. The I magnified dot is 1/3 MOA, but eye perceives it as 1MOA due to diffraction limitation of the human eye. Put a 3x behind it, and your still perceives a 1 MOA dot because its a 1/3 MOA dot magnified three times.

 

[oneyeopn]

Cyphertext...would that make a 4moa dot a 12moa dot?

 

[Stebo]

An EoTech does not have this issue with a 3X magnifier. The I magnified dot is 1/3 MOA, but eye perceives it as 1MOA due to diffraction limitation of the human eye. Put a 3x behind it, and your still perceives a 1 MOA dot because its a 1/3 MOA dot magnified three times.

John,

Thank you for that info!!!

I've finally been given a reason to consider spending the extra bucks for an Eotech over my Vortex Strikefire. Not certain that I could/would ever use that advantage, but it's there, and I'm suddenly interested.

Another question - does the "holographic" image of the Eotech have the same starburst issue as a red dot when viewed with astigmatized vision?

 

[JaPes]

Typing on a touch screen virtual keyboard is frustrating. I just read what I posted. I'm at a normal keyboard now, so just to make sure:

An EoTech diode puts out a 1/3 MOA dot. Due to the diffraction limitation of the human eye, humans perceive the dot to be 1 MOA. When you put a 3X magnifier in front of the EoTech, the 1/3 dot magnifies to appear 1MOA. Your eye still sees a 1 MOA dot.

This is the magic behind an EoTech. There is no cheating optics & the technology behind the optic. That's why they're pricy. Even though I know why an EoTech is top notch, I haven't been able to stomach the price.

I make do with a Primary Arms M3 clone with a 3 MOA dot.

 

[JaPes]

Cyphertext...would that make a 4moa dot a 12moa dot?

Yep. I always work out the math. For the new guys... Assume that your optic's click adjustments are 1MOA @ 100 yards.

@ 100 yards a 1 MOA dot covers 1" of the target. Each click adjustment moves the dot 1" on target.

@ 100 yards a 4 MOA dot covers 4" of the target. Each click adjustment moves the dot 1" on target, but the area covered by the dot is still 4".

Throw on a 3X magnifier. The the size of the dot grows in proportion to the magnification of the optic.

1 MOA Dot X 3 = 3 MOA
4 MOA Dot X 3 = 12 MOA

This seems like an issue, but it's not. The magnifier is not only magnifying the dot, but also the target. The area the dot covers @ 100 yards is the same, your perspective changes.

There's more math to it, but this is the easiest way for me to keep it straight in my head without having flashbacks to college physics class.

 

[phreddy]

Thanks for the info. I'm on the fence if I want a 1-4x scope or a red dot with a magnifier. The Bushnell Trophy XLT TRS-25 has a adjustable dot from 1-10 moa and that would work with a magnifier I assume.

 

[BillK01]

I briefly had a Primary Arms 3x magnifier with the PA Microdot. The Microdot was ok but I hated the 3x magnifier. The eye relief was terrible for me so I returned it. I replaced the microdot with an Aimpoint Pro but I'm keeping the microdot in the parts box "just in case".

 

[JaPes]

I briefly had a Primary Arms 3x magnifier with the PA Microdot. The Microdot was ok but I hated the 3x magnifier. The eye relief was terrible for me so I returned it. I replaced the microdot with an Aimpoint Pro but I'm keeping the microdot in the parts box "just in case".

I have the same gripe about the magnifier. It does work, so I'm keeping it for now.

Saving for a Trijicon... I just like it

 

[zip777]

I have the same gripe about the magnifier. It does work, so I'm keeping it for now.

Saving for a Trijicon... I just like it

Ditto.....a TA01NSN OR a Burris AR332. I know what I want now its just a matter of cost.

 

[cyphertext]

Yep. I always work out the math. For the new guys... Assume that your optic's click adjustments are 1MOA @ 100 yards.

@ 100 yards a 1 MOA dot covers 1" of the target. Each click adjustment moves the dot 1" on target.

@ 100 yards a 4 MOA dot covers 4" of the target. Each click adjustment moves the dot 1" on target, but the area covered by the dot is still 4".

Throw on a 3X magnifier. The the size of the dot grows in proportion to the magnification of the optic.

1 MOA Dot X 3 = 3 MOA
4 MOA Dot X 3 = 12 MOA

This seems like an issue, but it's not. The magnifier is not only magnifying the dot, but also the target. The area the dot covers @ 100 yards is the same, your perspective changes.

There's more math to it, but this is the easiest way for me to keep it straight in my head without having flashbacks to college physics class.

JaPes, this doesn't seem right to me. The 3 MOA dot is still 3 MOA, because the proportion of the dot to the target stays the same. Let's say you have a 3 MOA dot and a 5 MOA bullseye. When you put the dot on the bull it won't cover it. Now, put a 3x magnifier in there...this makes everything look 3x bigger, but the dot still covers the same amount of the bullseye. It just looks closer. At first it was 3/5 compared to the bull, now it would be 9/15, which when simplified is still 3/5.

 

[BillyJack2012]

Just got the Primary Arms 1-4. I didn't like the bulk of a magnifier and a red dot. The 1-4 is great. I'm having a lot of fun with it.

 

[JaPes]

JaPes, this doesn't seem right to me. The 3 MOA dot is still 3 MOA, because the proportion of the dot to the target stays the same. Let's say you have a 3 MOA dot and a 5 MOA bullseye. When you put the dot on the bull it won't cover it. Now, put a 3x magnifier in there...this makes everything look 3x bigger, but the dot still covers the same amount of the bullseye. It just looks closer. At first it was 3/5 compared to the bull, now it would be 9/15, which when simplified is still 3/5.

This seems like an issue, but it's not. The magnifier is not only magnifying the dot, but also the target. The area the dot covers @ 100 yards is the same, your perspective changes.

The dot is still 3MOA relative to the target, but your eye will perceive the dot to be bigger.

 

[cyphertext]

The dot is still 3MOA relative to the target, but your eye will perceive the dot to be bigger.

I think I skipped the part where you said "The area the dot covers @ 100 yards is the same, your perspective changes." Saw numbers and got wrapped up around the axle....

So, looks like we are saying the same thing. Sorry.