I’m out of touch and don’t get the red dot...

[Tigershooter]

So I bought this rifle for indoor fun at the range (and to avoid going broke using 5.56 ammo) and to teach my girls to shoot. Saw Amazon had several inexpensive 4moa red dots available and decided to see what all the fuss was about. Just mounted the optic and not sure if I get it. Depending on how I line my eyes up the dot moves. Flipped up the front sight just to check. Yep, moving eye position moves the dot. A bright red dot sure is easier to see, but unless one is cowitnessing with a front sight, how do you zero or maintain accuracy? (Only using this for short range plinking for now, say 25 yards, which is my indoor range's limit).

 

[rwsmith]

The red dot is such......

... that as long as you see the red dot on the target, that's where it shoots. They are great for quick action and the visibility is very good. They need to be 'sighted in' just like any sight. But once you get them on target, unless it's moved somehow, that's where the bullet goes.

 

[diyj98]

... that as long as you see the red dot on the target, that's where it shoots. They are great for quick action and the visibility is very good. They need to be 'sighted in' just like any sight. But once you get them on target, unless it's moved somehow, that's where the bullet goes.

Exactly. No parallax issues to worry about with red dots. I still prefer a traditional scope for fine target work or hunting small varmints at long range, but the dots are great for quick shooting or deer sized animals at normal handgun range.

 

[TripLeader]

I've heard anecdotes that people who dislike the red dot sights often have undiagnosed astigmatism. If the dot changes shapes or appears linear, a person may wish to go to the eye doctor.

Is that your issue with them? If not, no harm. Iron sights and traditional glass are not going anywhere. Use what works for you

 

[V0OBWxZS16]

The dot isn't moving -- it is staying on target. Aim in on something with the dot and front sight aligned then move your eye position -- the dot stays on target and the front sight moves off target. It is completely unnecessary to visually align the dot with anything but the target.

 

[bamashooter]

Welcome to the forum OP. These aren't my words but should be helpful with the phenomenon (parallax) you are experiencing:

"Aiming a red dot is simple and fast. The reticle corrects itself and they are virtually parallax-free. Parallax is the visual movement of the reticle in relation to the target. When you move your head, the reticle will appear to move. Parallax is caused by the reticle not focusing at the same distance as the target. For the most part, red dot sights are parallax-free anywhere from 10 to 25 yards to infinity. No sight is 100% parallax-free, as parallax will occur at closer distances."

Two things to remember:
A typical red dot optic is designed to engage close targets in a very quick and efficient manner. Depending on skill level, eye sight, and dot size (moa), you can successfully engage targets out 100 meters and even more.


Red dots are meant to be used with both eyes open. Is it a requirement? No. But I'd recommend making the attempt to learn this method.

More time than not, you get what you pay for regarding "parallax".

 

[sithlord]

The dot isn't moving -- it is staying on target. Aim in on something with the dot and front sight aligned then move your eye position -- the dot stays on target and the front sight moves off target. It is completely unnecessary to visually align the dot with anything but the target.

This is correct although some inexpensive red dots do have a (SMALL) parallax issue to a nominal distance (eg, 25 yards). For a 4 MOA red dot and teaching your daughters, that should be insignificant.

To confirm this, put the firearm in a vice, or bipod, or otherwise stable and unmoving. Then look at where the red-dot is "pointing" and without touching the rifle, move your head.

As far as sighting it in, since you have both "iron" sights and a red dot, in that case, I like to sight in the iron sights first. Once those are on target, it is simply a matter of moving the red dot to the top of the front post (with a proper eye alignment, cheek weld, etc). Then you can use or not use the iron sights at your whim. Note, this is called "absolute co-witness".

Cheers!

 

[VaTom]

I've heard anecdotes that people who dislike the red dot sights often have undiagnosed astigmatism. If the dot changes shapes or appears linear, a person may wish to go to the eye doctor.

Is that your issue with them? If not, no harm. Iron sights and traditional glass are not going anywhere. Use what works for you

Sometimes the dot can have a star appearance if eye issues haven't been corrected with glasses / contacts. Some people think their new red dot is defective but it is really their eyes. I have the Vortex Strike Fire II on my 15-22. It has both red and green dot. I prefer the green. Can see it better.

 

[WR Moore]

The size of the dot can also affect how you see it. 3 MOA and up shouldn't have this issue. 2-3 MOA dot is probably the best all around size per a bunch of sandbox vets plus my own experience. Also, the size of the dot is relative to how bright you have it. If you watch the dot as you increase brightness, it appears to grow in size.

And yes, if the dot isn't round, you need to either adapt or visit an eye doctor. Take the sight along to make sure they get the correction right. Some time back I thought my old Aimpoint 3000 was defective, nope, my vision correction needed updating.

You'll find the red dot to be faster that irons, and much better in dim light, but make sure you teach your girls how to use iron sights first.

 

[Tigershooter]

I'm really impressed with how helpful everyone on this forum is! I do think I have a slight astigmatism, but that wasn't my issue (dots are still basically round). The parallax comments think cover things. Just need to range test it I suppose.

 

[TomkinsSP]

The batteries on my iron sights never need replacement.

 

[kraynky]

Last year I bought a medium priced red dot for a Beretta CX4 9mm carbine. Looking through it trying to sight it in I constantly saw a small triangle of red dots. Frustrated with it I took it back as defective, only to have the same problem with the other one.

A trip to an eye doctor confirmed it was my eyes. I had cataracts on the back of both eyes! Now that they've been removed I see one nice clear red dot, and I'm impressed with it's performance.

I think I'll get one for my Marlin model 60 and one for the Ruger MKII, well, maybe the AR would benifit from a red dot.

 

[Drm50]

I've never had a expensive RedDot but the cheap ones I have had were
not parallax free. I've never bought one new but took guns on trade with them. BSAs and other $29.95 jobs are a waste.

 

[sonicblue]

Was not impressed with the M&P 100 red dot that came with my 15-22 only good for 25 to 35 yards. I had to buy a cheap 2.5x10 off amazon. Needed some zoom and this pup has a laser too...sweeeet!

 

[Andyk]

Cheap red dots are a waste of money

 

[Blackstuff]

No red dot is 100% parallax free, even the most expensive have it to some extent. EoTechs tend to fair better than most but thats a lot of money to strap onto an inexpensive rifle.

For the most part you won't notice and as long as you've got a half decent mount/cheek weld and you're not shooting from very awkward positions.

 

[rkittine]

I initially had issues with a Red Dot, which I tried since I could not see the sights and target in focus at the same time. Dot was always fuzzy, yep Astigmatism, so had to have that correction for my RX shooting lenses. Surgery next.

Still like Scopes though on my rifles.

Bob

 

[murphydog]

Another advantage no one mentioned, once zeroed you only need to put the red dot on target, as opposed to lining up the front and rear sights. With open aperture sights that is not a great difference in time but every little bit helps. This may be why the US military has gone to an optic over iron sights almost exclusively.

 

[white cloud]

I deer hunt with my AR. Ranges are usually less than 100 yards. In failing light the red dot really helps out.

 

[GhostMutt]

I deer hunt with my AR. Ranges are usually less than one yards. In failing light the red dot really helps out.

If you're one yard away from the deer why not just hit it with the rifle....or attach a bayonet lol.