Red Dot vs 1x4 Illuminated Reticle Scope

[Rastoff]

Aimpoint RDS sights and holosights like the EOTech are NOT 1x optics. They are 0x optics. A 1x optic affects the focal point of the light passing through it. Sights like the Aimpoint or the EOTech do not affect the focal point of the light passing through it any more than a plain pane of glass would.

You'll have to explain this some more. A pane of glass does indeed affect the light going through it. It's called refraction and is a common phenomena.

Using a term like 0x means that no light is passing through. At least that's how I'd read it. But, I've never heard this term used before so, I'm curious to hear more about it. I anxiously await the details.

 

[LeeTN]

@LeeTN, the RDS is mounted on a riser and then to a separate QD offset mount. The offset mount sits behind the scope mount.

Thanks. I couldn't quite make it out.

 

[MistWolf]

You'll have to explain this some more. A pane of glass does indeed affect the light going through it. It's called refraction and is a common phenomena.

Using a term like 0x means that no light is passing through. At least that's how I'd read it. But, I've never heard this term used before so, I'm curious to hear more about it. I anxiously await the details.

Refraction occurs when light passes through a medium like glass or water at an angle. There is very little refraction when the two surfaces of the glass pane is parallel to each other.

I didn't say a pane of glass does not affect the light, I said it does not affect the focal point. Not only can magnified optics change the image size, but it can change the focus. A rifle scope has an adjustment to focus the image into sharp clarity for the individual's eye- or blur to it out of focus. Because a magnified optic affects the focal point- the place where the image is sharp and clear- eye relief is introduced.

An ordinary pane of glass does not, nor does it need to be, properly focused. A pane of glass simply allows light to be passed through manipulating image size or focal point and a good quality pane does so with little to no distortion.

0x magnification does not mean light will not pass through it means there is no image magnification and no affect on focal point. An RDS is basically a non-magnifying, non-focal pane of glass with a dot of light reflected or refracted on it

 

[andyo5]

I have a Vortex Strikefire red dot on my M&P. It is 1x, but has a 2X screw on magnifier which works quite well. I have shot the scope out to 200 yards after zeroing it at 50 yards. Using 55g bulets, there is no need to adjust point of aim. The Strikefire costs $169, is robust, and has a 4 moa dot which is easy to see. You can adjust illumination intensity, and change color from red to green. Definitely worth the price.
If I were going to Afghanistan I would get the Aimpoint for its extra battery life and other features and also since the guv'mint would be giving it to me for free. But I am not going to Afghanistan.

 

[Rastoff]

0x magnification does not mean light will not pass through it means there is no image magnification and no affect on focal point. An RDS is basically a non-magnifying, non-focal pane of glass with a dot of light reflected or refracted on it

Um, OK, but simple math tells us that anything multiplied by 0 is 0. So, using the term 0x makes no sense. That's why we call it 1x because there is no magnification.