To HiViz or not?

[Sacerdote]

Thinking about putting Hi Viz front sights on my 617s. Who does not like them after installing them? I am thinking green. Any downside?

 

[Kanewpadle]

I have a Hiviz green front sight on my XD 45 Tactical. Love it. Really stands out.

 

[jkc]

I've got a red HiViz on my 617 --- it's a vast improvement!

 

[imashooter2]

I find the round top of the Hi-Viz difficult to precisely align for longer shots. I much prefer a square top fiber optic sight like the SDM.

Tube color is a very personal thing. I've tried red, green yellow and orange tubes. Orange works best for me, but is difficult to find factory. I usually go with red and when the tube needs replacing, get orange.

 

[JamesArthur60]

I use Hi-Viz on my 22 pistol, Tru-Glo on my SigSauer and the gunsmith is currently installing a XS Big Dot on my J frame. I use them to help my older eyes see the front sight. I believe it's a personal choice. Some like them and others do not. If you could borrow a gun with them, you'll know immediately if they are beneficial or not for your shooting style.

 

[Sacerdote]

Didn't realize that you had to replace the tubes. How often is that necessary and how difficult is it to do?

 

[m657]

HiViz makes a ton of improvement on my handguns. I haven't had much long distance experience, but out to 50 yards they work great for me.

I prefer the combination with red front/green rear. YMMV.
Anything improves the black on black standard sights for my old eyeballs.

I haven't had a need to replace the fiber-optic tube. Some of my HiViz are a decade old. They are some kind of thin plastic rod that transmits light, they are not a radiation device. I haven't noticed any decrease in the color saturation of any of them.

Edit: These are what I have mistakenly referred to as "HiViz". http://www.topgunsupply.com/txt-fiber-optic-sight-set-s-w-revolvers-w_pinned-front-sight.html

THOSE are what work fine for me.

I've got some true HiViz on other pistols; no problem.
http://www.hivizsights.com/HiViz_JerryMiculek.wmv
Jerry seems to like them too.

 

[sipowicz]

For daytime shooting, fiber optics are the best invention ever devised.

 

[sar4937]

If you want to change the color, you can buy here Fiber Optic Products, Inc. - fluorescentfiber

 

[OKFC05]

I find the round top of the Hi-Viz difficult to precisely align for longer shots. I much prefer a square top fiber optic sight like the SDM.

Ditto to this.

 

[JakeB]

Two questions:

1) Are the SDM light pipes user changeable?

2) When you 'zero' your Hi-Viz/SDM sights do you do it standard AKA zero to the top of the sight blade or do you do it to the center of the light pipe?

I would assume zero normal to the top of the sight blade and the light pipe just makes it easier for quick non-bullseye related shooting.

 

[Lomax Anderson]

easy as pie to replace...got a lighter and razorblade?...you can do it in seconds...

Zero your sights however you prefer...I like a 6 o'clock hold and set that at the top of the sight

 

[don95sml]

Haven't tried them on a handgun, but they are great on a shotgun for trap shooting.

 

[OKFC05]

Two questions:

1) Are the SDM light pipes user changeable?

2) When you 'zero' your Hi-Viz/SDM sights do you do it standard AKA zero to the top of the sight blade or do you do it to the center of the light pipe?

I would assume zero normal to the top of the sight blade and the light pipe just makes it easier for quick non-bullseye related shooting.

Yes and yes.

 

[dmar]

I've got the orange front sight on my competition CZ SP-01, and really like it for that use.

I've had a few shotguns that have come with them, and with each of them (two Beretta Teknys', and a Browning Citori 525), the front fiber rod sight has come off and been lost... I have not replaced them on the trap/sporting clays guns because I really try not to look at the front sight, anyway. With proper gun fit/mount, I'm just focused on looking at the bird. I have not missed the front sight at all on those sporting shotguns, in fact, I think the fiber optic front sight was a distraction to focusing on the bird. That's just my experience, and opinion...

 

[perpster]

Thinking about putting Hi Viz front sights on my 617s. Who does not like them after installing them? I am thinking green. Any downside?

For daylight shooting they are excellent. For night/dark shooting they are useless. They do not "wear out", so no need to ever change them due to age. They merely gather available light and point it along the axis of the tube.

 

[perpster]

For daytime shooting, fiber optics are the best invention ever devised.

Mr. Sip:

I respectfully disagree with you.

Signed,
General George S. Patton.

 

[imashooter2]

If you want to change the color, you can buy here Fiber Optic Products, Inc. - fluorescentfiber

Same place I get mine.

No the FO does not "wear out," but it does get damaged over time if you use your gun hard (as most competitors do). I've had the tubes break under recoil in the middle of a match and leave the gun. I always have a couple spares trimmed to length with one end flared and a lighter in the range bag.

The design of the Hi-Viz brand would make it less susceptible to that sort of breakage because of the clear shield/cover over the tube. If only they didn't come with a round top...