by B.B. Pelletier
We looked at lasers back in the August 11 post, “Spotlight on lasers.” Is a red dot sight the same as a laser, or is it something altogether different? Today, we’ll find out!
Dot sights are related to scopes
Instead of being like lasers that project their lights outward, a dot sight is really more like a scope sight. The dot you see when you look through the sight is invisible to everyone else. That’s because it’s generated inside the sight and stays there.
The first dot sight used no batteries, just ambient light. The Nydar Optical sight projected a dot surrounded by a larger circle as an aim point for shotguns. It was a simple glass plate through which the shooter looked at the target, but the sight elements superimposed themselves on the target if there was enough light.
Nydar made the first dot sight for shotguns.
Since World War II, military pilots and tank commanders have used “ghost ring” infinity sights to rapidly direct machinegun fire against area targets. These sights have illuminated circles and pips projected on a glass plate through which the gunner sighted. With no magnification of the target, this kind of sight is very fast when shooting from a moving vehicle.
Several decades ago, the idea was packed into a tubular unit small enough to fit on a rifle or pistol. Because the earliest of these had red light sources, the term “red dot sight” was born. The dot is like the intersection of the crosshairs in a scope, except that it’s illuminated and therefore easier to see against a dark target.
Use a dot sight like a scope
Although most dot sights don’t magnify the target, they’re easy to use because the dot is so visible. Most of the better dot sights have several levels of light intensity so they can be adjusted for the surroundings. Use the dimmest dot you can see easily because, as the light gets brighter, the dot grows in size. The larger the dot, the less precise it will be.
The dot adjusts for windage and elevation just like a scope, so it also has to be sighted in. The strike of the pellet will only be at the same place as the dot for certain ranges. With 800 f.p.s. rifles, sight in at 20 yards and you’ll be on target out to 30 yards. Closer or farther, and you’ll have to hold the dot above the target – just like a scope!
Red or green?
Some of the better sights, like the Leapers 40mm Red Dot, have BOTH a red and a green dot. A switch changes colors for you. Be careful to get the correct mounts, though. The same Leapers sight has an integral Weaver base that will require an 11mm to Weaver adapter to mount on most air rifles. Many dot sights have Weaver or Picatinny bases integral to the sight, so remember that an adapter will be required.
A wide range of prices
Daisy Electronic Point Sight is very affordable at less than $12! Prices go up to several hundred dollars, but those expensive sights are not suited to airguns. The dot sights that airgunners need sell for under $100.
Don’t forget batteries!
Because they’re electronic, dot sights need batteries. They come with the sight, but you have to replace them after about 20 hours of continuous use. Most often they are button batteries sold in discount, camera and electronics stores. Don’t forget to turn off the sight when you’re finished with it, or you’ll run down the battery in a short time.
When to use them
A dot sight is a fascinating alternative to a scope. It’s faster but less precise, so select it when the speed of target acquisition is most important. On a handgun, a dot sight is equal in precision to the best open sights but much easier to see, so handguns are the No. 1 application for these novel instruments.
how does parallax affect red dot sights. The dot doesn’t stay in the center you have to center the red dot
That’s a wonderful question that I don’t know the answer to. I hope one of our readers knows.
By the way, you can move the crosshairs in a scope around on some cheaper scopes. Only the better scopes black out when your eye isn’t centered. But none is as flexible as a red dot.
B.B.
David Ding is very receptive to airgunners. Maybe you can talk to him and get a red dot scope that would be great for airgunners.
What would you like to see in a red dot scope?
What would YOU like to see?
B.B.
Hi BB,
I enjoy your writing very much. When you wrote about the Beeman P3 Mac was doing the shooting. I was wondering what red dot he was using on his pistol. Thank you.
In the review the ProPoint red dot sight is mentioned but not the model. ProPoint is a Tasco trademark, I looked around and could not find one like the one pictured with the P3 perhaps I did not look hard enough or that model is no longer available.
Mike,
That model is no longer available.
B.B.
Rob,
I don’t remember what dot sight Mac used, and of course I can no longer ask him.
Sorry,
B.B.
Thank you both for the quick response
I would like to see a red dot scope that doesn’t move around. it is supposed to be quick , not if you have to center the red dot.
so if it is due to parallax adjustable parallax or like you said blackspot like a scope.
The holographic red dots are the quickest ones I have seen. They have just a glass screen you look through, not unlike the Nydar sight in the blog. The Bushnell was the first and the C More is another popular one.
B.B.
Are you saying the dot doesn’t move on those
The apparent position of the dot doesn’t move on any of the red dot sights. But your eye always has to be aligned with the exit pupil of any optical sight or you will not be able to see the reticle (dot). I believe the exit pupil of the holographic sight is larger than the others.
B.B.
if your gonna get a red dot get bushnell holosight it is a sight that dosent move around. so where u see the dot is where your aiming
I found the Nydar sight in the picture in my basement this weekend. How old is it?
The Nydar dates back to the 1940s at least.
B.B.
Hello…I have used a BSA red dot sight on my Webley Valcan 22 for a number of years…From what l can see it is parallex free. Leave both eyes open, and the dot superimposes in your vision, very fascinating…I use that combo for woods hunting here in Wisconsin…Very deadly set-up with a Gamo match pellet
BB-
This really answers my question that I asked yesterday about the difference between a scope and a red dot. Do you think my Gamo Multishot would accept one of these sights? If so what do you recommend? I am mainly using it for target shooting and general plinking.
Thanks,
Jim
Jim,
A Gamo multishot doesn’t appear to be a current model, so I can’t find the specs. However if your rifle has a scope rail, either sight will work.
For what you want to do I thinks the red dot is best.
B.B.
BB-
I bought my Multishot from Pyramid and I can still access the info off of their site, however I can not search for it. (I had the site bookmarked) This link might tell you a bit more about the gun:
http://pyramidair.com/48
I hope this works and maybe you will be able to tell me a bit more about whether or not a red dot will work for me.
Thank you very much!
-Jim
Jim,
I went to the page and it has everything I need in the description. The gun has 11mm dovetail grooves for the red dot and it has a scope stop. Since no scope stop appears in the picture, I must assume they refer to a round hole at the rear of the receiver.
B.B.
Thanks BB!
-Jim
i have a red dot on ALL my guns, you cant go wrong..just be sure to pull the batteries when not in use…
😉