I too, due to my eye sight changing with age, have started to go to using red dots. I do have scopes on a couple of pistol barrels, but these I tend to shoot off of a bench. IMO it's easier to acquire the target, if out in the field shooting free hand, using a red dot sight. If shooting off a bench or a solid rest, than a scope does have it's benefits.
As to brands, I lean towards the Ultra-Dot or the Leupold Gilmore.
just my opinion,
Brian, in Ohio