Author Topic: Red Dots: open vs. tube style? (Read 5223 times)

Pinkerton · « **on:** February 24, 2011, 03:57:27 PM »

Which style of red dot do you most prefer?

Thanks

45-70.gov · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2011, 04:30:13 PM »

tubes just seem easier to mount

you get to choose the hight with the rings you choose

the open seem to make more sense...but i keep going back to the tubes

had the same ultra dot for over 20 years on a 44 mag winchester

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2011, 02:17:38 AM »

I have tried a lot of them, and the Ultra-dot tubes work best for me. Plus they look better in my opinion.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #3 on:** February 25, 2011, 02:46:22 AM »

Tube here but have an eye on the reflex or Holo types just for the ability to see both through & around these.
Perhaps someone who has both can comment?

45-70.gov · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2011, 05:50:14 AM »

just keep both eyes open

you can see through and around

once you learn to keep BOTH eyes open......you really really realize the dots advantage

i can tape over the front of my tube and still hit
just to show off and proof my point......also a training aid to new shooters

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2011, 11:21:08 AM »

Quote from: Glanceblamm on February 25, 2011, 02:46:22 AM

Tube here but have an eye on the reflex or Holo types just for the ability to see both through & around these.
Perhaps someone who has both can comment?

I have tried the Bushnell Halo, Burris Fast Fire and the EoTech. I sold them. They work good, but the tube worked better for me.

Mohawk · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2011, 05:35:37 PM »

Go with Green instead of red. Twice the distance. That is the way our eyes were built. Green lasers have a very good market.

coyotejoe · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2011, 03:55:22 AM »

I really like the "tubeless", or "reflex" or whatever you call them. They weigh only a couple of ounces, are easy to holster, allow quick point shooting, can be mounted on the slide of auto pistols and for me they are more accurate than iron sights. I mount them over the rear sight location. Attach the hood to the holster with a thong so that when the gun comes out of the holster the sight hood is popped off and it's ready to go, nothing to turn on or adjust, just pull the gun and shoot it.

336SC · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2011, 04:25:25 AM »

Tube red dots for me. I'm left eye dominant and shoot right handed. Can't keep both eyes open cause I get it all messed up.
Wear a patch on left eye when shooting competition. I'm right handed for everything but wound up left eye dominant. Doctors
all say I was born left handed but parents made me use my right hand. I just bought a brand new TRUGLOW 30MM black with
red dot. The clarity of the optics is super! Best one I have is my Ultra Dot Four. Have it on my Ruger MKII 5.5" bull barrelled target pistol. It'll make one ragged hole off the bench at 25 yards for 10 shots. It's a shame we can't use semi-autos to hunt
here in Pennsylvania, becuase the MKII would be my squirrel hunting companion. I had quit shooting handguns for several years
due to failing eye sight from Diebeties and not being able to see the sites. Worked with the Pennsylvania State Pistol Champ and he suggested putting a red dot site on and suggested the Ultra Dot Four because that's what he uses. Took his advice and now I have a new lease on handgun shooting! I thank Tim Goska everytime I get my MKII out to shoot.
336SC

stoutstuff · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2011, 04:28:03 AM »

Coyote Joe,
Did you make those holsters yourself? I have been struggling finding a hunting rig that allows some of the scopes and dots I have or want to have on my handguns. That shoulder rig looks good.
Stoutstuff
Woodland Park

coyotejoe · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2011, 05:44:16 AM »

That is a major issue with scopes and tube sights, they are heavy, bulky and awkward both to carry and point. That's exactly why I prefer the reflex sights. If mounted over the rear sight location you can modify about any holster to work. I make my own because I survive on a very limited budget and can't afford hundred dollar holsters.
Before the reflex sights became available I tried scopes and tube sights but the drawbacks out weighed the benefits so I kept going back to iron sights.

Mohawk · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2011, 06:03:53 AM »

I never could get a red dot to stay on target with my crossbow so I never attempted one for a handgun or shotgun. I went back to a simple pin and peep for crossbow and open sights for handgun.

Bugflipper · « **Reply #12 on:** February 27, 2011, 06:14:22 AM »

I like the tubes as well. I have had trouble out of the tubeless ones being to dim for bright conditions. Also not enough of a lip to shade the lens if the sun is at your back. So they can reflect it into your eyes as well. Never had the dimness problem from an eotech/holosight but they are a little big for a pistol for me.
I like the smallest moa dot I can find and keep both eyes open.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2011, 02:49:02 AM »

Quote from: 45-70.gov on February 25, 2011, 05:50:14 AM

just keep both eyes open

you can see through and around

once you learn to keep BOTH eyes open......you really really realize the dots advantage

i can tape over the front of my tube and still hit
just to show off and proof my point......also a training aid to new shooters

I know that this is a true statement with the advantage being that with both eyes open, that dot will appear to be right out there on the target. I have worked with this some but have not had it happen for me yet. The (blunt) explanation is that it will not work if one is cross eyed, or perhaps has a lazy eye. My eyesight is good on the whole so I will keep working with it. Many shooters are unaware of this phenomenon until one day when it just happens for them.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2011, 05:13:32 AM »

Quote from: Glanceblamm on February 28, 2011, 02:49:02 AM

Quote from: 45-70.gov on February 25, 2011, 05:50:14 AM
just keep both eyes open

you can see through and around

once you learn to keep BOTH eyes open......you really really realize the dots advantage

i can tape over the front of my tube and still hit
just to show off and proof my point......also a training aid to new shooters

I know that this is a true statement with the advantage being that with both eyes open, that dot will appear to be right out there on the target. I have worked with this some but have not had it happen for me yet. The (blunt) explanation is that it will not work if one is cross eyed, or perhaps has a lazy eye. My eyesight is good on the whole so I will keep working with it. Many shooters are unaware of this phenomenon until one day when it just happens for them.

RED DOTS are still good with one eye
they just REALLY excell with both eyes

i do not have a dominant eye.....and my left hand is only slightly more dominant
i shoot both left and right handed

bubbinator · « **Reply #15 on:** March 05, 2011, 07:16:43 PM »

+1 for 45-70.gov on both posts. Both eyes open is the whole concept of the dot sight. I have an EoTec and Holo-sights on both tactical 223 rifles I carried on duty and love them. I have both tube sights and reflex sights mounted on two 22 pistols (1 of ea) and a tube on a 8-shot 12 ga. Mossberg that is sold old I have to special order batteries for it! The only laser sight I have is on a S&W 642 38. I have a tube on a Ruger Charger too. That one may be changing soon because the Charger/Bipod rid is better suited for a fine reticle scope than a dot for target work. The reflex unit are so much lighter and less bulky on a pistol and quick on moving targets.

mbopp · « **Reply #16 on:** March 06, 2011, 07:08:32 AM »

I've had a 2X Leupold scope, and a tube and reflex holosight on my handguns. I prefer the holosight, it's a Bushnell made by EOTech with a 1 MOA dot inside a 30 (35?) MOA circle. Battery life is poor but I haven't found another reflex sight with that reticle style (other than EOTech $$$$.)
The tube red dot works well on my slug shotgun though, I prefer it over the holosight in that application.

coop2564 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2011, 07:18:35 AM »

Open for me just dont think handguns look right with a tube/scope. I have the Fastfire II on my raging bull all other I use iron sights or lazer.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2011, 05:05:40 AM »

the ones that say aimpoint on them.

bubbinator · « **Reply #19 on:** March 11, 2011, 07:19:13 PM »

mbopp- that circle on the Holosight/Eotec is 65 MOA. Using the 1 moa dot as a half marker, you can use the reticle to roughly range-estimate a man size target. Test this to confirm, but I think a standing man fills the 65 MOA circle @ 100 yds and @ 200 yds it is dot to top of reticle for same target. Test this to confirm, I don't remember where I read it-maybe an old Shotgun News article.

Dixiejack · « **Reply #20 on:** April 19, 2011, 06:03:24 PM »

I am thinking about buying a Holo sight for my Browning Buckmark. I have only seen pictures, ads, etc. and I have seen them mounted with the lens facing either to the rear or toward front sight. What is the correct way to mount them or is it just a personal choice? Will they work the same either way?

Bugflipper · « **Reply #21 on:** April 20, 2011, 03:22:13 AM »

The lens should be to the back. And the body towards the front. Like in this picture. http://www.eotech-inc.com/productselector.php

bubbinator · « **Reply #22 on:** April 20, 2011, 10:00:26 PM »

Log onto Cabela's PDQ- the have a very good Red Dot unit that sells for $179. @ $100. off! Ihave one , it is very good + warranty. I have Red Dots on a Ruger Mini-14(Eotec); Kel-Tec SU16C(Eotec), Mossberg 500 9 shot 12ga; Ruger MkII + other mount options. The older mounts are tubes, new HUDs, but both work best with both eyes open.

Dixiejack · « **Reply #23 on:** April 21, 2011, 02:29:26 AM »

Thanks Bugflipper for squaring that away for me. Then again, look at Cayotejoe's photos.

bubbinator · « **Reply #24 on:** May 03, 2011, 10:43:25 PM »

DixieJack-Bugflipper is right on the Eotec-type units per his link, but some sights-referred to as "Reflex" sights have the "window" facing forward with the body closest to the shooters as in Doktor/Burris Fast Fire/TruGlo(some model-not Tubes) and others. If you are not familiar with the different types, visit a gunshow and turn some on and see which way the dot appears. My first red dot was a "fair" quality "screen forward" unit with multiple reticles. I found the images "Flared" under most conditions unless very subdued. I also discovered that after cataract surgery (that I didn't know I needed at the time) this issue disappeared. I currently have 1 Eotec, 1 Bushnell Holo-sight(Eotec Lite-warranty by Eotec if USA -made), Tacso Pro-Points, TruGlo, Bushnell's little Red Dot, and a Chinese copy of the Doktor sight by LG Outdoors. They are mounted on everything from a 7.62 Semiauto Rifle/12 ga. riot gun/223 semiauto rifles to 22LR target pistols. They have many great applications, especially for moving shots with both eyes open-the dot just seems to be "on" the target. Hope this helps a bit.

mspaci · « **Reply #25 on:** May 04, 2011, 08:53:33 AM »

I have a bushnell trophy on my turkey gun. I missed my fair share over the years with open sights but not since I have put the red dot scpe on. Its mounted 1/2 way down the barrel & unlimited eye relief has me thinking of trying it on a contender. Mike