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red dot scopes
jptatum
Member Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭✭✭
I've been looking for a new red dot scope. I would prefer to buy an older model especially if it was made in Japan. I've personally used some older Tasco Propoints and have been pleased with them overall. The main thing I was wondering concerns the "Dot Size" itself. It seems what the manufacturer list as the correct dot size isn't always the same between different manufacturers. As an example a 4" dot from one company may be larger or smaller than that same size listing from another. It seems to me that the Tascos run smaller in their listed dot size than ones from other companys ,while a Redfield runs larger. Does anyone know how some of the other manufactures scopes compare as far as their dot size goes. It can be frustrating to have a certain dot size in mind for a certain application only to have it be either to small or to large. Does anyone know first hand how the now discontinued "Smith & Wesson" red dot scopes fair both in quality as well as dot size goes. [?]
Comments
cant afford a aimpoint right now. what will work for this years season
millett red dot
bushnell trophy red dot
truglo reddot
If your gonna be stupid you better be tough !!
Mike S.
How far will a tank of gas take you?
Manual is of little help, but included link.
http://www.bsaoptics.com/docs/RED_DOTS_Manual.pdf
From BSA site FAQ
Q: How long will the battery on my Red Dot last?
A: The battery type 2032 on your Red Dot will last 8 hours minimum if left on the 6th power position.
I change the batteries in the red dot scope,range finder,ect.at the start of each season,regardless. And still carry a spare. Haven't had one go dead yet.
How long should a CR2032 battery last in a red dot scope last?
The single most important factor is actually the type/make of scope.
Secondary factors after that would include how bright you run it, and how faithfully you turn it off when not using.
The cheapy Chinese red dots will only run a few hours on a battery (maybe 12 hours, give or take). If you accidentally leave one one when done at the range, you can pretty much kiss that battery goodbye, because next time you pull out the scope the battery will be utterly drained.
On the other hand, the better current generation scopes will literally run for MONTHS to YEARS with one CR2032 battery.
I think Aimpoint claims 50,000 hours run time (which is over FIVE YEARS). Though I'd imagine it still depends on brightness you run it at, setting (if you're running a night vision setup, that setting sucks down battery MUCH faster), and probably ambient temperature (extreme heat reduces battery life).
Still, these red dots run so long that a lot of users just leave them on constantly and just swap out the battery once per year or so to be "safe".
Bushnell TRS-25 (which I have, and endorse as a reasonable low-end red-dot FAR better than all the cheapie NC-Star/Barska junk) supposedly gets 3000 hours on a single battery (that's about 4 months run time). I can't tell you if it does or doesn't because I have this on a gun I don't use that much and I'm still working on my first battery. But I *can* tell you that the thing runs for at least a solid week (whoops! [;)]) with no apparent decrease in brightness!
EDIT:quote:From my personal experience,i wouldn't put much faith. In any of the low end, Chinese made optics/red dots/lasers, etc. Carry 2 extra batteries.Agree 100%, and I'll take it a step further.
Unless you're putting it on a paintball gun, slingshot, BB gun, or other such "toy" just skip the cheapie lesser branded dot sights altogether. Optics quality on these is often bad (you get a blurry/fuzzy dot picture), the batteries don't last, the zero won't adjust well, or won't hold. With some of these the design is such that you have to re-zero the thing every time you change batteries (which can be frequently).
TRS-25 mentioned above is solid with decent build quality and good adjustment, and can be had for as little as $80. This is fairly "no frills" and not as good as a dedicated high-end combat dot, but IMO this is basically your entry level for something you could put on a "real" gun and trust.
I use AimPoints on more critical applications-they're far superior in both dot definition and battery life but I can't afford 10 of them.