A red dot sight (also referred to as a reflex sight) is a targeting optic where, similar to a riflescope, the reticle and target become one optical plane. The sight projects a red dot onto the target, which in hunting applications is the game animal. Unlike riflescopes, red dot sights rarely have magnification - instead, they are parallax-free. This means that the eye relief to the ocular is irrelevant and that it does not have to be viewed from the center. Additionally, shooting can be done with both eyes open. Red dot sights are particularly suitable for shooting at short to medium distances - and are ideal for shots at moving targets. Therefore, red dot sights have become the most popular targeting optics for driven and harvest hunts.
A red dot sight uses a small LED to create a red dot (other colors are possible but rarely used), which is reflected off a small semi-transparent spherical mirror and projected onto the front lens in such a way that it can be seen sharply through it - the red dot is optically projected onto the plane behind it. The light beam of the dot enters the eye exactly along the line of sight. This means that the red dot always appears at the correct spot, regardless of the relative position of the eye. For this reason, it does not matter how one looks through the reflex sight; the red dot always marks the point where the hit will occur. This allows for very quick and accurate shooting through a red dot sight, even in dynamic situations. The point of impact can be adjusted via a reticle adjustment, allowing the reflex sight to be zeroed just like a classic riflescope.
Red dot sights come in closed and open designs. In open models, the sighting is exposed and subject to external influences such as rain or contamination. Closed models are encapsulated, making them less susceptible than open sighting devices.
Red dot sights excel in situations where quick shots at moving targets are necessary. Therefore, they are used by many hunters during driven and harvest hunts. Recently, they are also increasingly being used on shotguns. When shooting with a reflex sight, both eyes are kept open, allowing the shooter to maintain awareness of their surroundings, which is essential in hectic driven hunting situations. However, shooting with both eyes open is a matter of habit for many hunters and needs to be trained.
Reflex sights are lightweight and handy compared to other targeting optics. No other design of targeting optics allows for such quick targeting at short distances as a reflex sight. Furthermore, they are significantly cheaper than traditional riflescopes.
By shooting with both eyes open, the shooter maintains awareness and does not experience the dreaded tunnel vision, where the overall situation can be lost. Because there is no parallax in red dot sights, canting is not an issue, and shooting errors become less likely.
In many red dot sights, the red dot is too bright for shooting in twilight, as it can overpower the target. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase a high-quality red dot sight with various brightness levels. Another disadvantage compared to other targeting optics is that one is limited to shooting at short distances. Shooting a deer beyond 50 meters should not be a problem for any hunter - but with a red dot sight, this can be challenging. Lastly, reflex sights are susceptible to weather influences and can fog up due to condensed breath.
The most important thing is to know the intended use for the red dot sight: Will it be used in extreme weather conditions, perhaps while wearing gloves? Are long battery life spans important? Is there a suitable mount for the weapon on which the reflex sight will be installed?
Important factors for evaluating a reflex sight include dot size, dot sharpness, and sometimes dot color (in cases of red-green color blindness). Do you want just a dot reticle or the ability to switch to a circle/dot? Most manufacturers specify the size of their dots in MOA (Minute of Angle, approximately 2.8cm at 100m or 1'' at 100 yards). For long guns and shooting distances up to 150m, dot sizes of <3 MOA are recommended, and for handguns <4 MOA.
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