Finding an optimum Best Pistol Red Dot for Astigmatism can be difficult, more so with astigmatism shooters. This guide will walk you through the choices to bring you in-depth reviews and expert recommendations on the best red dot sights designed to improve accuracy and speed up target acquisition.
Be it as a seasoned competitor or casual shooter, we will be sure to help you find that ideal optic for your shooting experience.
1) Holosun EPS Carry MRS | ||
2) Trijicon RMR Type 2 | ||
3) Holosun 507C X2 | ||
4) Primary Arms Classic Micro Red Dot | ||
5) Burris FastFire 3 |
What is The Best Red Dot Size for Astigmatism?
Generally, larger red dot sizes (e.g., 4 MOA or 6 MOA) can be less affected by astigmatism than smaller dots. However, personal preference plays a role, so it’s best to try different sizes.
Best Pistol Red Dot for Astigmatism
1) Holosun EPS Carry MRS
The Holosun EPS Carry MRS is compact and rugged, exactly what a red dot sight should look like when mounted on a concealed-carry pistol.
This sight has been ultra-small and very lightweight, making it for everyday carry, and performance does not come at the cost of its size.
One of the most special features would be its enclosed emitter system, which reduces glare and distortion for clear visibility and target acquisition. This becomes more so in the case of astigmatism shooters.
It also features a Multi-Reticle System versatile in its offering of varieties of reticle patterns for the user to choose one that best suits their preference and shooting conditions.
Constructed to last, with its 7075 aluminum construction and waterproof design. An extraordinary battery life teams up with solar failsafe technology to drive operation in any light or darkness.
Specifications
- Reticle: Multi-Reticle System (2 MOA Dot, 32 MOA Circle, or both combined)
- Magnification: 1x
- Lens: Multicoated glass
- Battery Life: Up to 50,000 hours on a single CR1632 battery
- Brightness Settings: 8 daylight and 4 night vision compatible
- Housing Material: 7075 T6 Aluminum
- Mounting: Fits various pistol slide cuts, including RMR footprint
- Waterproof Rating: IPX8 (submersible to 1 meter)
- Dimensions: Length 1.62 inches, Width 1.19 inches, Height 0.99 inches
- Weight: Approximately 1 ounce
Pros
- Multi-Reticle System
- Long Battery Life
- Shake Awake Technology
- Has Solar Failsafe
- Compact and Lightweight
- 12 brightness settings
Cons
- Some users may notice a slight blue tint on the lens, which can be distracting for some.
2) Trijicon RMR Type 2
The Trijicon RMR Type 2 sets the benchmark for what ruggedness and performance a red dot sight can deliver today. This optic is claimed to be very strong, and constructed to serve under combat or other strict conditions.
Its unique patented housing design allows the RMR Type 2 to move the shock away from the internal components to ensure the highest possible performance during the most extreme conditions.
But beyond its powerful build, Trijicon has given the RMR Type 2 exceptionally clear and precise optical performance. The red dot is sharp and bright across all illumination intensities, supporting quick target acquisition at will.
This stems from a reliability factor in the performance of the sight, very consistent, making this an optic trusted by many professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Specifications
- Reticle Options: 1.0 MOA, 3.25 MOA, 6.5 MOA Dot
- Magnification: 1x
- Lens: Multicoated glass
- Battery Life: Up to 4 years
- Brightness Settings: 8 settings, including 1 super bright mode and 2 night vision modes
- Housing Material: Forged aluminum
- Mounting: Compatible with various mounting systems (RMR footprint)
- Waterproof Rating: Submersible up to 20 meters (66 feet)
- Dimensions: Length 1.8 inches, Width 1.1 inches, Height 1.0 inch
- Weight: 1.2 ounces
Pros
- Up to 4 years of continuous use
- Extremely rugged and reliable
- Multiple Reticle Options
- Has 8 brightness settings
- Automatic Brightness Adjustment
- Lightweight yet incredibly strong,
- True-Color Multi-Coated Lens
- Parallax-Free
Cons
- One of the more expensive options on the market
3) Holosun 507C X2
The Holosun 507C X2 is a feature-rich red dot sight developed to perform optimally on full-sized pistols. This optic does bring some of the more significant steps forward in the Holosun lineup by including new technologies to improve performance and increase the user experience.
Lock Mode prevents unintended button presses that result in changes to a user’s presets. This site can maximize uptime thanks to its Super LED, which has unmatched battery life and is further enhanced with Solar Failsafe for supplemental power.
It has an MRS, Multi-Reticle System for added flexibility, letting users choose the best reticle for their need at hand. Also comes with clear glass and a crisp dot that allows users to acquire targets at an amazingly fast speed.
With these features combined, the Holosun 507C X2 is a very viable option for competitive shooters and those looking for an optic meant for self-defense applications.
Specifications
- Reticle Options: Multi-Reticle System (2 MOA Dot, 32 MOA Circle, or both combined)
- Magnification: 1x
- Lens: Multicoated glass
- Battery Life: Up to 50,000 hours on a CR1632 battery
- Brightness Settings: 10 daylight settings and 2 night vision settings
- Housing Material: 7075 T6 aluminum
- Mounting: RMR footprint
- Waterproof Rating: IP67 (submersible up to 1 meter)
- Dimensions: Length 1.78 inches, Width 1.15 inches, Height 1.15 inches
- Weight: 1.5 ounces
Pros
- Multi-Reticle System
- Has up to 50,000 hours on a single CR1632 battery
- Constructed from 7075 T6 aluminum
- Shake Awake Technology
- Solar panel provides backup power
- Has 12 brightness settings
- Features Lock Mode
- Compact and Lightweight
- Has Wide Compatibility
Cons
- Higher cost compared to some other red dot sights
4) Primary Arms Classic Micro Red Dot
The Primary Arms Classic Micro Red Dot is a budget-minded offering with quite decent performance for its price.
This red dot sight, which is slim to make as little room as possible on the slide, is designed for compact and micro-compact pistols.
For an incredibly low price, the Classic Micro offers users a very clear 3 MOA red dot that will allow them to pick up accurate aiming solutions easily.
This hardy device will find use among novice shooters who want compactness and ease of maneuverability and experienced shooters in search of a reliable companion that will be able to keep pace with the rigors of everyday carry and an occasional recreational shoot-out.
But with this economic model, one will not find the bells and whistles of higher-end offerings.
Specifications
- Reticle: 2 MOA Dot
- Magnification: 1x
- Lens: Multicoated glass
- Battery Life: Up to 50,000 hours on a single CR2032 battery
- Brightness Settings: 12 settings (2 night vision compatible)
- Housing Material: 6061 aluminum
- Mounting: Compatible with standard micro mounts (Aimpoint Micro footprint)
- Waterproof Rating: IP67 (submersible up to 1 meter for 30 minutes)
- Dimensions: Length 2.6 inches, Width 1.6 inches, Height 1.4 inches
- Weight: 6.5 ounces
Pros
- Offers good value for money
- Has up to 50,000 hours of continuous use on a single CR2032 battery.
- Made from 6061 aluminum
- 12 brightness settings, including 2-night vision compatible modes
- IP67 rating makes it resistant to water
- Parallax-Free
- Unlimited Eye Relief
Cons
- Heavier than some other micro red dots, which might be a consideration for lightweight setups.
5) Burris FastFire 3
The Burris FastFire 3 is only a tiny and convenient red dot sight that contains a robustly built platform inside it, featuring well-illuminated optics.
It is designed to handle recoil and rough handling, thus making it perfect for concealed carry and competition shooting applications.
One of the great features of the FastFire 3 is its ease of use. The site has multiple brightness settings, which provide one with clear visibility in any light.
Featuring a low-profile design makes it easy to co-witness with iron sights, thus providing a backup aiming solution.
While it may lack some of those high-end features found in some of its competition, this FastFire 3 delivers mid-level performance and durability at a very pocket-friendly price.
Specifications
- Reticle Options: 3 MOA Dot, 8 MOA Dot
- Magnification: 1x
- Lens: Multicoated glass
- Battery Life: Up to 5 years on a CR1632 battery
- Brightness Settings: 3 manual settings plus automatic brightness adjustment
- Housing Material: Aluminum
- Mounting: Compatible with various mounting plates (Docter/Noblex footprint)
- Waterproof Rating: Water-resistant
- Dimensions: Length 1.9 inches, Width 1 inch, Height 0.9 inches
- Weight: 0.9 ounces
Pros
- Automatic Brightness Adjustment
- Weighs only 0.9 ounces
- Top-Loading Battery Compartment
- Multiple Reticle Options
- Ease of Use
- Ensures accuracy by eliminating parallax errors.
Cons
- Not fully waterproof
Factors to Consider When Choosing The Best Pistol Red Dot for Astigmatism
Here are the factors to consider when choosing the best pistol red dot for astigmatism:
Factors | Description |
Red Dot Size and Shape | Larger MOA dots appear less distorted than those with astigmatism. For instance, 4 MOA or even 6 MOA. A few people have reported that round dots are not affected by astigmatism as much as other shapes are. |
Reticle Clarity | A crisp, clean red dot appears to allow the least amount of astigmatism to present an issue. Enclosed emitter designs reduce glare and distortion. |
Brightness Settings | Adjustable brightness will help in individualizing the visibility of the dot as per variations in light. Lower brightness levels may lower the appearance of the distortion for some. |
Color of the Dot | While subjective, some people find the green dot to have lesser effects of astigmatism than the red dots. |
Co-witnessing | Iron sights provide a backup aiming solution that can enhance the clarity of the dot as regards persons who suffer from astigmatism. |
Durability | This will give the sight the strength to bear up against recoil and impact. |
Battery Life | The long battery life ensures better performance without frequently changing batteries. Solar or Shake-awake Options have even more extended battery life. |
Personal Preference | Consider the size and weight of the red dot versus your pistol and hand size. Check the red dot is compatible with the mounting system of your pistol. |
FAQs
Q: Can astigmatism affect how I see a red dot?
A: Yes, astigmatism can distort the appearance of a red dot, making it appear elongated or smeared. This can impact your ability to accurately aim.
Q: Will all red dot sights be affected by astigmatism?
A: While all red dot sights can be affected to some degree, certain designs and features can minimize the impact of astigmatism.
Q: Are there specific reticle shapes that are better for astigmatism?
A: Some users find circular dots less distorted than other shapes, but this can vary depending on the individual’s astigmatism.
Conclusion
Finding your way to the perfect pistol red dot for astigmatism does require a bit of trial and error. This will go a very long way to improve your shooting accuracy if you carefully consider dot size, clarity, and brightness.
Do not forget about the durability, battery life, and comfort of your firearm. Happy shooting!
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