Red dots - what do you get for your money?

sliabh

I am thinking of getting a red dot sight for my AEG. I have been having a look at the selection on offer from different retailers. They all seem to be of a similar price (€50 to €70 in general) but other than appearance I am not sure what the differences are. Can people give me a few pointers.

Things I am wondering about are, what are the difference between the the open ones (like this from Airsoft Eire) or the closed ones (like this from Eirsoft). I get the impression that Aim Point are one of the better manufacturers?

Thanks for any help/suggestions.

NakedDex

Aimpoint is an RS brand, to get a real one you'd be looking at about 400-600 bucks so while Aimpoint is a great brand, their airsoft copies depend on who's making them. G&G do a nice one with a green crosshair projection and the G&P models are very good too. Most ACM ones are better than you might expect for the price.
I prefer tube-sights to reflex-sights as I find them easier to use, stronger and (importantly) better looking. The reflex-sights I find to be tricky in sunny weather and on certain rifles, but they're good on compact smgs where space is a premium.

sliabh

Thanks for that. The scope is for a G36K so I am gussing I will need a tube one, and probably one with a higher mount to lift the view clear of the iron sights.

Captain Chaos

The standard mounts would be enough to clear the iron sights of a G36 alright.

The EoTech sights are also worth look as an alternative to Aim Points. I find they give a better field of view and you don't end up with scope eye:D. They can cost more than the average aimpoint.

NakedDex

You have to be careful to get a good one too, as many of them have issues with ghosting which can be disorientating and a bit confusing. One big advantage is the availability of lens shields for them.

Mr B. Wooster

I've an Eotech from one of the HK stores and there is strong ghosting on the green dot but the red is fine. Some of the better ones (i.e. more expensive ones) won't have ghosting but in general use (looking through it not at it) its fine.

The Aimpoint style sights are usually better and with one like this one or this ACOG style red dot sight here. Both have a thing called a killflash on the front that should save the its front lens from a bb strike.

The Irish shops usually have something like these in stock or will order them in if you ask nicely if you don't fancy the 2-3wk wait from hk.

irishlostboy

i just got a reflex sight. it is very fun and quick to sight with. when the lense gets water on it (it was snowing on it on sunday) it is useless though. the laser projection pretty much dissapears. i needed the reflex though, as i was mounting it on top of my other scope.
maybe try a few other peoples sighting systems out at a skirmish and see which you prefer?

Captain Chaos

Even the expensive EoTechs can suffer from ghosting. I have a Hurricane 551 and the ghosting is bad but the cheaper G&P 553 has none at all. It's luck of the draw really.

Usually AimPoint style sights are the safest buy.

G3-Nut

NakedDex wrote: »

Aimpoint is an RS brand, to get a real one you'd be looking at about 400-600 bucks so while Aimpoint is a great brand, their airsoft copies depend on who's making them. G&G do a nice one with a green crosshair projection and the G&P models are very good too. Most ACM ones are better than you might expect for the price.
I prefer tube-sights to reflex-sights as I find them easier to use, stronger and (importantly) better looking. The reflex-sights I find to be tricky in sunny weather and on certain rifles, but they're good on compact smgs where space is a premium.

I go with DOC on the G&G green reticule one, a bargain ! a dropped it from about 4 feet and it didnt even lose zero!!!

DisasterIRL

I have a reflex sight, I think they look kick ass but last week I got the lens shot out