Red Dots & Reflexes

Airsoft Red Dot Sights

In the game of Airsoft, we are repeatedly trying to identify, track, aim, and reliably hit targets running, sprinting, diving, dodging, ducking, weaving, and doing just about everything possible to avoid being hit. On top of all this, you now need to make sure your weapon's sights are properly aligned, your sight picture is perfect, and you have a consistent cheek weld on your rifle. A consistent cheek weld is more difficult than it sounds while wearing protective facemasks typically used in Airsoft. This is where Electronic reflex sights shine! Their forgiving nature along with the speed,  relatively low parallax error, and ability to focus on your target allow for an inconsistent cheek weld which will improve your aiming speed and accuracy. With the fast-paced nature of the game, especially in Close Quarters Battle (CQB), targets will constantly present themselves and disappear very quickly. The use of Magnified scopes and optics will require the closing of one eye to be able to achieve a proper sight picture. With one eye closed, you are losing a lot of field of view and situational awareness. While these are great for the longer-range engagements of a Sniper Rifle or Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR), they are not good for CQB. This is why the majority of Airsoft guns will be best served by an Electronic Dot Sight. Red (green, blue, or any other color) dot sights allow you to shoot with both eyes open, which lets you have the best situational awareness of your target and surroundings.  You can focus on the target and have your brain superimpose the dot onto it. This gives you the best chance of hitting moving targets with speed and accuracy.

 

Q & A: 

Q: Should I use a red dot or a scope?
A: This depends on your mission. Most standard AEGs do best with a red dot sight. If you decide to build a DMR, a magnified scope is an essential piece of equipment.

Q: Why are they sometimes called Reflex Sights?
A: They're called reflex sights because you are seeing a reflected image of the light-emitting diode (L.E.D.) emitter.

Q: How come my dot looks blurry or looks like a starburst effect?
A: Your eye has astigmatism and is having trouble focusing light evenly on your retina. Your best bet is to get an eye exam to confirm that you do indeed have astigmatism and consult your doctor for the best course of corrective action.

Q: What dot color is best?
A: Red has traditionally been the most popular option, primarily for achieving the best battery life through better LED Tech. However, everyone is different and some people may prefer the Green reticle better in their particular environment. The best part is most sights offer multiple colors and brightness settings. Experiment with them all and see which one you prefer!

Q: Should I close one eye while aiming my red dot sight?
A: To take full advantage of your red dot/reflex sight, you should keep both eyes open while aiming. Your focus should be on your target with the dot superimposed over the target. Keeping both eyes open will give you a better field of view and situational awareness.