New to Red Dots

I don't have, and have never used, a red dot. I may be getting a 9mm carbine on which I'd like to mount one. Jump start my research. What type should I get and why?

Thanks.

I run Holosun 507c red dots on all my pistols and my SBR's. I might be switching the SBR red dots over to the closed emitter versions though because dirt and debris does get inside the 507 open emitter versions. But if I do change I'll probably be going back to Holosun 503 series with the solar panel top. That or a couple aimpoint pros, but they're bigger and bulkier and more expensive but they're also bomb proof.

I have a Sig Romeo 5 on my AR and like it. Best thing is it's motion activated. Good for 100 yards or so.

509

Thoughts on a holographic like an Eotech?

Sig Romeo 5, surprised me how good it is. Always on when I need it and I can knock down 6" plates at 100 yards all day long with it. Doesn't take your irons out of play at all.

What ever you get, figure to zero it at 25yds to start and a good solid shooting setup. Or be like the guy at the range yesterday, 223 @ 50 and a spotting scope. Don't think he ever got it.

Eotech took a hit a few years ago. Some people dont trust them. I still run them but have ultimate faith in my Aimpoint.

I see, jeepercreeper, there was a truthfulness/transparency issue with them. I don't like that.

As for the thermal shift matter some say that has been corrected, some say it has not. Regardless, can't all of these types of devices experience it? Also, I don't believe that would be a factor to me... I'm not some special forces dude. It's going to sit in the safe, climate controlled, until a couple times a year it goes to the range in nice weather.

I could get over the latter but I'm not so sure about the former.

Having said all that nothing from Trijicon or Aimpoint is calling my name yet. I've yet to look much at Holosun but will. And I just learned yesterday that an acquaintance has had a Romeo 5 for several years. After a couple different issues now it's finally done. Of course, that's one unit out of countless made.

intended use?
range toy or personal defense?

I have played with a lot of them.. seen some cheap ones fail on handguns

My 9mm AR has an Aimpoint T1 as it serves as a home defense weapon and I am not taking chances.
I also have a Trijicon SRO on a 14.5" 5.56 I like a lot

I have been testing an Ameriglo RMR type on a 9mm pistol and like it, it's actually designed by Trijicon, they purcahsed Ameriglo a few years ago.

I have a cheap Bushnell red dot on a 10/22 that has been 100% reliable as well

By far the primary use is on the range. Hopefully I'll never have to use it for self defense.

Chinese company - I'm out.

Think they’re America company made in China just like almost all red dots and other optics besides maybe Aimpoint and Trijicon, but I think some of their lower end stuff has moved to China as well. If you’re hesitant about Holosun maybe take a look at Primary Arms red dots. They’re definitely made in China but they’re a large company with amazing CS right here in Texas. Believe they’re out of Houston.

Holosun makes decent dots

Given a pc carbine I would go with a pistol dot such as holosun trim icon rmr/sro or so on. on a rifle I choose a closed emitter like aim point pro.

With all that being said and being a believer of buy once cry once. If ya never used a red dot find someone who has and go shooting w them.

I went with leupold RDS. Shake awake, co-witness with irons. And I've had no issues in over 2 years. I think I'm the only one that has one though. I've yet to see another one in the wild, but I really like it.

I had a delta point pro for a while but the chevron looked like a giant blob to my eye. But I have an astigmatism so most dots aren’t really dots just starburst but Holosun and Aimpoint have the best dots to my eye.

Same. Astigmatism means you need to be using a prism red dot. I found out about the astigmatism thing when trying to look through the red dot that came with my AR and it was anything but a dot. The prism units cost a bit more, but you’ll get a clean reticle with that option.

Yea, I actually swapped all my red dots to 1x prisms but I’m just faster with a red dot even if it does look like a starburst lol.

If I've got it set too bright, all I get is starburst too. As long as the brightness is low enough, it's good. Also, the leupold RDS is a 1moa dot I believe. I can hold a pretty good group at 100 yards.

Btw, I'm not talking about the delta point. I'm talking about this cat.

Holosun Technologies Inc., yes, is a US company. Huanic Corp, a Chinese company, makes the devices. The President of Holosun is also allegedly the President of Huanic. Huanic is allegedly funded by the Chinese government. There also seems to be a connection from Holosun to a Canadian company that is, again, allegedly tied to the Chinese government. Lastly, somehow the company Surpass Technology, Inc is in the mix. This US company is owned by Huanic. The CFO is... the President of Holosun.

The water is too muddy and certainly seems too Chinese for me when there are other less Chinese choices. The devices may be fine, the company is simply not for me.

If you have a BUIS, flip it up and see if the star burst becomes a dot. It did for me with my StrikeFire.

I’ve got one of these I’ll sell for 200 shipped.

Ended up with the Aimpoint Micro H-2. I like it.

I’m nice you get it sighted in, put tape over the front and learn to shoot with both eyes open.

I already do.

<thumbs up>