Red Dot vs Holographic Sight

[Hookfish]

Okay this may be a basic question but what is the difference between a Red Dot and Holographic Sight? Also, what is your personal preference? I tried to search Google for it, but seemed to keep finding the difference between the sights for the new Call of Duty game?

 

[tradertator]

Red dot (Aimpoint) is simply a red dot illuminated on the sight, usually in red and/or green. Holo sights (eotech) project a crosshair like image on the sight. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

 

[38special]

The holographic sight also moves with your head. The reticle stays on target but moves around on the actual sight if you move your head side to side etc.

 

[m_deaner]

A holographic sight is a red dot type site, but uses an "open" design instead of a sealed tube.

 

[esrice]

The holographic sight also moves with your head. The reticle stays on target but moves around on the actual sight if you move your head side to side etc.

Aimpoints do the same thing.

I believe the difference is simply in the method used to get the dot in front of your face.

 

[bigus_D]

A holographic sight is a red dot type site, but uses an "open" design instead of a sealed tube.

^^^ THIS ^^^

All red dots are holographic, but not all holographic sites are red dots.

Right?

 

[shibumiseeker]

Aimpoints do the same thing.

I believe the difference is simply in the method used to get the dot in front of your face.

Red Dots us an LED and are fairly energy efficient. HWS use a laser and a hologram to recreate the sight and give a wider field of view for close quarters work. Downside is battery life. I have both an Aimpoint (RDS) and an Eotech (HWS). I like them both. The Eotech is on my varmit around the house gun and the Aimpoint is on my hunting gun.

 

[Lt Payne]

those eotech's are expensive., but the crosshairs are nicer than just a dot.

 

[Lt Payne]

i bought a bushnell t-dot a few monthes ago and love it to death.

 

[E5RANGER375]

when I was in the Rangers we trained with aimpoints, but when i made E5 i had the option to get an eotech, i quickly took it, and i can tell you having used both in combat, i am DEFFINATELY WITHOUT A DOUBT and EOTECH guy for life. much better sight picture and an easier dot to track when your moving quick. but im sure others who have been through the same as me will tell you they like aimpoint. so realy its what you like best. they are ALL expenssive but dont skimp on quality for your kit. find a buddy with and aimpoint and then find a buddy with an eotech and GO SHOOT, A LOT with both and then you will know which is best. I dont even mind iron sights truthfully, i can shoot just as good with them, but maybe an eotech makes a difference by miliseconds, but thats all the difference it takes

 

[Stoop]

I have an EoTech on my AR, but I think the device is too big, I'd much prefer a smaller unit if I was buying over again.

 

[HD1911]

I have an Aimpoint M4. I love the 80,000 hour battery life on a single AA...plus they're dead nuts reliable. I leave mine turned on to the brightness setting I prefer.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

I have a 40mm B.S.A. red dot and it has been great. Had it mounted on a Saiga .223, then my Remy 597, now my Kel-Tec SU-22. Held zero on the .223 no problem. With my 597, I could practicly put every round in the same hole at 25 yards. I paid $49.99 for it at Gander in 2008 I believe.

 

[thompal]

Red dot (Aimpoint) is simply a red dot illuminated on the sight, usually in red and/or green. Holo sights (eotech) project a crosshair like image on the sight. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Are the advantages/disadvantages the same on pistol as they are on a rifle? Are the same units just as good on pistols, or are there various models which are better on pistols than on rifles?

 

[nonstop]

I have used both and find it much easer to shoot the eotch with both eyes open.

 

[DoctorJ32174]

Personal preference will make your decision. Both are excellent and accurate if set up properly. My choice is the Red Dot.

 

[colt45er]

I have an Aimpoint M4. I love the 80,000 hour battery life on a single AA...plus they're dead nuts reliable. I leave mine turned on to the brightness setting I prefer.

Dude thats a lot of batteries at 80000 hour life its only 3333.33 days which is only a little over 9 years

 

[slow1911s]

Are the advantages/disadvantages the same on pistol as they are on a rifle? Are the same units just as good on pistols, or are there various models which are better on pistols than on rifles?

Weight is the limiting factor with pistols. Case in point - most people who shoot (centerfire) pistols with electronic sights use a RDS and specifically they choose C-More more often than Aimpoint or EOTech (heaviest of the bunch). The new Aimpoint Micro sights are probably the lightest tube RDS available and is getting a lot of traction in the competition crowd.

 

[jd4320t]

Anybody know of a good cheap holographic sight out there??

 

[Airborne33]

The main question has already been answered. A holographic site such as an EO tech, is a red dot site. The dot might and does look different on the EO tech. I prefer a simple red dot like the Aimpoint though. It's rugged and the battery life can not be beat. I would also look into some of trijicon's red dot sites. Some of them don't even require batteries.

Hmm. Good and cheap? Find something used. There are no good and cheap sites out there that are new. The best you could do on a cheap budget would be to buy an Aimpoint knockoff, but I wouldn't suggest it. The fittings stink and it doesn't hold up well. Aimpoint knockoffs aren't always parallax free, and EOtec knockoffs don't hold zero or are parallax free. Do yourself a favor and save for a decent red dot scope, made by a company you trust. Afterall you wouldn't buy a 40k sports car to just throw cheap tires on it would you?

Aimpoints can sometimes be had for cheap used on ebay.