Author Topic: Red dot for old eyes  (Read 4138 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Lock-n-load

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1387
Red dot for old eyes
« on: July 16, 2021, 08:51:05 PM »
Red dot for old eyes on a sp01 shadow . Worth it or just another gismo? With astigmatism are you wasting money?

Offline double-d

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 548
Re: Red dot for old eyes
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2021, 08:59:27 PM »
Worth it or just another gismo? With astigmatism are you wasting money?

Yes

Offline Zardos

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 100
Re: Red dot for old eyes
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2021, 10:27:43 AM »
I have several red dots on pistols, I also have astigmatism. I would find somebody to let you shoot theirs or rent one first as they are not for everyone. Some peoples astigmatism is worse than others, mine is not that bad but definity looks like a star but can tell where the center is and I really like shooting with them. The trick is finding the right brightness to lessen the star effect.   I can still shoot just fine with iron sights though.  Good luck on your decision.

Offline M1A4ME

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7645
  • I've shot the rest, I now own the best - CZ
Re: Red dot for old eyes
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2021, 11:23:26 AM »
I can't see my front sight without my glasses.

Without my glasses a typical red dot optic looks like this to me.



I can put that on a target all day long.

Oh, 64 and been wearing glasses for about 20 years now as my eyes continue to "age."
I just keep wasting time and money on other brands trying to find/make one shoot like my P07 and P09.  What is wrong with me?

Offline AZ_CZ

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3306
Re: Red dot for old eyes
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2021, 03:54:01 PM »
The quality of the optic also plays a big role. Same with dot color for some people.  You need to check them out. It’s like grips, very personal preference, one type doesn’t fit all. I’m with M1A4me; with a dot I’m not shooting bullseye matches but I’m ringing steel at 50yards until the slide locks back.
CZ Fanbot since 1996

Offline Lock-n-load

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1387
Re: Red dot for old eyes
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2021, 06:02:04 PM »
I can't see my front sight without my glasses.

Without my glasses a typical red dot optic looks like this to me.



I can put that on a target all day long.

Oh, 64 and been wearing glasses for about 20 years now as my eyes continue to "age."


That’s what I Wes thinking, borrowed a friends red dot today,it was a big red blur..so going to stick with iron sights and glasses


That’s what I was thinking
« Last Edit: July 17, 2021, 06:20:21 PM by Lock-n-load »

Offline DOC 1500

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1940
Re: Red dot for old eyes
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2021, 01:08:11 PM »
I can't see my front sight without my glasses.

Without my glasses a typical red dot optic looks like this to me.



I can put that on a target all day long.

Oh, 64 and been wearing glasses for about 20 years now as my eyes continue to "age."


That’s what I Wes thinking, borrowed a friends red dot today,it was a big red blur..so going to stick with iron sights and glasses


That’s what I was thinking
I'm 62 with old eyes, put on a Vortex Viper on my p o 9. Big difference because I had a hard time focusing on the sights and then focusing on the target. In a self-defense situation put your blur on the target you're good to go. If you just wanted to shoot bullseye,
it may be a different story.
JOHN 3:16
2 COR.5:17
A Lie is a Lie even if everybody believes it ,
The Truth is the Truth even if nobody believes it !!!

Offline 2morechains

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1113
Re: Red dot for old eyes
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2021, 08:07:50 PM »
Not sure this is going to make a difference for some of you guys experimenting with red dots, but you don’t focus on the dot itself like you do with a front sight.  Most competitive red dot shooters (and I suspect it translates over into other forms of shooting) focus on the target and superimpose the red dot onto the target. 

I have mild astigmatism (I wear contacts to see normally plus readers for up close) and I made the switch from irons to red dots a few years ago when I started having problems focusing on my front sight.  Changing my shooting from front sight focus to target focus took a bit I admit, but it was well worth it for me.  I can shoot iron sight guns, but I need a certain prescription glasses to do so.   Since I don’t always wearing those glasses, I put red dots on my carry and HD guns. 

Offline larryflew

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3421
  • Minnesota
Re: Red dot for old eyes
« Reply #8 on: July 19, 2021, 01:04:07 AM »
Trying to make the change right now.  SP01 Shadow did just front fiber which helped my speed.  Then did rear red front green. Little better again.  Then got an Sp01 Shadow upper with bushing and milled with Romeo 1 red dot.  Only shot it twice but MUCH slower right now as the look is different enough I am having trouble finding those after first target in steel shoots.  Did it this way so I can go back to FO easily if this setup doesn't get better with time and practice.  At 73 looking at cataract surgery soon so not pushing it until that's all done in month or so.

 I've owned Lincoln town cars b4 that I liked but these Cataracts suck!
When did it change from "We the people" to "screw the people"?

, []]]]]]]]]]]\>
        )'_\   (
'            \ *\
'              \ _\


Larry

Minnesota shooter
and CZ fanatic
NRA life since the 70's
USAF 66-70

Why use 911 when it's faster to use 1911 or 9mm?

Offline Rcher

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 415
Re: Red dot for old eyes
« Reply #9 on: July 19, 2021, 01:38:43 AM »
Sir, I have astigmatism too. Using iron sights on handguns, but experienced problems with red dot on rifles.
I found working solution for my AR-15s, installed fixed rear sights like this: https://www.amazon.com/OZARK-ARMAMENT-Rear-Iron-Sight/dp/B013TLZ45C/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=ar-15+fixed+rear+sights&qid=1626672742&sr=8-

Please note: it's not exact rear sights I'm using, but you got an idea. Looking through small aperture eliminated "red dot comma effect", I see perfect circle now.

Offline M1A4ME

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7645
  • I've shot the rest, I now own the best - CZ
Re: Red dot for old eyes
« Reply #10 on: July 19, 2021, 07:44:14 AM »
Not sure this is going to make a difference for some of you guys experimenting with red dots, but you don’t focus on the dot itself like you do with a front sight.  Most competitive red dot shooters (and I suspect it translates over into other forms of shooting) focus on the target and superimpose the red dot onto the target. 

I have mild astigmatism (I wear contacts to see normally plus readers for up close) and I made the switch from irons to red dots a few years ago when I started having problems focusing on my front sight.  Changing my shooting from front sight focus to target focus took a bit I admit, but it was well worth it for me.  I can shoot iron sight guns, but I need a certain prescription glasses to do so.   Since I don’t always wearing those glasses, I put red dots on my carry and HD guns.

This is where you have to go.

All my red dot handguns have back up sights.  The sights are there, in the view, every time I look through the red dot and squeeze the trigger.  I have to think about it to see the iron sights.  Or notice them, maybe a better way to state it.  There, but not noticed.  Just the target and the dot.

Sometimes I will shoot a group with the back up sights.  Just to make sure nothing is "off" from where it should be if I need them.  When I'm doing that the red dot is still there, but I ignore it as the sights are a little below the dot (or a lot below on some pistols.)

Up close (at least to 10 or 12 yds. the dot doesn't have to be centered in the lens.  If the dot is where you want it on the target it doesn't matter if the dot is at the bottom, top, left side, right side (or anywhere in between) when you pull the trigger.  The bullet goes to where the dot is on the target.

Try it.  Shoot a five shot group, with the red dot on the same place in the target.  One shot with the dot and the bottom, one shot with the dot at the top of the lens, one shot with the dot on the right side of the lens, one shot with the dot on the left side of the lens and the last shot with the dot centered in the lens.  You'll still get a nice group (if you and your pistol shoot nice groups with iron sights or with the dot centered in the lens.)

If you want a "red dot" on your rifle with no fuzz, no smear, no sparkle you can buy one of the low powered scopes with an illuminated red dot in the center and that dot will be a nice round dot.  I've bought two or three of those over the years and they work fine for my eyes.

Lots of red dots out there.  Most anything can work for you to learn to shoot with the dot, most anything can work for range shooting/plinking.  If you decide you want one on a self defense pistol, get one that is rough/tough/dependable.  They'll be more expensive, but they're tougher and more reliable.
I just keep wasting time and money on other brands trying to find/make one shoot like my P07 and P09.  What is wrong with me?

Offline florida man

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 47
  • Banned
Re: Red dot for old eyes
« Reply #11 on: July 21, 2021, 10:25:51 PM »
You may want to try a green dot optic if you have astigmatism.  Plenty of documentation showing a green dot produces less aberration for eyes with astigmatism.

Offline 2morechains

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1113
Re: Red dot for old eyes
« Reply #12 on: July 21, 2021, 10:47:28 PM »
My EDC guns with red dots have BUIS for obvious reasons.  However I’m starting to have more faith in the red dots these days, but it still makes sense to run back-up irons for peace of mind. 

The guns I shoot in competition on the other hand just have the red dot and no BUIS for a less cluttered window.  I have noticed that with a larger MOA (5-6MOA) I don’t need as much intensity, which in turn makes it bloom less.  Conversely, I have to bump the intensity up on a smaller MOA dot, which blooms more and makes the dot less crisp to my eye.  For the kind of shooting I do, 5-6MOA is the sweet spot IMO. 

I’m curious about the HS 407CO with the 8MOA ring.  I’d like to see it in person to see if I like it.