Red Dot sights vs holographic sights: What's the difference?
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Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over red dot sights and holographic sights. In this blog post, we are going to provide a brief overview of these optic types and highlight some of their traits and differences. Without further ado, let’s explore the differences between these two popular types of optics.
What is a Red Dot Sight?
Like the name suggests, red dot sights will typically display a simple, single dot reticle. These optics have also been referred to as “reflex sights” due to their ability to facilitate fast target acquisition. Typically, these types of sights are powered by batteries or something like tritium. These sights rely on an LED unit to project the reticle onto the coated glass lenses. This LED technology tends to be quite efficient when it comes to power usage as red dots generally boast substantial runtimes. While the color "red" is in the name of these types of sights, reticles can also be available in colors such as green. These types of sights also come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Red dots can be had in micro form like the Trijicon RMR and in larger form factors like the Lead and Steel Promethean LP-1. While these sights offer no magnification, they can be paired with a magnifier unit to help a shooter engage farther targets and be more accurate. These types of sights have been around for decades and have proven themselves to be dependable sighting solutions.
What is a Holographic Sight?
Holographic sights are similar to red dot sights in function as they provide an unmagnified sighting solution designed for rapid target acquisition and engagement. These types of sights will differ from red dot sights in the way that the reticle is displayed. While the projected reticle of red dot sights is one complete image, holographic sight reticles are not projected as one single, complete image. Essentially, a prism breaks up a projected laser into multiple points which then form the complete reticle. Typically, holographic sights are available with red reticles. EOTech offers some of their models with green colored reticles. Holographic sights will also tend to be on the larger size as far as optics go. This is due to the technology used to display the reticle. Like red dots, holographic sights are conducive to rapid target acquisition and work great with magnifiers. While holographic sights aren't as established as their red dot counterparts, they have certainly proven themselves to be reliable and effective.
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Pros & Cons: Red Dot Sights
Pros:
- Rapid target acquisition.
- Most red dot sights will provide a better battery life than their holographic counterparts. Simply put, it takes much less power to project a single dot reticle.
- More red dot options on the market than holographic sights. This means there are more options for potential buyers to consider. There are also more economically priced red dots than there are holographic sights.
- Red dot sights tend to be smaller and less bulky than their holographic sight counterparts.
- Versatile mounting solutions. Many red dots utilize mounting patterns which allow them to be mounted on a variety of firearms in many ways.
Cons:
- Reticle may appear to be blurred or streaked to those with astigmatisms. Red dot optics are particularly susceptible to appearing distorted due to the way they are projected.
- Some red dot sights use batteries which are harder to find than more contemporary options. Batteries such as the CR-1/3N are not nearly as plentiful as CR2032 or CR123 type batteries which are commonly used in optics.
- If the lens becomes broken on a red dot sight, the reticle will be unseeable. This is because red dots rely on the reticle being reflected off the front lens of the optic.
- Reticle may experience a blooming effect when used with a magnifier. Due to the LED projection of the reticle, the size of the red dot is slightly increased when viewed through a magnifier unit.
Pros & Cons: Holographic Sights
Pros:
- Rapid target acquisition.
- Reticle will be easier to see for those with astigmatisms. Certain shooters with astigmatisms may still experience some degree of distortion, but these types of sights are easier on those with astigmatisms.
- Due to the laser projection technology, the reticle will still appear even if the front lens of the sight is broken.
- Reticle does not bloom or increase in size when used in conjunction with a magnifier.
- Typically, these optics feature larger windows than their red dot counterparts. A larger window makes for a wider field of view and aids in target acquisition and tracking.
Cons:
- Holographic sights typically have a shorter battery life than their red dot counterparts. This is because more power goes into projecting the reticle on a holographic sight as opposed to a simple red dot reticle.
- Less mounting options compared to red dot sights. Mounts are typically built into these units with little potential for modularity.
- Holographic sights tend to be larger and bulkier than their red dot counterparts. While larger red dots exist, a majority of red dot sights will feature a sleeker form factor and generally be smaller in size.
- There are significantly less holographic sight options on the market than there are red dot options. Essentially, you have EOTech and Vortex to consider and that is all.
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Who Makes Red Dot Sights?
Red dot sights are currently made by a wide variety of manufacturers. These types of sights are made in a variety of countries such as China, Russia, Sweden, and the United States just to name a few. Companies who manufacture red dots include Aimpoint, Trijicon, Lead and Steel, and Holosun just to name a few.
Who Makes Holographic Sights?
There are fewer holographic sights on the market than red dot sights. This is mainly due to technology utilized in holographic sights being more complex and expensive than what is used in red dot sights. The two most recognizable providers of sights of this type are EOTech and Vortex Optics. The holographic sight products made by these two companies are manufactured in the United States and share similar reticle types.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, a shooter will be benefitted by either a red dot sight or a holographic sight. Sights of both types have been utilized by armed professionals and shooters of all types since their inception. Both kinds of optics have been proven as viable and reliable. Regardless of whether you go with a red dot or a holographic sight, you should train to be proficient with your firearm and chosen sight setup. We here at True Shot have a wide variety of ammunition available to help you hone your skills. As always, happy shooting.
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