Tag Archives: red dot

Shooting Sports

Vector Optics Frenzy Plus ERD

EMRs are quickly becoming the preferred pistol optics for military and law enforcement use because they more rugged and are less vulnerable to harsh environments like rain, dust, or mud. The Frenzy offers the features found in more expensive ERD from Trijicon and Holosun in a compact optic that weighs less than 3oz.

The Vector Optics Frenzy Plus is one of the most affordable enclosed emitter red dots (ERD) that I’ve come across. It checks the boxes in what the bigger name optics companies offer in an ERD. The Frenzy Plus has an ACRO-compatible footprint, an externally accessed user-replaceable CR-2032 battery, and features a solid, rugged design. And Vector Optics offers a lifetime warranty.

I tested it on my Glock 17 and shot through a box of ammo, doing multi-target drills, and the Frenzy Plus performed flawlessly without flicker. I was quickly able to find the dot and its wide window and relatively thin frame gave me good situational awareness.

BUY

13% Off on Vector Optics website
Frenzy 1x18x22 GenII Red Dot SCRD-75 https://vector2007.com/pfvuwltdmp

Discount code (13% off): MOONDOG

SPECS

Objective Lens Dia: 18×22 mm / 0.71×0.87 in

Parallax: Free (<2MOA)

Parallax Setting: 50 yards

Reticle: N/A

Dot Size: 3 MOA

Dot/ Reticle Color: Red

Sensor: Motion Sensor

Click Value: 1 MOA

Elevation Adjustment Range: >100 MOA

Windage Adjustment Range: >100 MOA

Footprint: VOD

Mounting Rail: N/A

Illumination Setting: 9 Daylight + 2 Night Vision

Battery Type: CR2032 (NOT INCLUDE)

Battery Life: Up to 50,000 hours

Housing Material: 7075-T6 Aluminum Alloy

Battery Placement: Right

Waterproof: IP67

Shockproof: 1500 G

Working Temperature: -20~+60° C

Finish: Matte Black

Weight (Net): 64 g / 2.26 oz

Shooting Sports

OSight SE

Earlier this year, Olight released the OSight S, a compact, enclosed wireless-recharging red dot. I reviewed it and found it to be one of the most feature-rich micro red dots with an RMS-c footprint. People liked its features, but for some the recharging battery was a dealbreaker. Well now there is an OSight with a replaceable coin battery.

OSIght listened and has released the SE. This new red dot replaces the magnetic recharging top with a side battery tray that holds a CR 1620 battery, which can be replaced without dismounting the unit and retaining zero. The user can press the “-” button to switch between a 2 MOA dot, 32 MOA circle, and a circle-dot reticle. The battery can drive the SE for up to 70,000 hrs on dot mode at level 3 brightness.

I still prefer the original S because its recharging cover allows me to see its current battery charge and recharge the unit easily. For people who prefer optics with a battery that can easily be sourced and replaced, the SE has more features than most enclosed red dots, for a reasonable price.

BUY

Discount: 20% OFF during the OSight July 4th launch promotion (June 30th 20:00 EDT- July 4th 23:59 EDT)
Osight: https://www.olight.com/s/E3W03W

Amazon https://amzn.to/3GxwDU3

SPECS

Reticle Type2 MOA Dot / 32 MOA circle
Adjustment1 MOA per Click
W&E Travel Range± 35 MOA
Window Size14mm x 21mm
Brightness Settings12 (10 visible & 2 NV)
Max. Runtime75,000 Hours
Power Source OpticCR 1620
Dimensions
Length: 1.59 inch
Width: 0.98 inch
Height: 0.97 inch
WaterproofOptic: IPX7
Weight0.97 oz / 27.5 g

Shooting Sports

SHOT2025 Primary Arms HTX-1

Like many Americans, I’ve always been conflicted when buying products made in China because of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party). The sad reality is that most red dot optics are made in China. I was surprised to learn that Primary Arms was producing a US-made micro-reflex sight.

I was excited to see it firsthand. It promises to be a very advanced design with one of the lowest bases of any MRD. This one is low enough to use factory iron sights on a MOS cut Glock slide. It is also one of the more expensive MRDs on the market at $650. It will be available on the Primary Arms website later in April

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Primary Arms website https://alnk.to/1C8yIFX

Shooting Sports

CVLife WolfCovert X M01

Micro-reflex sights with reticles that can be changed between dots and circles are rare. Rarer still are compact red dots that fit on a compact pistol. CVLIfe’s WolfCover X M01 has that rare compact MRD with a changeable reticle that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

The M01 compact MRD has built-in fiber optic rear sights that are a bit too high to use with factory sights but can be used with raised front sights. The box comes with an MOS adapter plate and a Picatinny adapter. The CVLife was a bit small for my slide, so I opted to test it with the Glock EOM RMSc adapter plate.

I ran 50 rounds through my pistol and the M01 held zero. The 32MOA circle looked just a tad smaller than the 32MOA circle on my OSight and I found myself wanting a bit more visual separation between the 2MOA dot and the sunburst circle. I hope CVLife offers a 40MOA or 60MOA circle option in the future.

One other minor nitpick was that the white paint they used to fill in the logo and lettering was a bit sloppy and smeared in places. This is not unusual for a budget product as compromises have to be made and corners have to be cut to lower production costs. If it’s just the paint job, I can live with that.

BUY

Amazon https://amzn.to/438fZmM

40% Discount Code: 3MISAEYJ  

SPECS

Objective Window: 22mm x 16mm

Reticle: 2 MOA dot / 32 MOA circle

Footprint Type: ‎RMSc

Length: 1.81″

Width: 1.06″

Height: 1.02″

Weight: 0.77 oz

Click: 1 MOA

Waterproof: IPX-7

Battery: CR1632

Battery Life: 50,000 hrs

Warranty: ‎3 years

Shooting Sports

OSight X

OLight surprised many when they quietly debuted their OSight micro-reflex sight. Nobody expected a flashlight company known for high-performance-budget-priced EDCs to make a pistol optic. I was not expecting them to follow up the following year with a big launch of two new variants, the compact OSight S (which I have reviewed) and the upgraded OSight X.

I presume the X stands for extra because on the surface the X looks nearly identical to the standard OSight. It has some minor superficial differences with the placement of logos and a different-sized tap and counter-sink on the mounting holes to utilize more industry-standard mounting screws. The X retains the OSights features such as motion activation, wireless recharging cover, and auto-brightness sensing.

The X now features user-changeable reticles. Pressing the “-” button allows the user to cycle between a 3 MOA dot, 32 MOA sunburst circle, and 32 MOA circle-dot. The X also has a slightly larger battery capacity and substantially longer runtime. The X is rated to run for 57,000 hours, whilst the standard OSight was rated 70,000 hours with the dot set at its lowest brightness. Both will run for about 2 weeks constant at max brightness.

The X can be recharged using OLights USB magnetic contact chargers used on their EDC flashlights but its primary charging method is the plastic cover box which displays the current battery charge level of the OSight when attached. Moreover, the charging cover has an onboard battery that can fully recharge the OSight up to 4 times. The cover can be plugged into a USB-C cable to recharge the OSight and the cover.

The battery capacity indicator alone should change the minds of anyone (myself included) concerned with a red dot with a dead battery. Replacing a coin battery quickly and cheaply has its advantages, but no red dot I own can display the current charge level of the coin battery powering it. With the cover recharges and onboard battery, the X can theoretically run for over 28 years when both are fully charged.

With all of these upgrades, I’m left with only three questions. First, when is OLight coming out with a green illuminated OSight X? Second, why even make the standard OSight without the X’s features? Third, shut up and take my money.

BUY

Osight X Up to 25%OFF+Login Gift (a Free i3E keychain light)+a Free Challenge Coin
OLight website: https://www.olightstore.com/s/R0AU22

Buy on Amazon:  https://bit.ly/4a9oeQU 
Discount:20% OFF
Sale time: Jan.21st 10:30 PST- Jan.24th 23:59 PST 

SPECS

OSight X
Reticle Type: 3 MOA dot / 32 MOA circle
Reticle Color: Red
Adjustment: 1 MOA / Click
Max Adjust: ± 45 MOA
Window Size: 21.5mm x 24 mm
Length: 1.77 inch
Width: 1.18 inch
Height: 1.30 inch
Waterproof: IPX6
Weight: 1.62oz (46 g)
Footprint: RMR
Battery: 170mAh Rechargeable LiPo
Max. Runtime: 57,000 Hours

Shooting Sports

OLight OSight S

Last year, Olight released the OSight, a revolutionary micro reflex sight (MRD) with a unique wireless charging cover. The OSight features an oversized window, which is great for fast target acquisition and re-engaging the target during rapid fire. However, a large window is a negative for those who want to mount an MRD onto a compact concealed carry pistol. OLight created the OSight S to address this issue.

The OSIght S (presumably this stands for “small) uses an RMSc footprint and is one of the smallest enclosed emitter red dots available. It is roughly half the physical size of the OSight but its smaller size means it also has a smaller battery. Fully charged an OSight can run for up to 21,000 hours, which is over 2 years. For those concerned with a non-replaceable internal battery, the OSight comes with a cover that displays the OSights battery charge level. Moreover, this cover functions as a mini-powerbank, capable of recharging the OSight up to 4 times.

Despite its small size the OSight S has the full-sized OSight X’s changeable reticle system. The user can press the “-” button to switch between a 2 MOA dot, 32 MOA circle, and a circle-dot reticle. This feature makes the OSight S one of the smallest MRDs on the market and also the most versatile.

BUY

Osight S Up to 25%OFF +Login Gift (a Free i3E keychain light)+a Free Challenge Coin

Purchase Link: https://www.olightstore.com/s/07SOFA

Buy on Amazon: https://bit.ly/4abObPV 

Discount:20% OFF

SPECS

Reticle Type2 MOA Dot / 32 MOA circle
Adjustment1 MOA per Click
W&E Travel Range± 35 MOA
Window Size21 * 14 mm
Brightness Settings12 (10 visible & 2 NV)
Max. Runtime70,000 Hours
Power Source OpticBuilt-in 170mAh Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery
Power Source Charging CoverBuilt-in 800mAh Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery
Charging TypeUSB-C Charging
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height)Optic: 1.59 * 0.98 * 0.97 in (40.4 * 25 * 24.7 mm)
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height)Charging Cover: 1.38 * 2.01 * 1.73 in (35 * 51 * 44 mm)
WaterproofOptic: IPX6; Charging Cover: IPX4
WeightOptic: 0.97 oz (27.5 g)

Shooting Sports

MidTen Red Green Dot Reflex

MidTen is a budget firearms accessory brand that many consider to be Airsoft grade. Their products typically come in unmarked boxes, and their products don’t have logos. They released an update rifle reflex sight simply named the “Red Green Dot”. A generic name that perfectly matches their generic packaging.

This reflex sight appears to be a beefed up replica of the Ultradot style reflex; made of metal and polymer. Like Ultradot copies, it a rotary selector at the rear that changes an etched mask which changes the shape of the reticle projected. The unit offers a choice of 4 patterns: dot, circle-dot, crosshair-dot, and sunburst. The unit has a metal cage around a large sized mirrored lens but all reflex sights are not as rugged as a holographic EOTech. From personal experience, an airsoft BB hit from CQB distance can chip a lens so extra protection is required for actual airsoft use.

The Ultradot design is simple and reliable but quite a bit out dated by a couple of decades. Two other disappointing aspects of the design is its QD lever and battery. It has a quick detatch lever with a Picatinny base which does not offer a secondary lock, which means it could work itself loose after repeated recoil. Most red dots are powered by a CR2032 coin battery, but oddly this reflex is powered by a 3 x stacked, tiny LR41 button batteries.

I tested the unit on my Ruger 10/22 at 50yrds. I ran over 100 rounds of 22LR and the unit held zero. While 22LR doesn’t have much recoil, in my experience airsoft optics don’t hold zero on firearm even after a mag or two. This reflex may be a cheap as an airsoft optic but it appears to be a suitable to take to the range on a real firearm.

BUY IT

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8VRFXC 10% Discount Code: B53QR2BD  

Shooting Sports

OLight OSight Red Dot

Olight is a flashlight company known for making high-performance flashlights for a more reasonable price point than more tactical brands such as Surefire and Streamlight. It was a bit surprising when Olight quietly previewed a micro-reflex sight at SHOT Show 2024. OLight makes weapon lights but is the first flashlight company to make a weapon optic (that I’m aware of).

The OSight is unusual among micro-reflex sights for having an oversized lens window and for being powered by an internal rechargeable battery. Moreover, it is unique in that its lens cover is also its charger and a mini-powerbank capable of recharging the OSight up to 4 times without being plugged into a USB-C cable. Fully charged the unit can run for up to 70,000 hours on low brightness which is impressive.

The Osight functions like a perfectly normal red dot and now comes in a green dot version as well. It also has auto-dimming, motion activation, and auto-off. And like OLight’s other products, the OSight comes in at a reasonable price compared to premium brands such as Trijicon and Holosun.

70,000 hours is a long time, nearly 8 years at low power; and they claim it will run continuously on the highest brightness for 17 days. But why would you need to constantly keep it charged? It seems a bit of an overpowered solution to the problem of changing a CR2032 coin battery. But overpowered for a reasonable price is something Olight is known for. I’ll leave that for the consumer to decide.

BUY

Amazon https://amzn.to/3BAh8Iy

SPECS

Reticle Type3 MOA Dot
Adjustment1 MOA per Click
W&E Travel Range± 45 MOA
Window Size0.94 * 0.85 in (24 * 21.5 mm)
Brightness Settings12 (10 visible & 2 NV)
Max. Runtime70,000 Hours
Power Source OpticBuilt-in 170mAh Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery
Power Source Charging CoverBuilt-in 800mAh Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery
Charging TypeUSB-C Charging
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height)Optic: 1.77 * 1.18 * 1.29 in (45 * 30 * 32.8 mm)
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height)Charging Cover: 1.38 * 2.01 * 1.73 in (35 * 51 * 44 mm)
WaterproofOptic: IPX6; Charging Cover: IPX4
WeightOptic: 2.12 oz (60 g)
Shooting Sports

Riton 3Tactix 3x Magnifier

You will find very few reviews of magnifiers on my channel because I’m not a fan of them. I don’t like feel and balance when they are flipped the side and dislike how they block my field of view. But I totally understand why someone would choose to run them. Combined with a light weight red dot, they are slightly lighter than an LPVO without the LPVO’s limitations with daylight illumination. For fans of magnifier/red dot combos, will enjoy the new Riton 3x magnifier.

The Riton 3x is compact and relatively light for a 3x magnifier, including the weight of the QD side-flip mount. It has clear sharp image from edge to edge. You won’t see a big black donut around your scope like most magnifiers. It has a relatively large objective lens and a thin tube which creates a view that appears to be a nearly all image with no visible tube body.

The only disappointing aspects for me was it’s relatively shallow eye relief and side flip mechanism. It’s eye relief is under 3″ which forced me to choke up on my fixed stock. This would be even more problematical for shooters wearing body armor. The spring loaded side flip mount is well built with a locking QD lever system. But the side flip mechanism release button is positioned in the middle of the mount directly over the QD lever hinge. This may have been a deliberate choice to help protect the button from accidental release but it also made it difficult to press it because the QD lever blocked my thumb. With practice I’m sure I may learn to find it without looking but another solution would have been to reposition the release button.

Paired with the Riton 1Tacticx ARD red dot, it co-witnesses with most AR MilSpec sights and when mounted to my G36/22 was nearly centered out of the box. The adjustments turrets are protected by protective ramps and adjustable with a slotted tool like a screwdriver.

As I said, I’m not a fan of magnifiers but if I was forced to use a magnifier, I would use the new Riton 3x.

BUY IT

Amazon https://amzn.to/4eNSJN2

SPECS

Magnification:3X
Parallax Adjustment:Fixed at 100 yards
Objective Lens Diameter:22mm
Lens Coating:Fully Multi-Coated, Full Wide Band, Waterproof Coated, Low Light Enhancement
Field of View at 100 Yards:36.7 ft
Material:6061-T6
Eye Relief:2.75in/70mm
Exit Pupil:6mm
Mount:QD Mouth with Optional Spacer
Length:2.72in/69mm
Weight:7.9oz/224g