When it comes to fast target acquisition and rapid shooting, the best reflex sight 2024 could be your need.
It lets you experience an expanded situational awareness as well as the quickness to recognize and engage in unexpected threats.
These reflex sights are quite popular and are good investments for a perfect shooting experience.
Reflex Sight vs. Iron Sights: What’s Difference?
There are numerous differences between both sights starting with the structure.
Reflex sights make shooting easier because of the glass reticle that displays dots on the target.
Where you place the dot becomes the aiming point, and there are no other difficulties to be experienced.
Iron sights, on the other hand, come standard on most rifles and handguns.
Just like red dot sights, they allow full-field viewing for faster target acquisition.
However, unlike reflex sights, they are quite harder to aim with as there are three points to focus on such as front sight and the semi-circular sides of the iron sight.
All of them must be properly aligned on the target before you pull the trigger. Because of this, some marksmen prefer replacing the iron sights with scopes.
Any other electronic sights go with this feature and allow you very precise shots at close ranges.
Complementing red dot sights with iron sights eliminates the parallax experienced.
Advantages of Reflex Sights
The reflex sights belong to the electronic sight category alongside holographic and laser sights. Another name for reflex sight is the red dot sight.
Red dot sights are characterized by the red dot that makes shooting simpler and easier because aiming requires no assumptions nor calculations.
A reflex sight has partially reflecting glass that projects illuminated projection of the target in your field of view.
In fact, a red dot sight uses LED due to its narrow emittance output that provides a bright target picture.
It allows faster target acquisition and awareness of your surroundings because you use both of your eyes open.
This advantage is what makes this kind of sight better than most scopes.
The unrestricted eye relief improves shooting accuracy along with targeting capabilities by several notches.
Another great benefit for red dot sights is their low-light functionality. They work well in low light conditions and make it easy to aim in the dark of the night.
It is exceptionally useful in close-quarter sighting as long as the distance is lesser than 100 yards.
Well, they still function well to about 300 yards with minimal problems, particularly with the accuracy.
But one thing that you must know about reflex sight is it doesn’t have any magnification power. What you see through the sight is for real-time viewing.
Finally, reflex sights are more durable and portable than scopes.
They are portable in regards to their size which makes them less likely to be damaged when transporting.
They are designed to be tough because military men use them in tactical situations.
Top 5 Best Reflex Sight 2024 for The Money
With reflex sights, price tag is one thing that immediately refers to the quality.
It is apparent you should be ready to spend at least a hundred dollars to get the best red dot sight you should have to maximize your shooting potential.
The following reflex sights in our list are of high quality, and we give you thorough reflex sight reviews.
1 Sightmark Ultra Shot M-Spec Reflex Sight – Best Cheap Reflex Sight
If you’re looking for a sight that can be used even in extreme conditions, M-Spec proves to be a good option.
It doesn’t just have six brightness levels in daytime usage.
But it features a night vision mode that can be adjusted to six settings.
M-Spec’s magnesium alloy construction provides a sturdy exterior. For instance, it can withstand recoils of rifles up to .50 caliber.
This is possible through the protective hood which shields the red dot sight from impact and shock.
Aside from that, M-Spec’s IP68 water resistance rating makes the sight submergible into water up to 40 feet.
Being a red dot sight, M-Spec features a 6.5 MOA circle dot reticle system that is red in color. This glass material provides a generous field of view at 105 feet per 100 yards.
One interesting thing to know about this sight is its dual-pane glass with a parallax-corrected system. Due to these things, you can enjoy unlimited eye relief.
Though this sight has many good qualities, it’s a nice thing to know what it would be its limitations, so you know when not to use it. It should be noted that this reflex sight doesn’t work well in cold weather because the lens isn’t fog proof.
Another thing to note is the sight’s button adjustments. As they’re located on the left side, it could be hard for left-handed shooters because they would have to press them with their dominant hand. In turn, this could be a disadvantage if they are in the process of locating a target quickly.
The battery used to power M-Spec is CR2 which lasts up to 1000 hours without charging or replacing.
The digital switch control that controls the brightness settings for both night vision and normal mode has low energy consumption.
Being lightweight at eight oz., this reflex sight can be mounted to any rifles or firearm that have Weaver and Picatinny rails.
PROS
- Both daytime and nighttime use
- Waterproof up to 40 ft
- Withstands recoils up to .50 cal
- Quick detach mount system
- Unlimited eye relief
- Long battery life
CONS
- Not fog proof
- Bulky appearance
- Buttons aren’t for ambidextrous use
2 EOTech Model 512 Tactical Holographic Weapon Sight> – Best Reflex Sight for Daytime Use
Model 512 is EOTech’s most popular sight. This is for shooters who want to exploit the super brightness feature of this site but don’t need night vision.
One other thing that guarantees your expectations is the sight’s versatility.
EOTech 512 is a Mil-Spec product that means it’s a trusted weapon sight used in the military. The robust construction is waterproof at 10 feet.
Despite the thickness of the lens, the lenses are perfectly sealed to make them fog proof. All in all, you can expect this holographic sight to last a long, long time.
This weapon sight is best used in close combat situations and can take much abuse from repeated recoils. The aluminum casing with resin filling actually protects the internal electronics.
Being a holographic sight, even if the glass is shattered or obstructed, this sight is guaranteed to be still functional.
As for the reticle, there are 20 brightness settings that you can quickly adjust for daytime use. The accuracy is superb up to 300 yards.
Switching to different intensity levels is easy through the dual buttons found at the rear of the sight, facing you.
As evident from its appearance, EOTech 512 appears to be bulky in size and weight. Its weight is 10.8 oz.,and it’s bigger than the other sights on the market. Despite its high pricing, the brightness levels aren’t compatible to be used during nighttime. This is a disadvantage compared to other sights that are in the same price range but have the night vision option.
The battery life ranges from 600 hours to 1000 hours depending on the battery used (either lithium or standard).
Though it’s not that large, EOTech 512 has an automatic shutoff feature after 4 or 8 hours of continuous operation.
This ability effectively conserves the power of sight. Furthermore, when the battery goes low, the blinking reticle becomes the indicator to replace the power source.
EOTech 512 is easy to mount and detach to any rifles and guns that have Weaver or Picatinny rails.
PROS
- Twenty brightness levels
- Highly accurate up to 300 yards
- Easy battery replacement
- Fog proof and shockproof
CONS
- No night vision
- Bulky
3 Leupold 119688 DeltaPoint Pro Reflex Sight – Good for Both Shotguns and Rifles
Be it for self-defense, competitive shooting, or hunting trips, the DeltaPoint Pro by Leupold is one of the best options for its various applications.
It mounts on handguns, shotguns, rifles with AR variants. Indeed, DeltaPoint Pro is something to look forward to.
The body material used for its durable construction is aluminum.
At 1.9-oz weight, this is compact and won’t weigh down the firearm you’re currently using.
Also, it provides waterproof capabilities up to 33 feet. Its ruggedness is ideal for long-term use.
DeltaPoint Pro’s main feature is its Motion Sensor Technology that detects the firearms slightest movement which activates the illumination.
The brightness is automatically set based on the lighting conditions, but of course, you have the final say if the intensity level is right for you.
To change the illumination intensities, just push the power button repeatedly.
Other features include unlimited eye relief, fog proof lens, a low battery indicator through blinking, and the power-saving mode.
To elaborate the matter further, the sight automatically shuts down after 5 minutes of inactivity.
And since it is equipped with Motion Sensor Technology, it automatically powers up to the last known setting when you move the reflex sight in any way.
To turn it off manually, put the cover over it.
Other than the overpricing of this sight, DeltaPoint Pro’s versatility requires the buyer to buy separate plates to mount it successfully on some guns. Also, this reflex sight isn’t compatible with M& P Pro Core 9mm.
Leupold DeltaPoint Pro has two variations that you can choose: the 2.5 MOA dot or the 7.5 MOA triangle reticle.
It mounts to most AR rifles and other firearms that have Picatinny rails, and it also comes with a no mount version.
PROS
- Auto brightness detection
- Auto shut down after 5 minutes
- Fog proof and waterproof
- Two reticle options (dot or rectangle)
CONS
- Requires separate plates
- Doesn’t mount on some guns
4 Trijicon RM07 RMR 6.5 MOA Adjustable LED – Best Versatility Reflex Sight – Our Choice
RM07 is the second RMR sight to be featured on this list.
Buying this red dot sight is a good investment since you can mount it on various firearms that have Picatinny, Weaver, and ACOG rail mounts.
In short, its versatility along with its large dot size is its best selling point.
Just like RM06, this particular reflex sight is made from forged aluminum. The material used makes this sight lightweight.
Aside from its weight, it’s quite small in size, and that’s why RM07 is considered to be a mini reflex sight.
Overall, it has various applications aside from hunting. In particular, many people from the military and law enforcement use this site.
RM07 features a large red dot and is measured to be 6.5 MOA.
Smaller dot sizes make the sight look small-time or for backup use while larger dots make the sight look serious.
The bigger the size, the faster is the target acquisition. Of course, you can adjust the size in increments of 1 MOA.
The switch for that is accessible through the two buttons located on either side.
Like the other model, RM07 has eight brightness levels and the remaining two are for night vision mode.
Audible clicks could be heard when you press the plus and minus buttons on either side of the unit.
Moreover, one great feature common with RMR sights is their auto-set mode for illumination. This feature is activated when you press both of the buttons and release them.
Through the auto mode, the red dot sight collects data from the surrounding light and will accordingly adjust the illumination displayed by the reticle.
As expected from its premium price, this red dot sight doesn’t have a lot of drawbacks. RM07 doesn’t seem to have an auto-shutoff feature when inactive for a definite period.
To preserve the battery life, the sight must be manually turned off by holding the plus and minus buttons for 3 seconds.
The battery is significantly affected by the selected brightness setting. If you run it higher than the recommended 4 out of 8 brightness settings, the advertised four years battery life downgrades to less than a year.
The sight can last up to 4 years even with continuous usage. Just remember that at high and low temperatures, the lithium battery’s power can decrease.
PROS
- Both daytime and nighttime use
- Ambidextrous button switches
- Auto adjustment mode
- Long battery life
CONS
- Doesn’t have an auto shutoff feature
5 Vortex Spitfire 3x Prism Scope – Best Reflex Sight for AR15
Vortex Spitfire comes in two versions: the 1x and 3x. These numbers refer to the magnification power of the scope.
Actually, this scope is a red dot sight, but its style is different from the other red dot sights featured in this article.
Instead of an open design, the lenses are in a tubular form which makes it akin to an optical scope. This prism scope mounts specifically for weapons with AR platforms.
As for the exterior of this site, it has shockproof, fog proof, and waterproof capabilities. The O-rings protect it from moisture, dust, and debris to make it withstand extreme environments.
The nitrogen gas on the lens makes you see clearly even in humid weather.
The fully multi-coated anti-reflective coatings of its surfaces allow for increased light transmission and protection from sun glare.
Perhaps this sight’s main feature is the prism-based design optical system.
This is important so that the optics would still be clear and visible even if there’s no illumination from the surroundings.
The EBR-556B reticle is etched on the prism optics to assure fast target acquisition from close to medium-range shooting.
Reticle options for Vortex Spitfire can either be in red or green. One great feature to be thrilled about is that the reticle includes a range finder or bullet holdover up to 500 yards.
Being parallax-free, you can zoom in and out up to 3x power with no hassles.
Perhaps the biggest drawback for this site is it’s just for the AR-15 rifles. Due to this, there are other models of firearms that aren’t compatible with Vortex Spitfire.
Unlike other sights, Vortex Spitfire’s eye relief is not unlimited. It only measures 2.8 inches and is considered to be too close. To remedy this problem, you need to mount this sight far back on your rail.
The battery life of Vortex Spitfire range from 250 hours to 3000 hours. The energy consumed depends on which of the five brightness settings you’re using.
For instance, the 250-hour battery life applies when you set it on the brightest level.
Finally, these reflex sights allow co-witnessing with iron sights. Things go well as long as the lower 1/3 co-witnessing height of about 40.4 mm.
Otherwise, you may need to remove the mounting riser if the mounting height is lower than 30 mm.
PROS
- With magnification option
- Shockproof, fog proof, and waterproof
- Prism-designed optics for clarity and visibility
- Green or red dot option
- Reticle includes a range finder/bullet holdover up to 500 yards
- Allows co-witnessing
CONS
- Short eye relief
- Not compatible with other weapon models
How to Choose a Reflex Sight?
Just like any other product, there are a lot of factors to consider in particular on those things that are for specialized use.
Reflex sights belong in this category, and some terms can be hard to understand at first.
Through our established buying guide, you will get an idea of what makes a reflex sight and a red dot sight special for every model.
1. Housing Structure
Reflex sights can either be tube style or open style. The former is akin to optical scopes that allow easy installment of filters and protective covers.
These make the red dot easier to see at any time of the day.
The latter is more basic in design, and the reticle can be seen through an open window. Either style works well, but you can’t put filters on the open-style red dot sights.
2. Size, Pattern, and Color of the Reticle and Dot
These three things should be well considered, so you won’t feel uncomfortable using the sight in the long run.
In short, your personal preference is the deciding factor and should well assist you in your various hunting endeavors.
The size of the dot must not be too big or too small. The size of the dot is measured in minutes of angle (or MOA), so a measurement of 4 MOA is enough to see the target at farther distances sufficiently.
The red dot should also be visible even in low light conditions.
Though they are called red dot sights, the dots aren’t required to be always red. Some advanced red dot sights project green dots and even blue dots.
In any particular sight, you should consider that the colors would be visible against your targets.
Lastly, red dot sights differ in the patterns that surround the dot. Simple sights only have dots, and some others have adjustable reticles.
Common patterns include the plain dot, crosshairs, bull’s eye, and star shape.
This criterion depends on how well you prefer that particular style over the others.
3. Adjustments
Customizing your reflex sight is not only based on the color and pattern but also the windage and elevation.
The windage pertains to how the bullet moves from left to right while the elevation refers to the vertical movements of the bullet.
Both of these are important to adjust to make your shots more accurate.
4. Battery Life
For every electronic sight, the battery is one of the most important considerations to weigh.
Particularly with the red dot sights, you should be aware of how much the sight can last with continuous use.
Fortunately for sights that use LED, there’s minor energy consumption and could last at least 1000 hours.
It’s a good precaution to bring a spare battery with you because cold weather affects the battery life negatively.
5. Durability
For a reflex sight, the durability should be top-notch. You don’t want a sight that can’t withstand the recoils of a gun repeatedly.
Other than that, the glass should transmit light effectively which remains clear no matter the time of the day or what weather conditions you’re in.
Conclusion
Buying the best reflex sight is tantamount to improving your accuracy, shooting potential, and situational awareness.
Through the established guideline and our reflex sight reviews, you now have an idea of what makes a specific sight special.
These also make you question other sights that are not on the list if they can be cut to be considered good investments.