I used a red dot for a couple of years and carried spare batteries in all the usual places, backpack, pockets etc. and never needed them. I never got over the fear of a dead battery at the crucial moment and switched to a scope. That being said, I never had a battery failure in the field and my brother and I both killed birds using that setup. I think it is a very good sighting system, both adjustable and quick to point. Also, there are versions available now that can be left on for the entire hunt, they shut off when carried vertically as when the gun is sling carried to save the battery and also use very powerful batteries. I'm sure those would be more expensive than the $40 version I have.