Red Dot scopes what's the difference?
 

I am looking at Red Dot scopes and plan to mount one on my Excalibur Vixen. I go to Wally world and see one for $29.95 and $39.95 some made by Aim some By BSA. At Cabelas there are a number of them from $19.95 and up.Some are Red Dot some are Green Dot. What is the difference?

RE: Red Dot scopes what's the difference?
 

UMmmmmm! Red dots are like stop lights, green dots are like go lights?? Sorry, tuna, couldn't pass this one up!! I see you are in noscope alabama. I've been looking at some reasonably priced halographic sights at Midway USA w/ choices of dot size and pattern.[for air pistol not xbow]You may want to give them a look, they are great on taking returns if you don't care for them.I just hate red dots!!

RE: Red Dot scopes what's the difference?
 

What do you not like about red dots awshucks? I use one and, it is spot on every time. Is there some sort of disadvantage over a regular xbow scope?

RE: Red Dot scopes what's the difference?
 

Well between the red dot vs. the green dot, the green dot is the winner every time. It shows up better in low light![8D]

RE: Red Dot scopes what's the difference?
 

BMR: I don't like them for a number of reasons. They sight in at one range [single dot]. Everything else is a judgement call, what range and where to hold over. The multi dots are too close together for me. Some have 3 dots the same size, one Horton supplied had a huge 20 yd, smaller 30 and smaller yet 40. Still to close together and only just so so accurate at other two ranges. I'm lucky, Ar allows scopes.
With a V-zone or L-zone, I have aim points dead nuts from 10 to 50 yds, all I have to do is know the range, and have checked my set up. I'll only shoot deer 35 yds and under, but will whack a yote or rabbit out to 50. For the odd ranges like 25 or 35 I can just bracket my intended poi w/ the hight and lower yardage aim points. A couple of more variables removed for my aging memory, lol. I'd hate to have to butcher all the deer killed w/ red dots, these are just my personal reasons, not knocking anyone elses choices. And, forgot batteries, lol.

RE: Red Dot scopes what's the difference?
 

I must have got lucky! I have the 3dot Hortonon my Horton tr175 and it is absolutely DEAD on at 20,30,yards. and pretty good at 40. I just finished sighting for my carbon bolts today. I couldn't believe the difference between the carbon and aluminum. I was hittingin a 8" circle at 40.around 4-6 at 30 and can only shoot 1 arrow at a time at 20 if I don't want to bust them up. I am having some trouble with the dots flickering and blinking out. I bought some new energizers for it today. I hope that fixes it. I do need to practice though. I don't think I would feel comfortable taking a shot at a deer at 40yrds. But 20-30I'm getting better.I can see how those scopes could give problems for some setups. They are kinda cheap! It wouldn't even hardly sight at 40 with the aluminum bolts. They were dropping like crazy at about 35 yrds.

RE: Red Dot scopes what's the difference?
 

So this was by design? I originally thought my scope was messed up when I looked at the one my brother bought this past weekend and his dots were all the same size.

I havnt been using them too long, but I do not like the red dots as much. It seems I have trouble focusing on them even keeping both my eyes open. I was able to go to my local bow shop and look through a LumiZone which my new crossbow will have and I already know I'll like it much better.

RE: Red Dot scopes what's the difference?
 

I'm sure it was designed that way. Another problem w/ that model, at least for me, was I could not find a brightness level that would show up on a white bag target in sunlight at 30 yds. The only other one I shot of the multi-dot type was the 10 pt version where you can choose between green and red dots. Still too close together.

Another plus for me on the Excal scopes is their virtual lifetime guarantee. They are fairly cheap and are made in some third world emirate, lol. Any problems w/ one, you can call Danny Miller and get it replaced anytime. As a matter of fact, if you've made an order or two and he knows you, he's likely to send the replacement the day you call and trust you to send yours to him so you lose as little time as possible during season.

RE: Red Dot scopes what's the difference?
 

On mine (Horton Hunter 3 dot), the dots are all the same size. But they do tend to blur together if the brightness setting is too high. I wonder when they changed this? I have the 2006 model. Do you know which one has the Huge 20trd dot? Because if I have to send mine back due to it blinking out on me, I sure don't want them to send me a replacement with the different size dots. I wouldn't care for that either... I'mnew to this also, so I'm still learning the basics... thanks.

RE: Red Dot scopes what's the difference?
 

I remember hearing on a discovery channel program quite a while back that the human eyecan, by far,pick up and see moreshades of green than any other color, thats why night vision is seen in shades of green

dont know how true it is but it makes sense I guess...



I've used the various "$29.99" 30mm red dot scopes by BSA, tasco and blazer and besides a slight variance in lens shade I havent noticed any real difference between any of them, they're all pretty much the same deal just with different names on them
I also have no complaints with any of them, I havetascos on a couple of my guns with no problems at all,one I've had on my .44 super redhawk for yearsand its held up just fine
Ialso have BSA's on a couple of my guns, which are the same scope walmart sells,and one on my crossbow, its a single dot but I prefer it like that anyway, its simpler and less confusing...
I actually dont care for the mulitple dot red dot scopes, even with mutiple dots you still have to know, or be able to judge the yardage to make the various dots accurate at they're intended ranges and IMO if you know the yardage and what the drop of your arrow is at that yardage you really dont need all the extra dots cluttering upthe field of view in the scope, thats just my opinion though...

RE: Red Dot scopes what's the difference?
 

Two things I don't like about red-dot scopes. One is that they aren't bright enough for my liking. The other is that many don't give you a MOA dot. But then who cares what I like.