Been using red dots since the 80's on my bows and handguns. Started with the Armson OEG's that were marketed by Trijicon. They spoiled me. No batteries to remember to turn off. No rheostats to fiddle with, when you haven't the time. Lamp replacement required, every ten years or so. Was very happy with them, until Trijicon stopped re-lamping them. They still work in daylight, just lost their low light capability. Which didn't set well with my deer hunting mindset.
Started looking for replacements......I needed a half dozen of them. The original Ultra-Dot was the first attempt. Installed one on my compound bow, where it still resides....because red dots sights, with one inch tubes, aren't readily available. It's not a bad choice but not one I was was enamored with. At the lowest dot setting, it was just too bright and interfered with my night vision, at dawn and dusk. Both of which, are prime deer movement times.
About the same time, the first generation Reflex's were introduced. I went with Trijicon because I liked their products and they would automatically compensate for ambient light. No batteries required....no switches to play with. Little large for handguns but right at home, on a carbine or crossbow. The "Special Forces" edition (1 MOA dot) was on my 1894 Marlin for many years but now resides on a Mission / Mathews crossbow.
Note:
That's the OEG on the Redhawk.
The second generation Trijicon Reflex was changed from a red dot to a amber chevron. Advantage of which, is the ability to use the whole chevron for close up target acquisition or just the apex for longer shots. This version is mounted on a Armalite AR-10 carbine.
Next red dot experiment was with a Vortex SPARC......heard favorable reviews from another CB site. The price was right and no additional mounts were required. Had it on a 45LC Blackhawk for one hunting season. It had a bad habit of turning on, while in the holster. Found a home on a Rossi 357 carbine. Two minute dot..... but it covers up too much of a 6" bullseye, at 100 yards, for MOA accuracy.
Blackhawk needed a red dot and along came good deal ($69) on a new Bushnell "First Strike" mini reflex. Came with a riser for AR's, but not necessary for my application. Meet's my requirements for automatic light compensation and it doesn't have a on/off switch. The removable sight cover, turns it on and off. Very non obtrusive on a handgun. Jury's still out, on how it will hold, up to recoil.
