Reflex - Red Dot Sights
Red dot and reflex sights have replaced iron sights as the standard for competitive and duty use — a single illuminated aiming point that allows both-eyes-open target acquisition faster than any iron sight system. Impact Guns stocks the full spectrum from micro carry optics for concealed carry pistols to full-size rifle red dots and holographic sights, from entry-level options under $200 to military-grade Aimpoint and EOTech units used by special operations forces.
Read our full Red Dot Sights Buying Guide ↓
Red Dot vs. Holographic: Two Different Technologies
A red dot sight uses an LED to project a dot onto a lens — simple, battery-efficient, and reliable. The dot is only visible from the shooter’s side of the lens. Holosun, Aimpoint, and Trijicon RMR are red dot sights. A holographic sight (EOTech) uses a laser to project a holographic reticle onto the lens — viewable from any angle, with a larger window and a reticle that appears to float at the target distance. Holographic sights consume more battery than red dots. For most uses, a quality red dot provides equivalent practical performance at lower cost and better battery life. For room-clearing, breaching, and close-quarters where the large window matters, EOTech holographics have advantages.
Micro Optics for Carry Pistols: Holosun 507K, EPS & RMR
Micro red dots sized for carry pistols use the Shield RMSc or similar compact footprint. The Holosun 507K and EPS Carry are the most popular choices for micro-compact pistols like the P365 and G43X. The Trijicon RMR Type 2 is the military standard — the most durable pistol-mounted red dot tested under the harshest conditions. For carry use, closed-emitter designs (Holosun EPS, Trijicon RMR) protect the emitter from debris and sweat. See our dedicated Holosun page for the full lineup and our handgun optics page for factory-bundled pistol/optic packages.
Rifle Red Dots: Aimpoint PRO, T-2 & CompM5
For AR-15 and rifle use, Aimpoint is the military standard — the Patrol Rifle Optic (PRO) offers exceptional battery life (30,000 hours on a single AA battery) at an accessible price for a professional-grade optic. The Aimpoint Micro T-2 is the compact version used on carbines and specialty platforms. The CompM5 is the current U.S. Army-issued optic. For civilian use, the Aimpoint PRO represents the best value in its tier. Holosun’s AEMS (Advanced Enclosed Micro Sight) provides similar features at a lower price with solar failsafe backup power.
MOA Size: 2 MOA vs. 6 MOA Dots
MOA (minute of angle) describes the dot size as seen by the shooter. A 2 MOA dot covers 2 inches at 100 yards — precise enough for longer-range work without obscuring the target. A 6 MOA dot is larger and easier to find quickly, making it the preference for close-range defensive use and action sports. Most carry pistol optics use 2–3 MOA for a balance of speed and precision. Circle-dot reticles (Holosun’s Multi-Reticle System) offer both a 2 MOA center dot and a 32 MOA outer ring — the ring for fast acquisition, the dot for precision shots — selectable with a button press.
Red Dot Sights & Related Pages
For the full Holosun lineup including model-by-model comparisons, see our Holosun page. For Trijicon optics including the RMR and ACOG, see our Trijicon page. For Aimpoint specifically, see our Aimpoint PRO and Aimpoint Micro T-2 pages. For handgun optic packages that include both pistol and optic, see our handgun optics page. For rifle scopes with magnification, see our scopes page.