red dot scope vs holographic sight?

[tmsand338]

Will somebody please explain to me the difference between a red dot scope (say, aimpoint) and a holographic sight (say, eotech)?

I'm not looking for the differences in how they are put together, more in functionality.

For what circumstances or in what situations would you want one over the other? What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of each to the other?

I'm completely new to the world of guns used for anything other than killing deer and elk, so all this black evil stuff seems foreign. Recently I've acquired a mini-14 and just the other day, a PTR 91.

Just for kicks, I put a cheap BSA holographic on the mini-14, and think the technology is really cool.

But, should I put one on the PTR 91? or go with a red dot scope? Or maybe even a traditional (hunting) scope?

Thanks for your help!

[jerrymrc]

My two cents. A red dot is just that. It is a scope that has a dot in it. I use it like a normal scope. Holographic sights. I have two Kobras and like them a lot. Both eyes open. once ya get used to it they are the greatest thing since sliced bread out to 200 yards or so.

That is how I look at it. BTW. If you are going to put one on your G3 I would get a good one. they will kill a scope very fast.

[mutt]

A red dot sight is just that, a simple red dot generated by an led that is reflected back to your eyes. A holographic sight presents you with a laser generated hologram that is projected onto your sight's lens.

In practice both work about the same. Each allows both eyes open shooting and fast targeting. Whatever one you like best is really up to your preference. One big advantage of aimpoints is battery life. I believe they get 50000 hours continuous run time on one battery. Eotechs have a one huge advantage: they emanate no visible radiation to your target. Both are great sites. I have an aimpoint and love it. I'll get an eotech one of these days and I'm sure I'll love it too.

The important thing is to get what you like and get a quality optic. Putting a cheap optic on a .308 probably isn't going to end well.

[Colorado Osprey]

Putting a cheap optic on a Mini is a bad idead.
they are known for destroying optics.

I had to replace a couple optics on mini's before the great wisdom of the internet.

[tmsand338]

I don't like to put cheap optics on any firearm. I put the cheap one on the mini because I didn't want to risk much money on a concept/technology I didn't know anything about.

All that said, I don't see how a mini could possibly be hard on even cheap optics. My mini has next to zero recoil and I have hard hitting magnum bolt guns that relatively cheap optics have survived before I was in a position to buy really good glass.

One difference between the red dot scope and the holographic sight I'd like to know about is the eye relief. The cheapo holographic I have now seems to have unlimited eye relief, which I think is a huge benefit. Is this true of the scopes, too?

[mutt]

One difference between the red dot scope and the holographic sight I'd like to know about is the eye relief. The cheapo holographic I have now seems to have unlimited eye relief, which I think is a huge benefit. Is this true of the scopes, too?

Are you talking an illuminated scope or an red dot sight? Aimpoints are red dot sights with no magnification, they aren't scopes. Unmagnified red dot sights have unlimited eye relief. Something like an acog will be magnified and not have unlimited eye relief.

[sniper7]

I am a big fan of the eotech myself just for the ability to be able to keep a really good sight picture, both eyes open and still be able to see the holographic reticule.

I have played with the aimpoints and will probably have one sooner or later...just need another AR to put it on[Tooth]

[cbs]

My first red dot was a bsa I think I paid 35.00 for it. The sight is five years old and still works like a champ. It was all I could afford at the time and it allowed me to train with both eyes open through a scope for cheap. I have better optics now but dont regret the BSA!!

[NukeRJ]

Aimpoint is a Reflex/Collimator with parralax free.
Eotech is a Reflex/Prism with parralax free.

Both, once zeroed, no matter where the dot is inside the scope in relation to your line of sight, have poa/poi - hence if the glass is shattered, dirty or obstructed, you can use the remaining percentage that is undamaged to continue to accurately shoot.

JPoint, Dr Optic, C-More (mini reflex sights / parralax free) and other Reflected red dots are not Collimated or Prismed. Therefore in order to zero and also shoot, you must place the dot in the center of the glass each and every time.

On a side note, cheap red dots, that are tubes or holographic,(usually copies) are actually reflected and therefore have the the same issue as with the mini reflex sights.