Red Dots and Astigmatism

[nortatoga]

Vortex Optics
15 mins ·
What are astigmatisms and why does it matter? Shooters everywhere are affected by "starbursts" or "clusters of grapes" in their red dots, but why? In this quick 10 minute talk, we talk about what an astigmatism actually is and how to avoid negative effects from one while shooting. Listen here: https://bit.ly/2JVog5E

 

[Saltwater60]

I see the lower left. Looking to get something like this, but not sure what to buy since I have an astigmatism. Any suggestions.

 

[Podmonkey]

Prism optics typically alleviate these kind of problems.

 

[BDinPutnam]

What does it say about my eyes that I saw the thread title and saw "Red Dots and Afghanistan"?

 

[kev74]

I see the lower left. Looking to get something like this, but not sure what to buy since I have an astigmatism. Any suggestions.

In mine, I see a boomerang shaped bunch of grapes. If I turn the power down low and put the brightest part over the target, things work well. Depending on how my eye, glasses and red dot line up, the dot can get fuzzier or clearer.

Fun fact... All that stupid stuff that you should have worn safety glasses for and wound up picking crap out of your eyes afterwards leaves little scratches on your eyes that make things a lot worse.

 

[Podmonkey]

What does it say about my eyes that I saw the thread title and saw "Red Dots and Afghanistan"?

You've been watching too much news is what I think.

 

[Curmudgeon]

I wear my glasses when I shoot. They adjust for my astigmatism. Never a problem.

 

[Jem45472]

I see the lower left. Looking to get something like this, but not sure what to buy since I have an astigmatism. Any suggestions.

A 1x prism sight would work. If going for a red dot, holosun has a very crisp dot. Most people with astigmatism are minimally bothered by holosun even when compared to aimpoints. You're in my neck of the woods, let me know if you want to check mine out sometime.

 

[squib]

I shoot pistol with both eyes closed, problem solved.

 

[1911guy]

What does it say about my eyes that I saw the thread title and saw "Red Dots and Afghanistan"?

Brain astigmatism

 

[Saltwater60]

I wear my glasses when I shoot. They adjust for my astigmatism. Never a problem.

Lucky you!!

 

[Saltwater60]

This looks fun. 1x or 3x. One is probably fine for what I’m doing. I just punch holes in paper. Maybe a varmint here or there.

 

[Podmonkey]

This looks fun. 1x or 3x. One is probably fine for what I’m doing. I just punch holes in paper. Maybe a varmint here or there.

If all you do is punch paper then 3x. Or some prism scopes such as the Burris one go up to 6x.

 

[Jem45472]

This looks fun. 1x or 3x. One is probably fine for what I’m doing. I just punch holes in paper. Maybe a varmint here or there.

I came damn close to buying this over my holosun.

Primary Arms 1X Compact Prism Scope with Illuminated ACSS Cyclops Reticle, Advanced CQB Features, 400 Yard BDC, Range Estimation, Moving Target Leads and Included Riser Mount https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GFTTS2Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VXf-CbSJ9379P

 

[BDinPutnam]

I never went too far down the road with them- what's the executive summary on prisms?

 

[Jem45472]

I never went too far down the road with them- what's the executive summary on prisms?

Haven't used one myself, but they are very durable, have an etched reticle, and are good if you have astigmatism. Just like a red dot at 1x, or you can go with a fixed 3x or 6x.

 

[Saltwater60]

I came damn close to buying this over my holosun.

Primary Arms 1X Compact Prism Scope with Illuminated ACSS Cyclops Reticle, Advanced CQB Features, 400 Yard BDC, Range Estimation, Moving Target Leads and Included Riser Mount https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GFTTS2Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VXf-CbSJ9379P

Just curious what made you go with holosun.

 

[MikeyCNY]

I never went too far down the road with them- what's the executive summary on prisms?

Very clear for those with astigmatism (etched reticle), however bulkier than traditional red dots. I have a Vortex 1x prism scope that I got on sale and I really like it (has the circle with dot in the middle, have it on my Ruger PC9 right now). Wish I had gotten the 3x but didn't know which I'd prefer.. The 1x seems to be more of a "0.95x"..

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

This is a non issue really. You adjust to shoot with whatever pattern you see. But if it bothers you that much you can co-witness your rear BUIS with the dot and it will clear it right up.

 

[Jem45472]

Just curious what made you go with holosun.

Combination of crispest reticle on the market, 50,000 hour battery life, solar powered, choice of 2moa dot, or eotech style circle dot, shake awake. They can't be beat for the money, and if you didn't know, they make primary arms dots, and also Sig's.

 

[Podmonkey]

I never went too far down the road with them- what's the executive summary on prisms?

As has been mentioned before, compared to many red dots a prism sight will be larger and heavier. The prism will often alleviate issues related to having astigmatism but not in every case. Some prism optics have an etched reticle that can be seen in the absence of illumination.
The ACOG is the most famous example of a prism optic but Primary Arms, Vortex and Burris are some other manufactures that offer this style of optic. Unlike red dots many of these optics, but not all, offer magnification typically around 3x. Burris has a model that is 6x.
The Eotech is not an example of a prism sight, it uses laser projection to form a holographic reticle that is projected onto a glass window. Holographic sights usually suffer the same issues related to having astigmatism but again, it depends on the individual.

 

[MikeyCNY]

A 1x prism sight would work. If going for a red dot, holosun has a very crisp dot. Most people with astigmatism are minimally bothered by holosun even when compared to aimpoints. You're in my neck of the woods, let me know if you want to check mine out sometime.

I've heard as this... been meaning to pick one up - I know they are coming out with a "heavier duty" line soon, so their current line will drop in price. I'll pick one up there... I really like the circle option but don't want to spend $$$ on an EOTech..

 

[Podmonkey]

 

[Podmonkey]

I've heard as this... been meaning to pick one up - I know they are coming out with a "heavier duty" line soon, so their current line will drop in price. I'll pick one up there... I really like the circle option but don't want to spend $$$ on an EOTech..

Keep in mind the Eotech has a 1 MOA center dot so you can get pretty precise with those things.

 

[Jem45472]

I nearly bought one of these, I think my aging eyes would render the bdc useless though.

 

[Podmonkey]

I nearly bought one of these, I think my aging eyes would render the bdc useless though.

Teaming it up with a magnifier would remedy that.

 

[Saltwater60]

This is a non issue really. You adjust to shoot with whatever pattern you see. But if it bothers you that much you can co-witness your rear BUIS with the dot and it will clear it right up.

My issue is the dot is so fuzzy that I couldn’t get a good sight picture or probably even see the bullseye. I know these aren’t long range bullseye shooters, but it’s probably more of a mental thing, but I like to hit the center of what I’m aiming at.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Teaming it up with a magnifier would remedy that.

Depends on your eyes.

Magnifier made it worse for my FiL.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

My issue is the dot is so fuzzy that I couldn’t get a good sight picture or probably even see the bullseye. I know these aren’t long range bullseye shooters, but it’s probably more of a mental thing, but I like to hit the center of what I’m aiming at.

Does this happen to be mounted on an AR? If so does it have a rear peep style BUIS? If it does flip it up on it's smallest setting and co-witness it. That will sharpen the dot up. Besides that I don't know that there's anything else you can do short of some special glasses or surgery.

 

[Marine Cpl]

For me in low light on a 4MOA Aimpoint, the dot was fuzzy. It looked like a cluster of grapes. Outdoors in bright sunlight it was perfect However. After getting a 2 MOA Primary Arms red dot, the issue went away.

I don’t know if it was a difference of glass that corrected it or if just cutting the dot from 4MOA to 2 MOA that did the trick. I’m guessing it was using a smaller dot that fixed the issue with my eyes.