If you’ve been shooting firearms for very long, then you know the optic you choose can make a huge difference in accuracy, comfort, and confidence.
With the rise in popularity of AR-style rifles, we have also seen more interest in two types of sights: red dots and holographic sights.
In this article, we will give you a rundown of how each works and then compare and contrast the two.
If you’re in the market for an optic for your rifle, hopefully, this information will help you.
TECHNOLOGY AND FUNCTIONALITY
The overall purpose for red dots and holographic sights is the same - to provide the shooter with one specific aim point on his or her target.
Having one point of aim makes it much easier to quickly acquire a target than centering a bead or lining up front and rear sights. This will, in turn, help the shooter be more accurate and repeatable in hitting the target.
However, there are a few differences that could help you make your purchasing decision.
HOW RED DOT SIGHTS WORK
Red dot sights use an LED to project a lighted reticle forward onto the back of the reflective glass. So when a shooter looks through the glass, the reflection of that lighted reticle will be in the front of their field of view.
“Reflex sights,” as they are also called, are most often red - hence the name, but they can also be green or a few other colors.
Red dot sights are made simply enough to be zeroed on target easily. Once zeroed, the shooter can quickly and accurately find the target and take aim.
HOW HOLOGRAPHIC SIGHTS WORK
Holographic sights work quite differently and are more complex. To put it very simply, holographic sights project a laser off a series of mirrors and glass. Those multiple reflections create a three-dimensional hologram reticle that floats in the middle of the glass instead of reflecting off the glass. Because the laser is more specific, the reticle's size can also be smaller.
RETICLE OPTIONS
Let's dig a little deeper while we’re on the top of reticles. The reticle - or “dot” - in illuminated optics is measured in Minutes of Angle (MOA), an angular measurement that tells us the size of a circle. The smaller the number, the smaller the circle.
The smallest red dot sight I’ve seen is 2 MOA, but most of the ones I have shot are 3-6 MOA. Larger reticles are nice for target acquisition when objects are close.
However, when the object is farther away, a larger reticle covers too much of the target, making precision shooting more difficult. So, if you need an optic for shooting more extended ranges, you may want to consider the holographic sight.
But why is that? Because a laser generates the reticle in a holographic sight, the dot can be as small as 1 MOA.
Again, the smaller dot makes aiming more precise, especially at farther distances. Plus, if you add a magnifier for long-range shooting, a 1 MOA reticle stays the same size. If the reticle is 2 MOA or greater, the size of the dot is also magnified, which goes back to what we mentioned about precision.
AESTHETICS
If you spend much time searching for these types of optics, you will also find they have some physical differences. Choosing your optic depends on what factors are most important to you.
SIZE AND WEIGHT
As a general rule of thumb, because of the complexity of the reticle design, holographic sights are larger and heavier than red dots. Red dot sights don’t have all the mirrors and layers that holographic sights do, so they can be much smaller. Some red dots are even small enough to fit on a micro-compact pistol, while others are larger and closer to the size of the holographic sights.
DURABILITY
The durability of any optic depends more on the manufacturer and materials than the type of sight. Since many of these sights were first built for combat, the ones made by well-known brands are designed to withstand a great deal of force - from repeated shooting and direct impact from drops and hitting against objects.
Keep in mind, though, if you skimp and go for cheaper optics, you will likely see a difference in durability. In this case, you get what you pay for.
The other thing to mention here with durability is what we’ll call “workability.” What I mean is that because the “floating” reticle in holographic sights doesn’t require the front glass, it remains functional in less-than-ideal situations. If you should get mud or other debris on your glass, the reticle will still be visible as long as there is some room for light. Believe it or not, the holographic sight will also work if the front glass is broken (the red dot will not).
BATTERY LIFE
The LED in red dots requires very little energy to operate. Because of this, the expected battery life of most red dots can be up to 50,000 hours. So you can run a red dot for a few years before needing a new battery. The laser in the holographic sight demands more energy. Depending on which sight and the type of battery, run time is typically closer to 1-3 months.
Of course, advertised battery life is based on the sight being on. You can expect the battery to last longer if the sight is turned off when not in use.
PARALLAX
Parallax distortion occurs when a stationary red dot appears to move when you change your point of view. Basically, if you move your head, the dot moves. Parallax distortion can be problematic if your head and eye aren’t always in the same position - you think you’re on target, but you are not. Parallax may not be as critical with closer targets, but it could be disastrous with long-range shooting.
Though holographic sights tend to have an advantage over red dots, most higher-end red dots are now advertised to be “parallax-free.” Although some distortion may occur at the edges of the glass, parallax is significantly minimized.
PRICE
Other than size, the price is the most significant difference between these two types of optics. As mentioned earlier, holographic sights are a lot more complex in their design, which costs money.
Decent red dots can cost as little as $100, but holographic sights are usually a few hundred more. If price is your primary determining factor, a red dot will be your best option.
Now that you know the differences between red dot and holographic sights, here are three of our top picks for each.
TOP 3 RED DOTS
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2 MOA red dot
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10 illumination settings
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Lightweight at 5.1 oz
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Retail $139.99
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4 MOA magnification
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Designed to withstand high recoil and impact and harsh weather conditions
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Retail $199.99
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Pre-calibrated dial for 5.56/.223, allowing for accuracy out to 400 yards
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Zero Stop
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Motion Sensory technology
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Retail $399.99 with mount
TOP 3 HOLOGRAPHIC SIGHTS
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Circle 1 Dot or Circle 2 Dot reticle
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Allows for co-witnessing with iron sights
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Convenient side buttons and quick-detach lever
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Retail $645.00
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Uses AA batteries for increased accessibility
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Good option with lower cost if NV compatibility is not needed
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Retail $499
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Claims to be combat-tested
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NV compatible
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1000 hours of battery run time
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Retail $599
FINAL THOUGHTS
As with anything, you have to know what you want and what you want it to do. When purchasing an optic for your AR, there are a few key factors to consider.
A red dot sight will be your best option if you’re looking for a compact and lightweight optic or if cost is a significant factor. But, if durability and precision with long-range shooting matter most, a holographic sight will be your best option, and you’ll just have to fork out the cash.