Astigmatism and red dots and optic recommendations

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kingston73

kingston73

Member
Dec 9, 2017
178
3
MA, United States
I’m wondering if anybody has any first hand experience with astigmatism and using a red dot or reflex optic? I’ve read various articles about it, how it can make a red dot seem blurry, but I haven’t heard from anybody first hand.

I have a break barrel that I’d like to put some kind of small, light optic on. I was using a sightron 4x12 but it just makes it feel too heavy. I have a Williams peep on it but I feel like I’m not very good with it past 10-15 yards.


Other than the bugbuster do any of you have a recommendation for a small, light optic besides a red dot? I’ll be shooting it at a max of 20 yards.
 
Astigmatism here.... Every red dot I've tried kinda has me aiming at a blurry comma but eyes and severity differ. I don't have a specific scope recommendation but there are a bunch of small (size and power) scopes out there that would be light and allow more precision than a dot, if a scope is the way you choose to go. You don't need high magnification if your other routes were a dot or open sights.

Still, if you like the idea of a red dot, I wouldn't talk you out of the attempt. I wish they they worked for me.
 
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I have an astigmatism & ordered a dovetail red dot to try on my P-rod. I knew nothing of the issues with red dots & was confused when it looked blurry to me but not to my older son. That led to me learning how my astigmatism was the issue. 

I went to a Cabelas & looked through an Eotech, which is somehow different from a red dot. It was much better but not good enough for me to buy it. I do regret not looking through different illumination levels & reticle colors, which I think we're an option. 

The prism scope I looked through was much better & I liked the fixed 3x but I didn't think I wanted that little eye relief on my Leshiy nor did I think I'd be able to fit it on my P-rod. 

I would like to try some of the red dots that are said to be better for astigmatism. I think Holosun is one. I've heard green is better than red & that different sized dots can make a difference. 

I have read that some sort of flip up lense in the back can really help. I don't recall what they're called & current Wi-Fi is too slow to look it up. 

I found good information online, YouTube, etc. One of these days I'll try again to find one I like. 
 
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It depends on the individual as to how you will see the red dot with astigmatism. For me, it looks more like a starburst but not bad enough that I can’t effectively use one. I really do like red dots for certain applications and own several. It would be best if you could go someplace and look through one and see how it appears to your eyes. There are some extremely good choices in low powered prism scopes if you feel you can’t use a red dot. The Vortex Spitfire comes in a 1x or 3x magnification and isn’t a bad option.
 
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I wouldn't give up on getting a red dot. For 20 yard work they are the lightest and best option. I had an asitmatism that made red dots look like splattered bugs on a windshield. Went to the eye doctor for my annual checkup and the new perscription solved the issue. Now, when the red dot starts getting blurry, I know I'm due for a new perscription.
 
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I wouldn't give up on getting a red dot. For 20 yard work they are the lightest and best option. I had an asitmatism that made red dots look like splattered bugs on a windshield. Went to the eye doctor for my annual checkup and the new perscription solved the issue. Now, when the red dot starts getting blurry, I know I'm due for a new perscription.
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This. If your prescription is accurate, and your eyeglasses are ground correctly, you will see a perfect dot like everyone else. Most eyeglasses are not done that well, in my experience. Be prepared to have them re-do your glasses if the dot isn't a dot. Bring a small dot sight with you when you pick up your glasses. They are an excellent tool to actually check if they did your glasses right. Good astronomical telescope eyepieces are designed to accommodate a lens to correct for astigmatism. The problem has been around since optics started.
 
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...a shooter here said he had good luck with the Holosun HS 507C whereas his astigmatism was an issue with Vortex Venom and Trijicon red dots...

...I had thought they would all be the same...I thought with my astigmatism it would not make any difference per se...I figgerd I just have to find the right spot on my prescription lens...

...it has me checking out the Holosun and do I hope it is not a waste of time and effort...the Venom is quite usable and I like how compact it is and ho it does not block the sight picture like a scope...the Holosun seems a bit to scope like...

...I originally eschewed the bulky solar housing of the Holosun...I do covet the NV settings...

...now I read this and wonder if me n' shooter need new glasses...LoL...
 
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Now I know I’m not the only one with that problem. I see a comma Coming from the dot At the 2 o’clock Position.I have a NC star That when looking through it is real bad. My UTG red dot sight is better. It has a smaller minute of angle which I can’t remember exactly what size it is. But the main thing is the dot is a much sharper image. But if my eyes get any worse I’m gonna have to do away with the red dot sights and get a small lower powered site for some of my guns too.
 
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Take a look at Holosun. I have slight astigmatism and Trijicon and Vortex both starburst a bit on me. The Holosun 2MOA is nice and round to my eyes.
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...I am thinking will have to come around to this at some point...for one thing there is more difference between a 2 moa dot and a 3 moa dot than one might imagine...

...I am liking the light transmitting qualities and uncluttered view of the Vortex Venom enough to not send it back, but the Holosun may likely be in my future...

...I find it interesting and a bit surprising that he sees such a difference in dot resolution and grateful to ctshooter for acquiring both optics and comparing them...

...if I had read his words before it is likely that I would have just bought the Holosun, but also likely that I would have just bought the one I liked and tried it for my self anyway, so no harm no foul on 'shooter...

...my biggest gripe today is the 3 moa dot on the Vortex Venom...

...there is other stuff I could complain aboot today, but I won't, as that stuff has nothing to do with the optic......
 
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...this thread is better than my thread...



Compared brightness/light transmission between the two. To my eyes the Vortex is the tiniest bit brighter, but the Holosun has a bigger window top to bottom and I appreciate the bigger view. Also - the Holosun appears to be pretty 1:1 where the Vortex makes the target seem a tiny bit bigger.
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...two points for Venom...IMHO...the fact that it is only the tiniest bit brighter IYHO is enough for me to maintain interest in the Holosun as well...

...if you had said the Holosun was brighter I probably would have thrown the Venom in the trash and shot self in foot a few times...
 
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