Folks with astigmatism have problems with red dot sights, with the dot showing as a variety of non-dot configurations. You might want to talk to your optometrist about this problem.

 

I had the same issue and a simple test to find out is this. Look at your dot then turn the red dot either 90 or 180 degree's. If the star burst turns with the red dot then it is the red dot. If it doesn't turn it is your eyes and you my friend have an astigmatism!

But not fret too much there are some work arounds.

• If you want strictly a "DOT" look for one that the laser shoots forward toward the glass of the reticle and not reward toward your eye. This helps relive some of the flair.
• Look for an ETCHED RETICLE. They will be clearer and sharper with less flair.
• Holosun are known for being good for shooters with astigmatisms. Something in the coating of their glass.
• Use the lowest brightness possible produces less flair
• Personally I like using the CIRCLE DOT or just the CIRCLE for defensive shooting. Or add the CROSS HAIR for target.

Oh and to answer your question yes the higher $$$ do have a more precise dot BUT if you have an astigmatism you will still get the flair when you turn the brightness up.

Hope this helps.
Tom

 

Green dots also tend to have less flare.

Etched reticles will eliminate flare, but they usually come on prism sights with magnification. There are some that are 1X, just make sure you check it. They are usually built for rifle use, not for pistols.

I have a 2.5X prism that allows for both eyes open without too much effort. But prisms also have an eye box, it’s not like a red dot, you have to get your cheek weld in place to use it right.

 

HI Webster:

Lots of good advice here as stated above.

Take your prescription to one of those $29.00 eyeglasses place and get the cheapest pair of glasses but insist that the focal distance be 24 inches (or whatever you measure from your hand to eyeball when in a shooting position if shooting pistol). You do not need bi focals, progressive lenses, custom coatings, photochromatic lenses, or polarization or any of the other add ons that they encourage you to get which bumps the price up a couple hundred bucks. If the store will not do that for you then walk out the door and go to the next one a quarter mile away.

Once you get your shooting glasses, head on over to your local bullseye pistol competition. Us competitors and a friendly bunch and we are always looking to add more victoms...........oops I mean competitors to our sport. Bullseye Pistol competitors have all the top dollar red dots and we love having people admire our high dollar firearms. Heck, we think our stuff is the best and will be forming a line to get you to look through our red dots for confirmation that we did purchase the absolute best there is. Better warn you, they will probably invite you to the bar after the match to continue trying to convince you that their particular red dot is the only one to consider.

If you find yourself here in Michigan, I have a number of high quality 22 LR competition handguns with a variety of red dots mounted and you could stop by and evaluate them yourself.

Regards,
Crankster

 

HI Webster:

Lots of good advice here as stated above.

Take your prescription to one of those $29.00 eyeglasses place and get the cheapest pair of glasses but insist that the focal distance be 24 inches (or whatever you measure from your hand to eyeball when in a shooting position if shooting pistol). You do not need bi focals, progressive lenses, custom coatings, photochromatic lenses, or polarization or any of the other add ons that they encourage you to get which bumps the price up a couple hundred bucks. If the store will not do that for you then walk out the door and go to the next one a quarter mile away.

Once you get your shooting glasses, head on over to your local bullseye pistol competition. Us competitors and a friendly bunch and we are always looking to add more victoms...........oops I mean competitors to our sport. Bullseye Pistol competitors have all the top dollar red dots and we love having people admire our high dollar firearms. Heck, we think our stuff is the best and will be forming a line to get you to look through our red dots for confirmation that we did purchase the absolute best there is. Better warn you, they will probably invite you to the bar after the match to continue trying to convince you that their particular red dot is the only one to consider.

If you find yourself here in Michigan, I have a number of high quality 22 LR competition handguns with a variety of red dots mounted and you could stop by and evaluate them yourself.

Regards,
Crankster

I've been interested in bullseye. My shooting options are limited. There is a shooting range/club not far from me but I don't know anyone there these days and they have a crazy wait list. So, I shoot mostly at a local indoor range.

I bought some 25' rapid fire pistol targets and have been having fun with that. Guess I'll have to look for a local bullseye pistol club!

 

Shooting an optic is a TARGET Focus sight.
Focus on the target , set the sight brightness as low as you can see it clearly.
The higher the setting the more flare and goofy shapes your mind/eyes see.

With the lower visible setting it will allow fast accurate shots, which is the main intent of a red dot.
It gets uncomfortable to shoot well when you sight focus a dot.

this may not help your astigmatism but will help with actual functional use of the red dot.

 

What jcc said. If you are focused on the dot, you are not using the optic as designed. (Bullseye shooters aside!)

 

Take a picture of the dot with a camera. If the dot is perfectly round in the picture, then it’s your eyes that are the problem.

 

This is how i found out i had an astigmatism, glasses sorted it out. I found the "bursting" to not be as bad when in natural light but indoors it gets alot worse. Keep the brightness down as low as practicle.

 

Don't know your age, but cataracts can also produce fuzzy dots. Just had mine removed and dots are much better.

 

You may want to try a prism optics. You can get them from 1x to 6x. They have etched reticle so they work with out power and many feature shake awake features for illumination. I have a Primary Arms SLX 1x on my CZ Scorpion and I'm putting another one on a lite weight 10/22. The dot is clear as can be. Simmons Sporting Goods often has sales on these. You have to email them for a code. I HIGHLY recommend them.

 

Larger dots work better with astigmatism. Circle dots also help. I seem to get less flare with green dots. I have gone to prisms or LPVO's on my rifles.

 

Definitely the eyes. I have astigmatism in both eyes. I'll be 51 next month and have always worn glasses. Just saw the eye doc and no cataracts (yet lol).

I am right eye dominant and that eye was ever so slightly scarred by chicken pox when I was 7 years old, so I can never get it corrected all the wat back to 2020. Maybe I need to learn to shoot with my left eye. The dot sights are nice since I can keep both open but then I have the Starburst issue with the dot.

I appreciate all the helpful info! Didn't really expect many replies to a random question about red dots!

 

Regarding Prism sights, I don't think they are used very much here in the UK so its difficult to get an opinion.
What are the advantages (or disadvantages) of a Prism sight over a red dot or a 3x9 (for instance) telescopic sight - are they lighter/heavier or more difficult to use - are they also a fixed magnification?

 

Prisms will be fixed magnification, ranging from 1x to 5x, and will have an etched reticle. So if even if your battery dies the optic can still be used. For folks with severe astigmatism the illuminated reticle will be clearer and have less of a star burst visual effect than a red dot.



I haven't seen any cheap prisms but once I took the risk on one it's all I want to put on my guns now.

 

I've owned red dots from $40 to a few hundred bucks and they are all round LEDs. I doubt anyone makes a RD that is not perfectly round.
I don't have any problems with them but with most if I turn it up too bright it starts to change, some getting star shaped.

 

I think maybe developing cataracts can cause that flare

 

I only own two red dots but I can tell you there's a world of difference between the Holosun EPS and the Romeo Elite Zero. Dialed down to the lower settings, the Holosun allows me to be much more accurate using the clear round dot. There are other negatives to the Romeo that will keep me from buying any more and I'll probably end up replacing the one I have