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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: jrgrimmy on June 03, 2023, 09:01:30 AM

Title: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: jrgrimmy on June 03, 2023, 09:01:30 AM
This year I was hunting with an overcast sky and a thick canopy overhead. I had a bird strut past but every time I lined him up the red dot would 'out shine' the bird and I lose it. It's on its lowest setting and isn't usually a problem most days. Does anyone use a marker or something similar to deal with situations like this?


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Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: PharmHunter on June 03, 2023, 09:25:01 AM
I've never had an issue on the lowest setting with a FF3 and some pretty early, dark woods situations.
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: Dtrkyman on June 03, 2023, 09:28:38 AM
You would have to spend some time on the range and figure out a consistent way to aim without the dot.  Just putting a permanent dot on the optic wouldn't work unless you had a secondary reference to line it up with.

I would be looking for a different optic If I had that issue.

I have not made the switch to a dot, using adjustable iron sights.
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: Tail Feathers on June 03, 2023, 09:58:03 AM
I had that happen to me this spring, but lowering the setting worked.  I had it pretty low, but the circle dot put out a lot of light towards the eye.  A lot of these have settings low enough to work the night vision.  Surely most get low enough for a dark thirty shot.
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: joey46 on June 03, 2023, 09:59:53 AM
I have a Sig Romeo 5 on my .410.  I adjust the dot up or down as necessary.  It came with a high mount that looks goofy but allows me to sight underneath it down the barrel if I would have a red dot failure.  I have taken a few practice shots this way and at close range would be okay. 
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: Yoder409 on June 03, 2023, 10:37:21 AM
It's never, ever been a problem for me.

I'm using the old Burris Speed Dot sights.  11 settings of brightness.  There's one for any lighting conditions.  I would definitely stay away from the busier reticles........circles with crosshairs, etc.......and any dot bigger than 3 MOA.
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: Greg Massey on June 03, 2023, 10:40:26 AM
I have more problems with them on bright sunny days than in the early dark morning ...  I have the FF3 and the Kingslayer and to be honest i really don't care for them.. I would rather have a scope ... IMO....
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: kayl on June 03, 2023, 10:45:04 AM
This is going to be a dot-specific problem. I use the Sig Romeo 5, which goes so low that it can be used with night vision. It also gets so bright that it's perfect for high noon sun.
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: Meleagris gallopavo on June 03, 2023, 11:15:15 AM
I have more problems in sunny conditions.  As it the sun comes up I turn up the brightness.


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Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: mspaci on June 03, 2023, 11:21:42 AM
I use a burris speed dot. Lowest setting first thing in am is great
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: Happy on June 03, 2023, 11:27:48 AM
I never turn my dot on until things are fixing to get real. When I do, I adjust it for the current light conditions and have never had a problem
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: grayfox on June 03, 2023, 12:30:36 PM
I used the Swampfox Kingslayer with the green circle & dot reticle this past season. It turns down so low in the morning before daylight you can make the reticle completely disappear. It has plenty of brightness in the sunlight & the dot doesn't seem to flare like some of the others when you really crank up the brightness. For years I used a Truglo Tru-Brite because of it's ability to turn down so low in the morning but the optics was kind of dark like tinting on a window. In the past I've also tried an Ultra-Dot, Burris Fastfire lll & a Vortex Venom. For my eyes I like the Kingslayer the best. The verdict is still out as to how well it will hold up.
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: Tom007 on June 03, 2023, 03:37:44 PM
Quote from: grayfox on June 03, 2023, 12:30:36 PM
I used the Swampfox Kingslayer with the green circle & dot reticle this past season. It turns down so low in the morning before daylight you can make the reticle completely disappear. It has plenty of brightness in the sunlight & the dot doesn't seem to flare like some of the others when you really crank up the brightness. For years I used a Truglo Tru-Brite because of it's ability to turn down so low in the morning but the optics was kind of dark like tinting on a window. In the past I've also tried an Ultra-Dot, Burris Fastfire lll & a Vortex Venom. For my eyes I like the Kingslayer the best. The verdict is still out as to how well it will hold up.

Same thing with the Burris Fastfires. Low setting works great in super low light conditions. The lowest setting is almost invisible after daylight....
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: WV Flopper on June 03, 2023, 08:58:38 PM
 I had the red blasted out issue this spring with a FF3. Turkey gobbled early, flew down early and got missed early.

Dot was on fourth setting, lowest it will go.  It can happen.
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: Paulmyr on June 03, 2023, 10:20:32 PM
Is possible your sight had dew on it or dust causing it to wash out in the low light conditions?
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: jrgrimmy on June 04, 2023, 01:03:33 PM
For reference I was using the vortex viper. The bird was at about 40 yards out. I may try a different red dot or just ditch it and go back to the bead. Shooting with the red dot doesn't feel as natural.


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Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: Paulmyr on June 04, 2023, 02:39:37 PM
I'm using the vortex venom. I had one instance this spring where the dot washed out my lens early morn. I'm pretty sure it was caused by dew collecting on the lens and me not getting it off properly. I tried just wiping it with my soft gloves but the material wouldn't absorb the water and just smudged it around. That's the Only problem I've had with it. I was a bead shooter as well up until last year with the purchase of a new 20 and the vortex sight. I didn't like it at 1st but I'm finding target acquisition pretty easy and i don't have to worry about aligning the bead on the rib properly. Just put the dot on target and squeeze the trigger.
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: Muzzy61 on June 04, 2023, 03:00:23 PM
Quote from: Meleagris gallopavo on June 03, 2023, 11:15:15 AM
I have more problems in sunny conditions.  As it the sun comes up I turn up the brightness.

^^^
This

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Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: WV Flopper on June 04, 2023, 03:29:17 PM
 The issue I experienced wasn't caused by dew, it would have frozen.
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: Dtrkyman on June 04, 2023, 03:40:25 PM
I debate a dot every spring, looks like another reason to stick with iron sights!  I actually prefer a double bead but my current rig shot of enough to need adjusting.

Tru Glo adjustable iron sights.
Title: Re: Red dot and dark mornings
Post by: Roost 1 on June 04, 2023, 03:59:36 PM
Quote from: WV Flopper on June 03, 2023, 08:58:38 PM
I had the red blasted out issue this spring with a FF3. Turkey gobbled early, flew down early and got missed early.

Dot was on fourth setting, lowest it will go.  It can happen.


I had the same experience this year.  First time it's ever happened to me but then again it was super early and some foggy. I shot right over him. Heck I was back to truck by 5:30.
I blame myself I should have been a little more patient but I was rushing because I had a 16hr drive home waiting on me.