This has been discussed before but thought I'd share some of my testing this afternoon of what a turkey sees when looking at a red dot reflex type sight on your gun. These images are not great cause I was trying to keep the file size down but yet keep it good enough to see the glare off the red dots. The first 3 photos are from a Truglo TruBrite & the last three are from an UltraDot. The Truglo has a mirror or shinny look & the UltraDot gives off an orange glow like the Fastfires. These were taken from 3 different angles at somewhere between 20-25 yards. What are everyones thoughts on this? Thanks for looking.
(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/grayfox2013/P1000742_zpsbajjzwud.jpg) (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/grayfox2013/media/P1000742_zpsbajjzwud.jpg.html)
(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/grayfox2013/P1000743_zpsjfwwxrxi.jpg) (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/grayfox2013/media/P1000743_zpsjfwwxrxi.jpg.html)
(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/grayfox2013/P1000744_zpstfcamahw.jpg) (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/grayfox2013/media/P1000744_zpstfcamahw.jpg.html)
(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/grayfox2013/P1000739_zpsnfd7zdq7.jpg) (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/grayfox2013/media/P1000739_zpsnfd7zdq7.jpg.html)
(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/grayfox2013/P1000740_zpsv0qbedps.jpg) (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/grayfox2013/media/P1000740_zpsv0qbedps.jpg.html)
(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/grayfox2013/P1000741_zpsgf4tjp0i.jpg) (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/grayfox2013/media/P1000741_zpsgf4tjp0i.jpg.html)
Here are some closer pics of the UltraDot so you can see it better. The images are sorta washed out looking.
(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/grayfox2013/DSCF3426_zps2xoqlwwd.jpg) (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/grayfox2013/media/DSCF3426_zps2xoqlwwd.jpg.html)
(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/grayfox2013/DSCF3427_zpss79gxqer.jpg) (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/grayfox2013/media/DSCF3427_zpss79gxqer.jpg.html)
(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/grayfox2013/DSCF3428_zpsoyp7j1ys.jpg) (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/grayfox2013/media/DSCF3428_zpsoyp7j1ys.jpg.html)
Interesting! I had no idea they put off that amount of glare. I knew they glared but didn't realize they did to that extent. That would be a concern for me considering their eyesight. I've never owned one of those sights as I use the adjustable rifle type sights but have considered buying a Burris FF3. Hopefully the manufactures of these type sights will go to work on it. Thanks for taking the time to demonstrate this! Strutter.
I've used the Truglo for the past two seasons with no problems & many others have used them also along with other red dot sights. I'd never really paid it much attention until this afternoon & started setting up my gun in the edge of the woods at different angles. This setup was not looking into the sun but the sun was shining with no clouds at the time of the photos. Also it made no difference if the red dots were turned on or off. Not trying to scare anybody from using red dots as I will be using the UltraDot this season myself but I do believe it's possible for it to spook a gobbler under the right conditions. Just try not to setup looking into the sun which I'm sure everybody knows that anyway. I always try my best to get in a darker shady spot if possible.
I have an aimpoint 9000 and 2 leupold gilmores and noticed this a few years ago.Almost positive i got busted 2 times from the red glare.Been leaning toward the Williams slugger sights for all my turkey guns.
Depending on what red dot you have, there are black covers that are honeycomb patterned that slide/clip on front side of optic that remove all of the glare.
Quote from: USMC0331 on February 08, 2015, 12:11:38 AM
Depending on what red dot you have, there are black covers that are honeycomb patterned that slide/clip on front side of optic that remove all of the glare.
Good to know when considering one of these.Strutter.
Thanks for taking the time and setting this up! I've wondered about this also with the red dot
style scopes. There is always good info on here. :icon_thumright:
I'm running a Primary Arms micro red dot with an anti-reflective device (ARD) like USMC0331 described and it completely eliminates the red glare. It was a $10 ad-on that screws right into the end of the objective lens. You can also just cover the end of the red dot and shoot with both eyes open. Your left eye will superimpose the dot on the target and you can still shoot just fine.
This is good info and I suppose it could be a problem but for me it's a non issue. I've killed a bunch of birds with a red dot and have yet to be picked out from the glare. It's always the inability to sit still due to a worn out back and lack of patience that gets me busted. I could blame it on other things but I've killed turkeys with my A5 and that thing shines like a diamond in a goats . I won't worry about glare unless my prey is carrying a gun. -SS
That supports what an acquaintance of mine claimed. He said he could see glare off of his buddy's red dot from the other side of the field. I'm nervous about this as I just purchased a Burris Fastfire III. Their website has this claim though - "Index-matched, Hi-Lume® multicoating provides low-light performance and glare elimination." They also have a cover, but I'm not sure it changes anything related to glare.
I was thinking that maybe you could put some see through face mask material over the front?
That's what I did last year. Took a pair of old mesh gloves. I cut a small piece off and taped it on my protective cover and you can see through it just fine. It takes away the little bit of glare it had. You can also see through it in low light conditions.
Friend of mine said he noticed my Tru-Glo had a glare like a mirror. I have a FFlll on order. He has the FFlll with the cover & I never noticed it having a glare.
The ff3 don't have much but if the sun light hit it the right way you would see a little. As a friend of mine said he should be dead by the time he sees a glare.
My own testing with my FF3 has shown that at the right angle it is like someone shining a mirror at you. Bottom line, if a gobbler is approaching with the sun behind him and your sight is hit by sunlight there's a chance you will flash him. It's worst when the sun is low in the sky, so early or late in the day.
The good thing is, if you shoot with both eyes open you can block off the front of the sight entirely and it still works fine. I covered the front of the plastic rain cover that comes with the FF3 with camo tape and keep the cover on most of the time.
been shooting red dots for 6 or 7 years. My first was a Bushnell trophy which still have on a 535. have killed them also with a trs25,ff2 and ff3. I don't believe its ever been a issue. By the time they see the glare if they do they should be dead.
:morning:
Been shooting a red dot for some time and learned the hard way about their shine. Since that time I always choose a spot that has my back to the sun (facing north) and a blind arrangement that isn't sitting out in the open. I opt for natural cover that gives me a "roof" as well. Pre-scouting an area puts me where I can get my hide set up so I'm comfortable about being hidden where the roosters are.
I honestly believe that the UltraDot has much more of a red glow than the FastFire. It seemed it didn't matter how you setup the glare was always there, sunlight, shade or whatever. The Truglo has a mirror like shine to it. Had a hen Saturday walk within 15 yards & never spooked. Not saying the UltaDot will spook a bird but it does have a lot of red glow to it even when not turned on. I just like the 2 color options & the more brightness levels the TruGlo has to offer so I now have it back on my gun.
Never had a problem with my red dot trs 25 and killing turkeys.
Quote from: grayfox on February 07, 2015, 06:29:10 PM
This has been discussed before but thought I'd share some of my testing this afternoon of what a turkey sees when looking at a red dot reflex type sight on your gun. These images are not great cause I was trying to keep the file size down but yet keep it good enough to see the glare off the red dots. The first 3 photos are from a Truglo TruBrite & the last three are from an UltraDot. The Truglo has a mirror or shinny look & the UltraDot gives off an orange glow like the Fastfires. These were taken from 3 different angles at somewhere between 20-25 yards. What are everyones thoughts on this? Thanks for looking.
(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/grayfox2013/P1000742_zpsbajjzwud.jpg) (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/grayfox2013/media/P1000742_zpsbajjzwud.jpg.html)
I used a reflex couple years back, got rid of it for same reason as the picture shows, glare, and the spooking of turkeys, 3 in one morning hunting, made me that mad left the woods by 9am. Made a camo cover for it but just did not feel good knowing what had happened. Got a Vortex strike force, and have not looked back.
I've had birds bust in the past for no apparent reason. Glare from the red dot was always suspected. When this did happen I was sure I rock steady still. Fixed tru glo sights is on her now.
After reading this thread I got paranoid and put the screw in anti reflective device on my Aimpoint 9000sc. However, after hunting with it this spring I don't think it was really needed. The anti reflective device does hamper your vision a little compared to not having it on there.
my fastfire just cost me a turkey again this morning it will be for sale day after season
Another double digit tom season with zero red dot glare issues that I am aware of...
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Quote from: Dirt nap on May 05, 2015, 10:07:16 AM
my fastfire just cost me a turkey again this morning it will be for sale day after season
The glare cost you a bird?
Quote from: mudhen on May 05, 2015, 11:34:30 AM
Another double digit tom season with zero red dot glare issues that I am aware of...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
No doubt. My money is on movement or turkeys not seeing the "hen" or bad setups
pretty sure it was glare im not a novice turkey hunter ;)
Quote from: Dirt nap on May 05, 2015, 12:32:25 PM
pretty sure it was glare im not a novice turkey hunter ;)
Neither are we ;). I honestly don't see a small shiny spot spooking a bird. Lots of shiny things in the woods when the sun is shining
Appreciate you caring about me and what I hunt with but I will pick my scope
Quote from: Dirt nap on May 05, 2015, 01:50:33 PM
Appreciate you caring about me and what I hunt with but I will pick my scope
Who said I cared? Pick what you want but quit making excuses.
just trying to add to the op's question
Seems like this thread has got too many people worrying too much. Wished I'd never started this thread. Heck everybody's gonna wind up with ulcers! lol I've been using my red dot for three seasons now with no busted turkeys yet. Called up a hen within 15 yards this season & she never spooked from my red dot pointing straight at her. Like someone said turkeys see shinny objects like aluminum cans, plastic bottles & things in the woods every day so they probably don't pay much attention to it unless it moves, then they become alarmed. I think we all need to spend more time paying more attention to our setups & staying as still as we possibly can. Let's stop worrying about these glares & shines & just enjoy our hunting.
Grayfox, your post was a good one and you shouldn't have any regrets about it. I suppose it's all a matter of what a person is confident in hunting with. Your post certainly helped me decide on what to do or not to do and I'm certain it helped others as well. Thanks again, Strutter.