Understanding the Technology
At first glance, red dot sights and holographic sights appear nearly identical. Both project an aiming point onto a lens, allowing shooters to acquire targets quickly with both eyes open. However, the underlying technology differs significantly, and understanding these differences helps you choose the right optic for your needs.
Red dot sights, more accurately called reflex sights, use an LED that projects a dot onto a specially coated lens. The coating reflects the LED light back to your eye while allowing you to see through the lens. This simple, proven technology results in excellent battery life and compact size.
Holographic sights, pioneered by EOTech, use a laser to illuminate a holographic reticle pattern recorded on a glass element. The result is a more complex reticle that appears to float in your field of view. This technology provides some unique advantages but at the cost of battery life and price.
Battery Life: The Red Dot Advantage
This is where red dot sights shine brightest. Modern red dot sights from manufacturers like Aimpoint can deliver 50,000 hours or more of continuous operation on a single battery. That’s over five years of always-on readiness. This allows shooters to leave the optic powered on at all times, eliminating the need to fumble for a switch in a defensive situation.
Holographic sights typically last 600 to 1,000 hours on a set of batteries, which is still adequate for most uses but requires more frequent battery changes and makes the always-on approach impractical.
Reticle and Precision
Red dot sights typically offer a simple dot reticle, usually 2 MOA for precision or 6 MOA for speed. The dot covers a specific angular area that remains consistent regardless of distance. Some shooters with astigmatism may see the dot as a starburst or smear rather than a crisp point, which can be frustrating.
Holographic sights provide more complex reticle options, including the iconic EOTech circle-dot pattern that offers both fast acquisition at close range and precise aiming capability at distance. Additionally, because holographic reticles are laser-generated rather than LED-reflected, they tend to appear crisper for shooters with astigmatism.
Parallax and Accuracy
Both sight types are marketed as parallax-free, but in practice, some parallax exists in both designs. Red dot sights generally exhibit slightly more parallax at close distances, meaning the point of aim can shift if your eye isn’t perfectly centered behind the optic. Quality red dot sights minimize this to insignificant levels for combat accuracy.
Holographic sights have a genuine technical advantage in parallax performance. The holographic reticle is projected at a virtual distance of infinity, which means the point of aim remains consistent regardless of eye position behind the sight. For fast, unconventional shooting positions, this can be a meaningful benefit.
Durability and Size
Both types are built for hard use, but red dot sights have a simplicity advantage. With fewer internal components and no complex laser systems, quality red dot sights like the Aimpoint T2 are legendary for their ruggedness. Holographic sights are also extremely durable, as demonstrated by extensive military use of the EOTech EXPS3, but the more complex optics give red dots a theoretical edge in long-term reliability.
Size and weight favor red dot sights as well. Micro red dots like the Aimpoint T2 or Trijicon MRO weigh as little as 3-4 ounces, while holographic sights are generally larger and heavier.
Which One Is Right for You?
For most AR-15 owners, a quality red dot sight offers the best combination of performance, battery life, size, and value. If you prioritize always-on readiness, simplicity, and compact size, the red dot is hard to beat. If you have astigmatism, shoot in unusual positions frequently, or want the versatility of a complex reticle pattern, a holographic sight may better serve your needs. Either choice, mounted on a G2 Precision rifle, gives you a formidable combination of platform and optics.
