Red dots turning into red worms!

[usmcvet]

So, from what I gather, the 2moa dots are worse with astigmatism than the 4moa? The reason I ask, I just got, and mounted, a new 2moa, and it looks like a paint splatter to me. Im really dissapointed with it at this point. Would trading for a 4moa help me? Or do I need an optic change all together?
Thanks,
Brandon

What setting is it on? I need to turn mine down of I get that effect too.

[bsmith_shoot]

What setting is it on? I need to turn mine down of I get that effect too.

Well, its kinda weird, but ive never had this issue with any RDS ive owned. I have run Eotech 512, 552, Aimpoint M2, M3, and 4moa T1's, and never had any bloom with my dots. Ive been using RDS for about 10 years, with 8 quality training classes under my belt, and over 3 years in fugitive apprehension. I train once a month, rain, snow, and bad weather of no kind stops us. Im not a expert, just an end user, but I do know how to use my RDS.
What im worried about is this, ive been away from the red dot for a while now , using 1-4x scopes exclusively. In that time, have I developed an issue with my eyes? Is it an astigmatism? No matter what setting I set the 2moa on, it looks like a paint splatter, or maybe an octopus, lol. Could it be an issue with the T1, or is it my eyes, I wonder? If it is my eyes, what can the eye doc do to fix the problem? Ive never had nothing but perfect vision, so I know nothing about eye doctors.
Thanks,
Brandon

[usmcvet]

I started wearing glasses two years ago while reading and using the computer. Now I really should be wearing them 80 % of the time.

[kiwi57]

bsmith_shoot,

The eye exam recommendation is a solid idea. I'd suggest a complete dilated exam and correction if indicated by an ophthalmologist (MD) or doctor of optometry (OD). Check with friends/family for recommendations--or your primary care doc if you have one. There are a number of other problems that can cause visual changes besides a need for glasses and should be ruled out. These professionals can supply answers in short order.

I got glasses many years ago when I turned 28. I had perfect vision when I was in the service and the decline snuck right up on me. I was amazed the first time I wore glasses, trees actually had individual leaves.

Kiwi57

[bsmith_shoot]

bsmith_shoot,

The eye exam recommendation is a solid idea. I'd suggest a complete dilated exam and correction if indicated by an ophthalmologist (MD) or doctor of optometry (OD). Check with friends/family for recommendations--or your primary care doc if you have one. There are a number of other problems that can cause visual changes besides a need for glasses and should be ruled out. These professionals can supply answers in short order.

I got glasses many years ago when I turned 28. I had perfect vision when I was in the service and the decline snuck right up on me. I was amazed the first time I wore glasses, trees actually had individual leaves.

Kiwi57

Thats what im gonna do man. Ive never had more than the standing a few feet back, and read the letters that keep gettin smaller, lol. I have always been able to read even the smallest letters.
Thanks for the help folks.
Brandon

[bp7178]

Try looking at the Aimpoint dot through the rear BUIS aperture, the smaller one if possible, ignoring the front BUIS.

You'll probably find the Aimpoint dot is perfectly spherical.

[lifebreath]

I've got a pretty severe astigmatism, but with good prescription shooting glasses, I have no problems with rds or other optics.

[blackscot]

.....ive been away from the red dot for a while now.....
......In that time, have I developed an issue with my eyes? Is it an astigmatism?.......
......it looks like a paint splatter, or maybe an octopus, lol. Could it be an issue with the T1, or is it my eyes, I wonder?......
......Ive never had nothing but perfect vision.......

I had eyes like a hawk until my early 40's. Then things got a little fuzzier with each passing year. Before long I was wearing reading glasses, and needing a little more powerful pair every couple of years or so. Now at age 54, I need 200's to read most printing without difficulty.

Also, the originally sharp dot on my Aimpoint gradually morphed first into a Micky Mouse head, and eventually a cluster of grapes. At first any glasses made it worse, turning the image into a roadkill-like splat. Just recently though, I discovered that 125's now actually clear it up a bit. My left eye sees only a single dot, which is also with my right eye but with a bit of a comet tail. At least I can now tell what part of the image to align with the target, and with this set-up have been able to shoot as well as my other limitations will allow.

Once you reach my age, correcting for eye condition is a "moving target", so I expect future adjustments will continue to be needed. Good luck to everyone else getting older (which is better than the alternative ).

[Spiffums]

I have light starbursts with and without glasses/contacts. I just dial down 1 setting and I get a usable dot.

[bsmith_shoot]

Update from my findings.
I took the advice of several members here, and tried out a few things. First off, I flipped up the sights to view the dot through the ghost ring. It helped a ton. Next I moved the optic around on the rail, and found it was better again when it was farther away. When I put those things together with lowering the power a little, it made a really usable dot. I still had a "tail" that come off the bottom and swept to the left, but the main dot was good.
My next step is an eye exam. I hope to completely fix the problem with some kind of corrective procedure, whether glasses/contacts or surgery.
Thanks for the advice.
Brandon