Red dots turning into red worms!

[Turnkey11]

The finer the dot, the better it is. All my Aimpoint T-1s look fuzzy, even comet shaped with a magnifier. The Aimpoint M4S 2moa and Eotech center dots look like crisp dots, with or without a magnifier.

[Striker]

I have astigmatism as well and wear corrective lenses. The 4 moa dot of an Aimpoint ML-2 looks like a comma to my eyes. It's usable, but it certainly does not look like a sphere. An Eotech reticle looks like an actual dot surrounded by a flaming circle for me, which is fine.

Though I haven't tried one, I remember reading here that an ACOG is a viable alternative for people that can't use a red dot.

[globeguy]

I also suffer from some astigmatism. I find that the closer to the rear I have my T1 the rounder the dot gets. Currently my T1 sits just far enough from the rear sight so that I can put the bikini covers on when cleaning my rifle.

[eldogg]

the Leupold Prismatic 1x14mm Tactical Sight
has a focusing eyepiece. if you don't wear glasses to correct a
astigmatism, and want a 1x sight, this will work.

[wingspar]

Interesting thread. Glad I found it and read thru it. I’m 65 with minor astigmatism and have never used a scope or a red dot in my life. I’m in the process of researching them now and hope to have one by summer. Just had an eye exam this month, and my suspicions were confirmed. My eyesight is getting better for distance, and worse for reading. I never wear my glasses when shooting. To blurry. I do wear eye protection.

Since I have no experience with RD’s or scopes, I have no input, but one question. Is this “grape dot” a problem with both red dots and 1-4 scopes?

[usmcvet]

The 1-4 TR24 I had worked perfect with my astigmatism. 4 MOA is not good for me. 2 MOA works for me. If you can try before buying you should know right away. I didn't try first and it cost me some ti.e and money.

[sadmin]

The 1-4 TR24 I had worked perfect with my astigmatism. 4 MOA is not good for me. 2 MOA works for me. If you can try before buying you should know right away. I didn't try first and it cost me some ti.e and money.

Same here, 2 MOA is the only way to fly with an astigmatism. Just ordered another PRO to replace my XPS.

[blackscot]

.......Is this “grape dot” a problem with both red dots and 1-4 scopes?

What you need is an optic with a feature called an adjustable diopter. This is basically a focus adjustment at the shooter's end of the piece. For example, most binoculars have this. Most if not all rifle scopes do too (including 1-4X's).

Most 1X red dots do not have an adjustable diopter, other than the notable exception below. You should further note, however, that this model is substantially heavier and bulkier than some of the most popular non-adjustable red dots like the Aimpoint Micro. So it's a trade-off for image quality vs weight/bulk.

the Leupold Prismatic 1x14mm Tactical Sight
has a focusing eyepiece. if you don't wear glasses to correct a
astigmatism, and want a 1x sight, this will work.

[wingspar]

What you need is an optic with a feature called an adjustable diopter. This is basically a focus adjustment at the shooter's end of the piece. For example, most binoculars have this. Most if not all rifle scopes do too (including 1-4X's).

Most 1X red dots do not have an adjustable diopter, other than the notable exception below. You should further note, however, that this model is substantially heavier and bulkier than some of the most popular non-adjustable red dots like the Aimpoint Micro. So it's a trade-off for image quality vs weight/bulk.

I read about the adjustable diopter in one of your earlier posts. That Leupold Prismatic looks nice. I like the red cross hairs. So most 1-4 scopes have adjustable diopters?

[Striker]

I read about the adjustable diopter in one of your earlier posts. That Leupold Prismatic looks nice. I like the red cross hairs. So most 1-4 scopes have adjustable diopters?

I think it's going to depend on what you use it for. I read up on it and what bothered me was fifteen hours of battery life compared to 30,000 on an Aimpoint Pro. Now, I understand that fifteen is on full brightness, but really, fifteen? That's not even left on for one full day. I get when you have astigmatism, there is no perfect answer, but with fifteen hours of battery life, I think I would rather live with a 2MOA comma recticle from an aimpoint or a dot and ring of fire reticle from an Eotech. It's obviously an individual decision, but changing batteries that often, at least to me, is asking to have your optic go down at the wrong time. Now, if you're not going to use it for defense or duty, I guess it doesn't really matter as much; but it would still be annoying to me.