Mounting an optic

Post by **KYgundude** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 7:06 pm

Is there a specific place along the rail where I should be mounting my red dot? I kinda went with the middle area but not sure why.

Post by **jackalo626** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 7:13 pm

Most use the farthest away from eye still on receiver as a solid mounting point.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ssracer02 · Post by **ssracer** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 7:25 pm

I generally do like jack said and mount it as far forward as I can with it still being on the receiver (not on the quad rail if equipped). That said, really anywhere on teh receiver that is comfortable for your eyes will work

http://www.youtube.com/user/ssracer02 · Post by **ssracer** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 7:33 pm

My eotech is as far forward as I can get it without it interfering with the rail

Post by **bigelowe** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 7:46 pm

Ss,, what stock is that on your ar?

http://www.youtube.com/user/ssracer02 · Post by **ssracer** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 7:52 pm

Its a Tactical Intent TI-7

Post by **Toddinlou** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 7:54 pm

ssracer wrote:Its a Tactical Intent TI-7

Really like mine

Post by **KYgundude** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 12:52 am

Thanks all!!

Post by **shelbygoat** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 6:54 am

The mouning of a red dot is totally up to you as a shooter. No matter how close or how far it is from your eye, as long as you put it on your intended target(and account for bullet drop at distance) it will hit it. The red dot/reflex sight is designed like that. You could set them gun on a table, step back 10 feet, and as long as you see the red dot through the site and its on target, thereoretically, have someone just pull the trigger, it will hit the target.

Post by **justang1997** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 10:29 am

Red dots require cheek weld and the same sight picture as when zeroed. Holographic sights don't depend on the same sight picture to stay zeroed. U could put an eotech really far forward and as u bring the gun up shoot as soon as the dot is on target. With an aimpoint or red dot u need to aim the same way every time. Which imo is harder with the dot further out.

Post by **Whootsinator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 11:12 am

justang1997 wrote:Red dots require cheek weld and the same sight picture as when zeroed. With an aimpoint or red dot u need to aim the same way every time. Which imo is harder with the dot further out.

That's just not true. I've used Aimpoints and Vortex sights at some pretty funky angles, without any 'cheek weld' at all, and they shoot pretty darn straight. You describe reflex sights (red dot sights) as if they were static shotgun bead sights. IF that were the case, then you would want them as far out as possible, at the end of the barrel, like a bead sight. But, that isn't the case...

Post by **justang1997** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 11:52 am

I'm pretty surre that's how it is. U aren't gonna notice it as much up close obviously. Set your gun in a vice and aim at a far away target and move your head around. The red dot will shift iits aim slightly in relation to your head. A holographic sight will not.

Post by **justang1997** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 12:11 pm

I'll clarify this is my opinion based on what I've noticed while using eotechs and comparing to cheap walmart bsa red dots and primary arms red dots. So I may be wrong but I've noticed a difference. Never tried a real deal aimpoint so maybe there is a difference.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ssracer02 · Post by **ssracer** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 12:13 pm

With a properly sighted red dot, it shouldn't matter. Whatever that dot is on is where the bullet is going. I can put my EOtech on a target and move my head all over, the dot stays on the same target

Post by **Whootsinator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 12:20 pm

I'm mixing my concepts here and getting over my head... Frankly I'm not smart enough to explain it, but the resources are out there.

An optical engineer would say: Not all red dot sights are created equal, but with quality red dots parallax is NOT an issue, and at all ranges except bad-breath distances (<10ft) they are EFFECTIVELY parallax free. I have personally tested that, and found it to be true on Aimpoints AND EOtechs, but at the distances required to notice it, your target fills the optic.

Now, unfortunately, cheap single-lens red dot sights ARE suspect to parallax issues because they only have 'one mirror', so you have to view them from the appropriate angle.

Post by **Whootsinator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 12:32 pm

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.p ... opic=31512

This made my brain hurt, but it's still the most straight-forward article, with the best explanation of the physics involved in scopes and light, that I've ever read.

Post by **justang1997** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 12:52 pm

ssracer wrote:With a properly sighted red dot, it shouldn't matter. Whatever that dot is on is where the bullet is going. I can put my EOtech on a target and move my head all over, the dot stays on the same target

That's because an eotech is a holographic sight. That's what I was saying.

Post by **DDgunslinger** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 1:05 pm

Aimpoint/Eotech work the same in the regards in once properly zero'd where ever that little red dot is placed, that's where the round goes. You do not have to maintain a proper cheek weld to accurately engage with either an Aimpoint or Eotech. That's the whole reason the RDS where created, so I shooter could quickly and accurately engage even if he is not able to have the proper body mechanics/alignment (check weld/eye relief/shooting position and etc). Anyway, as far as the OPs question, it is shooter preference. However most shooters mount there RDS as far forward as possible to allow them a larger field of view. This allows for faster target Acquisition.

Post by **justang1997** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 1:11 pm

Whootsinator wrote:http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.p ... opic=31512

This made my brain hurt, but it's still the most straight-forward article, with the best explanation of the physics involved in scopes and light, that I've ever read.

Ill have to give that a read. I'm sure on cheaper sights the parallax will be more of an issue. The 3 red dots I tested were pretty bad at 100 yards.
I'm not trying to argue that red dots are inaccurate or anything. Just my opinion that mounting a red dot further away may not be the best idea, and it shouldn't hurt a holographic sight at all

Post by **DDgunslinger** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 1:19 pm

justang1997 wrote:
Whootsinator wrote:http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.p ... opic=31512

This made my brain hurt, but it's still the most straight-forward article, with the best explanation of the physics involved in scopes and light, that I've ever read.
Ill have to give that a read. I'm sure on cheaper sights the parallax will be more of an issue. The 3 red dots I tested were pretty bad at 100 yards.
I'm not trying to argue that red dots are inaccurate or anything. Just my opinion that mounting a red dot further away may not be the best idea, and it shouldn't hurt a holographic sight at all

Well I've used both the Aimpoint and the Eotech quite a bit, in several different scenerios and on several different weapons. I have qualified expert on both optics, which were both mounted as far forward as possible. I have had no issue running either, granted I can not speak for the cheaper RDS. Also neither the EO or AP were meant to be run as precision optics. Anyway, just my .02 from my experiences with both optics.

Post by **etownguy** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 5:13 pm

My sparc and old eotech had no parralex issues to speak of.

Post by **KYgundude** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 6:19 pm

Thanks to everyone who gave me helpful feedback and broke it down Barney style for n00bs. Possible thanks to Woot and Justang but I'm not sure because I'm not sure I know what the hell they said. :llama:

This is the spot I went with. Sighted it in at home using a bore laser. Haven't tried it yet. Did I go too far forward? It's comfortable to look through.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ssracer02 · Post by **ssracer** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 6:44 pm

As long as its still on the upper's rail it can be as far forward as you like.

Post by **Whootsinator** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 6:45 pm

If it's mounted the receiver and not touching the forearm, it's not too far forward. Place it where you like it.

edit - Dang it Sean...

Post by **KYgundude** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 7:00 pm

Thanks guys!!

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