How to choose a red dot or prism sight
Open or enclosed emitter
An open-emitter sight is the lightest and lowest, which suits a pistol slide: the Midas EDC weighs 0.65 oz. An enclosed sight seals the emitter behind a second lens, so rain, dust and lint cannot reach it: the Alpen Argus LT 1x20 and the tube-style Midas Strobe and Blaze.
Footprint
A pistol sight mounts to a cut in the slide. RMR is the full-size pattern (Midas Beam and Flash, Argus LT 1x26), RMSc the slim one for subcompact carry pistols (Midas EDC and EDC Pro), and RMRc the Argus Sub-Compact pattern. The Beam and the Argus LT 1x26 also come with a mount for a rifle, and the Strobe comes with two mount heights.
Dot size
A larger dot is quicker to pick up, and a smaller one covers less of the target. The Midas Flash comes as a 6 MOA or a 3 MOA, the Strobe and Blaze use a 2 MOA dot, and the Alpen Argus sights switch between a dot, a circle and both.
Battery
Most of these sights sleep when still and wake when moved. The Midas Burst, Beam and Blaze are rated to 50,000 hours, the EDC Pro takes its battery from the top without leaving the slide, and the Argus LT 1x20 and Nevada LT 3x24 run on solar power with a backup cell.
Magnifier or prism scope
A Midas M3 or M5 magnifier flips to the side when you do not need it, keeping the red dot for close work and adding reach to 200 or 300 yards. A prism scope has fixed power: the Midas Flare at 1x, 3x or 5x, with an etched APX reticle that stays visible with the illumination off, and the Alpen Nevada LT 3x24 with a 3 MOA illuminated dot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Red dot or prism scope with astigmatism?
A prism scope. Astigmatism can turn a red dot into a starburst or a smear, while the etched reticle of a prism scope stays sharp. The Midas Flare 1x keeps the speed of a red dot with no magnification.
Which red dot fits a subcompact carry pistol?
One on the RMSc footprint: the Midas EDC, at 0.65 oz, which comes with a Glock MOS plate, or the EDC Pro, whose battery loads from the top.
Can I add magnification to a red dot later?
Yes. The Midas M3 and M5 magnifiers mount behind the red dot on a Picatinny rail and flip to the side when you do not need them.
For magnified optics, browse our riflescopes, and for each maker's full line, Athlon Optics and Alpen Optics.