where can I try optics in person?

[SJan]

Here's what I mean:

they all do that - but it doesn't matter
im sure some seem more than others
its referred to as edge distortion or lens distortion

 

[SJan]

2 words, Trijicon (of course) SRO
Check out the glass, prisitine, buy once cry once
or the new trijicon RMR HD

Best glass? Trijicon hands down....

trijicon SRO is among the best options, but it has some of the worst glair in certain lighting conditions, notably when the sun is low and bright just over the berm.

 

[milktree]

they all do that - but it doesn't matter
im sure some seem more than others
its referred to as edge distortion or lens distortion
View attachment 953373

It’s the “some more than others” part I’m trying to sort out.

 

[alan226]

Are there any places that have lots of different pistol optics I could actually handle and look through?

My particular complaint with many optics is that even though they claim zero magnification, they're not; there's some weird distortion that makes it so my eyes have to focus differently if I want to keep focus on the target. Imagine wearing very weak reading glasses but only one eye. It slows down target acquisition.

I want to be able to keep both eyes focused on the target, bring the optic up to point, and not have to change the focus of either eye.

*all* pistol optics I've tried have this problem to some degree.


Of the few I've tried and can remember:

The least bad is the Sig Romeo-1. (discontinued, weird unique mounting footprint)
Second best is C-More RTS.

Burris Fastfire-3 is usable, but annoying
Holosun 507c (at least the one with the Vulcan reticle) is usable but annoying.


"Buy a bunch and return the bad ones" seems like a crappy way to do it; both for my wallet, and for the vendors.

I'd rather just buy the one that works for me.

YMMV, but when I bought a Trijiicon RMR, I went to Basspro in Hooksett to look and feel them. They had probably 3 dozen different scopes and red dots on display.
After I found my best option, I ordered one on line at a better price.
F++k Basspro

 

[Mesatchornug]

There's a shop at the Mill, down the hall to the right between the men's and women's bathrooms on the floor Dean Safety is on (main floor?) - can't remember the name of the shop, but they have a TON of optics in the case for you to check out and peer through.

Sounds like you're describing @CDSUSA (Custom Defense Solutions)

 

[Cuz]

Best glass? Trijicon hands down....

Have you looked through the Sig Romeo3 Max or XL?

I really like my SRO, but the bigger window, clean dot and clear glass in my Romeo3 Max blows it away. If I hadn’t gone and milled my slides directly for the SRO, I’d swap them out in a heartbeat.

 

[milktree]

Have you looked through the Sig Romeo3 Max or XL?

I really like my SRO, but the bigger window, clean dot and clear glass in my Romeo3 Max blows it away. If I hadn’t gone and milled my slides directly for the SRO, I’d swap them out in a heartbeat.

I have not! But based on the Romeo 1 which has the least distortion of the small number I've looked at, that seems like a great place to start.

 

[whatluck]

Buds carries like 100 optics, a good variety on rental guns too

 

[Drix]

Best glass? Trijicon hands down....

Elcan > Trijicon

 

[milktree]

Elcan > Trijicon

I should have been more clear from the beginning.

This is for a handgun.

It doesn't look like Elcan makes pistol dots.

 

[Drix]

I should have been more clear from the beginning.

This is for a handgun.

It doesn't look like Elcan makes pistol dots.

That's fair, lost the forest through the trees. To my knowledge they don't.

Trijicon is likely top tier glass for a handgun.

 

[Grendizer138]

I go to Shooter’s Outpost to check out optics. Not only do they have a great selection but I don’t feel even remotely guilty about wasting their time while knowing i’m just going to buy online, because they f***in suck.

 

[Golddiggie]

I was going to post about going up to Shooter's early in this thread. Held back due to how most people seem to react to going there. I'd advise going to any decent size stores that stock multiple pistol dots to check them out. IF they ask about you buying something just mention that you're doing your due diligence BEFORE dropping a good chunk of change on something that you're not sure will work for you (or that you'll like). If the store doesn't like that answer, then fvck them. IME, most (or at least the halfway decent ones) won't have an issue with someone fondling display items while trying to decide.

Also look at the different video reviewers for products to get a moderate baseline on the range of optics you should consider. IIRC, TheHumbleMarksman, along with at least a few others, give good reviews (not shills) on optics. People like Honest Outlaw that have given rather harsh reviews on different products over the years. He's not afraid to call something a steaming pile when the one he got was.

I'd also add to make sure you get something from a maker that has a solid customer support segment. Being able to work with them for any potential issues, or if the thing has a significant issue within the warranty period, shouldn't be dismissed. Places that make it difficult for the consumer to get support should be outed rather loudly.

 

[Grendizer138]

I was going to post about going up to Shooter's early in this thread. Held back due to how most people seem to react to going there. I'd advise going to any decent size stores that stock multiple pistol dots to check them out. IF they ask about you buying something just mention that you're doing your due diligence BEFORE dropping a good chunk of change on something that you're not sure will work for you (or that you'll like). If the store doesn't like that answer, then fvck them. IME, most (or at least the halfway decent ones) won't have an issue with someone fondling display items while trying to decide.

Also look at the different video reviewers for products to get a moderate baseline on the range of optics you should consider. IIRC, TheHumbleMarksman, along with at least a few others, give good reviews (not shills) on optics. People like Honest Outlaw that have given rather harsh reviews on different products over the years. He's not afraid to call something a steaming pile when the one he got was.

I'd also add to make sure you get something from a maker that has a solid customer support segment. Being able to work with them for any potential issues, or if the thing has a significant issue within the warranty period, shouldn't be dismissed. Places that make it difficult for the consumer to get support should be outed rather loudly.

Most of the employees at Shooter’s have always been pretty cool in my experience. They had no issue showing me a bunch of highish-end optics, which I eventually bought online.

But if the owner doesn’t want to sell me a box of ammo or a pmag due to store policy, he can also keep his $3k NightForce.