What’s the difference between a Red Dot vs. ACOG sights?
A red dot is perfect for CQB (0 – 100 yards) since it’s lighter, faster and easier to use. But if you want to shoot further out (100+ yards) without worrying about batteries, then go for an ACOG.
Still unsure? In this short ACOG vs. Red Dots comparison review, I’m going to explain the key differences between them and reveal which one is best for you.
Let’s get started!
Quick Comparison Table
Features | ACOG | Red Dot Sight |
|---|---|---|
Glass Clarity | Perfect | Perfect if clean |
Battery Life | None needed | 100-1000 hours |
Eye Relief | 1”-2.5” | Unlimited |
Weight | 8-9 oz average | 4 oz average |
Price | $1,000 average | $200 average |
ACOG vs Red Dots Review
Whether you’re a first-time shooter or looking to upgrade, it’s good to know the difference in optics. Red dot vs ACOG largely depends on what you’re trying to do.
I prefer anything to iron sights, whether it’s an ACOG, holographic sight, or my red dot. It’s great for close-quarters and competitive shooting because it’s so maneuverable. And although Trijicon ACOG sights have the ability to be close-range, they excel at medium to long range.
Let me explain, starting with…
Glass Clarity & Reticle
Because ACOG sights are better for medium- to long-range shooting, their glass clarity is perfect.
They’re usually easy to distinguish between targets, too.
One of the best features with ACOG sights is the double-illumination.
The reticle adjusts to light levels and makes it easy to see in low-light situations with fiber optic for a bright picture.
ACOG reticles have a built-in bullet drop compensation, or BDC, that helps with long-range shots. The hash marks are etched into the glass to a 5.56 NATO standard for multiple calibers.
My red dot has a clear sight picture and reticle as well.
Their glass is usually multi-coated and you can choose between a red or green dot.
Some people prefer a color over the other for low-light shooting, but it’s up to you.
Once adjusted, a red dot sight is just as effective in the dark.
It’s important to note that some red dot optics auto-adjust for lighting, while others are manual. You should also keep your glass clean to function properly.
You’ll also have a few choices of designs when it comes to your reticle. The dot size can affect your shooting experience, with larger red dots making reticle clarity worse for some.
Winner: ACOG has the edge. The glass-etched reticle means less chance of your sight being obscured and I love the bullet-drop compensator. Red dot optics have a clear image as long as you keep it clean and have enough battery.
Battery Life
Most shooters love the fact that ACOG sights don’t rely on batteries for illumination.
The tritium built into the reticle creates light transmission. Some use fiber optics in the reticle to do the same thing.
On top of that, you won’t have to worry about that self-illumination for about a decade. Some models last longer, but 10 years is still a long time to run with a scope you trust.
In this way, ACOG sights are used by a lot of military and law enforcement.
However, red dot optics are just as loved.
While they use batteries, a red dot sight can last anywhere from 100 hours to 1,000 hours without a recharge.
And that’s just standard models.
Higher-end or newer red dots, like the Holosun HS403C Micro, use “shake awake” technology.
This shuts off power to your red dot when not in use to conserve battery.
- Two power systems: Primarily Solar Powered, the red dot brightness auto adjusts according to available light; Switch to Battery power in dark (50,000 hours battery life)
- Military grade optics without the military grade price
- High quality clear lens with crisp red dot and 12 brightness settings (10 Daytime and 2 Night Vision)
It also uses a solar feature to provide power without anything left in your battery.
Even without that, though, 1,000 hours is a long time.
Winner: ACOG sights. Red dots can last hundreds of hours or longer, but ACOG sights last indefinitely due to the built-in light transmission.
Eye Relief & Eye Box
ACOG sights may be great for distant targets, but they have a pretty good eye relief.
Most can be easy to use with 2” or more of clearance without affecting your sight picture.
However, that eye relief has been known to make the BDC hard to see in ACOG sights. If you rely on the bullet-drop reticle for long-distance, you might only have 1” or less of eye relief.
While red dots aren’t designed for long-range, they do have excellent eye relief.
In fact, it’s unlimited eye relief because of the reflexive nature of the sight.
Of course, some of the newer red dots can be a magnified optic.
They still won’t compete with the long-range capabilities of ACOG, but you might put up a fight at medium-range.
Winner: Red dot sight. Especially if you need the BDC, the unlimited eye relief of red dots can’t be beaten.
Durability & Weight
When it comes to taking a beating, neither sight has a disadvantage. ACOG sights have an aluminum construction for time-tested punishment.
They’re fog-proof, weatherproof, and waterproof, which makes ACOG sights perfect for any type of bad weather.
The lack of a battery helps make ACOG sights lightweight and smaller.
A good ACOG might weigh around 8 or 9 oz.
Of course, red dots are about half that.
The aforementioned Holosun red dot weighs just over 4 oz.
The red dot is also built tough to withstand CQB action.
You just have to be careful with cheaper red dots. Any kind of dirt or smudge on your red dot can throw off the dot projection.
Winner: Red dot sights. In the battle of red dot vs ACOG, the latter generally weighs about double.
Windage, Elevation, & Brightness Knob
ACOG sights don’t have a brightness knob, because of the light transmission.
Their windage and elevation knobs are usually easy to use.
Some need a screw or penny while newer ones just need a finger to adjust on the fly.
On the flip side of this, the red dot needs a tool to make adjustments.
If the model doesn’t have an auto-brightness feature, that will need a tool to adjust as well.
Winner: ACOG sights.
Mounting
Both sights are pretty universal with their mounts.
ACOG mounts can be found to fit most rails, like a Trijicon Picatinny mount adapter.
The Trijicon is 3x3x15”, so it’s sturdy.
- Package length: 4.8 cm
- Package width: 9.8 cm
- Package height: 15.4 cm
ACOG sight mounts are lightweight and designed to be just as effective in combat as the sight itself.
The red dot can be mounted on all kinds of weapons.
Because of the CQB utilization, they’re used for anything from combat to competitive shooting.
It’s worth noting that a lower-end red dot either doesn’t have a mount or doesn’t have one that you should replace.
The best option is to opt for a high-end red dot sight or spend what you save on a better mount.
Winner: Both.
Price
You can expect to pay a lot more for ACOG sights.
In fact, their price is one of the biggest drawbacks.
The previously-mentioned Holosun red dot is a high-end, quality sight and it goes for just over $200.
Red dot optics are typically an inexpensive option for better accuracy.
- Two power systems: Primarily Solar Powered, the red dot brightness auto adjusts according to available light; Switch to Battery power in dark (50,000 hours battery life)
- Military grade optics without the military grade price
- High quality clear lens with crisp red dot and 12 brightness settings (10 Daytime and 2 Night Vision)
A quality ACOG, like the Trijicon 4x32mm, can go for around $1,000 or more.The cost of the ACOG is warranted, but they’re usually a lot more than a red dot.
- BATTERY-FREE ILLUMINATION: Features a tritium/fiber optic illuminated reticle that automatically adjusts the brightness based on available light
- RUGGED ALUMINUM-ALLOY HOUSING: Forged 7075-T6 aircraft-aluminum-alloy housing provides for a nearly indestructible sighting system
- ?BOTH EYES OPEN? DESIGN: The ACOG can be used as a CQB sight when shooting ?both eyes open,? utilizing the Bindon Aiming Concept
They’re both made to last and take a beating, but the optics and internal components of an ACOG cost more. Plus, you have the light transmission and longer magnification.
Winner: Red dot sights. Despite being worth the value, ACOG sights are still five times the cost. Plus, my red dot is a magnified optic which is perfect for my needs.
Red Dots vs ACOG: Which Red Dot is Better?
Which sight works better is a matter of personal preference and intended use.
ACOG sights are designed for precision at medium range or farther.
Red dot optics are better for reflexive shooting at close range.
- Two power systems: Primarily Solar Powered, the red dot brightness auto adjusts according to available light; Switch to Battery power in dark (50,000 hours battery life)
- Military grade optics without the military grade price
- High quality clear lens with crisp red dot and 12 brightness settings (10 Daytime and 2 Night Vision)
The bullet drop compensator on ACOG reticles helps determine calculations quickly. This makes accuracy a breeze at longer ranges with a Trijicon ACOG.
If you’re taking the role of spotter, you can use an ACOG scope the same as a telescopic lens. This is made even more useful given the night-vision capabilities.
A red dot sight, on the other hand, can be mounted on something as small as a handgun.
You also have more reticle options with a red dot.
Most red dot sights need a tool to adjust your windage and elevation for the perfect zero. Of course, with the close-range purpose, you probably won’t do that often.
Plus, if you want to shoot farther with your red dot, it’s not hard to make it a magnified optic.
So, you really just need to ask yourself what distance you want to shoot and go from there for red dot vs ACOG.
FAQ
ACOG stands for Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight.
It’s a matter of preference and what kind of shooting you’ll be doing, but they’re both better than iron sights.
For CQB or competitive shooting, a red dot sight is more efficient. Medium- to long-range targets are better with a Trijicon ACOG. Even then, there is a red dot in the center of many ACOGs for closer targets.
The standard fixed magnification of an ACOG sight is 4x. However, some can be as low as 1.5x all the way to 6x.
Yes. The built-in light transmission is effective in low-light and dark situations. It’s also a battery-free light source, so you won’t be left in the dark.