This is not really an optic but it may replace some optics. This is the Ultradyne iron sight system. A combination muzzle break/flip up front iron sight goes in just behind the break on the barrel. The center post is a see through which you line up with a special front sight with a similar small peep within a peep. They claim hits of 400 yards are nothing and have gone out much further.
Lost me at the elevation adjustment on the front sight. Pretty much everyone messes this up when they attempt the diopter concept on an AR because they use the elevation adjustable front post. Aperture in aperture/diopter sights require that the front sight stay centered in the front aperture. Think MP5/G3 or SAN 550/551.
The beauty of diopters is that the eye automatically centers the two apertures with each other. Sight alignment is done subconsciously. Doesn’t work as well when the front post can move vertically in the front aperture because the eyes align the apertures, but then the post must be centered, so the apertures are taken out of alignment to do this. That makes the initial alignment pointless and you now have to fight the subconscious desire to keep the apertures aligned to keep the post centered in the sight picture.
I’ve used aperture front and aperture rear sights on .22 target rifles before. I have a set that use an acrylic lens with a conical hole for the front aperture so you get this floating front sight ring. Got a whole set of different sizes.
Excellent for target shooting at round bullseye targets in a non optic division of small bore competitive rifle.
If I’m not constrained by a rule disallowing optics, I’m going to run an optic. An aperture sight still doesn’t allow for target ID like a magnified optic, doesn’t help you see the target better, and struggles in low light.
You are right. It doesn’t help you see the target better. But I am a self defense shooter. My concerns are self defense if attacked and SHTF. If I shoot someone 400 yards away, I am going to trial as it is going to be very hard to prove self defense at that distance. So, if I were to shoot at this distance, someone would first have to shoot at me.
The question then arises, am I going to carry around a heavy, long range optic on the chance that someone is going to fire upon me a great distances? No. I am going to exchange my current irons for this system and otherwise hope to close distance on whomever is firing upon me at long range. But I am going to be capable of a 400 yard shot.
I reached the same conclusion a long time ago, and gave up on the “HK” style front sights. But with this sight, the surrounding aperture is movable and indexed on the bottom of the post. Push the surround down, adjust the post (finger adjustable), then raise the surround back up. Thus the surround is always in the same position with respect to the post, that is, with the post centered.
You’re not centering the post within the surround, you’re centering the surround around the post…
OK… you know that low power variables have a 1X setting right?
Alternatively buy a good red dot.
My experience with aperture within aperture sights is that a non circular target, particularly one with poor contrast to the background is a tough target to get precise hits on.
If you are ever attacked by black bullseye targets in broad daylight you’ll be in good shape to smite those heavy card stock paper bastards.
Otherwise you seem to be on the less than optimal path.
Yes, the 1-6x24 scope was what I was looking at before stumbling on these irons. Those variable powered scopes are nice, and flexible and allow you to identify the target and make precision shots even at closer range but on the other hand they are at least one pound and then add a mount. I don’t know how these irons will work at close range but I can always put a red dot on there is need be. Anyway, I am willing to try this. When I save enough money and get them I will know more.
If that’s a fact, and the globe/post is always in the same position relative to center, my attention is grabbed.
It appeared to me that the hood was depressed for unlocking the elevation adjustment, so that the post could be screwed up or down. If I’m wrong, these sights are really interesting. I hope I’m wrong.
Edit: I re-read one of the initial link articles. Article states the post is always centered in the hood. Very cool. My misperception of the sights was my only qualm with what I could see. I’m very glad to admit that I’m wrong.
How well do iron sights work in low/no light environments?? How well do iron sights work from unconventional shooting positions? I see barrel mounted irons as another failure point. There is also the data compiled by Kyle Defoor that illustrates that sight radius for best blend of speed and accuracy is around 14.5" between sights. If defensive is your primary use then a reddot is your answer.
What is going to work in no light? Night Vision. I don’t have that kind of money other than a white light on my rifle for HD. Regarding the barrel mounted irons, what about the AK? That seems to be a successful franchise. True, they do not run the full length of the rifle.
I think these new sights are interesting and I am willing to try them but I can hardly defend them until I do use them. I can only post what actual users of these sights say. At least at first a red dot will be on the rifle along with the new irons. That is an easy comparison to make.
After watching the product video I can give the opinion that I would not bother with those sights at all if a quality optic was also a viable option.
Again I’ve used aperture front with aperture rear sights. They work well for shooting round high contrast bullseye targets in good light, and struggle elsewhere. If you’re shooting NRA high power or service rifle, and the rules allow for dual aperture sights, there are better options with finer adjustments. So I’d pass on these in favor of real target rifle grade dual apertures.
If you’re setting up a general purpose carbine or rifle, there are a variety of optics that will help you see better, offer finer adjustment, perform better in low light, and/or give faster acquisition. At a minimum a good red dot sight will be faster to use, and offer an aiming point you can adjust the intensity of and use at low light levels, even without a weapon mounted light. If you have more money in the budget an LPVO with a true 1X and good illumination can just about do everything better.