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Red dot sights for crossbows are excellent for close-range shots, are easy to attach to the picatinny rail and act as an excellent support to get a more accurate shot.
The issue is not whether you should get one, but which one to get.
Some are waterproof, while others are fog-proof. Some are priced near the $1,000 range and some are as cheap as $25. So how can you find the best red dot sight for your crossbow?
Read the review below and have a look at the comparison chart to look at the specs, prices, material, weight, and specialty of each red dot.
If you feel I left a certain sight out that you think should be in this best of list, leave a comment down below. Hell, if you’re enjoying the articles, let me know!
Until then, happy shooting,
BowScanner
Best Red Dot Sights for Crossbows
Best On The Market
Best Solar Powered Sight
Best Under $100
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Best Red Dot Sight for Crossbows
Award | Specs |
|---|---|
Best On The Market | ✅ Red dot ✅ Night vision option ✅ Aluminum |
Best Tactile Sight | ✅ Red dot ✅ Night vision option ✅ 1.6 Ounces |
Best Solar Powered Sight | ✅ Red dot 🚫 Night vision option ✅ 8.3 Ounces |
Best Under $200 | ✅ Red dot 🚫 Night vision option ✅ Undisclosed weight |
Best Under $100 | ✅ Red dot 🚫 Night vision option ✅ 3.6 ounces |
Best For The Money | ✅ Red dot 🚫 Night vision option ✅ 10.8 Ounces |
Best For The Money | ✅ Red dot 🚫 Night vision option ✅ 4.1 Ounces |
Buying Guide
Information to know before buying
What is a red dot sight?
A red dot sight is a type of non-magnifying reflector that provides the shooter with an illuminated sight to place on the target.
This type of optics is meant for close-types of shooting.
The name, red dot, comes from using a red dot in the reticle of the optics.
Furthermore, red dot sights are 1x magnification, so they do not use a zoom feature.
How does a red dot sight work?
Interestingly, red dot sights are built from very old technology of using glass and light.
Simply put, red dot sights us a beam of light and an angled piece of glass. The glass reflects the light that enters into the sight, which hits an LED and creates a reticle.
The method gives the shooter the opportunity to see through the optic of the sight; however, the great thing is that the object, or person, cannot see the shooter’s reticle, which keeps you hidden.
The measure of the aperture in the front part of the led controls the size of the red dot.
Why put a red dot on a crossbow?
Hunters of all types enjoy having red dot sights for their simplicity.
They are easy to mount and take minutes to set up. Once zero’d in, beginners love using red dots because they offer a guide to shoot more accurately.
Moreover, experienced shooters often like keeping a red dot sight on their bow for protection. Unlike a scope that takes longer to set up, a red dot sight is better for at-home defense.
Best Crossbow Red Dot Sights
Best on the Market
Pros
- 3xMag-1 or 6xMag-1 magnifiers
- Front and rear plastic flip cap lens covers included
- 2 MOA red dot
- Excellent night vision capability
Cons
- None
Best Tactical Sight
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Red dot AND holographic
- Illuminated reticle
Cons
- Mount not included
The Trijicon SRO Sight is the best tactical sight on this list because it is easily interchangeable from a crossbow to a pistol.
This sight is among the best on the list as it has a very large, unobstructed field of view. In addition, this sight has suppressor-height iron sights, making looking through the sight easier on your eye.
What I really like with this sight is the adjustable red dot that this sight provides its shooter. What this means is that the shooter can open the iris of the optics to actually enlarge the red dot to make seeing your shot placement even easier.
Best Solar Power
Pros
- 2 MOA dot and a 65 MOA ring
- Titanium-alloyed
- Powered by both battery and solar
Cons
- Heavy
This is the only sight on this list that utilizes solar power to energize the sight. I believe this is the wave of the future to include thermal energy within electronics, and because of this, this sight seems among the most interesting sight listed.
Although this sight is designed for a rifle, it is compatible with a bow product.
What can be hard to deal with when shooting with this sight is the weight. At over 8 ounces, that puts a significant disadvantage to the shooter’s abilities. However, let’s look at the reason. This sight is made from titanium-alloy, which means that although it is the heaviest, it is the most durable.
Best Under $200
Pros
- 6 MOA dot
- reflex sight
- Lightweight aluminum
Cons
- Not waterproof
Frequently bought with the Sig Sauer Red Dot sight
Best Under $100
Pros
- Excellent brightness settings
- Fully waterproof
- Includes mount, riser, optics cover, battery, Allen wrench and lens cloth
Cons
- No night vision option
My favorite aspect of this incredibly priced red dot sight is its crisp 2 MOA red dot that allows for accurate, both-eyes-open shooting. This keeps your shooting eye from tiring.
Furthermore, this sight is a parallax free design, meaning the red dot stays on target with following the movement of the user’s eye.
Frequently bought with the AT3 Red Dot sight
Best For The Money
Pros
- Holographic red dot
- compatible with bow, handgun and rifle
- Wide field of view
- Includes additional red dot laser pen light on side
Cons
- Doesn't include batteries
This Best for the Money sight is not only looking good from the price tag, but also through its lens.
This is a very lightweight, aluminum-made red dot scope. This sight can be used on a variety of weapons, so if you’re the kind of hunter that has multiple firearms and you’re looking for a best-for-the-money sight, I recommend this UUQ red dot.
This is the perfect red dot scope for beginners as the optics has a built-in 4 reticle sight to perfect your shot.
The more I learn about this UUQ tactical red dot sight, the more I like it. Unlike most sights, this sight actually includes a dial to adjust for wind and elevation that allow you to lock right into your target quickly and effectively.
Best Budget Red Dot Sight
Pros
- 4 reticle patterns
- Allen Wrench included
- Aluminum Alloy
Cons
- There's no auto-on/auto-off function
CVLife made an excellent, cheap, easy-to-use red dot sight.
There are a lot of other cheap red dots on the market, and if that’s what you’re looking for, I recommend this CVLife sight.
I like it because it’s actually built with a smart design. Given the price, the material isn’t extremely high-quality, but it gets the job done. For example, the shooter can easily turn the rectile knob to adjust to get the right shot.
Also, there are five illuminated levels for both a red dot and/or green dot. The option can be nice for the right hunter.
Essentially, the great thing about this sight is how easy it is to use. This is another great example for a beginning shooter, or a hunter who is looking to try out a red dot scope before purchasing a higher-graded model.
People Also Asked:
Frequently asked questions about red dot sights for crossbows
Can you use a red dot sight with a crossbow?
For crossbow shooters who are shooting at short-range distances, yes, using a red dot sight for a crossbow is a great option.
Which is better red dot or holographic sights?
The main difference is that red dot sights use glass and light to create the red dot. However, holographics use lasers to power its light.
What's the difference between a red dot sight and a scope?
Red dot sights are made for short-distance shooting, whereas scope are built for long-distance shooting.
Are red dot sights accurate?
Yes, for short-distanced shots, red dots give the shooter a better change of shooting more accurately.
What distance do you zero-in a red dot sight for a crossbow?
Zero in at 20 yards for best results.
How far can you shoot a crossbow with a red dot sight?
You can accurately shoot crossbows up to 100 yards, but depending on the model of red dot sights used, you can get an accurate shot up to 80 yards. That, however, is a top performing sight. After sights will be in the 45-60 yard range. Cheaper sights will be shorter.
Will a red dot sight help with shooting at night?
Absolutely! The illumination of a red dot sight helps get your shot to the exact place you’re aiming at.
Do red dot sights work during the daytime?
The short answer is yes, red dot sights work during the daytime. The brighter an area the harder it can be to see the red dot; however, most of the red dot sights listed on this review page include light adjustments.
do you shoot a red dot sight with both eyes open?
Shooting with both eyes open or with one eye closed is at the discretion of the shooter. That being said, experienced hunters will often keep both eyes open.
Conclusion:
Final thoughts about shooting a crossbow with a red dot sight
Shooting a crossbow with a red dot sight is a great experience.
Advanced shooters and beginning shooters alike will both benefit from having the support that the red dot will provide.
The purpose of the red dot sight is for shooting at short distances between 10 – 40 yards.
A red dot sight will help a shooter by using it’s traditional and age-tested technology of using the combination of light and glass to create the red dot.
Some red dots on this page are very expensive and others are very cheap. In order to find the best red dot sight for your crossbow, consider price, weight, and whether or not you feel you’ll be shooting in harsh environments, such as rain and snow.
I hope this review helps you get the best red dot sight for your purposes, and thanks for visiting!
BowScanner
Best Red Dot Sights for Crossbows
Best On The Market
Best Solar Powered Sight
Best Under $100
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