The main difference between sights and scopes is the magnifying ability: the majority of sights can offer no more than 1x magnification, which is basically no magnification at all, and are mainly used for close to medium-range firing. Scopes, on the other hand, are well-known for their zooming capabilities and are best suited for long-range shooting. If you are looking for a way to have all those benefits at once, you’ve come to the right place.
As the title implies, sight magnifiers compensate for the lack of zooming ability, typical for the majority of sights. They are rightfully considered to be optical devices, as they utilize convex lenses to provide a magnified image of an object. Most of the sight magnifiers offer a 3x magnification, which is still far from a full-scale scope, but definitely enough for shooting at distances from 100 to 300 yards.
There are several things you need to know before mounting a sight magnifier on your firearm.
First, if you are mostly interested in close to medium-range shooting, consider getting a flip-to-side magnifier. This configuration allows you to swiftly engage and disengage your magnifier according to your needs.
Second, sight magnifiers are compatible with all types of regular sights. Pairing a red dot sight with magnifier will bring you improved shot accuracy at longer distances. The same goes for a reflex sight magnifier and a holographic sight magnifier. It’s worth mentioning, however, that one of the main advantages of regular sights is the absence of eye relief, which results in faster target acquisition. Since sight magnifiers work as standard optical devices, eye relief might become an issue, making the acquisition speed slower.
Finally, you won’t have an opportunity to change the degree of magnification, since such an option is simply not available for sight magnifiers. The only transition you can make is from 1x (not using the magnifier) to 3x (using the magnifier). If you need a greater degree of magnification, consider getting a hunting scope.
A sight magnifier is mounted behind the sight since the eye relief aspect won’t let you see anything but a dark spot. Purchasing a red dot sight with magnifier combo is a wise solution thus you won’t need to worry about items’ compatibility.
You can find the best sights and magnifiers fit for all kinds of weapons on Gritr Outdoors. Should you need an AR 15 holographic sight and magnifier to go with it, this is a great place to get them.