A red dot magnifier is an

optical telescope An optical telescope is a telescope that gathers and focuses light mainly from the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, to create a magnified image for direct visual inspection, to make a photograph, or to collect data through electro ...

that can be paired with a non-magnifying optical sight on a weapon to create a

telescopic sight A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope informally, is an optical sighting device based on a refracting telescope. It is equipped with some form of a referencing pattern – known as a ''reticle'' – mounted in a focally appropriate po ...

. They work with the parallel collimated

reticle A reticle, or reticule also known as a graticule, is a pattern of fine lines or markings built into the eyepiece of an optical device such as a telescopic sight, spotting scope, theodolite, optical microscope or the screen of an oscilloscope, ...

image produced by certain non-magnifying sights so, contrary to the name, they can be used with sights other than

red dot sight A red dot sight is a common classification for a type of non- magnifying reflector (or reflex) sight for firearms, and other devices that require aiming, that gives the user a point of aim in the form of an illuminated red dot. A standard desig ...

s, like

holographic weapon sight A holographic weapon sight or holographic diffraction sight is a non- magnifying gunsight that allows the user to look through a glass optical window and see a holographic reticle image superimposed at a distance on the field of view. The hologram ...

Description

Red dot magnifiers, sometimes also called flip to side magnifiers, are optical telescopes that provide increased magnification to a shooter's view when they are engaged. They are commonly mounted behind a red dot, holographic, or other non-magnified sights that produce a collimated reticle image. Most have mounts which allow them to flip to the side when not in use, though immobile mounts exist as well. This allows greater versatility for the shooter as the shooter will have the benefits of a clear non-magnified red dot sight (and not worry about

parallax Parallax is a displacement or difference in the apparent position of an object viewed along two different lines of sight and is measured by the angle or semi-angle of inclination between those two lines. Due to foreshortening, nearby objects ...

eye relief {{Short description, Optical instrument The eye relief of an optical instrument (such as a telescope, a microscope, or binoculars) is the distance from the last surface of an eyepiece within which the user's eye can obtain the full viewing angle. ...

) when engaging near targets yet still be able to convert that sight to a telescopic sight with increase magnification to spot and shoot at more distant targets. Magnifiers typically are 3× telescopes but can range from 2–6× or more. They are used by

police The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and t ...

and

Special Operations Forces Special forces and special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equip ...

who may use the non-magnified optic for

Close-quarters combat Close-quarters combat (CQC) or close-quarters battle (CQB) is a tactical situation that involves a physical fight with firearms involved between multiple combatants at short range. It can occur between military units, police/corrections officers ...

and utilize the magnifier to engage farther targets. Hunters may also use them as the increased magnification can aid in target discrimination when prey are difficult to spot in brush or vegetation. Magnifiers offer several advantages and disadvantages compared to other firearm sights. Use of the magnifier is very quick and is easier than rotating the housing of a traditional

. However, there typically is no option to make fine increases or decreases in zoom, as one would be able to with a standard telescopic sight. Weight may become an issue as well. While the non-magnified optic and the magnifier may each be lighter than other optics, when combined with mounts a magnifier setup may be significantly heavier and/or unbalanced compared to traditional telescopic sights. When flipped to the side, the magnifier may also snag on obstacles. The same may apply to cost with the combined cost for optic, magnifier, and mounts may be greater than the cost for a variable power telescopic sight.

Use

A magnifier is mounted onto a firearm, usually on a

Picatinny rail The Picatinny rail ( or ), or Pic rail for short, also known as a MIL-STD-1913 rail, 1913 rail or STANAG 2324 rail (cancelled), is a military standard rail interface system that provides a mounting platform for firearm accessories. It was o ...

, in line with the primary non-magnified optic. When not in use, the magnifier may be flipped to the side (usually the right) so the shooter sees through their non-magnified optic alone; when flipped in line, it will magnify the view through the non-magnified optic. This will also have the effect of magnifying the sight so the red dot or holographic reticle will appear larger as well. When flipped in, the user will also have to account for parallax and eye relief. As a result, the non-magnified optic and the magnifier must be placed such that the shooter will have the correct amount of eye relief when looking through the magnifier.

Notes

References

External links

{{Firearms Firearm sights