Can someone please explain to me the difference between scope and red dot

[jw816]

I checked Amazon and got confused about the red dot and scope. Some of the red dots look like short versions of scopes. In reality, under what kind of situation, you need a scope or a red dot. It seems to me that scope is for long-distance shooting.

 

[LMS]

scope is a magnifying glass, align the crosshairs on what you want the bullet to hit.

red dot is a dot projected on transparent glass you look through, you align the dot on the thing you want the bullet to hit.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Be wary of buying an optic from Amazon.

Some sellers may not be the sellers you think they are, and some of them may come with voided warranties by virtue of coming via Amazon.

 

[Getzville 068]

With a scope your eye must be an exact, precise distance from the rear lens in order to see the crosshairs.

With a red dot scope the distance is a LOT more forgiving.

This is why all our beginner guns at camp have red dot sights.

 

[Robin]

One is the limit of ones ken, the other is a pimple.
Robin

 

[Vapor]

Don't buy from Amazon. You could get a knock off.

Brownells often has coupon codes and doesn't charge tax. Primary arms, optics planet, etc are also g2g.

The main questions is what's your application? We can assist from there.

 

[Hillbilly77]

Another big difference is that if you buy a red dot with no magnification, it’s easier (at least for me) to line up your sights with both eyes open.
I find it uncomfortable and clunky to look through a magnifying scope with both eyes open because my eyes are trying to adjust to two different sight pictures.
Looking through my red dot, my eyes don’t even notice anything different besides the dot.

 

[Calculon]

In general, a red dot is a short to mid range optic designed to make targeting faster/easier. Your eye will quickly find the dot and when the dot is on target send it.

A scope, in general, will provide the ability be more accurate out to further distances by magnifying your target. Scopes can be fixed or variable power/magnification.

As @Vapor said what you choose is dependent on purpose/application. What are you putting the optic on and what is your intended use?

 

[Saltwater60]

If you have an astigmatisms you dont want to het a red dot. Maybe a prism. The red dot will be very fuzzy and hard to see.

 

[Vapor]

If you're looking for a defensive rifle optic...LPVO is the way...