Is direct bulb red dot better than diaphragm red dot?
When browsing for red dot sights, there might be some product parameters that make you confused. Among a variety of questions, “direct light bulb red dot or diaphragm red dot, which is better?” stands out. Here, VictOptics will clarify it for you.
- What is direct bulb red dot? What is diaphragm red dot?
According to the light sources, reflective red dots can be divided into two types: direct light source red dots and diaphragm-mounted red dots. Diaphragm is the traditional red dot light source technology, while the direct light source technology is more advanced.
Both of them have a built-in light source in the red dot, the built-in light source of the direct bulb red dot is a mini one, by projecting the light directly on the lens, the red dot is formed on the center of the lens window. Usually, the size of the light bulb determines the size of the red dot on the lens.
On the contrary, the built-in light source of the diaphragm red dot is larger and more scattered, and the size of the red dot is controlled by covering the light source with a film with a tiny hole, which we call diaphragm. The larger the hole in the diaphragm, the larger the size of the red dot, and vice versa, the smaller.
Here, the answer about whether direct bulb red dot is better than diaphragm red dot is obvious. So, what advantages do direct bulb red dots have? The picture below can well explain.
Since the light source of the diaphragm red dot is divergent, when projected onto the lens through the small hole, the closer to the center of the lens, the stronger the point brightness. But, when the user aims at the target through the edge of the lens, the brightness of the red dot will dim or even disappear.
The brightness of the red dot with direct bulb can remain the strongest no matter where it is on the lens, which minimizes the use limit of the red dot. And if the lens is partially broken or dirty, the red dot of the direct light source can be aimed at the intact part of the lens; in extreme weather such as heavy snow and sandstorm, the red dot always maintains strong brightness, which ensures the shooting experience; It is also possible to aim through the edge of the lens without having to use the center point when the shooter in an emergency. In addition, the running time of the direct bulb red dot sights is usually longer than diaphragm red dot sights. The bulb inside the diaphragm red dot sight looks very tiny, it actually emits a lot more light than we see, but obscured by a diaphragm that drains more battery power. The power consumption of the red dot of the direct light source is relatively low, and some direct light source red dots can run for 50,000 hours at the weakest visible light level.
- Therefore, to summarize the advantages of direct light sources are:
- The brightness of the red dot can remain the strongest at any position on the lensand in any extreme weather;
- When the lens is broken or dirty, the red dot of the direct light source can still be aimed at the intact part of the lens;
- The shooter can have a quick targeting through the edge of the lens in an emergency;
- Lower power consumption and longer battery running time.
Wish to know more about our direct bulb red dot sights? Visit Vector Optics Official Online Store for more details.