Hi all, I'm looking for good suggestions on whether to purchase a reflex type red dot (i.e. open style) or a closed tube style red dot. Here is what I think are their respective pro's and con's based on research and no first hand experience.

REFLEX Style (open)

+ Less tunnel vision effect
+ smaller profile / target
+ faster for aiming
+ seem to have different crosshair patterns more often

- harder to clean after a getting splattered
- less durable (?)
- doesn't work as well in bright sunlight

TUBULAR Style (closed)

+ More durable
+ can use in an occluded mode
+ clear lens covered protect lenses, easier to clean
+ works in more light conditions

- Bigger target
- slight tunnel vision (although I've heard otherwise)


Any suggestions of specfic models would be appreciated. For the tubular design, is it better to go with a 40mm+ size? Will clear lens caps successfully stop paintballs? Let me know what you think

I have used both a 30mm reflex and a 45mm tubular, i like the 2nd better because it is a larger view range, and i do not get tunnel vision, I don't use any sort of clear covers, but both of the sights seem more than sturdy enough to take on a direct hit from a paintball

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Tiberius 8 + 4 mags
Qloaded black invert mini with virtue board
A5 - G36 folding stock; APE grip; 14" J&J; full techt cyclone [squished/vortex/lightning rod/QEPH]; wargear clear cyclone housing; X7 hopper

I love my tubular 30mm NCSTAR. If I look through it with both eyes open, it'll overlay the red dot on the target and won't give me tunnel vision. I don't use it for paintball much anymore as it became too much of a pain to clean it, but I'm keeping it for future firearm applications.

Most clear lenscaps will stop paintballs, but I haven't taken more than one hit to mine. I'm not sure how they'd stand up to multiple impacts.

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My review of the SP Ion

here is the best of both worlds, although i can not vouch for the quality or sight help(pretty expensive too)>Cobra Airsoft

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I have the NC Star 30 mm (I think), And I like it a lot. I find that it helps me hit my target much more efectivly, because I know where my first shot goes. It takes some getting used to, as sometimes I would shoot at the tree someone was behind (with some extremity sticking out) and then remember that I had the red dot, and hit the extremity where I would not have been able to as quickly otherwise.

As far as why I bought it, it was much cheaper than the reflexive one, and it still came very well recommended by the guys at the shop. I didnt have any particular problem with tunnel vision, but I am very careful about getting it in the first place.

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I have a Tasco 30mm Red Dot. I prefer it to a reflex type mostly due to better durability and cheaper cost in case it does break. Reflex type sights are cool and preferred for handgun shooting. I have an Ultra Dot Pan A-V mounted on a Ruger Mark III 22 cal, and it's great. But compared to a tubular sight, the reflex red dots generally cost more and seem like they be much more likely to break due to a paintball hit, or from banging the sight on something. My Tasco has taken several direct hits without any problems. IMO profile is not really an issue, because any round that is gonna hit your sight, would hit you in the mask if you didn't have a red dot mounted. Also, tunnel vision is not an issue for me, and I use it more like an occluded than a "one eye" sight.

The tunnel vision is because people tend to close their less dominant eye when looking through optics. Which should not be done... ever... while shooting. That cuts half the field of view out right there.

Id go with a Tasco red-dot. Nice and cheap and they work, I have one on my A5 now.

-Ghost

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Larger opening better field of vision, I have a flat black 50mm so big it is like not even looking through anything.

I have 2 of these one on my A5-MP5 with a low T-Stock, and one on my Pro Carbine.

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If you look good, you play good.

Reflex!

Seriously, though, reflex sights are great. They look good, are easy to clean, and provide less surface area overall that could be hit by paint. I think aiming through them would be a lot faster since you don't need to get your eye looking through a tube.

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Red dots are only good for quick target aiming. We all know paintball guns are not that accurate. The dots do their job if you are running through the woods and someone surprises you. The profile size difference is not a huge difference. If you get a 30mm tube sight, the hopper still towers over it. Don't let that be a determination. Relfex also does the job, but as you stated, it is very hard to see in sun light and is not durable at all.
Don't let anyone tell you what to put on your gun. Go with what you like. Both sights do exactly what they are supposed to do.