How Red Dot Sights Work (What is a Collimator?)

Published on January 16, 2026
Duration: 8:14

This video explores the history and technology behind red dot sights, tracing their origins from WWI collimating optics to modern battery-powered designs. It details how collimators project a reticle at infinity and showcases early iterations like the Nydar scope and the Armson OEG, highlighting their limitations. The evolution to electronic sights like the Aimpoint Electronic Mark 2 is presented as a significant advancement.

Quick Summary

A collimator in a red dot sight uses a curved lens to create a parallel beam of light from a source. This projects the reticle at infinity, allowing it to be aligned with the firearm's barrel for aiming. Early designs were limited by ambient light, but modern versions use LEDs for consistent visibility.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Collimating Optics
  2. 00:58How Collimators Work Explained
  3. 03:38The Nydar Scope: Early Application
  4. 04:45Armson OEG: Occluded Eye Design
  5. 06:30Weaver Quick Point Technology
  6. 07:28Aimpoint Electronic: Modern Red Dots

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a collimator work in a red dot sight?

A collimator uses a specially curved lens to take light from a source and refract it into a parallel beam. When viewed, this beam makes the reticle appear projected at infinity, allowing it to be used as an aiming system aligned with the firearm's barrel.

What were the limitations of early red dot sights like the Nydar scope?

The Nydar scope, one of the first small-arms applications, relied on ambient light. This made it dim and unusable at night or when facing bright backgrounds, limiting its practical application.

What is an Occluded Eye Gunsight (OEG) like the Armson OEG?

An OEG, such as the Armson, uses a fiber optic element for light and is 'occluded,' meaning the shooter doesn't look through it. The brain superimposes the red dot onto the target seen by the other eye.

How did the Aimpoint Electronic Mark 2 improve red dot technology?

The Aimpoint Electronic Mark 2 transitioned to modern red dots by using a battery-powered LED. This innovation made the reticle visible in total darkness, overcoming the limitations of earlier ambient-light or fiber-optic designs.

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