Piggyback & Offset Red Dots

Published on December 12, 2022
Duration: 7:03

This guide details the installation of secondary red dot sights, often used in conjunction with magnified optics like ACOGs or LPVOs. It covers considerations for both piggyback and offset mounting solutions, emphasizing optimal positioning for close-range engagements, passive night vision aiming, and maintaining a proper cheek weld. The expert advice highlights potential trade-offs in ergonomics and stability compared to dedicated red dot sights or LPVOs at 1x.

Quick Summary

Piggyback and offset red dots offer enhanced close-range shooting, passive night vision aiming, and improved target acquisition with magnified optics. Mounting further forward, ideally in a 12 o'clock position, minimizes parallax. However, they can compromise cheek weld and stability compared to dedicated red dots or LPVOs at 1x.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Secondary Red Dots
  2. 00:50Comparison with LPVOs
  3. 01:25Mounting Locations and Parallax
  4. 02:07Mount Types and 12 O'Clock Positioning
  5. 03:07Product Recommendations: Leupold and LaRue
  6. 04:32Ergonomics and Stability
  7. 05:19Night Vision and ACOG Considerations
  8. 06:10Conclusion: Cost vs. Benefit

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main advantages of using a piggyback or offset red dot sight?

Piggyback and offset red dots enhance close-range shooting speed, enable passive aiming under night vision, and can help align high-magnification scopes with distant targets by offering a wider field of view. They add significant capability with minimal weight and bulk.

When is a secondary red dot sight redundant with an LPVO?

For most shooters, the 1x setting on a quality LPVO is faster and more stable than a secondary red dot. If you find yourself needing a secondary dot for an LPVO, it might indicate the primary optic's 1x setting is suboptimal or not suited to your needs.

Where is the best place to mount a secondary red dot sight?

Mounting the red dot further forward, ideally in a 12 o'clock piggyback position on top of the primary optic, is generally preferred. This minimizes parallax issues and is superior for passive night vision use compared to receiver or handguard mounting.

What are the ergonomic drawbacks of secondary red dot mounts?

High piggyback mounts can disrupt the natural face-to-stock index point, making it harder to maintain a consistent cheek weld under recoil. Low offset dots maintain better contact but are less ideal for passive night vision aiming.

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