Red dot sights have changed the face of modern shooting through better target acquisition, improved accuracy, and improved situational awareness compared to the traditional iron sights. Whether you are a hunter, competitive shooter, or someone training for tactical as well as home defense use, choosing the right type of red dot sight can become a make-or-break decision in determining your performance.
Two of the most popular designs are tube red dot sights and open red dot sights. Both have their own unique construction, advantages, and disadvantages that make each better suited to a particular environment and firearm platform. This article provides a comprehensive review of tube vs open red dot sight capabilities, side-by-side comparisons, and real-world recommendations to help you choose the best optic for your needs.
What Is a Tube Red Dot Sight?
The shape and structure of the tube red dot sight are similar to those of a small rifle sight. It consists of a cylindrical “tube” housing, inside which are front and rear lenses, and inside the lenses are illumination dividers (red dots). Most tube red dot sights come with protective cases and durable housings. Sometimes, accessories such as anti-glare devices, flip-top lens caps or magnifying glasses can also be added.
The main features of the tube red dot sight:
- Closed design: Both the front and rear lenses are sealed within the housing, which can prevent dust, water and impact.
- Durability: Usually sturdy and durable with rain and wind resistance, it is the preferred choice for hunting, military and law enforcement applications.
- Lens coating: Many models adopt anti-glare coating to reduce reflection and enhance visibility.
- Customization options: Tube designs typically support accessories such as sun visors or anti-glare lights.
Advantages of tube red dot sight:
- Better resist environmental factors (rain, mud, snow).
- Provide more lenient eye space for Sagittarians who wear glasses or use magnifying glasses.
- From rifles, carbines to shotguns, the applicability of firearms is stronger.
What Is an Open Red Dot Sight?
The open red dot sight, also known as the reflective sight, adopts a more compact design and eliminates the closed barrel. Instead, the transmitter projects a red dot onto a single lens or window for the shooter to observe. Compared with the barrel sight, this simple structure makes it lighter in weight and smaller in size.
The main features of the open red dot sight:
- Exposed design: Usually composed of a single lens installed in a small frame.
- Compact size: Smaller and lighter, usually suitable for pistols and light carbines.
- Faster aiming at images: Due to the less housing around the lens, the shooter can aim at the red dot more quickly.
The advantages of the open red dot sight:
- It is very suitable for pistol and competitive shooting.
- It is light in weight and small in size, improving the balance of the weapon.
- Due to the wide field of vision, the target conversion speed is faster.
Tube vs Open Red Dot Sight: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Tube Red Dot Sights | Open Red Dot Sights |
| Design | Enclosed cylindrical housing with front and rear lenses | Exposed single lens with minimal frame |
| Durability | Highly durable, resistant to weather and impact | More vulnerable to dust, water, and scratches |
| Weight & Size | Heavier and bulkier | Extremely lightweight and compact |
| Field of View | Slightly restricted by housing | Wide and unobstructed |
| Best Use | Rifles, shotguns, harsh outdoor conditions | Handguns, competition shooting, lightweight builds |
| Accessories | Supports magnifiers, sunshades, and protective covers | Limited accessory compatibility |
| Price Range | Wide variety, often higher-end | Generally more affordable, though premium models exist |
In essence, tube red dot sights excel in ruggedness and adaptability, while open red dot sights shine in speed and lightweight handling.
Practical Use Cases: Which Type of Red Dot Sight Works Best?
The choice between a tube red dot sight and an open red dot sight usually depends on the environment and the shooting purpose. Although both of these designs have improved accuracy and speed compared to mechanical sights, their performance in practical applications varies greatly. The following are some common shooting scenarios that can help you understand which sight works best.
Hunting
Hunters often encounter harsh weather conditions such as rainy days, muddy days or snowy days. In such an environment, the tube red dot sight is usually a better choice because it adopts a closed design and has excellent protection performance. The tube sight can also work perfectly with a magnifying glass to help hunters expand the effective range when aiming at medium to large-sized prey.
At FORESEEN OPTICS, the core design concept of our tube red dot sight is to effectively isolate the LED and reflector from the external environment. As a professional manufacturer of red dot sights, we use fully waterproof seals or standard waterproof housings to achieve this isolation, ensuring durability in various usage scenarios.
Tactics/Home Defense
In tactical and self-defense situations, speed and reliability are of vital importance. Both types of sights have their own advantages and disadvantages:
The tube sight is durable and has reliable battery life, making it an ideal choice for AR platforms and shotguns.
The open sight can offer lightning-fast target capture speed, which is very practical in close combat.
Tube sights are usually the preferred choice for law enforcement or military applications, while home security users may find open sights faster in indoor environments.
For Competitive Shooting/Range Use
The open red dot sight dominates in competitive shooting, especially in IPSC, USPSA and three-shot competitions. Its lightweight design and wide field of vision enable shooters to quickly switch targets and minimize delays to the greatest extent. Tube scopes are still very common in rifle competitions, especially when magnification or durability is required.
Pistol vs. Rifle
Pistols: Open reflex scopes are clearly the most popular. Its compact design can be seamlessly integrated into the pistol slide without increasing the volume.
Rifle/Shotgun: The tube red dot sight remains the top choice for durability and accessory support, especially for shooters who may need a magnifying glass.
We recognize the unique advantages of both tube red dot sights and open red dot sights. As a forward-thinking manufacturer of Red dot sights, we recommend that brand customers launch both types of sights simultaneously to provide consumers with flexible choices customized according to their shooting preferences. Market research conducted by our internal team shows that tubular red dot sights are usually more suitable for shotguns, while open red dot sights are more suitable for pistols and rifles. Offering such a diverse product portfolio helps our brand customers meet the different needs of shooters on multiple platforms and in various environments.
Tube vs Open Red Dot Sights: Price and Value Considerations
The cost of red dot sights varies widely, depending on brand, durability, and features.
Tube red dot sights generally span from mid-range to premium pricing. High-end models like Aimpoint are military-grade and built to withstand years of use under extreme conditions. Their value lies in long-term durability and versatility.
Open red dot sights often start at more affordable price points, making them attractive to budget-conscious shooters. However, premium models like Trijicon RMR or Holosun carry higher prices due to their rugged construction and advanced features.
When evaluating value, consider your intended use. If you need an optic for professional or heavy outdoor use, investing in a quality tube red dot sight makes sense. For casual shooters or competitive handgun users, open reflex sights offer excellent performance without breaking the bank.
How to Decide Between Tube and Open Red Dot Sight
The right choice depends on your shooting platform, environment, and intended purpose. Ask yourself these questions:
- What firearm are you mounting it on?
- Handgun → Open sight.
- Rifle/Shotgun → Tube sight.
- What conditions will you shoot in?
- Harsh environments, hunting, tactical → Tube sight.
- Controlled environments, competition, range → Open sight.
- Do you need accessories?
- Tube sights work better with magnifiers, kill flashes, or lens covers.
- Open sights are simple, lightweight, and minimalistic.
- What’s your budget?
- Tube sights tend to be more expensive but last longer.
- Open sights are more affordable and efficient for casual shooters.
By weighing these factors, you’ll have a clear direction in choosing between tube vs open red dot sight options.
Wrapping Up
Compared with traditional mechanical sights, both tube red dot sights and open red dot sights are excellent tools for enhancing shooting performance. The tubular red dot sight is sturdy and durable, highly weather-resistant, and compatible with magnifying glasses. It is the preferred choice for rifles, shotguns, and high-demand outdoor use. The open red dot sight is fast, easy to operate and lightweight in design, making it an ideal choice for pistols and competitive shooting.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific needs and the firearms platform. If you value durability and multi-functionality, please choose the tube red dot sight. If you are in pursuit of speed and lightweight, the open reflective sight will be your ideal choice. With the right optical components, you will be able to shoot faster, more accurately and with greater confidence in any situation.
As an experienced manufacturer of red dot sights, FORESEEN OPTICS has 25 years of professional experience and constantly improves its products to meet customer needs. If you have any ideas, you can contact us at any time.
Learn more: FORESEEN OPTICS Custom Development: Cost-Effective Rifle Scope Solution for Assault Rifles
