November 1, 2017 0:00
// Pneumatic weapons
Any shooter who has ever held a small arms in his hands understands that aiming is not an easy matter. The success of the shot depends on the speed, as well as the convenience of aiming. That’s why a number of devices for effective aiming come to the rescue, one of which is a collimator sight.
Collimator sights are of open and closed type, which will be discussed below and are divided into active and passive:
Active – the aiming point is lit constantly, and the device functions from the built-in batteries. Accordingly, the passive ones work autonomously and do not require the connection of external power sources.
The most popular types of collimator sights are closed, because they have a number of advantages. They use several lenses or screens on which the aiming point is projected, while in open collimator sights only one lens is used.
To display the aiming point, or, as it is also called, stamps, two methods are used (holographic and LED). In the first case, the sighting mark is illuminated by a laser and displayed on the lens in the form of a hologram. In the second case, the photolithographic plate is illuminated using the built-in LED indicator.
If we talk about the advantages and disadvantages, then open collimator sights are vulnerable to external influences, but they are more compact. And closed ones are more bulky, but more reliable, more durable, lenses do not fog up in them. Collimator sights are very often confused with a laser designator. But only the shooter sees the aiming point in the collimator sight, whereas the mark from the laser designator is visible to everyone, including the target.
Brands
Particular attention is drawn to the Hawke Sport Optics line of the British manufacturer Deben Group Industries Ltd. The company has been on the market since 1978 and offers a full line of high-quality sports optics, which has established itself in more than 40 countries as a reliable and high-quality brand.
The products of the Italian company Konus with a very interesting history may also be of some interest. It was founded in 1979 by Giuseppe Alberti in Verona, northern Italy, as a family business producing high-quality and functional optical products. But, only since 2006, when the American division of KONUS Optical & Sports Systems was headed by Mark Shore, the company entered the American market with a wide range of high-quality optics for shooting.
Bright representatives
1. Hawke RD1x WP Digital Control Open Collimator Sight
This is one of the latest developments of Deben Group Industries Ltd, combining lightness and compactness with digital control of backlight brightness. An important feature is the 5 brightness levels (for daytime and nighttime use), and the automatic shutdown of the illumination of the sighting mark 1 hour after switching on, which allows you to significantly save battery charge.
2. Hawke RD1x WP Auto Brightnes collimator sight
This model looks not much different from the one given earlier. But, structurally, it has a number of differences. It is designed to conduct targeted shooting ONLY during daylight hours. A sophisticated light sensor adjusts the brightness of the sighting mark. For example, on a bright sunny day, the sighting mark will have maximum brightness. When the illumination decreases, the brightness of the mark decreases and it completely disappears if it is impossible to make a correct sight due to poor visibility of the target.
3. KONUS SIGHT-PRO FISSION 2.0 collimator sight
The sight is designed for quick aiming in natural light conditions: both at dusk and in the daytime, and has 5 levels of illumination of the brightness of the red label. The mount is universal (on the Weaver V Picatinny strap and the adapter strap on the Dovetail (”dovetail”). The Weaver bar and the Picatinny bar are practically the same in terms of the shape of the prism and the landing dimensions. The difference is only in the width of the bar and the placement of the locking slots.
The open sights discussed above are distinguished by their compactness and lightness. Now let’s consider a number of closed collimator sights
1. Hawke Sport Dot 1×30 WP 9-11 mm Collimator Sight/Weaver
One of the lightest sights on the market with a polycarbonate, shockproof and waterproof housing. 3 brightness levels for day, evening and night use. The vertical and horizontal correction drums are hidden under aluminum screw caps. Considering the price, this is one of the cheapest, but at the same time excellent in quality, closed collimator sights. Ideal for air rifles and pistols.
2. Hawke RD 1x30M WP Weaver Collimator Sight
One of the most optimal collimator sights of the closed type, made of aluminum alloy. The case is shock-resistant, waterproof, filled with nitrogen, respectively, the sight is reliably protected from damage during a fall, strong recoil and adverse weather conditions. The highlighted label has two colors – red and green. To protect the lens and eyepiece, Flip-Up type protective plastic covers are included. Integrated mounting only for Weaver V Picatinny type slats. The vertical and horizontal correction drums are hidden under aluminum screw caps.
3. Hawke RD 1x30M WP 9-11 mm Collimator sight
Despite the similar name to the previous model, this collimator sight has several significant differences. The main thing is the attachment to the Dovetail type bar (the so-called “dovetail” with a width of 9-11 mm). The sighting illuminated stamp is only red. The optical surfaces are covered with a 25-layer antireflection coating, which has a positive effect on image quality. The sight has 11 brightness levels and an additional battery, which allows you to use it at any time of the day.
4. Hawke RD 1×25 WP 9-11 mm Collimator sight
This collimator sight has a lens diameter of 25 mm and is equipped with rings for mounting on a dovetail type bar. At any time, the rings can be changed to those designed for mounting on other type of sighting bars (Weaver, Picatinny). The sighting mark is one (red), 11 levels of brightness adjustment for daytime, evening and night shooting. The case is shockproof, aluminum, anodized, waterproof. The Hawke RD 1×30 WP Weaver collimator sight has similar characteristics, only the rings are included for mounting on a Weaver V Picatinny type bar.
5. KONUS SIGHT-PRO PTS1 collimator sight
An unusual prismatic collimator sight. Unlike collimator sights of other types, this model has an engraved reticle on the lens to calculate the distance to the target and a three-fold magnification. Grid illumination in three colors – red, green or blue to choose from. When the backlight is off, the grid has a black color. The disadvantage can be considered the weight of this sight. It is 400 grams. The standard integrated mount allows you to install the sight on Weaver V Picatinny type slats.
A brief overview of collimator sights gives a general idea of the design and types of these sights and will allow a novice shooter to make the right choice, take into account the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.
