Sights: specifications, types

— Optical. Classic optical sights; in essence, telescopes of a special design with sighting reticles applied in the field of view. It is precisely these “pipes” that are traditionally used for sniper shooting - both high-precision and “fast”, for example, in hunting (however, “pipes” are placed in a separate category). They can have both a small and a very high degree of magnification (in many models this parameter is also adjustable), provide the ability to make adjustments vertically and horizontally, and the marking of many sighting reticles allows you to make such adjustments on the fly without reconfiguring the sight itself. But optics are not suitable for the fastest possible shooting offhand: aiming takes a lot of time, and the field of view is limited. In addition, using such a sight requires a certain skill - so, ideally, the shooter’s eye should be located on the optical axis (for more details, see “Parallax adjustments”) and at a strictly defined distance from the sight. Note that the sights themselves do not require batteries, but power may be required for some additional functions, such as illuminating the reticle. In the dark, the optics themselves are practically useless; only a few models are compatible with NVGs.

- “Penchor”. Closed-type optical sights, originally developed for driven hunting. Their characteristic feature is the ability to make quick shots offhand while maintainin...g a large field of view for the shooter. Externally, the “drivers” are often compact, and the size of their lens is most often no larger than the “landing size of the rings.” Such sights are equipped with the ability to adjust the magnification (on average 1x – 4x, but the maximum magnification can be higher, but the minimum magnification is not more than 2x). The main task of the “driver” is to guide a rapidly moving target during daylight hours, both at a short distance and at a medium distance, firing with target recognition (aimed shooting is ensured at a distance of 5 - 150 m). They are often equipped with a backlight module, which at 1x magnification turns the sight into a collimator sight and allows you to quickly target an object near the shooter and not lose the aiming mark in the thicket of the forest when searching for a target.

— Collimator. Sights based on optical systems in which the aiming mark is not fixedly applied to the lens, but is projected onto it using a special light source. Despite the external similarity of some of these models with traditional optics, collimators have actually the opposite specialization: they are designed for short distances and the ability to quickly fire offhand. Thus, such devices usually do not provide magnification or narrow the field of view (there are exceptions, but they are extremely rare), and the aiming mark always more or less coincides with the actual aiming point, regardless of the position of the working eye relative to the sight. From the shooter's perspective, it looks like when the head moves, the mark also moves, remaining on the target. True, despite the common misconception, the collimator design itself does not guarantee the absence of parallax (see “Parallax adjustments”); however, when this effect is present, it is usually weakly expressed and has almost no effect on shooting accuracy, and there are also completely parallax-free models. The main disadvantage of collimator collimators is that they require battery or battery power.

- Prismatic. At its core, it is a compact hybrid of an optical and collimator sight. From classical “optics”, such sights borrowed a lens system that provides slight magnification, and an engraved aiming reticle etched on the prism glass itself. However, unlike traditional optical sights, they have a more compact prismatic wrapping system. Externally, prismatic-type models are similar to closed collimator sights. They also use reflective illumination of the reticle and provide an integrated mount, mainly for the Weaver rail. Most prismatic sights have the ability to change the reticle and select the illumination color (usually red or green). Sights of this type provide quick target acquisition, and they are designed for accurate shooting at short and medium distances. — Magnifier. Optical devices installed in front of sights to increase the zoom ratio, thanks to which the shooter can see distant objects more clearly and aim at targets faster. Magnifers are mainly used in conjunction with collimator sights (see the corresponding paragraph). Their magnification ratio varies from 3x to 7x. Often such optical devices come with a special mount that allows you to instantly “throw” the magnifier to the side for aiming directly through the collimator.

— Closed. Devices in a closed case, often also sealed. Classical optics, "night lights" and thermal imagers (see "Type"), by definition, use only this design. But collimators can also be open (see below), so only this type makes sense to compare by this parameter. With such a comparison, the main advantage of closed collimators can be called good protection from dirt, dust and accidental contact with foreign objects. In addition, the reticle in the closed housing is clearly visible even in bright ambient light; and in some models there is even the possibility of installing additional accessories, such as hoods, filters and flip-up protective covers. On the other hand, such sights are somewhat more expensive than open ones and more restrict the field of view for the working eye — a fairly significant part of the view is covered by the case.

— Open. A type of construction found exclusively in red dot sights (see "Type"): a single lens mounted in a special frame. Such models are more compact, lighter, simpler and cheaper than closed ones, and the frame is usually made thin and almost invisible to the shooter's working eye. On the other hand, open sights are more sensitive to dirt and damage, and under bright sunlight they can "go blind" — the brand becomes hardly noticeable. In general, this option is recommended mainly for "fast" shooting, when the speed of aiming and maximum control of the situatio...n are critical, first of all; for relatively calm situations, closed collimators are better suited.

Collimator sights (see "Type") using the holographic principle of operation.

In such models, the aiming mark is projected not by the classic system of lenses and mirrors, but by a laser LED and a special holographic grating. This significantly increases the cost, but gives a number of advantages over classical collimators. So, holographic sights are usually completely devoid of parallax (see "Detuning from parallax") - that is, the visible mark always remains clearly on the aiming point, regardless of the position of the working eye relative to the sight and the distance to the target. Lenses in such models have better light transmission and give less glare, which improves visibility. True, holographic sights are made predominantly open (see "Design"), however, their degree of protection is usually somewhat higher than that of traditional counterparts; in addition, the lens in such a collimator remains operational even with partial damage. The disadvantages of "holography", in addition to the price, include increased power consumption, which requires the use of more powerful and capacious batteries.

The magnification provided by the scope. This parameter indicates how many times the image of any object in the field of view will be larger than that visible to the naked eye. For models with the ability to change the ratio (see below), the entire available range of adjustment is indicated.

Modern sights can be produced in a wide variety of magnifications, the only exceptions are collimators (see "Type") — they usually give a magnification of 1x, that is, in fact, do not change the visible image in any way; higher values are extremely rare and usually do not exceed 5x. In other types of sights, the maximum magnification from 2x to 5x means that this model is designed for very short distances of application. In turn, the most "far-sighted" devices can provide an increase of 17 – 20x and even more.

Note that a high magnification not only allows you to better view distant and small objects, but also narrows the field of view. With this in mind, the main criteria for choosing a sight by magnification are the expected distances of use, as well as the size and type of targets. Detailed recommendations on this matter for different situations can be found in special sources. And here we note that the degree of magnification significantly affects the cost of the sight — both in itself and due to the fact that larger (and, acco...rdingly, more expensive) lenses are desirable for "long-range" optics. At the same time, a low magnification is not necessarily a sign of a cheap device — in itself, it only means that the sight is designed for short distances and a wide field of view.

As for models with variable magnification, the wider the adjustment range — the more advanced and versatile the device is, the lower the likelihood that there is no suitable setting for a particular situation. On the other hand, expanding the range complicates the design, making it more expensive and less reliable.

The ability to change the magnification(see above) provided by the scope. This gives extended options for adjusting the device to different situations and additional convenience. So, at short distances and with large target sizes, it is more convenient to have a low magnification, and for large distances, appropriate magnifications will be required. And even at a constant distance, this adjustment can be useful: for example, for a general search for a target, it is easier to use a low magnification, which gives a wide angle of view, and upon detection, zoom in on the image for maximum aiming accuracy.

The main disadvantages of optics with this function are complexity, greater weight / dimensions and higher cost than similar models with a fixed magnification. It is also worth noting that most adjustable sights use a second focal plane, which can create some inconvenience in practical use; see "Reticle" for details.

The diameter of the objective is the front lens of the sight. This parameter is also called "aperture".

This parameter is important primarily for optical sights and their specialized varieties — "night lights" and thermal imagers (see "Type"). The larger the lens, the more light enters it, the higher the image quality and the more efficient the device will work in low light, but the more expensive such optics will cost. It is worth noting here that the requirements for the aperture also depend on the degree of magnification: in other words, especially large lenses are not required for low magnifications. Therefore, relatively small entrance lenses, with a diameter of 25 – 35 mm and even less, are found in all price categories of classical optics — from low-cost to top. And you can compare by aperture only models with the same maximum magnification, and even then it’s very approximate — it’s worth remembering that image quality also depends heavily on the overall quality of the sight components.

In turn, for night sights, especially those based on image intensifier tubes (see "The principle of operation of night vision devices"), a large aperture is fundamentally important. So a diameter of 36 to 45 mm is considered very small for such devices and is found only in some digital models, while most nightlights are equipped with lenses of 46 mm or more.

As for collimators, the size of the space that enters the scope depends mainly on the aperture. Moreover, the actual visible size can be changed by setting the sight closer or farther to the eye — the principle of operation of collimators makes this possible. Note also that for models with lenses of a rectangular or similar shape, the size of the lens is usually indicated diagonally.

The diameter of the exit pupil created by the optical system of the sight.

The exit pupil is called the projection of the front lens of the lens, built by the optics in the region of the eyepiece; this image can be observed in the form of a characteristic light circle, if you look into the eyepiece not close, but from a distance of 30 – 40 cm. The diameter of this circle can be calculated by dividing the lens diameter by the multiplicity (see above). For example, an 8x40 model would have a pupil diameter of 40/8=5mm. This indicator determines the overall aperture of the device and, accordingly, the image quality in low light: the larger the pupil diameter, the brighter the “picture” will be (of course, with the same lens quality, because it also affects the brightness).

In addition, it is believed that the diameter of the exit pupil should be no less than that of the pupil of the human eye — and the size of the latter can vary. So, in daylight, the pupil in the eye has a size of 2-3 mm, and in the dark — 7-8 mm in adolescents and adults, and about 5 mm in the elderly. This point should be taken into account when choosing a model for specific conditions: after all, high-aperture optics are expensive, and it hardly makes sense to overpay for a large pupil if you need a scope exclusively for daytime use.

The offset is the distance between the eyepiece lens and the exit pupil of an optical instrument (see "Exit Pupil Diameter"). Optimum image quality is achieved when the exit pupil is projected directly into the observer's eye; so from a practical point of view, offset is the distance from the eye to the eyepiece lens that provides the best visibility and does not darken the edges (vignetting). A large offset is especially important if the sight is planned to be used simultaneously with glasses — after all, in such cases it is not possible to bring the eyepiece close to the eye, and it must be at some distance from the glasses so as not to hit the glass due to recoil.

The diameter of the area visible through the sight from a distance of 100 m — in other words, the largest distance between two points at which they can be seen simultaneously from this distance. It is also called "linear field of view". This indicator is more convenient for many users than the angular field of view (the angle between the lines connecting the lens and the extreme points of the visible image) — it very clearly describes the capabilities of the device.

In sights with magnification adjustment (see above), both the entire range of width — from maximum to minimum — or only one value of this parameter can be indicated. In the latter case, the largest width of the field of view is usually taken, at the minimum magnification.

A complex indicator that describes the quality of any optical system (including sights) at dusk — when the lighting is weaker than during the day, but not yet as dim as in the deep evening or at night. It is primarily about the ability to see small details through the device.

The need to use this parameter is due to the fact that twilight is a special condition. In daylight, the visibility of small details is determined primarily by the magnification of the optics, and in night light, by the diameter of the lens (see above); at dusk, both of these indicators affect the quality. This feature takes into account the twilight factor. Its specific value is calculated as the square root of the product of the multiplicity and the diameter of the lens. For example, for an 8x40 scope, the twilight factor would be the root of 8x40=320, which is approximately 17.8. Models with adjustable magnification (see above) usually indicate the minimum twilight factor corresponding to the minimum magnification.

The lowest value of this parameter for normal visibility at dusk is considered to be 17. At the same time, it is worth noting that the twilight factor does not take into account the actual light transmission of the system — and it strongly depends on the quality of the lenses, the use of antireflection coatings (see below), etc. Therefore, the actual image quality at dusk for two models with the same twilight factor may differ markedly.

One of the parameters describing the quality of visibility through an optical device in low light conditions. Relative brightness is denoted as the diameter of the exit pupil (see above), squared; the higher this number, the more light the sight lets through. At the same time, this indicator does not take into account the quality of the lenses and their coatings used in the design. Therefore, comparing two sights in terms of relative brightness is only possible approximately, because even if the values are equal, the actual image quality may differ markedly. Also note that it makes sense to pay attention to this parameter only if the sight is planned to be used at dusk.

As for specific values, in the "dimest" models, the relative brightness does not exceed 100, in the most "bright" it can be 300 or more. Detailed recommendations regarding the choice of this parameter for certain conditions can be found in special sources. Here it is worth mentioning that the relative brightness is not directly related to the price category of the sight: models similar in this indicator can vary significantly in price.

Units of measurement of angles used in the scope - primarily for making corrections using the drums. The same units are often used in marking the goniometric elements of the aiming reticle (see “Measuring units of the reticle”), but there are exceptions, so it would not hurt to clarify this point separately. Nowadays there are two main units:

- MOA. Abbreviation for minute of arc - 1/60th of a degree. Originally, this unit is associated with the English system of measures and is convenient primarily for calculations in yards and inches: at a distance of 100 yards, an angle of 1 MOA corresponds to a linear dimension of approximately 1 ". In the metric system, which is more familiar to us, this gives 2.91 cm at a distance of 100 m. We also note that this unit is a kind of accuracy standard: it is believed that a full-fledged sniper rifle should give a spread of no more than 1 MOA.

—MRAD. The symbol for a milliradian is an angle of one thousandth of a radian (approximately 0.06°). Also in sniper jargon, this unit is called “thousandth”, or “mil”. It is already tied to the metric system: at a distance of 100 m, an angle of 1 MRAD corresponds to a linear dimension of 10 cm (approximately 3.5 times more than 1 MOA).

The choice based on this indicator largely depends on the personal preferences of the shooter. And although “thousands” are generally more convenient for domestic use...rs, with minimal experience you can successfully use MOA, and also switch between these units and convert one to another without much difficulty. So in general this point is not particularly important.

The division value of the turrets used in the sight to enter corrections.

The increment value for the correction turret is the angle that the point of impact shifts when rotated by 1 click (“click”). In this case, this angle is indicated in MOA — minutes of arc. For more information about this unit, see "Measuring units of the sight"; and the lower the division value, the more accurately you can set up the sight initially and make corrections in the future. For example, if this indicator is 0.5 MOA — each click will shift the point of impact by about 1.46 cm for every 100 m of distance (that is, 2.91 cm at a distance of 200 m, 4.4 cm at 300 m and so on); and 0.25 MOA will already give only 7.3 mm per click for every 100 m.

The smaller the step and the more accurate the adjustment system, the more expensive it is. Therefore, when choosing, it is worth taking into account the features of the planned application — first of all, the size of the targets and the distance to them; detailed recommendations on this matter are in various manuals on shooting. If we talk about specific values, then the mentioned 0.5 (1/2) MOA are typical mainly for inexpensive and medium scopes, 0.25 (1/4) MOA is a pretty good indicator, and the advanced optics itself allows adjustment in increments of 0.125 (1/8) MOA.

The division value of the turrets used in the sight to enter corrections.

The increment value for the correction turret is the angle that the point of impact shifts when rotated by 1 click (“click”). In this case, this angle is indicated in MRAD — milliradians, or "thousandths" ("mils"). For more information about this unit, see "Measuring units of the sight"; and the lower the division value, the more accurately you can set up the sight initially and make corrections in the future. It is worth recalling here that for east european shooters the “thousandth” is convenient because this unit is directly related to the metric system: 0.1 MRAD corresponds to 1 cm at a distance of 100 m. So, for example, a division value of 0.2 MRAD allows at a distance of 100 m, shift the point of impact by 2 cm with each click; at 200 m this shift will be 4 cm per click, at 300 m it will be 6 cm per click, and so on.

There are also more subtle adjustment systems, with a division price of already 0.1 “thousandth”. At the same time, note that the smaller the adjustment step, the more expensive the mechanics of the sight. Therefore, when choosing, it is worth taking into account the features of the planned application — first of all, the size of the targets and the distance to them; detailed recommendations on this matter are in various manuals on shooting.

The ability to adjust the sight from parallax manually, by the user himself. For this purpose, an appropriate regulator is provided in the design.

Parallax in this case is a phenomenon when, when the eye deviates from the optical axis of the sight (from the centre of the eyepiece), the aiming mark visible to the shooter also shifts, while the sight itself remains motionless. As a result, if the eye is not exactly centered, the visible position of the mark does not match the actual point of aim. This phenomenon is especially pronounced in optical sights (see "Type"), and many collimators are also subject to it, although not to the same extent (but "night lights" and thermal imagers do not have this drawback, since the brand is displayed in them on the built-in display ).

To eliminate this phenomenon, a specific adjustment is used — detuning from parallax. Usually it is produced directly at the factory. However, it is possible to adjust the sight from parallax only for a certain distance, and with significant deviations from this distance (by more than 30% downwards or 60% upwards), this effect begins to manifest itself again. It can be compensated for with an perfect tab (“eye strictly in the centre”), however, even for experienced shooters, this can be difficult, especially when shooting while standing, offhand and in other uncomfortable positions. Thus, some models also provide manual detuning from parallax — a regula...tor that allows you to set the detuning distance at the request of the user. In addition to the situations described above, this function will be especially useful for novice users, as well as for high-precision long-range shooting.

Optical sights with parallax adjustment can be equipped with a wide ring on the AO (Adjustable Objective) lens or a drum on the SF (Side Focusing) control unit, on which additional accessories are installed for fine-tuning focusing in the form of wheels.

The presence of a diopter correction function in the sight. This feature will be very useful if you wear glasses due to nearsightedness or farsightedness. By setting the required number of "plus" or "minus" diopters on the adjustment scale, you can look into the eyepiece with the naked eye and see a clear picture — the optics of the device will provide the necessary correction. This is much more convenient than watching through glasses (especially considering that due to the recoil of the weapon, it is impossible to keep the scope close to anything, whether it be the eye socket of the shooter or the glass of the glasses). However one should not forget that the correction range is usually small, and in case of serious vision failures, the capabilities of the optics may not be enough; but such situations are still quite rare.

The scope has a zero adjustment function. This function is used during the initial sighting of optical sights (see "Type") for a specific rifle and ammunition, and later it greatly simplifies the work with vertical and horizontal corrections. Its essence is as follows

The process of zeroing in optics, roughly speaking, is the selection of such a position of the drums, in which at a distance of 100 m the sight ensures a clear hit at the aiming point (taking into account the spread of the weapon, of course). Such settings are taken as zero, it is from them that all further corrections are counted. However, the scales of the drums already show certain values by the time they are brought to this position — because of this, when you subsequently enter corrections, you can get confused in the number of clicks, make a mistake when returning the sight to its original settings, etc. The zero setting solves the problem: after zeroing, it is possible to rearrange the scales of the drums to the zero position without knocking down the settings of the adjusted sight. Thus, all subsequent corrections of the hands will be able to count from zero values on the scale, and to return to the original settings, it is enough to return the drums to the same zeros.

The specific method and features of such a setting may be different, usually, they are described in detail in the instruction manual. Here we note that this function is highly desir...able for sights used in high-precision (sniper) shooting, where you have to work a lot and often with amendments.

A type of coating used in scope lenses. Anyway, we are talking about the so-called antireflection coating, which is the thinnest film (single or multilayer) on the surface of the lens in contact with air. The properties of this film are chosen in such a way as to minimize the reflection of light from the glass surface. The meaning of this function is not so much to reduce the brightness of glare that can unmask the shooter, but to increase the light transmission of the optics and, accordingly, the quality of the image visible through it.

Modern sights can be equipped with the following types of coatings:

— Illuminating. In this case, the simplest option is implied — an incomplete single-layer coating. The term "incomplete" means that not all lens surfaces are coated (although there may be several coated surfaces). Such enlightenment is inexpensive, however, the image quality is relatively low — in particular, because a single-layer film is most effective only for a part of the visible colour spectrum.

— Full illumination. Fully coated means that all surfaces of the lenses that come into contact with air have a special coating; in this case it is single layer. Such a coating is more expensive than a simple anti-reflective coating, but the quality of the “picture” when using it is higher, because. light distortion at the transitions between glass and air is minimized.

— Multi-layered illuminating. Incomplete AR coating (see above)...using multilayer films. Thanks to multiple layers, the anti-reflective coating covers the entire visible spectrum, which allows you to achieve a brighter image with less colour distortion compared to single-layer coatings; However the price of such devices is higher.

— Full multilayer enlightenment. The most advanced option: multilayer coating on all lens surfaces used in the design of the sight. Features of full and multi-layer coating are described separately above. Here we note that their combination is typical for high-class sights, because. it provides the highest quality image, but it is not cheap.

The location of the reticle in the optical sight (see "Type").

Such a grid can be installed either in the first focal plane, FFP(roughly speaking, in the lens area), or in the second, SFP(in the eyepiece area). At the same time, for sights with a fixed magnification, the difference between these options is only in price, so they use only the simpler and cheaper SFP. But in models with multiplicity adjustment, this parameter directly affects the application features, and we will analyze this difference in more detail:

— In the 1st focal plane (FFP). The key advantage of reticles in the first focal plane is that their apparent size also changes in direct proportion with a change in magnification. In fact, this means that the angular dimensions of the individual mesh elements remain the same regardless of the set magnification. That is, for example, if a distance of 1 MRAD is claimed between two neighboring points, then it will be 1 MRAD in the entire range of multiplicity adjustment. This means that you can work with the grid for measuring distances and taking corrections according to the same rules, regardless of the selected degree of increase. Thus, FFP sights are much more convenient and easier to use than SFP. On the other hand, such models are noticeably more complex and expensive; and many hunting reticles — for example, a duplex or a classic cross (see "Reticle Type") — it makes...no sense at all to install in the first focal plane. In light of all this, this option is relatively rare and only in mid-range and top-level models designed for high-precision shooting.

— In the 2nd focal plane (SFP). The most common reticle placement option, including variable magnification sights. Such popularity is primarily due to the simplicity of design and low cost. However, the reverse side of these advantages are additional difficulties when using goniometric mesh elements. The fact is that in SFP sights, the apparent size of such elements remains unchanged when the magnification changes, which means that the dimensions of individual parts at different magnifications will correspond to different angles. More precisely, the angular dimensions in such systems change in inverse proportion to the multiplicity: for example, if at a multiplicity of 5x the distance between two adjacent points is 6 MOA, then at 15x it will decrease to 2 MOA. Thus, the “true” angular size indicated in the characteristics, the marking elements have only at a strictly defined multiplicity, in other cases, this size must be recalculated using special formulas. At the same time, it is worth noting that if the grid does not have special goniometric elements, then this disadvantage becomes practically irrelevant for it; examples are hunting nets of the "half-cross" type (traditional, not "stump") and "cross with a circle" (see "Net type").

The type of aiming mark (reticle) provided in the device. There are models for which several options are indicated at once: this implies the possibility of switching between them.

As for specific varieties, in collimators, all brands have a common specificity - they should provide the convenience of quick aiming at relatively short distances. But the reticles of optical and other similar sights can be divided into hunting and tactical (sniper) sights. The former are relatively simple and have a minimum of additional elements, as they are designed for short distances and relatively large targets; and the latter are designed for high-precision shooting, military and police use, and therefore must be supplemented with various elements for measuring angles and taking corrections on the go, including between shots.

Among the specific types of grids most popular in our time are the cross with divisions, BDC, duplex, cross, half-cross, cross with a dot, cross with a circle, herringbone, rangefinder, dot, circle with a dot and circle with 2 points. Here are th...e main features of each:

— Cross with divisions. One of the most popular types of "tactical" reticles used in optical sights. The key element is the crosshair, on the lines of which additional dots are applied. The distance between the points corresponds to a strictly defined angular size; initially it was 1 MRAD (1 "mil", hence the name), however, in modern sights, other values \u200b\u200bcan be found, they should be specified according to the instructions. In addition, such grids can differ in the number of points, the presence of thickening on the lines (as in the duplexes described below), etc. Be that as it may, such a grid is very convenient for estimating distances and making corrections on the fly, many professional shooters consider it almost ideal for high-precision shooting, including at long distances, besides, the original cross with divisions (Mil-Dot) is widely used by military and police snipers around the world.
We also note that there is also a collimator variety of "mildots" - in this case, the grid looks like a circle with a dot in the middle and several dots below it, with an interval of the same 1 MRAD. However, when using collimators, the real need for making vertical corrections rarely arises, and this option is not widely used.

- Duplex. Reticles for optical and night sights (see "Type"), which look like a classic crosshair with different line thicknesses: they are thin in the center, and noticeably thicker near the edges. The meaning of this combination is that thin lines do not “clutter up” the field of view at the aiming point, and thick lines remain visible even under adverse conditions (for example, at dusk) and allow you to aim at least approximately. In addition, the thickness of large lines and the distance between their edges can correspond to well-defined angles, which allows some of these sights to be used even as simple goniometers. However, these possibilities are very limited, and in general, "duplexes" are classic hunting nets.

- Half cross. Hunting net, the main elements of which are T-shaped. One of the varieties of semi-crosses - "German grid", it is also "stump" - consists of a vertical line from the edge to the center of the sight and two horizontal lines that do not reach it; the aiming point corresponds to the upper point of the central "stump", and the thickness of the lines and the distance between them can be specified in the documentation - this allows you to carry out the simplest measurements of angles. A more modern version of the half-cross is the crosshair, in which one line (from the center to the top edge) is much thinner than the rest, or even absent altogether.

- Dot. In its pure form, the dot is used exclusively in collimator sights (see "Type"). This is an extremely convenient option for such devices: there are no unnecessary details in the field of view of the shooter, only a mark that clearly shows exactly where the weapon is aimed - more is often not required when using collimators. The disadvantages of the dot in comparison with other marks in the sights of this type include less visibility, especially in bright ambient light. However, many sights allow you to set a fairly high brightness of the mark, and sometimes even increase its size, increasing visibility. Also note that for a point, the angular size can be specified, which can be useful for quick estimation of distances.
In addition, the dot can also be used in optical and night sights, but in such cases it is usually used as an addition to another scale - for example, it additionally highlights the intersection of lines in a semi-cross.

— Circle with a dot. Another type of marks, used in collimators as the main one, and in other types of sights - as an addition to a crosshair or other more traditional grid. However, the latter is rare, so let's focus on the first option. Compared to another popular "collimator" mark - a dot - the circle covers more visible space, however, it is very noticeable and often turns out to be more convenient when shooting offhand or sharply turning the weapon to the side. In addition, for both the circle and the dot, it often indicates the exact angular size, which gives extended (compared to the usual dot) possibilities for using the aiming mark as the simplest goniometric (rangefinding) scale.

- Circle with 2 dots. A variation of the circle with a point described on top, having a second, additional point - usually below the first, at a strictly defined angular distance from it. This expands the possibilities for using the sight as an impromptu rangefinder, and also allows you to "on the move" take an amendment when shooting at long distances - just aim at the second, lower point. However, such opportunities for collimators are extremely rarely required, so this option has not received much distribution either.

- Cross. Features of this type of brand depend on the type of sights in question - optical / night or collimator (see "Type"). In classical optics, a cross is the simplest crosshair of thin lines of the same thickness. Naturally, in terms of general specialization, such reticles are hunting, but they are also found in a fairly advanced variety of sights - sports models for benchrest (shooting from a machine gun at maximum range and accuracy). The convenience of the cross in such an application lies in the fact that the lines have a minimum thickness and practically do not block the view. In nightlights, this type of grid is usually one of several options available to choose from. But in collimators, the cross is in many ways similar to a circle with a dot - it is provided as one of the large, well-marked marks with a clearly defined angular size.

- Cross with a dot. A grid in the form of a crosshair of two lines (as a rule, quite thin), at the intersection of which a clearly visible point is applied. It is in this form, as a rule, that is used in collimator and other types of sights. In the first case, such a stamp is actually a slightly modified version of the usual cross (see on top). And in optics, the presence of a point allows you to additionally highlight the crosshairs, which is convenient in some situations; the general purpose of such sights is, of course, hunting.

- A cross with a circle. Stamp in the form of a cross, complemented by a circle. It can also be used in different types of sights and has its own specialization everywhere. In classical optics, such a grid usually has a hunting purpose, although there are also varieties with additional marks that expand the "tactical" functions. And even in the absence of such marks in the characteristics, the angular size of the circle is usually specified, which provides additional opportunities for impromptu measurement of distances. We also note that the cross itself can be both ordinary and duplex (see on top). The situation is similar in night sights, however, there a cross with a circle is usually only one of the available mark options. As for the collimators, they can use both a full-fledged crosshair in a circle, and a ring with “rays” protruding from it; in any case, such a mark is more noticeable than an ordinary cross.

— BDC. This reticle got its name from the English phrase Bullet Drop Compensation, which translates as “bullet drop compensation”. The BDC ballistic reticle allows for range correction based on the bullet's trajectory. It is calibrated for a specific ammunition and sharpened for quick aiming at various distances using the same type of bullets. Distance markers in a ballistic reticle are hash marks, circles, or dots. The main sign of their placement is that the vertical markings have different gaps, increasing towards the bottom. An additional distance scale is often placed in such grids on the "six" shoulder. In addition, the ammunition for which the reticle is calibrated is usually indicated (caliber, bullet weight, weight).

- Christmas tree. Informative reticle resembling a Christmas tree in its structure. Actually, this is where the name of this type of grid came from. Each array of dots on its "six o'clock" arm is longer than the previous one - the marks increase in width when viewed from top to bottom from the central crosshair. These markers are used to correct for wind drift, which is extremely important when conducting aimed fire at long distances. The most common herringbone reticle is found in hunting hybrids, tactical sights, and military rifle scopes.

- Rangefinder. This type includes all grids that do not belong to any of the types described on top and provide for special markings for measuring angles and distances. The specific design of such markings may be different, but the general principle of operation is the same everywhere: rangefinder marks allow you to determine the angular size of a visible object, and if the linear size of this object is known, you can easily estimate the distance to it (at least approximately). Each type of rangefinder reticle has its own rules for use.

Units of measurement that are used in the marking of goniometric elements of the reticle. In our time, there are two main units: - MOA. The abbreviation for minute of arc is 1/60 of a degree. Initially, this unit is associated with the English system of measures and is convenient primarily for calculations in yards and inches: at a distance of 100 yards, an angle of 1 MOA corresponds to a linear dimension of approximately 1 inch. In the more familiar metric system for us, this gives 2.91 cm at a distance of 100 m. We also note that this unit is a kind of accuracy standard: it is believed that a full-fledged sniper rifle should give a spread of no more than 1 MOA.

— MRAD. Conventional designation miradian - an angle of one thousandth of a radian (approximately 0.06 °). Also in the jargon of snipers, this unit is called "thousandth", or "mil". It is already tied to the metric system: at a distance of 100 m, an angle of 1 MRAD corresponds to a linear size of 10 cm (approximately 3.5 times greater than 1 MOA).

The choice for this indicator largely depends on the personal preferences of the shooter. We also note that inconsistencies are often found in low-cost sights: their drums are marked on the MOA scale, and the reticle is in MRAD units.

The presence of several sighting reticles in the device at once, with the ability to switch between them at the request of the user. A specific list of options is usually given in Reticle Type (above), and this option allows the shooter to choose the most convenient option depending on the specific situation and personal preferences. Moreover, some models may even provide a choice between several varieties of the same brand — for example, dots of different angular sizes in collimator sights (see "Type").

It is worth noting that the full-fledged ability to switch between sighting reticles is found only in devices with an electronic principle of operation — that is, the same collimators, as well as night sights and thermal imagers. In classical optics, this function is used extremely rarely, and in a truncated version: in addition to the usual, unchanging grid, the user can turn on the mark in the form of a dot.

The presence in the sight of a special illumination for the aiming mark.

Collimator models, "night lights" and thermal imagers (see "Type") have this function by definition — in fact, the aiming mark itself in them represents either a light mark on the lens (in the first case), or a set of pixels on the screen (in the rest). But for traditional optics, this feature is far from mandatory and is intended mainly for specific cases — for example, when a dark target is on a dark background, which makes the unlit reticle almost invisible. Note that the backlight usually requires a battery to work; there are systems that do not require power (tritium illumination), but they are practically never found in civilian sights.

The ability to adjust the brightness with which the aiming mark is illuminated.

Such adjustment can be provided in all types of illuminated sights (see above). It allows you to optimally adjust the backlight to the specifics of the situation: for example, if the background in the field of view of the optics is very dark, a too bright grid will “cut the eye” against its background; and for a collimator in bright sunlight, maximum brightness may be required — otherwise the mark will be poorly visible.

The ability to change the colour of the aiming mark, more precisely, the colour with which it is highlighted (see above). This adjustment performs both an aesthetic and a practical function — against different backgrounds, some colours stand out more than others, and choosing the optimal colour allows you to make the brand as noticeable as possible.

— Dust-, water protection. Protected housing that prevents dust and moisture from entering the delicate components of the sight. This feature is highly desirable if the sight is planned to be used in adverse conditions — for example, during a long hunting trip, where there is a chance of encountering bad weather. However it is worth considering that the specific degree of protection may be different, it should be clarified according to the documentation for the sight. However, almost all “protected” models are able to endure rain at least without problems.

— Impact protection. Special protection that prevents damage to the sight during impacts and shocks — for example, by accidental falling or contact with a foreign object. The effectiveness of this protection may vary for different models, but in most cases it at least allows you to transfer the fall onto a hard surface from a height of 1 – 1.5 m. with a high probability it will turn out to be useless — the impact force will be much greater than that for which the device was originally designed. In addition, after any strong impact, the sight will have to be re-aligned. However, additional protection anyway improves the overall strength and reliability of the device.

— Filling with gas. A feature that is found exclusively in sights with closed cases (see "Design"). Such cases are made airtight, and th...e internal space in them is filled with an inert gas — for example, nitrogen — with a minimum content of water vapor. Thanks to this, the optical elements of the sight do not fog up from the inside, and metal parts do not oxidize due to contact with moisture. In addition, such an air-tight housing, by definition, is also dust and moisture resistant (see above).

— Rangefinder. A device that allows you to measure distances to objects visible in the scope. Do not confuse this function with rangefinder markings and other similar reticles (see “Reticle type”): in this case we are talking about a separate device, usually in the form of a laser rangefinder. Such equipment greatly simplifies measurements: there is no need to bother with special calculations for the angular dimensions of visible objects, just one click of a button is enough, and the accuracy of laser devices is very high — on the order of several centimeters at distances of hundreds of metres. The main disadvantage of this feature is the high cost; in addition, additional equipment increases the weight and dimensions of the sight. Therefore, built-in rangefinders are found exclusively in professional models designed for high-precision shooting.

— Level. A device that allows you to control the deviation of the sight (and, accordingly, the weapon) from the horizontal position — namely, the tilt to the right / left. Such a need arises primarily with high-precision shooting: even a slight slope, imperceptible to a person, can give a significant deviation, especially at a great distance. Levels may have a different design and principle of operation, but they are always set so that the shooter can see such an indicator at the same time as aiming. For example, in optics (see "Type"), a bubble bulb is placed above the lens or to the side of it, while in "night lights" and thermal imagers, data from an electronic sensor is projected directly into the eyepiece.

— Lantern. A flashlight mounted directly into the body or on the body of the sight. A rather specific function that is rare: at distances where optics are mainly used, a searchlight is needed, for "night lights" an IR illuminator is relevant (see below), collimators are more convenient to use with a separate underbarrel or hand "tactical" flashlight. However, the built-in lamp cannot be called completely useless. So, in optical sights, it is usually combined with a laser designator (see below), allowing you to effectively use the laser in low light conditions. And in the case of a collimator, the LEDs built into the frame are more compact than a separate underbarrel flashlight (which, moreover, can not be installed on every weapon that is compatible with a collimator).

— Laser designator(LTC). Device for quick aiming at short distances. The idea of such a device is extremely simple: a laser beam shows where the weapon is aimed, creating a clearly visible mark at the point of impact. This allows you to shoot accurately, even without looking into the main sight — including "from the hip" and from other emergency positions, which is especially useful in situations requiring maximum reaction speed. LCC is relevant only at minimum distances, but this is not a drawback, but a feature that can turn out to be a definite advantage. For example, a "laser" can be a great addition to a telescopic sight, which by itself is useless at short distances.

— Compatibility with night vision devices. Possibility of using the sight with separate night vision devices. Most often, this feature is found in collimator sights (see "Type") — it means that the brightness and colour of the collimator mark make it possible to clearly see it even through night vision devices. But optical models with such compatibility are extremely rare: firstly, it is technically difficult to implement, and secondly, for sniper shooting in the dark, there are specialized night and thermal imaging sights that are more convenient and effective than a combination of night vision devices with classic optics.

The design of the drum (drums) for entering corrections, provided in the sight.

— Closed. Drums closed with threaded caps or other protective devices. This design does not allow you to quickly, on the go, make adjustments, but the regulators are maximally protected from foreign objects, and the likelihood of knocking down the settings in case of accidental contact with such an object is reduced to almost zero. This makes closed turrets perfect for scopes that are adjusted once, at initial zeroing, and then used at fixed settings; collimators and hunting optics for relatively short distances (up to 300 m) can be cited as an example.

— Open. Drums that do not have special protection — thus, you can turn such a drum immediately, only by stretching out your hand to it. Such regulators allow you to make adjustments “on the fly”, literally after each shot, making them very convenient for high-precision shooting, especially under constantly changing conditions; in particular, it is the open design that professional snipers use. As for the shortcomings, one can come across allegations that in case of accidental contact with a foreign object, the drum may turn, knocking down the settings. However, in modern sights, manufacturers take this possibility into account and prevent such cases — for example, due to a tight rotation mechanism or special drum fixation systems.

The type of power used in the scope, in fact, describes the type of autonomous element (accumulator or battery) that the device is designed for.

The most popular elements in modern sights are CR2032 elements — characteristic "pills" with a diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of about 3 mm. Their shape fits very well into the layout of both optics and classical collimators (see "Type"), and the capacity, although relatively low, is quite sufficient for normal operation for a long time, because the power consumption of these types of sights is low. But in more “gluttonous” night, thermal imaging (see ibid) and holographic (see above) models, more solid batteries are usually used — most often either a pair of standard “finger” AA cells, or a 3.7 V CR123 element (diameter 17.5 mm, length 35 mm). In this case, the sight can be compatible with either one of these types, or both. It is also worth noting that AA and CR123 elements are also available as rechargeable batteries, which can be perfect for frequent use of the scope.

Approximate time of continuous operation of the sight on one set of batteries or battery charge. It is indicated for some standard conditions, so the actual operating time may differ from the claimed one (especially since it also depends on the quality of specific batteries). At the same time, this parameter quite accurately characterizes the overall battery life of the device, and is also quite suitable for comparing different models with each other: for example, if twice as many hours are claimed for one collimator as for another, in fact, most likely, with other equal will work twice as long.

It should be noted that in optical sights (see "Type"), power is used only for additional functions such as reticle illumination. So for such models, this parameter is of secondary importance: in general, the optics remain fully functional even without batteries.

This feature automatically turns off the power after a certain period of time. Its general meaning is to save battery power — so that the sight does not "eat" energy in vain if the shooter forgets to turn it off. But the specific features of auto-shutdown in different models can vary markedly. So, in some devices, it occurs regardless of external factors, in others — only if the device has been in a stationary position for some time (in the first case, the time before shutdown is usually measured in hours, in the second — in minutes). Also note that there are sights with the ability to adjust the shutdown time.

The weapon class that this scope can be used with.

Different classes of weapons differ in the energy of the shot and, accordingly, the recoil force that the sight must endure without consequences. It is the maximum allowable energy of the shot (muzzle energy) that in this case is the main criterion for classifying the sight into one of the categories: light pneumatics, rifles and shotguns, large caliber. It is worth saying that such a division is somewhat arbitrary — see details in separate paragraphs; here is their detailed description:

— Lightweight pneumatics. Sights designed for weapons that practically do not give recoil — such as air PCP rifles, spring-piston “breaks” with muzzle energy up to 7.5 J, carbines chambered for Flaubert, as well as airsoft drives. Such models are definitely not suitable for firearms: they do not tolerate even the recoil from small-caliber rifles, not to mention more serious use. And even pneumatics have their limitations — in particular, powerful (more than 7.5 J) spring-piston models give significant returns with strong vibrations, and in pistols with the Blow-back system, noticeable concussions occur not because of the shot itself, but from -for the work of automation. So it is better to equip these types of weapons with more durable and reliable sights.

— Rifles and shotguns. Sights that can be used with...rifles of small and medium calibers, as well as smoothbore weapons (shotguns). They have a solid construction that allows them to endure rather strong recoil and accompanying vibrations without consequences, but the specific restriction on the allowable muzzle energy (and, accordingly, the calibers and ammunition used) may be different. However, scopes in this category are usually able to safely carry at least 2500 J — this is enough for rifled calibers 5.45x39, 7.62x39 and .223, as well as for 12-gauge rifle cartridges with a standard weight of gunpowder. And in many models, the maximum allowable energy can reach 3500 J and even 4000 J (the smallest values \u200b\u200bnecessary for full-fledged use with .308 and 7.62x54R calibers, respectively). At the same time, for reinforced magnum ammunition, as well as for some powerful (though not large) calibers, such a sight may still not be enough.

— Large-caliber. The most durable and reliable sights, designed for muzzle energy of 4000 J and above. Because of this, they can be used even with large-caliber firearms, as well as with some powerful calibers that are not formally large — for example, .300 Win and .338 Lapua Magnum. The specific restriction on muzzle energy, again, may be different, but if you are looking for a sight for a caliber more powerful than 7.62x54R or for reinforced rifle ammunition like 12x76, you should definitely pay attention to this category.

Separately, it is worth noting that “firearm” sights, even quite durable and reliable, are not recommended to be installed on pneumatics with a spring-piston mechanism or a gas spring. The fact is that such rifles have a specific recoil, directed forward rather than backward, moreover, giving sharp vibrations in different directions; and although the force of such recoil is low, it can still adversely affect the sight, which was not originally designed for it.

The type of mount supplied with the scope.

For normal mounting on a weapon, this mount must match the type of seat for the scope. The most popular types of mounts nowadays are on the Weaver / Picatinny rail and on the dovetail ; branded latches are noticeably less common, and some sights are supplied without mounts at all — this allows you to choose the option at your discretion. Here is a detailed description of specific options:

— On the Weaver / Picatinny rail. Fastening on a standard bar (“rail”) Weaver or Picatinny rail. It is considered the Western standard for installing a weapon body kit, but nowadays it is widely used around the world. It is worth noting that these types of slats, although similar in design, are not the same. They both have a T-shaped profile and transverse slots that allow you to securely fix the installed accessory in the chosen place, but differ in the size and location of these slots: they are wider in Picatinny rails and have a standard distance between centers. In fact, this leads to the fact that accessories for Weaver rails can easily fit on Picatinny rails, but not vice versa. In addition, Picatinny is considered more of a military standard, and civilian weapons are equipped mainly with Weaver rails. Thus, most of the complete rail mounts found among modern sights are designed specifi...cally for the Weaver rail, as it is more common and universal. However, exceptions are possible, so this nuance needs to be specified separately.

— "Dovetail". The seat of this type has a cross-sectional view of an inverted trapezoid, and the mount provides protrusions on both sides, which, when the sight is installed, “cover” this trapezoid. This type of mount is found mainly in air and sporting rifles, as well as in hunting weapons of a classic design. In the latter case, this choice is also due to aesthetic considerations — these mounts look neater than the gear "rails" of Weaver and Picatinny rails.

— Firm. Various specific fastenings not related to the standards described above. Often they are made not just for the products of a particular brand, but also for strictly defined models of weapons; one of the characteristic examples is the original seat on the high-end "sniper" Blaser R93. Branded devices can have a rather original design — for example, in some collimators for shotguns, a plate is used that is fixed between the butt and the receiver. In general, due to limitations in application, such fasteners are usually provided not as the only option, but as one of the options, in addition to the bar and/or dovetail.

Separately, it is worth touching on situations where several types of mounts are indicated in the characteristics of the sight at once. Most often this means that this model is available in different configurations, but there are other, more specific options — the presence of several types of mounts in the kit at once, an adapter from one type to another, or even a universal retainer that is also compatible with Weaver / Picatinny rails, and with a dovetail. Such details in each case should be clarified separately.

The diameter of the mounting rings for which the closed-type sight is designed (see "Design").

This parameter directly determines the compatibility of the sight with a particular mount: the diameter indicated in the characteristics of the sight must match the actual size of the rings, otherwise normal use will be impossible. However, you only have to pay attention to the size of the rings if the mount is not supplied with the kit, or if you plan to use a third-party mount instead of the standard one. At the same time, we note that the rings are available in standard sizes, this simplifies the search for suitable solutions; the most popular options are 25.4 mm and 30 mm, less often (mainly in low-cost models) 19 mm is found.

The rails on the scope body are necessary for installing various tactical equipment or all sorts of additional devices. It is customary to place a rangefinder, an infrared flashlight, an additional battery pack, a camera or a collimator sight on the slats.

The material from which the body of the scope is made.

The most popular option today is metal — it is he who is used in the vast majority of sights of all types and price categories. The composition of the metal can be different, but anyway, such cases turn out to be quite strong and reliable — even a strong blow damages the “hardware” of the sight rather than the body. The differences between different types of metals and alloys are mainly in price and weight, but in the first case, these differences are not fundamental compared to the cost of the sights themselves, in the second — against the background of the weight of the weapon.

Also on the market you can find individual models with plastic cases. The advantages of this material are its low cost and light weight, however, in terms of reliability, it is noticeably inferior to metal — including due to the fact that the body can bend from impact or pressure and the “hardware” inside will move, which will disrupt the operation of the entire device. Therefore, very few plastic sights are produced, and basically these are the most affordable collimators, designed exclusively for light pneumatics (see "Weapon Compatibility").

The range of ambient air temperatures within which the scope maintains normal performance. Note that going beyond this range does not always mean failure and failure; however, correct operation and proper accuracy in such cases are not unambiguously guaranteed.

As for specific figures, most modern scopes have a temperature range wide enough to normally tolerate not only indoor use (for example, in a shooting range), but also outdoor use in a temperate climate during the warm season — from mid-spring to mid-spring. autumn. But the possibilities of application in more extreme conditions — both in frost and in extreme heat at a level of +40 °C and above — should be specified separately.

We also emphasize that even the most “heat-resistant” models cannot be exposed to prolonged exposure to the sun: under direct sunlight, the body of the device can become very hot even in very cold weather.

The country of origin of the brand under which the product is sold. Nowadays, the sights market is mainly represented by brands from such countries (in alphabetical order): Belarus, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Lithuania, USA, Japan. However, there are other options as well.

There are many stereotypes about how the origin of a particular country affects the quality; however, nowadays, they have practically no basis. First, the origin of the brand is indicated either by the actual place of origin of the company, or by the country in which its headquarters is located; in both cases, this country does not always coincide with the country where the production is located and where the device was actually manufactured. For example, it is quite normal for the products of an American or German brand to be manufactured in Taiwan or Turkey. Secondly, the actual quality of a product is primarily affected by how it is positioned in the market and how carefully the manufacturer ensures quality control. As a result, paying attention to the "homeland" of the brand makes sense only when you fundamentally want or do not want to support a company from a certain country; in other cases, it is worth focus primarily on the reputation of a particular...manufacturer.

The total length of the sight.

This parameter is important primarily for optical sights (see "Type"). Such devices can be quite large — from 20 – 30 cm in the most compact models up to 40 cm or more ; and the distance from the eyepiece to the eye when aiming must be strictly defined. So before buying, it's ok to clarify whether it will be possible to correctly place the selected model on the weapon. But collimators, even the largest ones, are very compact, usually there are no problems with their installation, so in such models the length does not play a special role.