Aiming aids guide

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Introduction:

In addition to the classic rear sight, there are two other aiming aids of interest to airsoft players, red dot sights (also called red dot, red dot sight or reflex sight) and scopes. Depending on the application for which the airsoft weapon will be used, it makes sense to use the appropriate sight.

Rear sight:

Advantages: + No power source needed + No maintenance required + Low additional weight + No additional cost + Shape of the weapon is preserved Rear sight and front sight (also called open sights) are, as a rule, present on every airsoft weapon. They have the advantage that they do not require a power source and are not subject to maintenance. In addition, there is the low weight and that there are no additional costs. Another advantage is that the shape of the weapon is preserved, if other sights are used on handguns, the normal holster often can not continue to be used Disadvantages: - No simultaneous focusing of target and sight possible - Fast sighting needs a lot of practice - Aiming in low light conditions difficult - Aiming in the dark almost impossible - Inaccurate at long distances - Often aiming errors A major disadvantage of open sights is that you can only see either the rear sight, the front sight or the target in focus (for aiming, the eye is "focused" on the front sight). This means that the eye has a lot of "work" to do and tires more quickly. Since you have to bring the rear sight and front sight into alignment first in addition to focusing, fast sighting is only possible with a lot of practice This also makes aiming in low light conditions not easy and almost impossible in the dark. As the distance increases and the target becomes smaller, sighting becomes even more difficult, since the target may be completely obscured by the front sight, depending on its size The correct matching of rear sight and front sight must be practiced a lot, nevertheless, it often comes to aiming errors <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-kimmekorn-bild-2.jpg" alt="" /> This flip up sight features a standard rear sight and front sight, as well as a more accurate hole rear sight when flipped up

Flashlight Sights:

Advantages: + Quick sighting + Target and sight are sharp + The non-targeting eye can remain open + Light weight + Aiming can be done even in twilight or darkness + Aiming errors are eliminated Red dot sights are always used when quick sighting of the target is required, as the red dot is reflected directly into the eye of the shooter via a semi-transparent mirror, both the target and the dot can be sharply imaged, in addition, the second eye can remain open to observe the surroundings. Unlike a telescopic sight, a red dot sight is smaller and lighter. The red dot can be seen perfectly even in twilight and at night. To avoid being blinded by the dot, its brightness can usually be adjusted in several stages With open sights there are often aiming errors, a red dot sight always hits the spot where the red dot is, even if you look through the optics at an angle Disadvantages: - No magnification - Lens can fog up - Reflections through the lens - Batteries are necessary - Change the shape of the weapon Flare sights usually do not have magnification, but there are exceptions such as the ACOG and also special attachments (called magnifiers) that can be screwed or folded in front of the flare sight. The lens can fog up due to environmental influences such as strong temperature fluctuations or the visibility can be impeded by raindrops Reflections of the lens can draw the attention of the enemy, this effect can be minimized by appropriate attachments (so-called killflash). A red dot sight requires an additional power source, usually a battery. There are also models that use solar cells or light collectors to minimize power consumption when there is sufficient daylight. A few models also work with tritium, but these are not allowed in all countries The illuminated dot sight changes the external shape of the weapon, handguns may then require an appropriately fitting holster <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/sighting-guide-reddot-image-1.jpg" alt="" /> <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-reddot-bild-2.jpg" alt="" /> <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-reddot-bild-3.jpg" alt="" /> <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-reddot-bild-4.jpg" alt="" /> <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-reddot-bild-5.jpg" alt="" /> An ACOG replica, A holographic reddot, A solar powered reddot, A killflash insert, A 3x magnifier with folding function

Riflescopes:

Advantages: + Magnification possible + Target and sight are sharp + Accurate aiming even at long distances + Can be used for enemy observation + No power source necessary A riflescope offers the advantage that it magnifies directly and the magnification is also usually adjustable, so you can quickly adjust it to the conditions that are currently prevailing. As with the illuminated dot sight, the scope allows you to see both the target and the sight (reticle) in focus There are many different reticles, including those that do not obscure the target, so accurate sighting is very possible Due to the magnification, the scope, instead of a telescope, can also be used for enemy observation. Riflescopes with non-illuminated reticle do not require a power source Disadvantages: - size and weight - No observation of the surroundings possible - Fast sighting only possible at low magnifications Compact scopes are also available, but they are usually larger and heavier than illuminated scopes. When aiming through a scope you usually have the other eye closed, combined with the magnification this means you no longer have the surroundings in view. Fast sighting is still possible at small magnifications, but hardly possible at larger ones, of course this also depends on the distance of the target <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-zf-bild-1.jpg" alt="" /> <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-zf-bild-2.jpg" alt="" /> Compact ZF with 1-4x magnification and flipup caps, ZF with 8-32x magnification

Mounting of an aiming device:

In order to mount an aiming device, the weapon must have an appropriate fixture. For Airsoft weapons, these are usually Weaver rails (20-23mm), rarely Picatinny rails (11-13mm). If the weapon does not have a rail, there are appropriate mounts for most models, which then provide a Weaver rail <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-montagen-bild-1.jpg" alt="" /> <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/target-help-guide-assembly-image-2.jpg" alt="" /> <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-montagen-bild-3.jpg" alt="" /> Examples of mounts, from left to right AK, M14 & MP5 Riflescopes are mounted via so-called mounting rings, usually these are supplied with the scope. If this is not the case, in addition to the mounting rail (Picatinny or Weaver), care must be taken that the ring fits the diameter of the scope. There are 25.4mm (1 inch) and 30mm mounting rings The mounting rings come in different heights (flat, medium, high) high mounting rings are often required for scopes with a large objective diameter. These can also be useful with a smaller objective diameter if you want to keep the rear sight and front sight as a backup sight <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/sighting-guide-mounting-rings-image-1.jpg" alt="" /> <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-montageringe-bild-2.jpg" alt="" /> Flat and high mounting rings, the high rings have the base recessed so that the rear sight and front sight can be used even though the scope is mounted When mounting, make sure that the screws are tightened enough so that the mount and the target system on it can no longer move.

Care:

Coarser dirt (sand, soil...) on the lens of a scope should be removed with a brush or air pressure, otherwise the lens could be scratched. Dust or fingerprints are best removed with a micro fiber cloth, these are usually included with the scope, or can be purchased separately in the store. Moving parts such as the zoom adjustment ring or the adjustment turrets should be checked for dirt after use so that their mobility is maintained <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-pflege-bild-1.jpg" alt="" />

Flip Up Cover:

Flip Up Covers protect the target device from dirt and damage during transport. To find the right cover for the aiming device, you only need to measure the front and rear diameter. <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-flipupcover-bild-1.jpg" alt="" />

Adapter:

Is only a Picatinny Rail available, but only Weaver mounts are available, or vice versa there are corresponding adapters <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-adapter-bild-1.jpg" alt="" /> Adapter from Weaver to Picatinny rails

Elevations:

If the aiming device needs to be elevated because, for example, the front sight (M4 & M16 models) is in the way, or the sighting line is too low, elevations are used <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-erhoehung-bild-1.jpg" alt="" />

Bombardment of targeting devices:

The housings of aiming devices (usually made of plastic or aluminum) are usually strong enough to withstand airsoft gunfire. However, the lenses can be damaged by direct fire, depending on the angle of impact and the strength of the shot, as there is usually no ballistic glass installed. To minimize this risk, there are Plexiglas lenses that are positioned on a weaver rail in front of the aiming device and prevent direct hits on the lens <img src="https://www.begadi.com/media/wysiwyg/CMS_guides/zielhilfenguide-beschuss-bild-1.jpg" alt="" />

Damage due to recoil from GBB weapons:

Due to the recoil of GBB short and long guns, the aiming device may be damaged internally and the hit location may no longer match the setting. Here, however, practical experience reports are missing for most aiming aids. The only tip we can give here is to refer to forums where players share their experiences. Should there be an increased number of defects with certain aiming aids, which can be traced back to the use of a GBB short or long gun, we will add this to the article description accordingly