How to choose a collimator for airsoft?
Do you want to improve your airsoft results? Get a reflex sight or collimator for your weapon, thanks to which you will aim much faster. Not sure how to choose? We have a simple guide for you.
What is a collimator?
A collimator, or reflex sight, is a device that attaches to a weapon that uses a light to aim at a target without the hassle of refocusing on the target. Simply put, you take the weapon, look into the lens of the collimator, and immediately see a red, green, or blue dot, giving you a time advantage over your opponents who do not have this equipment. You don’t have to close your eye, you won’t lose peripheral vision, and you can follow the path and the surroundings. The lens of better models usually has an anti-reflective coating, so you avoid unwelcome reflections of rays. This accessory is suitable for tactical weapons and for shooting at shorter distances and larger targets, because it usually does not zoom in.
There are two types of collimators that range in different price levels. The first group is made up of open collimators, which are more suitable for classic pistols, and it is not necessary to have them at the exact level and distance from the eye. Closed collimators look like a short scope and are suitable for hunting and tactical weapons due to their smaller field of view. A battery is always required for the collimator to operate, which transmits the light spot to the collimator lens. This accessory can be used wherever it is necessary to shoot as quickly as possible, for example in airsoft.
How does the reflex sight work? Its principle is relatively simple. The LED in front of the eyepiece lights up towards the lens. There, its light falls on the offset mirror, from where it reflects back to the eye of the shooter. However, the light does not shine outwards, so it is not a laser sight that works on a different principle. The advantages and disadvantages are when you aim in the dark: you will shoot better, but the light can betray you.
How to choose a collimator
Due to possible contamination, a closed or tube collimator is more suitable for the countryside and in dusty environments. It is no coincidence that the closed variant is used more often by military units, while the police use open collimators more often. If you choose mainly based on cost, then open reflective sights are a bit cheaper.
Another important criterion in the selection is the height of the collimator on the weapon, i.e., the difference between the axis of the barrel, the axis of the collimator, and the axis of the eye in the most comfortable position when aiming. A low or high mounting may suit you, and it is important to shoot comfortably without shrinking or stretching the neck.
Investment into a collimator does not have to be high, so first choose one of the cheaper models to find out if it is an accessory that you will use with airsoft. A collimator is said to increase the shooting efficiency of an experienced shooter by up to a third compared to mechanical sights, and by up to half for amateur and less experienced shooters. Therefore, the chances that this accessory will not increase your success are relatively low. Depending on your possibilities, you can treat yourself to a high-tech model for ten thousand, decent equipment for half the price, or a cheap beginner’s model, the price of which starts at around 600 Czech Crowns.
Are you still not sure about what to choose? Contact us, we are familiar with airsoft equipment, together we can select a collimator tailored to you and your weapon.
