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TruGlo Red Dot Sights: Affordable Quality

July 10, 2018 by Bob Campbell 5 Comments

For general-purpose use such as hunting and home defense, there is the TruGlo Red Dot. This value option is easy to use well, great for beginners, effective for home defense, and affordable. I own more than one and keep one mounted on my home defense shotgun. When choosing a red dot sight, the primary focus is on a reliable optic that fits the budget. In the $50 budget range, there are few worthy of recommendation. There are high-grade red dots that are quite expensive, as well as service grade optics for use by LEO units.

Let’s start by looking at the details.

TruGlo mounted on a Remington 870 Express Tactical Magpul shotgun
TruGlo’s 30mm Red Dot is a viable and effective red dot for general use.

Tru Glo 30mm Red Dot

  • Reticle 5 MOA
  • 11-position rheostat – This is a wide degree of adjustment from dim to bright light on the dot, depending on personal preference and available light.
  • Unlimited eye relief – No matter where you mount the sight, eye relief isn’t a problem.
  • The lenses are multicoated for maximum light transmission. There is also an anti-reflective coating to avoid reflection that may affect the sight picture.
  • For proper adjustment, there are both windage and elevation dials. This allows precise sighting for rifles and shotgun slugs.
  • TruGlo also rates the 30mm Red Dot as shock resistant to 1,000 gs.
  • The 3v CR2032 battery is included.
  • There is a lifetime-limited warranty.
  • This unit weighs only 6.9 ounces.
  • The unit turns off in 4 hours if left on.

I have enjoyed using the 30mm Red Dot, and learned which intensity setting to use in each light condition. The ability to quickly change the setting is appreciated. Unlimited eye relief means you simply look through the sight, not attempting to focus on both a sight and the target, but simply superimpose the red dot on the target.

It is possible to use the red dot with both eyes open. For those who practice shooting with both eyes open, this is a formidable option. The windage and elevation knobs are covered with protective covers and adjustment is easy enough by simply twisting the covers.

front view of a TruGlo red dot sight
Design features and easy adjustment make for a good red dot sight.

I have mounted the TruGlo 30mm on AR-15 rifles with excellent results. Making the 30mm Red Dot of plastic rather than metal saves a lot of expense. Tactical and functional are the watchwords for this red dot.

The TruGlo 30mm Red Dot is easy to mount on any firearm with a rail mounting system. Simply align the mount on a rail, tighten the screws, and you have a secure set up. There is a quick on and off lever that works well with practice. The screws are tightened with an Allen wrench. There is also a rapid on and off switch.

For most uses, a riser will not be needed. The mount is secure. After firing many rounds of rifle ammunition and 12 gauge buckshot, the TruGlo 30mm Red Dot never lost its zero.

Hit probability was high with this set up. I have used it on rifles and shotguns, and found it effective. The 30mm Red Dot allows fast hitting at moderate to midrange with excellent overall utility. Despite firing heavy buckshot loads extensively, the red dot has not lost its zero.

Tru-Tech Micro

Tru-Tek red dot sight mounted on a Picatinny rail
The Micro Red Dot is easily mounted on standard rails.

Recently, I tested the Tru-Tech Micro Red Dot by mounting it on my Ruger .22-45 Lite. While it is useful as a low-profile lightweight mount for rifles and shotguns, I think the ideal niche is on handguns. The Micro incorporates favorite features of the Tru-Tec line in an ultra–lightweight and versatile profile, including a digital pushbutton brightness control and an idle auto-off system to save battery life.

Here are a few features of the Tru-Tech Micro.

TruGlo Tru-Tec Micro mounted on a Ruger .22/45 pistol
The Ruger .22/45 and TruGlo Tru-Tec Micro are a good combination.
  • 3–MOA red dot reticle for fast acquisition
  • 23mm x 17mm multi-coated objective lens
  • Digital pushbutton brightness controls
  • 10 brightness settings
  • Compatible with optic-ready pistols
  • Maximum compatibility (EOTech, Docter, Insight, Meopta, etc.)
  • Locking windage and elevation adjustments
  • Ultra lightweight (just over 1 oz.)
  • CNC machined from aircraft grade aluminum
  • Unlimited eye relief
  • Auto-off feature preserves battery life
  • Water resistant (sealed o–ring design)
  • Shock resistant / fog resistant
  • Picatinny rail mount
  • ABS hard shell cover
  • Battery included (3V–CR2032)

Conclusion

I like the Micro and find that it offers an ideal balance of speed and accuracy. With the Ruger .22-45, I would feel comfortable using the pistol for small game hunting. The primary focus is informal target shooting. These red dot sights offer first class fun and real utility for personal defense and hunting applications.

Do you have a favorite TruGlo red dot? Do you prefer to a red dot mounted to a pistol, rifle, or shotgun? Share your answers in the comment section.


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Rifle scope with lens cleaning cloth
Only occasional maintenance is needed.
adjustment dials on the TruGlo Tru-Tek sight
Adjustment is easy enough with the Mirco’s dials.
TruGlo 30mm red dot
The 30mm Red Dot has proven durable in use.
TruGlo Tru-Tex red dot sight mounted on a pistol
The Tru-Tec Micro is a neat and compact red dot.
front view of a TruGlo red dot sight
Design features and easy adjustment make for a good red dot sight.
TruGlo Tru-Tec Micro mounted on a Ruger .22/45 pistol
The Ruger .22/45 and TruGlo Tru-Tec Micro are a good combination.
TruGlo mounted on a Remington 870 Express Tactical Magpul shotgun
TruGlo’s 30mm Red Dot is a viable and effective red dot for general use.
Tru-Tek red dot sight mounted on a Picatinny rail
The Micro Red Dot is easily mounted on standard rails.

Filed Under: Optics, Red Dot, Reviews Tagged With: AR-15, hunting, Red Dot, Rifle, shotgun, TruGlo

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ron Toney says

    July 15, 2018 at 10:13 am

    I’m s fan of the iron sights for my collection of Glocks

    Reply
  2. Charles p Keefer says

    July 16, 2018 at 10:02 am

    Where did you find it for $50 ? The best I found , on line is $138.

    Reply
  3. Trevor Miller says

    September 14, 2018 at 2:18 am

    Hi Armory,

    Could you perhaps give me a recommendation – Red dot or Iron sight?

    I am undecided if I want a red dot or an iron sight. What are the pros of red dot sight instead of my standard iron sight?

    Kind regards
    Trevor

    Reply
  4. indianasteve says

    September 17, 2018 at 12:10 pm

    Half the time you talk about the Try-Glow RDS and half the time you talk about the micro. Makes for a kind of confusing article.

    Reply

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