I remember when red dots, lasers (remember the originalTerminatormovie with the MASSIVE laser on his pistol?
), lights, prism optics, etc.
first started coming out.
There are many options in the red dot market. Beyond Seclusion reviews the Gideon Omega mounted on the Springfield Armory 10mm XD-M Elite to see how it stacks up.
It was like Star Wars coming to life.
[Dont miss Mike Boyles article onred dot vs. iron sights.]
Currently, there are more companies than I can count that are making red dots for pistols.
The Gideon Omega red dot sight, shown above, uses the same footprint as the Trijicon RMR. This suggests the sight will be easy to mount on many different handguns. Image: Gideon Optics
What you’re free to get for your money these days is insane.
Its actually difficult to choose a red dot with so many options and different companies on the market.
But, I love reviewing them.
The author used his XD-M Elite pistol chambered in 10mm Auto as the test platform for the Gideon Omega red dot sight.
My goal is to always find the best bang for the buck for my viewers and also myself.
I was at SHOT Show 2021 when I stopped at the Gideon table.
So, I took their card.
The red dot aiming point in the Gideon Omega is bright and easy to see in daylight conditions.
Sometime later we connected, and they asked me to review their pistol-mounted red dots.
I always like to hear that, as I think that says a lot about a company.
Of course, my response was Heck yeah; send em!.
The author shot his XD-M 10mm Elite at long range with the mounted Gideon Omega red dot sight from a rest to gauge the performance potential of the optic.
My Pick
They sent me several of their optics to test and review.
The one I am reviewing here is the Omega.
This one was the most attractive to me because of the massive field of view.
Gideon Optics has a shake-to-awake feature. This allows the red dot to shut down when not in use, but activate near instantaneously when you pick up or draw the gun.
I can still see well enough (at this time) to make rapid shots center-mass up close.
However, as far as accuracy or shooting at distance goes, the sights are too blurry.
I see fantastic beyond my reach, but up close, it just keeps getting worse.
Gideon Optics uses a 3 MOA red dot in the Omega sight. When shooting at typical handgun distances, this size is frequently considered large enough for fast acquisition, but small enough for precise shots.
Red dots are the saving grace for many of us with aging eyes.
So, what am I looking for in my red dots?
IPX7 or better I want an optic that is waterproof up to a meter for 20 minutes.
The author also tested the Gideon Optics Omega RDS on a pistol range where he could test speed of acquisition and target transitions.
Do I plan on ever taking my pistol into the pond or pool?
Being underwater at a meter for 20-30 minutes?
But if it can handle that, it will handle anything I will encounter with it.
For me, the IPX7 is really the minimum I look for with my optics.
Works below freezing temps Here in Nebraska, it can get as cold as the artic.
I have seen temps as low as -30 F, and that is without windchill.
If I can handle it and am out there, my optic should too.
This is why I freeze the optics wet after testing the IPX rating.
Any gas leaked in/out will cause condensation on the inside of the optic.
This is the part of the torture test that crushes many of the optics I test.
The most important thing is how fast and easily it will come back on (shake awake)?
I will not have an optic that does not have this feature.
The Omega shuts off in 225 seconds and instantly comes back on with a touch of the finger.
With this feature, it will give you up to 50K hours of battery life.
Manual Multiple brightness configs I want to be able to choose the brightness level for many reasons.
Obviously, I want brighter outdoors and less bright indoors.
This holds true for even shooting at 50 yards for accuracy.
The Omega is strictly manual with 10 total options (eight day, two NV).
Hands-On
So, how did it do in my testing?
Well, it is everything I just listed.
It passed the torture tests I just described with flying colors.
I even took it literally to a higher level by dropping it from much higher than I normally do.
It is made of 7975-T6 aluminum, yet only weighs approximately 1 oz.
See the field of view in the video looking down the gun at the target.
I absolutely love the field of view of the Omega on my 10mm.
It makes it quicker and easier to regain my sight picture between shots.
