AR-15 Scope for a sight-impaired shooter?
Hi.
This is a bit of a complex situation and question, so please bear with me while I explain my problem. Thank you.
Ten years ago a strong wind in Oregon blew a piece of something into my right (aiming) eye, badly scratching the cornea. I had a cornea transplant, but now my sight in that eye is very blurry. I wear "progressive" glasses and dark glasses with three different prescriptions in each to (somewhat)correct the bad eye, but it is still blurry even with the glasses. The glasses also correct (due to old age - 65)the vision in my left eye (which is clear with the glasses.)
I have just purchased my first AR-15 - DPMS Oracle in 5.56/.223. (I know it's not the best, but it's what I could afford.)
I also purchased a Burris Skul-Tac "Combo" scope for it, which I was told is a good one. (Please understand that a friend bought it for me, as I am in an isolated area, so I wasn't able to try it until after the purchase.)
The problem is that when I look at the top, "fast-fire" sight, the orange dot is more of a slashed line to me with my bad eye. When I look in the telescopic scope, the orange circle and cross hairs are clear, but the image of the target is slightly blurred - and no matter how I try to adjust the scope, I can't get the target to be clearer than a soft blur.
On top of that, when a friend and I went shooting a week ago, I wore my sunglasses (as the sun was very bright) and the tint of the glasses completely erased the orange fast fire dot, and made the orange circle within the scope black, so it was difficult to aim.)
I was still able to hit the man-sized silhouette target in the kill zones (head and chest)consistently (the rifle is very accurate,) but with effort (and perhaps a little bit of luck.)
I CAN still take the scope back to the dealer within the next three weeks for a refund, but I would like to keep it if there's anything anyone could suggest to correct the problems. (I understand about shooting with both eyes open, but I've never been very good at that. Perhaps I just need more practice.)
If the problems can't be corrected with this scope, can anyone suggest another scope in the same price range that might be better for my particular problem?
I looked through the scope of another shooter's rifle and it had a small white circle, and I was amazed at how very clear it was (as well as the target area beyond) even with my dark glasses on. But I was told that scope was about $1,500, and I can't afford that. I also looked through another scope and it had a green dot - which was still slightly blurred (looked like an "X"), but not as much as the Skul-Tac's orange dot. So I was wondering if a green dot and cross-hair sight would be better for me than the orange dot? Perhaps the green wouldn't be washed out by the sunglasses?
Anyway, I know I'm in a tough situation, but would appreciate any suggestions anyone would care to give me. If it's best to return the Skul-Tac, then any suggestions for a replacement would be appreciated.
I'm sure there must be a scope out there that might help me, and I will appreciate any suggestions you might have.
Thank you for your time and possible help.
This is a bit of a complex situation and question, so please bear with me while I explain my problem. Thank you.
Ten years ago a strong wind in Oregon blew a piece of something into my right (aiming) eye, badly scratching the cornea. I had a cornea transplant, but now my sight in that eye is very blurry. I wear "progressive" glasses and dark glasses with three different prescriptions in each to (somewhat)correct the bad eye, but it is still blurry even with the glasses. The glasses also correct (due to old age - 65)the vision in my left eye (which is clear with the glasses.)
I have just purchased my first AR-15 - DPMS Oracle in 5.56/.223. (I know it's not the best, but it's what I could afford.)
I also purchased a Burris Skul-Tac "Combo" scope for it, which I was told is a good one. (Please understand that a friend bought it for me, as I am in an isolated area, so I wasn't able to try it until after the purchase.)
The problem is that when I look at the top, "fast-fire" sight, the orange dot is more of a slashed line to me with my bad eye. When I look in the telescopic scope, the orange circle and cross hairs are clear, but the image of the target is slightly blurred - and no matter how I try to adjust the scope, I can't get the target to be clearer than a soft blur.
On top of that, when a friend and I went shooting a week ago, I wore my sunglasses (as the sun was very bright) and the tint of the glasses completely erased the orange fast fire dot, and made the orange circle within the scope black, so it was difficult to aim.)
I was still able to hit the man-sized silhouette target in the kill zones (head and chest)consistently (the rifle is very accurate,) but with effort (and perhaps a little bit of luck.)
I CAN still take the scope back to the dealer within the next three weeks for a refund, but I would like to keep it if there's anything anyone could suggest to correct the problems. (I understand about shooting with both eyes open, but I've never been very good at that. Perhaps I just need more practice.)
If the problems can't be corrected with this scope, can anyone suggest another scope in the same price range that might be better for my particular problem?
I looked through the scope of another shooter's rifle and it had a small white circle, and I was amazed at how very clear it was (as well as the target area beyond) even with my dark glasses on. But I was told that scope was about $1,500, and I can't afford that. I also looked through another scope and it had a green dot - which was still slightly blurred (looked like an "X"), but not as much as the Skul-Tac's orange dot. So I was wondering if a green dot and cross-hair sight would be better for me than the orange dot? Perhaps the green wouldn't be washed out by the sunglasses?
Anyway, I know I'm in a tough situation, but would appreciate any suggestions anyone would care to give me. If it's best to return the Skul-Tac, then any suggestions for a replacement would be appreciated.
I'm sure there must be a scope out there that might help me, and I will appreciate any suggestions you might have.
Thank you for your time and possible help.
0
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RED ORANGE dot sights in most all makers units are made so the red dot id in focus
of 25 yards away the dot is reflected off of a lens on the other hand a scope with cross hairs normally have a way to change the focus as well as parallax I have been shooting red dot sights for over 20 years and as soon as my perscription gets the slightest bit off the red dot is no longer round I think you are between a rock and a hard place. I had a special made lens transplant AFTER I had a topographical
maping of my cornea This gave me 20/15 vision with no correction0 -
I'd get a brass catcher and then cant the rifle to the good eye. I suppose if you got the brass catcher you could shoulder it on your left. The flutter of the brass catcher might distract your right eye so I'd pop on an eye patch. 0 -
Thanks Perry. It doesn't sound too good - and yet I have looked through scopes that seemed far better than the Skul Tac.
I think I need to give up on the fast-fire dot, and concentrate on a good scope where both the cross hairs and the target area are clear.
Again, I will appreciate any suggestions for a better scope.
Thanks.
[:)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by yoshmyster
I'd get a brass catcher and then cant the rifle to the good eye. I suppose if you got the brass catcher you could shoulder it on your left. The flutter of the brass catcher might distract your right eye so I'd pop on an eye patch.
Thanks Yosh, but I'm really bad at trying to do anything left-handed. I'll try that, though - and also try to get used to shooting with both eyes open - but I have serious doubts I'll be successful at either.
But thanks for the suggestion.
[:)]0 -
My eye sight is goofy as well. I've learned to shoot with both eyes open. I try to stay away from red dot sights, but I prefer the green ones as they aren't as harsh and work better in low light situations. 0 -
Duct tape your scope to a length of 1x4 wood.
with the same eye relief as you normally use on the rifle.
Take this to a good eye doctor and explain the trouble. let him look thru it as you would.
He may have a better solution for you.0 -
quote:Originally posted by babun
Duct tape your scope to a length of 1x4 wood.
with the same eye relief as you normally use on the rifle.
Take this to a good eye doctor and explain the trouble. let him look thru it as you would.
He may have a better solution for you.
... and preferably a fellow shooter/hunter. [:p] My eye doctor and eye share the same passion in archery and rifle hunting. [^]
I have this scope on my wife's RRA http://forums.GunBroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=601064&SearchTerms=wife's,AR. Check out the video link for a visual presentation.
Good luck!0 -
quote:Originally posted by popgun
Hi.
This is a bit of a complex situation and question, so please bear with me while I explain my problem. Thank you.
Ten years ago a strong wind in Oregon blew a piece of something into my right (aiming) eye, badly scratching the cornea. I had a cornea transplant, but now my sight in that eye is very blurry. I wear "progressive" glasses and dark glasses with three different prescriptions in each to (somewhat)correct the bad eye, but it is still blurry even with the glasses. The glasses also correct (due to old age - 65)the vision in my left eye (which is clear with the glasses.)
I have just purchased my first AR-15 - DPMS Oracle in 5.56/.223. (I know it's not the best, but it's what I could afford.)
I also purchased a Burris Skul-Tac "Combo" scope for it, which I was told is a good one. (Please understand that a friend bought it for me, as I am in an isolated area, so I wasn't able to try it until after the purchase.)
The problem is that when I look at the top, "fast-fire" sight, the orange dot is more of a slashed line to me with my bad eye. When I look in the telescopic scope, the orange circle and cross hairs are clear, but the image of the target is slightly blurred - and no matter how I try to adjust the scope, I can't get the target to be clearer than a soft blur.
On top of that, when a friend and I went shooting a week ago, I wore my sunglasses (as the sun was very bright) and the tint of the glasses completely erased the orange fast fire dot, and made the orange circle within the scope black, so it was difficult to aim.)
I was still able to hit the man-sized silhouette target in the kill zones (head and chest)consistently (the rifle is very accurate,) but with effort (and perhaps a little bit of luck.)
I CAN still take the scope back to the dealer within the next three weeks for a refund, but I would like to keep it if there's anything anyone could suggest to correct the problems. (I understand about shooting with both eyes open, but I've never been very good at that. Perhaps I just need more practice.)
If the problems can't be corrected with this scope, can anyone suggest another scope in the same price range that might be better for my particular problem?
I looked through the scope of another shooter's rifle and it had a small white circle, and I was amazed at how very clear it was (as well as the target area beyond) even with my dark glasses on. But I was told that scope was about $1,500, and I can't afford that. I also looked through another scope and it had a green dot - which was still slightly blurred (looked like an "X"), but not as much as the Skul-Tac's orange dot. So I was wondering if a green dot and cross-hair sight would be better for me than the orange dot? Perhaps the green wouldn't be washed out by the sunglasses?
Anyway, I know I'm in a tough situation, but would appreciate any suggestions anyone would care to give me. If it's best to return the Skul-Tac, then any suggestions for a replacement would be appreciated.
I'm sure there must be a scope out there that might help me, and I will appreciate any suggestions you might have.
Thank you for your time and possible help.
I'd suggest going back to that dealer -- particularly if he carries other scopes. Explain your problems, I'm sure he'll want to try to help, but I think you're going to need to be looking through different scopes to see what will work for you.
There is probably something that will work for less than that $1500 scope you said you tried and it worked well.
Make sure you bring whatever dark, or other glasses, you might be using when actually shooting, so you can be testing different scopes how you may actually be using them.0 -
Armilite, babun, FEENIX and competitone...
Thanks so much for your helpful comments. I am trying to get used to both eyes open shooting, but find it difficult - but will keep trying.
Before I try to have new glasses made, I will likely take the Skul-Tac back and look for something else. A friend suggested I get a scope with an adjustable objective. He thinks that may solve my problem. So I'll look at those.
The Skull Tc is about $600, so I should be able to get a good scope with good glass for that, and that will solve my problem. I hope so.
So thanks for your help - and if anyone else can suggest a good scope for $600 or less, I'd appreciate knowing about it.
Thanks!0 -
Hi again. An update to my scope situation:
I've sent the Skul-Tac back to my friend and he's returning it. I just could not sight with both eyes open, so to keep the ST would have just been a waste of money.
I think the sight in my eyes is so different now that it just is not possible for me to aim with both eyes open. I felt like I was trying to sight through a Kaleidoscope.
Also, the reticle is just too small. I compared it to my Bushnell 3200 Elite 7-21 on my Remington 700 and the difference was literally night and day. With the ST, the target area (a portion of tree trunk about 60 yards away) was a far-away soft blur, whereas with the 3200 I could see (even with my bad eye) the detail of the bark on the tree through the sharp crosshairs. I could have hit a bug on that tree, it was so clear.
So even though it's not a tactical scope, I'm thinking I might put the 3200 on my AR if I can't find a decent tactical scope. But I am going to look into another tactical scope when I go to the city in a few weeks.
I found out that another guy's scope that I looked through that was so good and clear was a Trijicon. Wow! No wonder it worked so well! I think the cheapest one is $1,200!
So I'm going to see if I can find something good at maybe two-thirds that price (if possible.) If anyone can offer a suggestion I'd appreciate it.
Thanks0
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