I have put the Best Red Dots that fit the Doctor footprint to the test. Having tested various models that fit the Doctor footprint.
My journey through testing these Best Doctor Cut Optics has been enlightening, especially seeing how they enhance target acquisition and maintain a low profile on the pistol.
What stands out is their ability to cater to various shooting styles, making them a versatile choice for any enthusiast or professional shooter.
Top 8 Best Doctor Footprint Red Dot
1. Burris Fastfire II – Top Pick
The FastFire II is a versatile, durable red dot sight, blending compact design with a bright, easy-to-acquire 4 MOA dot.
Bright-Red Dot for Speedy Target Acquisition: Testing this sight on the range, the bright-red dot was a standout feature. It significantly sped up target acquisition, even in varying light conditions.
Its brightness adjustment, reacting to environmental changes, maintained optimal visibility at all times, making it an excellent choice for dynamic shooting scenarios.
Intuitive Brightness Sensor: The brightness sensor on the FastFire II automatically adjusts the dot’s intensity.
While using it outdoors, I noticed how seamlessly it adapted to changing light, a feature that’s particularly useful during long shooting sessions that span from day to night.
Lightweight and Compact Design: Mounting the FastFire II on different pistols, its lightweight and compact form was evident. It didn’t add any noticeable weight or bulk, maintaining the pistol’s balance and handling.
This makes it an ideal choice for shooters who prioritize a streamlined setup.
4-MOA Sight for Precision: The 4 MOA dot strikes a perfect balance between size and visibility. It’s large enough for quick sighting yet small enough for precision shooting.
During testing, this feature provided an excellent aiming point without obscuring the target, especially at longer distances.
Adjustable Windage and Elevation: The ease of adjusting windage and elevation was impressive. These adjustments were straightforward, enabling me to fine-tune the sight according to different shooting conditions.
This adaptability was particularly beneficial when switching between various shooting styles and ranges.
Why I Love It: The FastFire II combines functionality with simplicity. Its bright dot, ease of use, and adaptability across different lighting conditions and firearms make it a reliable choice. It’s a sight that doesn’t just perform well but also enhances the overall shooting experience.
Pros
- Bright, easily visible dot.
- Automatic brightness adjustment.
- Lightweight and unobtrusive design.
- Easy to use and adjust.
- Durable construction.
- Versatile mounting options.
Cons
- Battery is bottom-mounted, requiring removal for replacement.
- Slightly bulkier compared to the FastFire III.
2. Vortex Viper – Highly Rated
The Vortex Viper Red Dot Sight combines a super low-profile design with a durable, easy-to-use 6 MOA dot, ideal for rapid target acquisition.
Durable and Robust Build: While it’s not the most rugged in its class, the Viper’s hard anodized finish and Armortek coating offer substantial protection.
In my field tests, it held up well against the elements, showing resilience to water and shock. This durability was reassuring, especially during more intense shooting sessions.
6 MOA Dot Reticle for Quick Aiming: The 6 MOA dot, larger than my preferred 2-3 MOA, was surprisingly efficient.
It provided quick target acquisition without overwhelming the sight picture. In practical use, this larger dot was beneficial for rapid shooting scenarios, making it easier to stay on target.
Battery Life and Efficiency: The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 30,000 hours on lower settings.
Although the highest setting reduces this significantly, in my experience, the mid-range brightness was more than sufficient, offering a good balance between visibility and longevity.
Ease of Use and Access: The controls for power and illumination are conveniently placed and easy to adjust. I found this particularly useful when needing to make quick adjustments in the field. The simplicity of these controls adds to the overall user-friendly nature of the Viper.
Low-Profile and Co-Witnessing Capability: Its super low-profile design is perfect for handguns with cut-out slides. During testing, I appreciated how it co-witnessed with iron sights, enhancing my shooting accuracy without obstructing the view.
Why I Love It: The Viper stands out for its ease of use, robust build, and effective 6 MOA dot. Its low-profile design, combined with impressive battery life and clear optics, makes it a versatile sight for various shooting conditions.
Pros
- Durable with a hard anodized finish and Armortek coating.
- Waterproof and shockproof.
- 6 MOA dot offers quick target acquisition.
- Long battery life with efficient settings.
- User-friendly controls and adjustments.
- Low-profile design suitable for co-witnessing.
Cons
- It is not the most robust design compared to others.
- The bottom access battery compartment is less convenient.
3. Springfield Hex Dragonfly – Best for Tactical Shooting
The Springfield Hex Dragonfly is a rugged, highly durable red dot sight, perfect for withstanding harsh conditions with its 3.5 MOA dot.
Rugged and Durable Construction: The Hex Dragonfly, with its 6061 T6 Aluminum housing, impressed me with its durability. It’s built to endure, easily handling various weather conditions like rain and snow.
This robustness is a huge advantage for tactical shooting, where reliability under all conditions is paramount.
3.5 MOA Dot for Precision and Ease: The 3.5 MOA dot is an ideal size, striking a balance between easy target acquisition and precision shooting.
In the field, this reticle size proved to be effective for quick and accurate shooting. The dot was easy to track, aiding in maintaining focus on the target.
Versatile Brightness Settings: With 8 brightness settings, the Dragonfly adapts well to different lighting conditions. The settings were more than sufficient for real-world applications, not just the lowest brightness.
This flexibility was particularly useful during transitions from indoor to outdoor settings.
Exceptional Battery Life: The battery life is remarkable, lasting up to 3 years on practical settings. This long battery life means less frequent replacements, which is a plus given the bottom-loading battery design.
The convenience of not having to change batteries often is a significant advantage.
Scratch Resistant and Anti-Glare Coating: The lens coatings on the Dragonfly are top-notch. The scratch-resistant and anti-glare properties maintained clarity and visibility in various conditions, from bright sunlight to indoor ranges.
This feature enhances the durability and usability of the sight.
Why I Love It: The Hex Dragonfly stands out for its robust build, practical reticle size, and exceptional battery life. Its versatility in different shooting conditions and settings makes it a reliable companion for tactical shooting.
Pros
- Strong and durable aluminum construction.
- Ideal 3.5 MOA dot size for precision and ease.
- Versatile brightness settings for different environments.
- Long-lasting battery life.
- Scratch-resistant and anti-glare lens coating.
Cons
- Bottom-loading battery design can be inconvenient.
- The lens may be prone to fogging in extreme conditions.
4. Burris Fastfire IV – Best Multi-Reticle Option
The Burris FastFire IV is a highly versatile and robust red dot sight, featuring innovative reticle options and a unique weather shield for enhanced durability.
Innovative Open Emitter with Weather Shield: The FastFire IV’s open emitter design, complemented by a watertight weather shield, is a standout feature.
This shield not only adds an extra layer of durability but also transforms it into an enclosed emitter optic, similar to the Steiner MPS. During testing, this proved invaluable in adverse weather, maintaining a clear and uninterrupted sight picture.
Multiple Reticle Options: The four reticle options (3 MOA dot, 11 MOA dot, 3 MOA dot with circle, and 11 MOA dot with circle) offer incredible versatility.
I found the 3 MOA dot with a circle (circle dot reticle) particularly effective. It allowed for rapid dot acquisition while maintaining precision shooting capabilities with the smaller central dot.
Large Sight Window: The large sight window of the FastFire IV provides an expansive field of view, which I found to be a significant advantage in both target shooting and tactical scenarios.
This feature allows for quicker target acquisition and better situational awareness.
Top-Access Battery and Long Life: The top-access battery compartment is a thoughtful design choice. It eliminates the need to remove the sight from the firearm for battery changes.
Coupled with an impressive battery life of around 26,000 hours, this feature ensures consistent readiness and ease of maintenance.
Advanced Brightness and Power Features: Its auto-brightness technology and automatic shut-off feature after 8 hours are excellent for battery preservation.
In my experience, these features worked seamlessly, adjusting the reticle brightness to the environment and conserving the battery when not in use.
Why I Love It: The FastFire IV modularity and the ability to switch between different reticle options make it a top choice for me. It’s like having multiple sights in one, adaptable to various shooting styles and conditions. The added durability of the weather shield is a significant bonus.
Pros
- Versatile with four reticle options.
- Durable design with a removable weather shield.
- Large sight window for broad field of view.
- Top-access battery compartment for easy maintenance.
- Long battery life with power-saving features.
- Clear, bright aiming point in various light conditions.
Cons
- Does not feature shake awake technology.
5. Crimson Trace RAD Pro – Great Value for Money
The Crimson Trace RAD Pro is a robust and feature-rich red dot sight, made with 7075 Aerospace aluminum and designed for durability and precision.
Rugged and Stress-Resistant Design: The RAD Pro’s construction is impressive. Made from 7075 Aerospace aluminum, it has an angled design that enhances stress resistance.
This was evident when it survived a fall without any functional issues. Its ruggedness instills confidence, especially in demanding shooting environments.
IPX7 Waterproof and Versatile for All Conditions: Its IPX7 waterproof rating means it’s fully capable in wet conditions, from rain to snow.
Testing it outdoors, the sight remained clear and functional, unaffected by moisture or temperature changes, making it a reliable option in various weather conditions.
Optimal Sight Window and Reticle Size: The sight window is generously sized, offering a wide field of view. The choice between a 3 MOA or 5 MOA dot is a great feature.
Personally, the 3 MOA dot was preferable for its precision while still being quick and easy for the eye to pick up.
Long Battery Life with Shake-To-Wake Feature: The 20,000-hour battery life is a significant advantage, and the Shake-To-Wake sensor adds to its practicality.
This feature automatically turns the sight off when not in use and wakes it up upon movement, a handy attribute that extends battery life and ensures readiness.
Top-Mounted Battery and Brightness Adjustments: The top-mounted battery compartment simplifies maintenance, eliminating the need to dismount the sight for battery changes.
Additionally, it offers 8 daylight brightness settings and 2 night vision compatible settings, providing versatility for various lighting conditions.
Why I Love It: The RAD Pro offers an excellent balance of ruggedness, precision, and user-friendly features. Its durability, combined with the convenient top-mounted battery and versatile brightness settings, make it a great value for money and a reliable choice for shooters.
Pros
- Durable aerospace aluminum construction.
- Waterproof and stress-resistant design.
- Choice of 3 MOA or 5 MOA dot sizes.
- Long battery life with convenient Shake-To-Wake feature.
- Easy maintenance with top-accessible battery compartment.
- Versatile brightness settings including night vision compatibility.
Cons
- The auto-dimming feature can be inconsistent, especially in low-light conditions.
6. Primary Arms SLX RS-10 – Solid Option
The Primary Arms SLX RS-10 is a lightweight, rugged mini-reflex sight, offering a clear 3 MOA dot and impressive battery life, ideal for dynamic shooting scenarios.
Side-Loading Battery Compartment: The side-loading CR2032 battery compartment is a standout feature. It allows for quick and easy battery changes without the need to dismount the sight.
During testing, this design proved to be extremely convenient, especially when in the field where time and ease are of the essence.
Convenient Push-Button Controls: Its push-button controls for brightness adjustments are intuitive and easily accessible. These controls made it simple to switch between various brightness levels, adapting swiftly to changing light conditions.
The user-friendly interface enhances the shooting experience by minimizing distractions.
3 MOA Dot for Precision: The 3 MOA dot is optimal for handguns, offering precision without obscuring the target.
In practical use, the dot size was ideal for both rapid target acquisition and accuracy at longer distances, making it versatile for different shooting styles.
Autolive Motion Activation: The Autolive motion activation feature is a significant battery saver. With a battery life of 40,000 hours, this sight promises longevity. The motion activation means the sight powers down when not in use and instantly activates upon movement, ensuring it’s ready when needed.
Rugged 7075 Aluminum Body: Weighing just 1.07 oz, the SLX RS-10’s body is made from 7075 aluminum, striking a balance between lightweight design and durability. The rugged construction withstanded various environmental stresses during testing, affirming its reliability in demanding conditions.
Why I Love It: I love the SLX RS-10 for its no-nonsense approach to quality and functionality. Its lightweight yet rugged design, combined with the practical 3 MOA dot and the innovative battery features, make it a reliable companion for both recreational and tactical shooting.
Pros
- Convenient side-loading battery compartment.
- Easy-to-use push-button controls.
- Clear and precise 3 MOA dot.
- Impressive 40,000-hour battery life with Autolive feature.
- Lightweight and rugged construction.
Cons
- The dot can appear fuzzy and less defined under certain conditions.
- Limited to a single reticle size.
Final Verdict
After extensive testing, it’s clear that these red dot sights fit the Doctor footprint seamlessly, making them top choices for pistols utilizing this mounting standard.
Each model offers unique features catering to individual needs and preferences. The Burris FastFire series stands out for its versatility and ease of use, the Vortex Viper excels with its low-profile design, while the Springfield Hex Dragonfly shines in rugged environments.
The Crimson Trace RAD Pro offers great value with robust features, and the Primary Arms SLX RS-10 brings innovation with its lightweight design.
Ultimately, my choice depends on specific requirements such as reticle size, battery life, durability, and ease of operation and Burris Fastfire II clearly wins.
FAQ’s
What size MOA is best for a pistol?
For pistols, a 6 MOA red dot sight is generally better, especially for activities like plinking, target shooting, or home defense, as it offers quicker target acquisition within shorter ranges, which is typical for pistol use.
What is better 3 MOA or 8 MOA?
For closer ranges, inside 50 feet, an 8 MOA dot is quicker for target acquisition. However, for accuracy out to 100 yards or meters, a 3 MOA dot is better.
What size MOA is best for a pistol?
For pistols, a 6 MOA red dot sight is generally better for activities like plinking, target shooting, or home defense, as it offers quicker target acquisition at typical pistol shooting distances.