Getting old is never fun, especially if you are a gun enthusiast. With age, your eyes will get duller, and shooting at distant targets accurately can become more difficult. In most cases, diet is the primary cause of poor eyesight. However, even diet cannot save you from succumbing to the natural sight loss that comes from old age.
But what if there was a way to save your accuracy even when you are nearsighted? With the best pistol sights for old eyes, you will not have to compromise your shooting game. Regardless of your age or vision, you will be able to hit your target with high precision and accuracy.
Not all pistol sights will give you the same result, though. The market is flooded with products claiming to boost your vision while, in reality, they break down after a couple of uses. These products cause more harm than good, and so you should always think carefully before making an investment towards these tools.
In this article, we will give you a quick rundown of all the best pistol sights on the market that will help you keep your shooting accuracy intact regardless of your old age.
Image | Name | Editor's Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trijicon Night Sight for Glock Pistols | 5 out of 5 | |
| TRUGLO Tritium Handgun Sights | 5 out of 5 | |
| TRUGLO Tritium Night Sights | 4.5 out of 5 | |
| Ameriglo Pro-IDOT For Glock 17 or 19 | 4 out of 5 | |
| TRUGLO TFO Tritium & Fiber-Optic Sights | 4.5 out of 5 |
Top 10 Best Pistol Sights for Old Eyes Reviews
Choosing the best product out of the bunch is never an easy task. There are many different aspects we have to consider before we can comfortably give you our recommendation. To save you from all the hassle that comes from making a buying decision, we do all the research and legwork.
Here is our list of top ten best pistol sights for old eyes that you can check to ensure you end up with the best product.
1. Trijicon Night Sight Sets for Glock Pistols
For all the Glock users out there, the Trijicon Night Sight offers the ultimate performance. With a basic pistol sight, time of the day will play a huge role in whether you can accurately acquire the target. However, the night light setup of the unit completely eliminates the necessity of proper lighting when shooting.
This unit comes with self-luminous dots in the three markers to ensure perfect tracking in the darkness. The illuminated dots ensures that you know where your bullet will travel as soon as you pull the trigger. Whether your vision is impaired, or the lighting is poor, you will have no trouble tracking your target.
The lamps in the unit contain tritium gas, which is protected in an aluminum cylinder. To ensure even distribution of light, each of the lamps in the sight contains a sapphire jewel capping. This addition further enhances the durability of your product by offering protection against puncture and solvents.
Speaking of durability, the unit features a strong metal body that is tough enough to withstand years of usage. It has a shock-resistant design thanks to the silicone rubber cushioning. This product works perfectly with a lot of the Glock handguns, which is one of the most popular and widely used brands in the market.
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2. TRUGLO Tritium Handgun Glow-in-the-Dark Night Sights for Glock Pistols
Next up, we will look at another excellent illuminated gun sight by the brand Truglo. This unit offers fantastic performance regardless of whether you have vision issues or not. Thanks to its beautiful design and affordable price range, this product is one that is well worth consideration.
The three green dots in the unit glow in the dark to ensure you know exactly where you are aiming, even in pitch darkness. If you are wondering if it might make it harder to shoot in the daylight, the manufacturers thought of it too. In the daytime, the dots turn bright white due to the white rings around the green dots.
To get its illumination, the green dots are filled with tritium gas. As a result, you never need to worry about charging the unit or changing the batteries. It is a completely self-sufficient system that requires zero oversight. It works with all compact Glock models of handgun right out of the box without any modifications.
Construction-wise, it features a rugged CNC-machined steel body and a fortress finish coating that can last for a long time. The compact design of the unit makes it extremely appealing for just about anyone. Furthermore, the smaller form-factor means that you can use it with any standard-sized holsters without issue.Pros:
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3. TRUGLO Tritium Handgun Glow-in-the-Dark Night Sights for Glock Pistols
If you prefer full-sized handguns, for instance, the Glock 42 or 43, the last unit by Truglo might not work for you. However, if you do not want to move on and would rather stick to this unit, you can do so with this handy option. Although a bit different, it does feature many of the benefits of the last product.
For one thing, you do not need to compromise on the high-quality dot sight that you get with this unit. Featuring a three-dot design that glows in the dark, you will be able to seamlessly track your target in pitch darkness. Furthermore, the white rings on the unit allow for high visibility in broad daylight.
It is a bit bigger than the compact unit we reviewed earlier. Since the purpose of the device is to fit larger Glock models, this form-factor seems almost intuitive. The unit fits perfectly on a Glock 42 and 43 and requires no customization on your part. You can start using it the moment you get your hands on it.
When it comes to construction quality, you will see no compromise even though the price is a bit cheaper. However, due to the limitation of weapons compatibility, the lower price does make a lot of sense. If you know exactly what gun you want to use with this unit, it can be a viable purchase.Pros:
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4. Ameriglo Pro-IDOT For Glock 17/19
When it comes to pistol sight for old eyes, one name always pops up; the Pro-IDOT. This excellent unit by the brand Ameriglo is one of the most popular pistol sights in the industry. It is a straightforward and hassle-free tool that is perfect for people who want a sight that can do its job without any complaints.
Since this pistol sight uses tritium lamps, you do not need to worry about battery replacements or recharging. The front sight comes with a simple orange ring surrounding the green lamp. You also get another green lamp on the rear near the center part that you have to align with the front sight to acquire your target.
The orange outline on the front site ensures easier tracking because of how easy it is to detect the color in the daylight. In low-light conditions, the green tritium lamp illuminates the sight giving you a dot where you can direct all your focus. This simple unit is perfectly capable of ensuring you can track your target regardless of your vision issues.
Another great thing about the unit is how durable it is. The metal construction of both the front and rear sight feels sturdy and robust. Even if you drop it a couple of times, you should have nothing to worry about. Installing the unit on your weapon is also fast and easy. It works with the Glock 17 and 19.
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5. TRUGLO TFO Tritium and Fiber-Optic Handgun Sights for Glock Pistols
If you are still not sold on the quality of Truglo as a brand that specializes in handgun sights, the TFO Tritium will surely change your mind. It is the third product on our list of reviews by the brand, and the features and overall value it offers to the user are well worth a mention.
This particular model has two variants you can buy from the market. Firstly, you can go with the one that comes with yellow tritium lamps on the rear, or you can go with green lamps. In both cases, the front sight is loaded with green tritium that glows in the dark for easier target tracking.
Personally, we prefer the yellow rear sight as it offers a contrasting color combination making target acquisition faster. Both the variants work with a lot of different Glock models such as 17, 17L, 19, 23, etc. The concealed fiber design of the lamps makes it impossible for your target to notice the glow from your sight.
There is really nothing more to be said about the durability of Truglo products. It features the same CNC machined steel construction along with a fortress finish coating to ensure the utmost durability. The snag-resistant design of the unit allows you to use the sight with any standard gun holsters without taking it off your weapon.
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6. TRUGLO TFX Pro Tritium and Fiber Optic Xtreme Handgun Sights for Glock Pistols
If you are not one for compromises, then the TFX Pro model by Truglo might be a better choice for you. The price of this unit is quite high, but it offers truly the ultimate performance. Some might say the design improvements in this unit alone makes up for the additional price of the device.
Similar to all other Truglo sights, this unit uses Tritium lamps to ensure the highest visibility. For faster focus adjustment, the front sight comes with a contrasting orange ring. Whether you are standing in the daylight or shooting in low-light conditions, your target acquisition will be optimal.
The rear sight of the unit features a U-notch design to ensure you have the smoothest vision towards the front sight. This simple improvement makes it faster and easier for you to focus on your target as it adjusts to the front sight. In addition, the edges of the rear edges are slightly curved, giving you the option to adjust it with only one hand if you ever need it.
The TFX Pro is the top-end product by the brand, and you will be able to tell it the moment you pick it up. Everything from its construction quality to its design radiates with thoughtful touches making it an excellent investment. If you can get behind the steep price, this is one of the best pistol sights for accuracy available in the market.
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7. TRUGLO Tritium Handgun Glow-in-The-Dark Night Sights
Despite the massive performance that you get with the TFX pro, not many people want to spend that much on a pistol sight. If you want a comparable level of performance without spending that much money, you can go with their Tritium Night Sight line of products.
This unit also features a three-dot design where the rear sights are two simple green Tritium lamps for enhanced visibility in the darkness, and the front sight comes with a tritium lamp surrounded by a white ring. The white ring ensures your vision does not take a hit during the daytime, making it easier for you to focus.
Thanks to the U-notched rear sight, you will have no trouble moving between two targets. Even with the recoil of the gun constantly going off, you will be able to focus your sight at a moment’s notice. This design is definitely one of their fines because of how easy it makes things for the user.
The product, despite being a highly affordable alternative to the TFX line, offers you the same level of durability and performance. Whether you are struggling with old eyes or simply looking for that extra boost when it comes to accuracy, this device will back you up all the time.
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8. The XS Tritium DXT Night Sights
The Big Dot by the brand XS Sight System is one of those units that looks nothing special at first glance. However, if you take some time and try it out, the thoughtful design of the device becomes apparent. It is definitely one of the highest value products that are available in the market.
The rear sight of the unit comes with a shallow V design instead of a traditional notch or square cutaway. At the center of the V, there is a tritium bar of white color that glows in the dark. The front sight comes with a white circle around a black dot. This combination ensures you have your eyes on the target the moment you take your gun.
The best thing about this unit is not only how easy it is to acquire targets but also its easy installation. You can get it up and running in a matter of seconds. And when you consider the insane visibility you get with it regardless of the time of the day, it seems like too good of a product to pass up.
Its construction and build-quality are also solid. The rear side is essentially a block of metal, and the front sight is also built to last. Just by picking it up, you will know that the unit can stand up to the constant recoil of your weapon. It is a perfect companion for any military or hunting application.
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9. TRUGLO Fiber-Optic Front and Rear Handgun Sights for Glock Pistols
It looks like another product by the brand Truglo has snuck its way on our list. This unit is one of their entry-level product, but compared to the rest of the options on the market, it stands out quite well. The overall design and functionality of the unit are excellent for its price.
The front and the rear sight of the unit comes in different colors to make target acquisition faster and easier. You get two green tritium lamps on the rear sight while the front sight comes with a red dot. This combination is time-tested and ensures proper and accurate targeting with minimal hassle.
The notch in the rear sight is a proper square, which might not be for everyone since it does hinder a bit of visibility. However, the lights do glow in the dark, which means in low light conditions, you will have no trouble tracking. Even in broad daylight, the combination of red and green colors give you an easy way to focus on the target.
You can find the same fortress finish coating in this unit, as you see in the high-end models of the brand. This shows how the manufacturers are unwilling to compromise on the durability of their products. In addition, the snag-resistant design of the unit allows you to use it effortlessly with a gun holster.Pros:
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10. Meprolight Glock Tru-Dot Night Sight
To wrap up our list of reviews, we will look at the Tru-Dot Night Sight by the brand Meprolight. This unit is a great option if you want high levels of performance at a reasonable price. Despite the lower price tag, it comes with a premium design making the unit highly appealing.
To be fair, the design of the unit is quite straightforward. It is a three-dot sight with tritium gas lamps that glows and turns green in the dark. With a similar profile to other high-end gun sights, you will have no trouble acquiring the target. However, since the color of the lamps is plain white, you might have a bit of difficulty finding the right focus during daylight.
The notch on the rear sight is a standard square that you have to align with the front focus to acquire your target. Focusing on the target with this design is not that difficult, and with a bit of time to adjust, you will be targeting like a pro. Both the front and rear sights are raised ever so slightly, so you want to aim slightly above your target.
The quality of metal used in its construction seems excellent, and the device can definitely take a beating. Installation of the unit is also very basic and does not require much effort on your part. All in all, it is a great little investment that offers you a good platform to acquire your target even if you have bad eyesight.
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Things to Consider when Looking For the Best Pistol Sight for Old Eyes
The unfortunate truth is that as we grow older, our eyesight will deteriorate naturally. So investing in the right pistol sight is quite important. Even if you want to ignore the issues that come with age, a pistol sight will ensure you are always on target.
Lighting and other issues can also cause you to lose focus on the target and make everything seem blurry. If you are in a real-life gunfight situation, it can be extremely deadly. By investing in the best pistol sight for old eyes, you are essentially future-proofing your shooting practice.
But finding the right pistol sight is the key here. You need to understand everything there is to know about this tool if you want to end up with a high-quality unit. This means understanding all the elements and mechanics that go into the manufacturing of these devices.
Types of Pistol Sights
Before we move any further, you need to recognize the different types of pistol sights that are available these days. Each of the sights offer a different performance and suits a certain number of situations. So, to understand which one you need, you also need to know why you might need it.
Iron Sights
Iron sights are the most basic type of pistol sights on the market. Typically, iron sights are front sights, but sometimes you can also find rear-mounted units. But for the best performance, you would want to use both front and rear-mounted sights in conjunction with each other.
Iron sights see a lot of hate due to how simple and straightforward they are. But a trained shooter knows how effective it is at both close and medium to long-range combat. However, if you have visibility problems, they will not offer much assistance. Usually, iron sights come pre-installed with your weapon when you buy it.
Laser Sights
When it comes to pistol sights, nothing comes close to the popularity of a laser sight. Typically, laser sights are the more expensive of the bunch, and the utility they provide is also far greater. In some cases, you can even find laser sights that come with a built-in tactical flashlight.
As the name suggests, laser sights emit a laser beam that connects to the target to give you an accurate depiction of where your bullet will hit. However, there are some adjustments and calibration that you must do before you can be sure of its accuracy. Laser sights can be mounted on the front or even the rail, in some cases.
Dot Sights
Dot sights are quite similar to iron sights in design. But instead of a pointy end to show you where your bullet will travel, it uses a tritium gas lamp. The color of the pointer can also vary between white, red, or even green. These units are typically a step above typical iron sights.
The accuracy with dot sights is quite respectable. Because of the colorful sight marker, it makes it far easier to focus on your target. For vision-impaired shooters, this can offer some level of relief as you can simply focus on the sight and get the target in line with it. Dot sights are typically, front mounted.
Three-dot Sights
Finally, the three-dot sights are the best tool for people suffering from old eyes. This sight is a combination of front and rear sight where the front sight contains one dot, and the rear contains two dots. Similar to the dot sight, it uses Tritium gas lamps as dots that serve as sight markers.
Three-dot sights are relatively affordable and allow the user to move from one target to another without losing focus quickly. In some models, the front sight dot comes with a circular ring of a bright color that makes it easier to focus on daylight. Since Tritium gases are luminous, this device improves low-light target acquisition.
As you can no doubt understand, we are leaning heavily towards three-dot sights when it comes to old eyes. The versatile design of this unit makes it an excellent investment, whether you are vision-impaired or not.
Now that we have that covered, we can head on to a quick rundown of all the things that you should consider when looking to buy the best pistol sight.
Visibility
When choosing a pistol sight, you should never overlook the key factor, visibility. The only reason you are buying the sight is to ensure you have the best possible vision on your target. If the sight fails to give you that, then there is really no point investing your hard-earned money.
Before committing to a purchase, look down the sight and try aiming at objects both near and far. It will help give you an idea of the performance you get out of it. As long as you can have proper eyes on the target when aiming down the sight, you can expect a decent level of accuracy when taking your shot.
Color
You would be surprised how impactful the color can be when you are targeting objects through the sight. Our brain automatically tries to focus on brighter objects that are closer to us. Whether you are using a dot sight or iron sight, the effect of color is quite drastic in your accuracy.
For instance, if you are using a three-dot sight, if the front sight comes with a high contrast color combination, it will make it easier for you to focus. The combination of green and orange is one example that you can look at for the best possible effect. However, that is not the only color combination that gives you a good performance.
Installation
Installation difficulty can play a role in your overall satisfaction with a particular pistol sight. Naturally, you want to be able to put it on the moment you want with the least bit of hassle. If your unit does not allow you to do that, it can get tiring within no time.
So it is always a good idea to look at the installation process before buying anything. For many pistol sights, you might have to detach it before you can holster the weapon. Products that allow for tool-free installation are excellent if your holster cannot fit guns equipped with the sight.
Compatibility
Unfortunately, pistol sights are not universal. Since the muzzle of different firearms are different, so is the sight that you can use with it. So before buying a particular unit, check if your weapon is compatible with it in the first place. The last thing you want is to buy something that you cannot even use.
There are some flexibility when it comes to gun compatibility. For example, if you are a Glock user, you can use the same sight you use in a Glock 17 for a Glock 19. The two guns’ design is close enough that the sight that you use with it is interchangeable to some degree.
Durability
Durability is always a wanted thing in any purchase. But when it comes to a pistol sight, you cannot overlook this factor. Since the sight has to take the abuse dished out by the recoil of your gun every time you fire a shot, it needs to be as sturdy and durable as possible.
This is where most factory installed pistol sights fail since they feature aluminum or polymer construction. But with your investment, make sure you are going with high-quality steel or metal construction. Avoid going for off-brand knock-off products as they are not very long-lasting.
Why Do You Need to Buy A Pistol Sight for Old Eyes?
Before getting to the product nitty-gritty of the product review, you might be wondering if it is worth upgrading your pistol sights at all. Since you already get factory installed sights, at least with most Glock models out there, is it really worth the extra money?
If you want the short answer, then yes, it is more often than not worth upgrading your pistol sight. Even if you do not have any visibility issues, a new pistol sight will give you way more utility than that factory installed units. And if you do have problems in your eyes, then it is not just a necessity but a must-have.
Here are a few major arguments as to why you should upgrade your pistol sights:
- Firstly, factory sights are not the most durable element of your gun. They are often made of low-quality aluminum that will eventually bend or break depending on how frequently you use it. Every time you fire a shot, your gun sight feels the pressure due to the weapon recoil.
- It is also easier to track with an aftermarket sight than factory ones. Think of it this way; the primary purpose of an aftermarket pistol sight is to give you the best performance. On the other hand, stock sights are just an accessory that comes with your purchase. You really should not expect it to give you the best performance.
- Aftermarket sights that are designed for old eyes also give you the advantage of self-illuminated dots. These dots often even come with edge coating to ensure the utmost visibility whether you are tracking a target in low light conditions or in broad daylight.
- Even for people who do not have vision issues, as the light gets dimmer, focusing on the small dot on the front sight becomes harder. With aftermarket sights, this will never cause any issues. If you invest in the right product, you will always be able to focus on the front dot without any trouble.
- When you are shooting your gun with the stock sight, it is a never-ending battle for your eyes to focus on the front sight. With aftermarket pistol sight, you will be able to find your target easier and track without much effort. Regardless of the weapon recoil, you will be able to easily get the target in your sight.
However, pistol sights can cost quite a bit. So it is natural for you to try and save a few bucks, especially after investing in a gun, a holster, and other accessories that go with it. But saving a few bucks by sticking to the stock gun sight is generally not a good idea.
If you are serious about hitting your mark, there is no alternative to upgrading your gun sight. Whether you have old eyes or not, the utility you get out of a simple sight upgrade is too good to pass up. This simple addition to your firearm will drastically improve your aim and ability to acquire targets.
Although basic iron sights are decent at what they do, if you put them head to head against a self-illuminated sight, they hardly stand a chance. So if you have the option to do so, always invest in the best handgun sights for accuracy and precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is old eyes?
Old eyes is a medical condition that is clinically referred to as Presbyopia. This condition occurs naturally as someone grows old. Typically, it takes place when a person is at the age of 40-45.
With this condition, it becomes harder to focus on different shapes and objects. The issue naturally manifests with age and unfortunately there is no cure for it.
Should I go for a specific notch design in the rear sight?
The type of notch design in the rear sight ultimately depends on your comfort and preference. Some people may find square notches to be the best design, whereas others might prefer to use U-notches.
However, with practice, you should have no trouble aiming with different notch designs. It just takes a few tries to get used to different notches.
Final Thoughts
Old eyes is definitely an annoying issue to deal with if you are a shooter. But by investing in the best pistol sight for old eyes, you can win over it. With this tool, you do not have to worry about missing your target regardless of your eyesight.
We hope our article could offer some insight into which products are worth your consideration. You should now have an easier time making the perfect investment.