XS Big Dot -- how bright?

[irishzen]

I just picked up a XS Big Dot tritium sight off ebay -- $40 which seemed like a good deal (and I was the only bidder).

It is certainly visible at night, but it is not super bright. I know there is a 'half-life' for tritium sights somewhere around 10 years. The sight I bought does not look like it was ever installed and was listed as new. It is a little brighter than a luminescent watch dial.

If you have bought one from a vendor, how bright was your big dot?

[Scattergun Bob]

What you discribe is about right. Remember it is a shooting aid, not a shoot back at me signal.

Good Luck & Be Safe

[irishzen]

Thanks, I thought so -- by the way, the illumination only faces the shooter, not the intruder.

[Wallabing]

In total darkness, it should be bright as an LED on a digital watch.

[Scattergun Bob]

by the way, the illumination only faces the shooter, not the intruder.

The problem to which I speak is called "ghosting". In near black (absence of light) conditions the radiation from your sight is reflected from your body back toward your intruder. Any polished bright metal "like a officers chest shield" will certainly ghost. Any reflective letter or tape surface will also ghost. In my dower wit I call these telltales "shoot ME sighs". It is a minor issue, but you need to be aware of it. In my opinion the ability to see your front sight outweighs the minor issue of ghosting.



Good Luck & Be Safe

[irishzen]

I think you are safe with a big dot sight. It is not that bright. Like a watch-hand that glows in the dark, not a laser beam.

I mounted it last weekend with JB Weld and it looks fine. I have yet to take it out (mounted) in a dark room to see what the glow factor is like.

The last mod I am thinking of (already added the supercell recoil pad) is a light with a pressure switch. I think a cheaper one not one built into the front grip.

[lefteye]

I had a new XS Big Dot sight installed on a new ParaOrdnance LDA CCO about two years ago. The white plastic(?) ring around the tritium makes a large, highly visible front sight (which I really like) on this handgun in most lighting conditions. The tritium does not seem bright unless I'm in a dark room with no windows, e.g., a closet, and even in total darkness the tritium just doesn't seem very bright (this is disappointing.) Of course, in total darkness such a closed walk-in closet, I can't see any target. Maybe the problem is my age of my eyes. ;)