Tweet
Viridian RFX Series Green Dot Pistol Sights an Excellent Alternative to Holosun or Trijicon
I admit, I am skeptical of any option under the $500-$600 mark. I often spend nearly twice that to get the latest and greatest on the market. That said, when Holosun began producing RMR footprint sights I gave them a shot. They worked, and I liked them. But they felt overpriced and since the Trijicon RMR was not that much more expensive I felt like I should simply wait and keep saving. The problem being, I own a lot of red dot sight ready handguns and at $400+ used the RMR was a bit too pricey to put on every gun. Additionally, the RMR sight window was a little small. What I really wanted a Trijicon SRO which was an even more expensive option.
Then one day, while search through a supplier’s catalog I noticed that Viridian, a company known for their high-quality green lasers released an optic with an RMR footprint of their own. Along with a plethora of sights in each of the popular footprints on the market. Their RMR footprint version was called the RFX 35. It has a green dot, since making things in green is Viridian’s specialty. And the window is more akin to the SRO in shape and size than the RMR, which after using the Holosun was a plus. But the best part, and part that made me the most skeptical, was the price. Dealer cost was half what Holosun was costing, and the retail price was lower as well. At the time I was having to pay full retail for Holosun. Being able to get a sight that was supposedly just as good as the Holosun option for a lot less money was very appealing. The sight looked a lot sexier to me as well. So I gave it a shot.
Fast forward to three years later and I am still running the Viridian RFX 35 on four of my optics ready pistols and have not been disappointed. I have changed the batteries once during that time frame. Not because I had to, they were still running strong. I did it out of an abundance of caution. Though full disclosure other than my nightstand gun which I leave powered on to a bright setting the others I dial the brightness all the way down for storage. The dot itself is very crisp and the green color is extremely easy to pick up. While “weird” switching between green and red dots on different guns doesn’t mess me up or slow me down. You notice it, but it’s a non-issue. The window is larger than the RMR and a lot easier to use. You don’t ever end up hunting for the dot. It’s always where you need it to be to see it. It has never cut out, blinked off, or done any weird crazy thing an inexpensive red dot might do on you. Best of all, standard height iron sights on my Zev slides co-witness in the lower 1/3 of the sights window so I have the added security of having backup irons available should I ever need them. Which to date, I have not.
That said, I have only tested it on 9mm handguns and a 5.56mm AR. But thus far, I have been extremely pleased with it’s performance. So much so I have this optic on firearms meant for self-defense. I still would prefer a Trijicon SRO but only because of my ego. For the same reason I would prefer a Ferrari over a Corvette, even though a Corvette is more than awesome.
Viridian now makes a “mailbox” style sight like Aimpoint’s P2. I have yet to give them a try. I just haven’t had the need. I figured I should mention that incase having a closed emitter is important to you.
If you are in the market for an affordable but extremely reliable 1 power optic, Viridian just might be the right optic for you. The work great, are reliable, and extremely well priced.
It is worth mentioning that my version is an older generation. They have since released a slightly different looking version of this site (see the attached pics). The new version actually looks a little cooler. It also now comes in both Black and FDE.
Here are some details from the listing on my supplier's website for this sight.
Viridian Weapon Technologies RFX Red Dot 3 MOA Green Dot 22x26mm Objective Black RMR Mounting Pattern 3 MOA
Manufacturer Part #: 981-0057
UPC: 754003936742
Designed from the ground up to ensure clarity, solid function, and rapid target acquisition. Designed to fit full size handguns, shotguns, and rifles. Tested in the harshest conditions to ensure your optic will be ready whenever you need it.
I am not allowed to tell you the dealer price.
Minimum Advertised Price allowed by Viridian is $249.
Manufacture Suggested Retail Price by Viridian is $289.
I admit, I am skeptical of any option under the $500-$600 mark. I often spend nearly twice that to get the latest and greatest on the market. That said, when Holosun began producing RMR footprint sights I gave them a shot. They worked, and I liked them. But they felt overpriced and since the Trijicon RMR was not that much more expensive I felt like I should simply wait and keep saving. The problem being, I own a lot of red dot sight ready handguns and at $400+ used the RMR was a bit too pricey to put on every gun. Additionally, the RMR sight window was a little small. What I really wanted a Trijicon SRO which was an even more expensive option.
Then one day, while search through a supplier’s catalog I noticed that Viridian, a company known for their high-quality green lasers released an optic with an RMR footprint of their own. Along with a plethora of sights in each of the popular footprints on the market. Their RMR footprint version was called the RFX 35. It has a green dot, since making things in green is Viridian’s specialty. And the window is more akin to the SRO in shape and size than the RMR, which after using the Holosun was a plus. But the best part, and part that made me the most skeptical, was the price. Dealer cost was half what Holosun was costing, and the retail price was lower as well. At the time I was having to pay full retail for Holosun. Being able to get a sight that was supposedly just as good as the Holosun option for a lot less money was very appealing. The sight looked a lot sexier to me as well. So I gave it a shot.
Fast forward to three years later and I am still running the Viridian RFX 35 on four of my optics ready pistols and have not been disappointed. I have changed the batteries once during that time frame. Not because I had to, they were still running strong. I did it out of an abundance of caution. Though full disclosure other than my nightstand gun which I leave powered on to a bright setting the others I dial the brightness all the way down for storage. The dot itself is very crisp and the green color is extremely easy to pick up. While “weird” switching between green and red dots on different guns doesn’t mess me up or slow me down. You notice it, but it’s a non-issue. The window is larger than the RMR and a lot easier to use. You don’t ever end up hunting for the dot. It’s always where you need it to be to see it. It has never cut out, blinked off, or done any weird crazy thing an inexpensive red dot might do on you. Best of all, standard height iron sights on my Zev slides co-witness in the lower 1/3 of the sights window so I have the added security of having backup irons available should I ever need them. Which to date, I have not.
That said, I have only tested it on 9mm handguns and a 5.56mm AR. But thus far, I have been extremely pleased with it’s performance. So much so I have this optic on firearms meant for self-defense. I still would prefer a Trijicon SRO but only because of my ego. For the same reason I would prefer a Ferrari over a Corvette, even though a Corvette is more than awesome.
Viridian now makes a “mailbox” style sight like Aimpoint’s P2. I have yet to give them a try. I just haven’t had the need. I figured I should mention that incase having a closed emitter is important to you.
If you are in the market for an affordable but extremely reliable 1 power optic, Viridian just might be the right optic for you. The work great, are reliable, and extremely well priced.
It is worth mentioning that my version is an older generation. They have since released a slightly different looking version of this site (see the attached pics). The new version actually looks a little cooler. It also now comes in both Black and FDE.
Here are some details from the listing on my supplier's website for this sight.
Viridian Weapon Technologies RFX Red Dot 3 MOA Green Dot 22x26mm Objective Black RMR Mounting Pattern 3 MOA
Manufacturer Part #: 981-0057
UPC: 754003936742
- High-grade aluminum alloy construction
- 3 MOA Green Dot
- RMR Mounting Footprint & Picatinny mount included
- Auto shut off and INSTANT-ON technology
- 8 Visible & 2 Night Vision Brightness Settings
- Designed to fit full-size handguns, shotguns, and rifles
Designed from the ground up to ensure clarity, solid function, and rapid target acquisition. Designed to fit full size handguns, shotguns, and rifles. Tested in the harshest conditions to ensure your optic will be ready whenever you need it.
I am not allowed to tell you the dealer price.
Minimum Advertised Price allowed by Viridian is $249.
Manufacture Suggested Retail Price by Viridian is $289.
