For hunters, a reliable and precise aiming system can be the difference between a clean harvest and a frustrating missed opportunity. The Ultradot Gen 2 25mm red dot sight continues a lineage of proven performance, offering a blend of simplicity, durability, and accuracy. I recently spent two weeks in South Africa pursuing plains game and its optical clarity, ruggedness and feature enabled me to harvest numerous animals.
Impact Test
I put its ruggedness to the test halfway through the trip when an impala ram gave me a 75-yard shot from the blind we were using that day. The blind was made of heavy wire racking with holes cut in it to allow shooting. I was rushed when the ram came in and poked my gun into a small shooting port not thinking of the recoil after the shot. When I tugged the trigger, the report was accompanied by a loud clang as I watched the impala fall in its tracks.
Handshakes and pictures ensued, and it wasn’t until I had composed myself back in the blind that I realized the noise I heard was the sound of the elevation turret cover and optic tube bouncing off the top wire of the shooting port! The turret cover was smashed and there was a significant dent on the top of the tube just forward of my scope ring. To my amazement, when I got time to recheck my zero and test the elevation turret it was unaffected and still zeroed precisely. An optic’s ability to take abuse and continue to function can’t be understated while 8,000 miles from home.
Things I like:
* Bombproof Durability: The ability to withstand abuse is critical.
* 2 MOA Dot: The 2 MOA dot on the Gen 2 is great for precision shooting on small targets. The dot is clean, without significant flaring or “starburst” effects. That can plague lesser optics, even for shooters with astigmatism, like myself.
* Exceptional Battery Life: Ultradot sights are known for their impressive battery life (CR2032). My optic was on all day and often set to the highest setting to compensate for the bright cloudless afternoons.
* Simple and Intuitive Operation: The Ultradot Gen 2 features an 11-setting click-adjustable brightness control. It’s easy to manipulate even with gloved hands (everything has thorns in Africa, I wore gloves nearly all the time).
* Compact and Lightweight Design: Weighing in at 3.9 ounces and just 5.1 inches long, the Gen 2 adds minimal bulk to your handgun setup.
* Parallax-Free at 50m (55 yards): This ensures that the point of aim remains true regardless of slight head movement within the sight’s window at typical hunting distances.
Things to consider:
* No Multiple Reticle Options: I prefer the simple 2 MOA dot used in this optic for hunting, however some hunters might prefer a larger dot or a circle-dot option.
* Tube-Style Design: Some shooters may prefer the unobstructed view offered by “open emitter” designs, particularly for fast-moving targets or in dense cover. However, these designs also come with trade-offs
* Mounting Rings Included: This sight comes with mounting rings, though I did not use them in this application and opted instead to use the Ruger factory rings included with my Super Redhawk. A rail mount, such as those made by Jack Weigand would be needed to use the included Ultradot rings with the Super Redhawk.
* No Auto-Brightness: The Ultradot Gen 2 relies on manual brightness adjustments, which I prefer, but some users may be interested in optics with automatic brightness adjustment.
Conclusion:
For the serious handgun hunter, The Ultradot Gen 2 offers unwavering reliability, excellent optical clarity, and a no-nonsense design built to perform when it matters most. It’s a proven workhorse that will endure the rigors of the field and consistently put your shots where they need to go. If you prioritize durability, a crisp dot, and exceptional battery life the Ultradot Gen 2 25mm is a top contender for your handgun hunting setup.