As we step into the world of optics and gear for shooting enthusiasts, the Crimson Trace RAD Pro Red Dot Sight has emerged as a standout addition to your shooting arsenal. This innovative and reliable red dot sight is far more than a simple aiming device; it’s a game-changer in the world of shooting. Let’s dive into the details and discover why the RAD Pro is a must-have for your shooting experience.
Crimson Trace RAD Pro: An Overview
The Crimson Trace RAD Pro is designed with intuitive usability that significantly elevates your shooting experience. It offers more than just pulling the trigger; it enhances your accuracy, speed, and overall performance. Below are the core specifications of this exceptional red dot sight:
- Dot Size: The RAD Pro offers two dot size options, 3 MOA and 5 MOA, providing flexibility for different shooting scenarios.
- Mount: It comes with a versatile mounting system compatible with Docter and Picatinny rail.
- Battery: The sight is powered by CR2016 and CR1632 batteries, ensuring a long operational lifespan.
- Battery Life: With a remarkable 20,000 hours of battery life, you can rely on the RAD Pro during extended shooting sessions.
- Power Saving: It features a Shake-To-Wake sensor, automatically activating the reticle upon detecting motion and conserving battery life when the weapon is at rest.
- Material: The RAD Pro is built with a robust 7075 aluminum housing, ensuring durability and longevity.
- Brightness Settings: It offers 8 daylight and 2 night brightness settings, with an ambient light sensor for automatic adjustment to current lighting conditions.
- Weight: Weighing just 1.6 ounces, the RAD Pro keeps your setup lightweight and maneuverable.
- Magnification: With a 1x magnification, this red dot sight maintains a true 1x perspective.
- Lens: The lens is multi-coated for enhanced clarity and protection.
What’s Included in the Box?
When you unbox the Crimson Trace RAD Pro, you’ll find the Crimson Trace 01-01940 Open Reflex & Electronic Sight, your gateway to improved shooting accuracy.
First Impressions
At first glance, the Crimson Trace RAD Pro captivates with its sleek design, inviting you to mount it on your firearm and take aim. Beyond aesthetics, the sight exudes durability, promising to be a reliable companion on your shooting endeavors. It’s a piece of equipment that seems to challenge you to test its limits, and you’ll find those limits are hard to reach.
Top Features of the Crimson Trace RAD Pro
1. Shake-To-Wake Sensor: The Shake-To-Wake Sensor is a brilliant addition that eliminates the need for manual activation. Equipped with a motion sensor, this feature instantly activates the reticle upon detecting any movement. This not only ensures readiness but also conserves battery life by powering down when the weapon is at rest.
Personal Testing Experience: The Shake-To-Wake sensor was a standout feature during my testing. It ensured that the sight was always ready when I needed it, and it didn’t drain the battery when the firearm was not in use. This added convenience to my shooting experience.
2. Textured Sides: The textured sides of the RAD Pro serve a practical purpose, enhancing grip for quick slide-racking. Whether your hands are sweaty or gloved, this tactile surface boosts your control and facilitates easy adjustments using the sight’s large function buttons.
Personal Testing Experience: The textured sides provided a secure grip, especially during rapid slide-racking. It was beneficial in maintaining control even in adverse conditions, such as rainy weather or when wearing gloves.
3. Ambient Light Sensor: The RAD Pro incorporates an advanced ambient light sensor called CT Radiant. This sensor automatically adjusts the reticle’s brightness to match the lighting conditions in your environment. Whether you’re in bright sunlight or a dimly lit indoor range, the reticle adapts for optimal visibility, eliminating the need for manual adjustments.
Personal Testing Experience: The ambient light sensor was a game-changer during my testing. It ensured that the reticle’s brightness was always optimal, regardless of the lighting conditions. This feature allowed me to focus on my target rather than adjusting settings.
4. Aerospace Aluminum Construction: Crafted from 7075 Series Aerospace Aluminum, the RAD Pro boasts exceptional durability and robustness. Its construction is engineered to withstand high levels of stress and impact, and a patent-pending top strap design strengthens the sight’s structure, protecting the lens from damage even in rough handling situations.
Personal Testing Experience: The aerospace aluminum construction exceeded my expectations in terms of durability. I accidentally dropped the sight, and it endured without any structural damage. The patent-pending top strap design provided added protection to the lens, ensuring continued performance.
5. Top Accessible Battery Compartment: Battery replacement is hassle-free with the top-accessible compartment. Located conveniently on the top, changing batteries is quick and easy, and you won’t have to remove the sight from the mount, preserving your sight settings.
Personal Testing Experience: The top-accessible battery compartment was a practical feature. It saved time and effort during battery replacement, and I didn’t have to dismount the sight, ensuring that my sight settings remained unchanged.
6. IPX7 Waterproof: This sight is certified as IPX7 Waterproof, meaning it can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Whether you encounter a heavy downpour or accidentally drop your weapon in a puddle, the RAD Pro remains fully functional.
Personal Testing Experience: I tested the sight’s waterproof capabilities by exposing it to water for the specified duration. It withstood the test, remaining functional without any issues. This feature adds peace of mind for shooters in various weather conditions.
7. Auto Shutoff: The auto-shutoff feature is designed to extend battery life by powering down the sight when it detects no movement for a specified duration. This intelligent feature ensures that you won’t run out of battery power, even if you forget to switch off the sight manually.
Personal Testing Experience: The auto-shutoff feature was beneficial, especially during longer shooting sessions. It saved battery life and ensured that the sight was always ready to go. It’s a valuable addition for those who may forget to manually turn off their sight.
Footprint and Mounting Considerations
The Crimson Trace RAD Pro utilizes the CT RAD footprint, which is also compatible with the Docter footprint. This versatility allows you to easily install it on various firearms with pre-cut slides. The inclusion of a Low Profile Pic Rail mount makes it suitable for most MILSPEC Picatinny rails. The textured sides not only enhance grip but also facilitate slide-racking. This red dot sight offers multiple mounting options for different firearms, ensuring adaptability and user-friendliness.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
| Shake-To-Wake Sensor | Quick activation without manual input |
| Textured Sides | Enhanced grip for quick slide-racking |
| Ambient Light Sensor | Auto-adjusting the brightness of the reticle |
| Manual ON/OFF | User control over sight power |
| Recessed Optic Lens | Glare reduction and lens protection |
| Auto Shutoff | Battery conservation when not in use |
| Aerospace Aluminum Construction | Durability and robust build |
| Top Accessible Battery Compartment | Effortless battery replacement |
| IPX7 Waterproof | Resilience against water exposure |
Cons:
| Problems with Auto Brightness | Unreliable operation in different lighting |
| Low Light Performance | The auto-dim feature may affect usability in very low light. |
Final Verdict
Having tested a wide array of optics, the Crimson Trace RAD Pro undeniably stands out. It seamlessly combines top-notch features with stellar performance, making it a staple in my shooting setup. Whether on the range or in real-world applications, it consistently delivers excellence. If you demand the best from your gear, I wholeheartedly recommend the Crimson Trace RAD Pro to fellow shooters seeking a top-tier red dot sight for their firearms. It’s a well-engineered piece of equipment that won’t disappoint.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Crimson Trace RAD Pro, and what sets it apart from other red dot sights?
The Crimson Trace RAD Pro is a high-quality red dot sight designed to enhance your shooting experience. It stands out due to its intuitive features, such as the Shake-To-Wake sensor, automatic brightness adjustment, durable aerospace aluminum construction, and top-accessible battery compartment.
2. What dot size options are available for the RAD Pro, and how do they affect shooting performance?
The RAD Pro offers two dot size options: 3 MOA and 5 MOA. The 3 MOA option is ideal for precision shooting, providing a fine aiming point. On the other hand, the 5 MOA option is excellent for rapid target acquisition in close-quarters scenarios.
3. Can the RAD Pro be mounted on various firearms, and what mounting options are available?
Yes, the RAD Pro can be mounted on various firearms with pre-cut slides. It utilizes the CT RAD footprint, which is also compatible with the Docter footprint. Additionally, it comes with a Low Profile Pic Rail mount, allowing attachment to most MILSPEC Picatinny rails.
4. How long does the RAD Pro’s battery last, and what type of batteries does it use?
The RAD Pro boasts an impressive 20,000 hours of battery life. It operates using common CR2016 and CR1632 batteries, ensuring a long lifespan and easy replacements.
5. Tell me more about the Shake-To-Wake sensor. How does it work and its benefits?
The Shake-To-Wake sensor is a motion-activated feature that instantly powers up the reticle upon detecting any movement. This eliminates the need for manual activation and conserves battery life when the weapon is not in use, enhancing convenience and readiness.
6. What are the advantages of the RAD Pro’s ambient light sensor, and how does it improve shooting performance?
The ambient light sensor, known as CT Radiant, automatically adjusts the reticle’s brightness based on the surrounding lighting conditions. This feature ensures optimal reticle visibility, whether you’re in bright sunlight or low-light indoor ranges, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and allowing you to focus on your target.
7. Is the RAD Pro durable and weather-resistant?
Absolutely. The RAD Pro is constructed from 7075 Series Aerospace Aluminum, offering exceptional durability and robustness. It is also certified as IPX7 Waterproof, capable of withstanding immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, making it resilient against adverse weather conditions.
8. Can I quickly replace the battery on the RAD Pro without removing the sight from the mount?
Yes, the RAD Pro features a top-accessible battery compartment that allows for hassle-free battery replacement without the need to dismount the sight. This feature saves time and ensures that your sight settings remain intact.
9. What kind of shooting scenarios is the RAD Pro best suited for?
The RAD Pro is versatile and suitable for a wide range of shooting scenarios. Its features make it ideal for precision shooting, close-quarters engagements, and various lighting conditions. It excels in both recreational and professional shooting environments.
10. Does the RAD Pro come with a warranty or customer support?
Crimson Trace provides a warranty for their products. For specific warranty information and customer support, it is advisable to refer to Crimson Trace’s official website or contact their customer support directly.