Red-dot sights simplify the aiming process of a pistol. Rather than having to align a front sight post within a rear sight notch, with a red-dot sight you focus on the target and overlay the dot. The dot sight is prominent and on the same focal plane, which is important when you consider that a person’s natural tendency is to focus on the threat rather than the sights.

Of course, not everyone wants a pistol equipped with a red-dot sight. Most are battery-­powered, so if the batteries were to fail, there is no dot to aim with. Red-dot sights also add to the dimensions and weight of a gun, which means that it requires holster considerations and can alter the performance of the gun by slowing the slide reciprocation. Then there’s the inevitable learning curve associated with new shooters needing to find the dot within the optic’s window. I can appreciate why many shooters still prefer the reliability and familiarity of iron sights.

The HIVIZ Fastdot H3 series was designed to bridge the benefits of using a dot sight and iron sights. You’ll find that the low-­profile sights fit in existing holsters that don’t accommodate a red dot. The Fastdot H3 features all-­steel construction, giving owners of pistols with plastic sights (aka, “dovetail protectors”) added peace of mind.

The Fastdot H3 was inspired by the HIVIZ Magni-Optics shotgun sight, which was developed to address the needs of shooters with cross-­eye dominance. The Fastdot H3 glows green when the front and rear sights are aligned, but if you see red, stop! The front fiber-optic front sight peeking out warns of an impending miss. Seeing black is also a no-­go. Red or black means stop. Green means go. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.

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When aligned, a fiber optic that’s coiled around the rear sight illuminates a magnified lens to produce a highly visible green dot. Tritium ensures the sight is visible in diminished light. Unlike red-dot sights that may need to be manually adjusted for brightness, the Fastdot H3 adjusts instantaneously because it’s powered by ambient light.

The Fastdot H3 isn’t intended for pinpoint precision at distance. Rather, its purpose is to provide fast sight alignment. I was capable of producing effective hits to about 15 yards. The green dot was easy to use, but unlike a red-dot sight the Fastdot H3 required a 6 o’clock hold; the top of the green circle represents the expected point of impact.

If the advantages of a red-dot sight interest you, but you are not keen on electronic dependency or the hassle of switching holsters, the HIVIZ Fastdot H3 sight is an option that aims to provide the best of both. 

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