Evelyn: When shopping for red dot sights, I sometimes see the word ‘Direct Bulb’ in the product parameters. What is the direct bulb?

Stephen: ‘Direct bulb’ was first introduced by ‘Vector Optics’. It is indeed called RCLED（Resonant-Cavity Light-Emitting Diode） which is a light-emitting diode using compound semiconductors.

Surface-emitting RCLEDs are excellent in terms of coupling efficiency, the speed of response, temperature characteristics and durability. RCLEDs are applied to control sensors of cars, car audios, automatic navigation systems, military vehicles, combat planes, airplanes and ships.

Evelyn: What is direct bulb red dot sight?

Stephen: According to the light source, reflect sight can be divided into ‘direct bulb red dot’ and diaphragm red dot. ‘Diaphragm’ is the traditional red dot light source technology, while the direct bulb technology is more advanced and modern.

Both of them have a built-in light source in the red dot, the built-in light source of the direct red dot is a mini light resource, by projecting the light source directly on the lens to form the red dot, the size of the light bulb determines the size of the red dot on the lens.（Figure 1）

In contrast, the built-in light source of the diaphragm type red dot is large and scattered, and the size of the red dot is controlled by covering the light source with a film with a tiny hole, which we call the diaphragm. The larger the hole in the diaphragm, the larger the size of the red dot, and vice versa, the smaller. （Figure 1）

Evelyn: What is the advantage of direct bulb red dot sight？

Stephen: In short the advantages of direct bulb can be summarized in the below three points. 

l Better stability

l Longer service life

l Less dispersion & More rounded dot

Evelyn: Can we talk about them one by one?

Stephen: No problem!

1. Better stability

Since the light source of the diaphragm red dot is diffuse, the brightness of the red dot projected onto the lens through the small hole is various on different position of the lens and usually strongest in the center of the lens, and when aiming at the target through the edge of the lens, it becomes dim or even disappears. In general, the red dot brightness is altered by its position.(Figure 2)

Evelyn: How about direct bulb red dot sight?

Stephen: Direct bulb red dot sight can maintain its brightness regardless of the position on the lens, minimizing the limitation of the use of the red dot. It’s stability is a big advantage in rapid shooting, once the target is in sight you can aim at the target with any position on the lens instead of having to use the center of the lens.

On the other hand, when the lens is partially broken or covered by mud stains, you can use the intact part to aim; in extreme weather such as snow and sand, the red dot always remains strong, stable and bright to ensure the shooting experience.(Figure 3)

2. Longer service life

Evelyn : Why direct bulb red dot sight can run a longer time?

Stephen:The runtime of the red dot is mainly determined by the chip, the light source and the built-in program. Diaphragm red dot sight’s dot size is controlled by the hole size. It actually emits much more light than we can see but is obscured by the diaphragm which consume more battery power.

The direct bulb red dot’s light source is low battery consuming which extends the battery life. Some direct light source red dot operation time can reach 50,000 hours in the weakest visible level.

3. Less dispersion & More rounded dot

Evelyn : How can direct bulb red sight offer less dispersion and more rounded dot?

Stephen: The tiny hole in the diaphragm is formed by chemical corrosion, the edges of the hole is not perfect round but irregular. When we look through the naked eye we will find some scattering at the edge of the red dot, while the direct bulb red dot sight project the dot directly on the lens can avoid this problem. In addition, the red dot presented through the corroded diaphragm have a certain defect rate and will form irregular dots as shown in Figure 4. On the other hand Direct bulb red dot sight‘s dot can be made smaller and rounder with fewer defects. 

Evelyn: I got it. Thank you for your sharing, Stephen!

Stephen: You are welcome.

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