With the release of heavy hitters like the Trijicon RCR and the Holosun 507Comp, Osight XR hitting the marketing, the marketplace have changed completely.
And also the new Holosun 507C X3 and a bunch of newer models are coming in 2026. But you don't always have to buy the latest products, older ones still work.
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| Optic Model | Enclosure Type | Battery Access | Deck Height (Impact on Irons) | Best Use Case |
| Trijicon RCR | Enclosed | Top | High (Requires Suppressor Sights) | Duty / Combat |
| Trijicon RMR HD | Open | Top | Medium | Duty / All-Rounder |
| Holosun 507Comp | Open | Side | Low | Competition / Max FOV |
| Olight Osight XR | Closed | Rechargeable | Low | Budget / Home Defense |
| Holosun 507C | Open | Side | Low | Best Value / CCW |
One thing most reviewers ignore is Deck Height. If the base of your red dot is too thick, your factory iron sights will be useless.
- Lowest Deck (Co-witness friendly): Holosun 507C / 508T. These usually allow for a "peek" at the front sight even with standard height irons on some platforms.
- Medium Deck: Trijicon RMR Type 2 / RMR HD. You will almost certainly need 1/3 lower co-witness sights.
- High Deck: Trijicon RCR / Cyelee BEAR. These are enclosed or heavy-duty optics; don't even try to use standard irons; you need tall suppressor-height sights.
also
- Some handgun slides use "spacers" or unique screw lengths for RMR optics.
- The Screw Length Trap: "We've seen more RMRs fly off slides due to incorrect screw length than actual hardware failure. For the RMR footprint, you typically need 4-40 or 6-32 screws, but the length varies by slide manufacturer (Glock vs. Walther vs. Sig). so Always check for 2 full threads of engagement."
Holosun 507C - Best Overall
The Holosun 507C uses the RMR cut optics footprint.
This red dot sight is the closest competitor to the Trijicon RMR with new features such as side loading battery tray, a multiple reticle system (32 MOA ring + 2 MOA center dot), ACSS Vulcan reticle and a much longer battery life.
The field of view is actually slightly bigger than the RMR with a slightly raised deck height.
This is one of the only optic that fits any RMR mount, and it's a better RMR alternatives than anything else.
Also check out the new ACSS Vulcan reticle for 507C for much faster reticle acquisition
Olight Osight XR - Rechargeable Enclosed Optic
Finally the Osight XR with an enclosed window is here.
This one has 2 and 6 MOA options all in one optic. and you just have to cycle through the modes.
You get 2 MOA and 6 MOA single dot, or you can do just the 32 MOA circle, or combined reticle.
The Osight X is a great option for anyone looking for an large window open emitter optic that fits the RMR footprint.
Trijicon RMR HD - Gen 3 RMR
This model fixes the two biggest complaints of the Type 2: battery access and window size.It features a forward-looking light sensor.
Unlike "Auto-Brightness" on cheaper optics that only sense light at the shooter, the RMR HD senses light at the target. This prevents reticle washout when aiming from a dark room into a bright street.
Holosun 508T - 2nd Best
Holosun 508T red dot is similar to the 507C but with a slightly body profile differences. It's made of titanium material for more strength than 7075 T6 aluminum.
The user benefits from the extended battery life, thanks to the Super LED high-capacity lithium battery that can power the optic for up to 50,000 hours, making it an excellent choice for long hunting treks.
The solar panel on top takes over if the battery runs out. However, it requires button pushes to activate it.
It also uses the RMR footprint red dot adapter plates.
Trijicon SRO - Largest FOV
On many duty holsters (like Safariland 6000 series), the forward-protruding hood of the SRO will interfere with the ALS locking mechanism.
This is a competition-first optic before you consider buying this for daily carry.
The top battery loading design makes it much more convenient to switch out the CR2032 battery than digging for a set of torx wrench hidden in my tool box.
This is one of the top red dot sights I recommend for competition shooting on pistols and rifles. Even though it's not duty grade like the RMR, but many people including me still carry it from time to time.
Reticles offered are: 1, 2.5 or 5 MOA center dot only
Cyelee BEAR - Affordable Enclosed Optic
The Cyelee BEAR 3 MOA red dot sight offers dependable performance, featuring a fully sealed case that protects its electronics.
The optic uses a clamping mounting system, and the package comes with a RMR footprint adapter plate for the Cyelee BEAR to mount on.
The sight comes equipped with 10 brightness levels to suit any lighting condition. It's plenty of adjustments.
The battery itself is remarkable for an optic in this price range.
It lasts over 50,000 hours and is a commonly available CR2032, easily replaceable from the side without optic removal.
Holosun EPS - Compact Enclosed Optic
I've had the chance to get hands-on experience with the Holosun EPS using the RMR adapter.
To mount this optic, use the RMR to K footprint adapter despite not having a native RMR footprint.
It offers a choice of red or green dot colors and comes with dot size options of 2 MOA, 6 MOA, or a Multi Reticle System, providing different aiming options.
I particularly appreciate the fact that the entire optic is machined from durable 7075 T6 material. This not only adds to its longevity but also gives it a rugged feel.
The IPX8 water resistance rating just means it can handle water pressure. For normal
However, The turret adjustment at 1.5 MOA per click can make achieving a fine zero a bit more challenging.
Each click tends to overshoot the adjustment I want to make, which can be frustrating for precision zeroing.
The optic only weighs about 1.4 oz.
Its compact dimensions, with a window size of 0.63X0.91 inches and overall measurements of 1.62x1.19x0.99 inches.
Swampfox Kingslayer - Best For The Money
Swampfox Kinslayer is another affordable RMR cut red dot. The field of is as big as an Trijicon RMR.
While most red dot sights on the market today offer some type of motion sensor and built in solar panel.
The optic offers 3 MOA dot, and it last as long as you want to run it.
Swampfox Justice - Best Tapered FOV
Swampfox Justice features the same footprint as Trijicon RMR.
This 7075 T6 aluminum body optic is a smaller version of the Kingslayer model, but with a tapered window to increase the FOV up to 1X27mm.
It's the first of its kind that increases the FOV laterally without increasing the optic width and it still fits the Trijicon RMR cut or mounting plates.
Reticles offered are: 3 MOA center dot only
Cyelee Wolf X Pro - Best For The Money
The Cyelee WOLF X Pro Compact Red Dot is compatible with RMR/SRO red dot footprints.
The built in Shake Awake motion-sensing technology is great for battery savings, but not necessary since it can already run for more than 3 years.
With its 3 MOA Red Dot, you can achieve rapid target acquisition and precise aiming.
The optic has the same robust aircraft-grade aluminum housing construction, and it features a distinct red dot with 10 brightness levels, including two for enhanced brightness optics.
The Cyelee WOLF X Pro includes an optional Picatinny mount adapter for rifles or shotguns and has been tested for extreme weather conditions, ensuring reliable performance even in rain or snow.
ADE Valkyrie Gen 2 - For Beginner Use Only
I've had some experience with the ADE Advanced Optics, specifically the Valkyrie Gen 2 model with an RMR footprint.
The ADE Advanced Optics Valkyrie Gen 2 can be a decent choice, especially for newcomers looking to experiment with red dot sights on a budget.
Its affordability and compatibility are definite pros, but the limited battery life may not meet the needs of serious users.
It's an excellent way to dip your toes into the world of red dot optics before investing in something more expensive.
However, there are a couple of cons to consider. The most notable one is the battery life, which lasts only around 800 hours. While this might be sufficient for occasional use, it falls short compared to other optics with longer battery life.
RMR Footprint FAQ
Does Shield RMSC Red Dot Sight Fit RMR Cut?
No. Shield RMSC footprint is different from RMR footprint.
The same goes for Shield RMS and RMRcc footprint
Does RMRcc Use The Trijicon RMR Footprint?
No. RMRcc doesn't use the RMR footprint. The two holes on the RMRcc are closer together to fit on subcompact pistol slides
See image below:
Recommended RMR Adapter Plates For Long Gun Applications
Please check out our RMR offset mounting plate guide on our site:
This guide also include mounting plates for other optics.