Lynx RDC-2 Red Dot Sight
LYNX OPTICS NEEDS no introduction as for decades this company has supplied the local market with a range of products suited to Africa’s particular needs. Their RDC-2 is a case in point, being an upgrade of the RDC-1.
Lynx states that the RDC-2 non-magnifying, illuminated red-dot sight is ideal for use on moving targets and on dangerous game. Target acquisition is virtually instantaneous, and for tracking moving targets this system is unmatched by any other.
The RDC-2 features a digital red dot with eleven settings. After being switched on and set, it automatically switches off after 3.5 hours if it receives no further input from the shooter. Coupled with 130 hours of battery life, this represents over 40 days of illumination.
The sights are suitable for day and night use on rifles, handguns and dart guns, facilitating one-eyed and twoeyed aiming techniques. The small dot versions (three and four MOA) are suitable for general bushveld hunting out to about 125 metres.
The matt black test sight weighed 154 grams and came with Weaver rings that mount on Picatinny rails. The red dot covers 4MOA at 100m. Overall sight length is 75mm, tube diameter is 38mm and the objective lens diameter is 30mm. Field of view at 100m is 36m and the dot moves 30mm per click at 100m. A spare CR2032 battery is included in the purchase.
Advantages of this sight include its capacity for mounting at any distance from the eye, its dot’s brightness levels being adjustable for all ambient conditions, and its ability to withstand recoil from the most powerful handgun and rifle calibres.
The battery is housed in a turret which has two pressure buttons on top. One is marked UP and when pressed, increases the dot’s brightness in eleven steps. The other (unmarked) button decreases the dot’s brightness. Pressing either button switches on the illuminated dot and the brightness setting will be the same as that when last used.
To switch the illuminated dot off, press and hold down either button for three seconds.
When the sight is not in use, two screw-on metal lens caps protect the glass.
I mounted the sight on a Diamondback 16-inch barrelled semi-auto in 9mmp and zeroed the combination at 35m. Tracking proved to be spot-on, just as the manufacturer claimed. On the range in blistering heat and in extremely bright conditions, I found it easy to acquire targets. Situational awareness is improved as you can keep both eyes open and simply place the red dot on target. This facilitated extremely fast shooting and I managed consistent hits on hanging steel plates and poppers. I also tried the red dot (dialled down so that I could barely see it in the bright sunshine) on a paper target at 65m and the 5-shot group was about a ½-inch larger than a similar group shot with a 1–6x30 scope. Clearly, the RDC-2 should work well for shorter range hunting on a bushveld rifle.
I then tried the sight on a dedicated dangerous game rifle and found it ideal for fast, close-up shooting exercises simulating dangerous game hunting. Using my .375H&H on a ‘charging’ buffalo target, I was able to get on-target hits faster and more accurately than when using open sights. The RDC-2 will improve your shooting ability under these conditions.
Throughout the test, which ended only when the light was fading, the optics were crisp and clear with no obvious aberration or distortion, and the sight picture was slightly more saturated than that of my naked eye. The red dot is more than bright enough for use in the brightest sunlight. Also, the non-magnifying glass performed well in low light conditions, definitely delivering more contrast than the naked eye.
The RDC-2 is a robust, high quality sight that will enhance your performance in 3-Gun sport shooting, defensive shooting and dangerous game hunting, and it comes highly recommended. I found it for sale online for just under R4 000, which is good value for money.