thouston406 Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 I have recently been looking into the actual science behind what fo to use. I have always used red but recently heard during a discussion on sights that the human eye picks up on green faster than other colors. Basically from the research I have gathered thus far (which is scant) the human eye can see more hues of green than any other color. However the eye can see yellow the best because it reflect the most light but is also an eye irritant and causes eye fatigue faster which can result in a drop in performance. My question is does anyone have any solid research done by shooters about which is better? I understand there are a lot of variables in a question like this but is interesting nonetheless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redpillregret Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 I think we are all individuals and we all respond differently to the colors. After using Amber Trijicon optics, my eyes just feel as though they have to focus more to see the chevron. It didn’t “pop” out to me the way the green and red do. Between green and red (I own both in Trijicon Accupoints and FO sights), I see the red better during the day. When it’s low-light, the green seems to be easier to pick up. Some of my friends prefer only red or only green and may give the same reasons for their preference. It’s strange, but we are all different. I’m the oddball with both green and red. I’m just one guy and this is anecdotal evidence rather than true scientific research. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlappyMcTrigger Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 I believe (not a scientist) it is based on the number of cones (the cells in your eye responsible for distinguishing color) you have for each color making it more individualistic rather than “all humans see...” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RePete Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 I have found green better overall, due to the colour remains visible at dawn and dusk, whereas red gets dark. I use green front but red rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outerlimits Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 shot open for 25 yrs-built a limited gun and tried green for a season...back to red for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 (edited) I prefer green, and I’ve read the same reports on green being the easiest for eyes to pick up (see discussions on green lasers vs red), however... the best reasoning is ideal color choice should be dependent on your most common backstop color. I live in the desert, so amber washes out on the light colored sand (and white plates) and red can sometimes wash out as well (such as on tan cardboard). Green almost always stands out against my tan/light brown dirt backstops. Now, if I lived someplace with actual vegetation (like grass, bushes, etc) on the backstops, then green would wash out and red would be the ticket. Edited February 14, 2018 by jkrispies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Tried red first (came with the sight), but I prefer green, so that's what I used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooster Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 I placed red, green and amber next to each other ends together outside in daylight conditions closed my eyes and whichever I was drawn to is the one I shoot. For me it was red every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeg26er Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 I'm also trying to decide on Orange vs Green/Chartreuse nightsights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Steele Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Red for me because where I live it's mostly green trees and grass. Red sticks out like a sore thumb.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RePete Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 21 hours ago, Scott Steele said: Red for me because where I live it's mostly green trees and grass. Red sticks out like a sore thumb. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk The green isn't washed out by the vegetation because it's totally different shade. Red in very bright daylight is fine, but I have found that it was too dark when overcast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beef15 Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I pick up green FO best, by a mile. To really set it off wear yellow or persimmon lenses. I actually switched to red cause the green was too much and seemed to interfere with my ability to judge equal height and light when required. May go back to it with a sharpie treatment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRPOperator Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 I have tried both. I actually see green faster and brighter, until match day and I lose it during transition or on the draw in the green grass etc. So I use red because of the contrast with about everything at the range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rjracing Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 It really depends on conditions you’re shooting in IMO. On a bright sunny day, I cannot pickup a fluorescent green little dot that’s about 3ft from my face very quickly, and in dark lighting (especially indoors) it’s def harder for me to pickup a red sight as quickly. I prefer the red in medium lighting though, it just “pops” out a little more against any backdrop. A lot of it is likely just personal preference, but I have heard exactly what the OP states before about green being the ideal rod color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HI5-O Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 I like the green better and easier for my eyes to pick up. Plus, it reminds me I’m NOT shooting my Open gun.....lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rishii Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Ditto hardwire open shooter, see a red dot, pull the trigger, forget there’s a rear sight so it’s green for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeEB Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 I pick up red better. I had green on a cz75, but just couldn't see it well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfvsgoat Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Does anyone shoot with both a red outer and green core or vice versa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RePete Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 2 hours ago, wolfvsgoat said: Does anyone shoot with both a red outer and green core or vice versa? My sights are green front and red rear. IMO better than red front, green rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 (edited) 9 hours ago, wolfvsgoat said: Does anyone shoot with both a red outer and green core or vice versa? Solid rear for me, period. My one gun that has FO rear holes, I plugged. The problem I’ve found is that rear FO always shows brighter than the front because (I think) they’re closer to my face, and I want the front to be the bright one to draw my eye. Having tried both (and tritiums— same issue), it’s a no-brainer for me. Again, YMMV, but that’s my experience. Edited February 21, 2018 by jkrispies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdm702 Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 green for me much brighter for my eye and i have real issues seeing red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrathen Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 I’ve only ever used red I’m goinf to have to give green a try for a bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 And in the irony camp, I'm going to switch over to red for a bit. I'm shooting Steel Challenge which is all white plates, and I'm thinking the red will show up better on the white. If I were shooting anything else, especially brown cardboard, I'd stick with the green for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelslinger86 Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 I always use red outside because of too much green in the backgrounds, but would like to try green at the indoor matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 On 2/17/2018 at 8:12 PM, HI5-O said: I like the green better and easier for my eyes to pick up. Plus, it reminds me I’m NOT shooting my Open gun.....lol This Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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