How long will the battery last in a red dot?

[Steve]

I use a HHA Model BF-MRS red dot sight. I'm just wondering what the rest of you who use such a sight do for battery management. Do you just turn the sight on at the start of a hunt and turn it off at the end of the day or do you have to turn the sight on just when a deer approaches.

[deputy]

I use to use one type long ago i turnned it on as critter approached.

carry spare batts next to your body to keep them warm in cold weather as well.

[dtg]

I have no idea how long the batteries last, but I just got a Pollington this year and I plan on just turning it on just before legal shooting light and not turning it off until I'm ready to leave. I figure there's enough stuff to remember when Mr Big Buck(or any deer for that matter) walks up on you and turning on the dot is just one more thing for me to forget.:lol: Just don't forget to turn it off!!!!

From what I hear the batteries last a long while. How long is a long while???? Hopefully someone on here has had a battery go out on their red dot and help answer that question. If not, maybe a new battery at the beginning of every season wouldn't be a bad idea?

I've had a Mueller 2-7X32 red dot shotgun scope for the last 3 years and never replaced that one yet.

[TrekJeff]

Steve, other than the easiest way of finding out, letting the battery run out, just find the amp rating of the sight. If you are using a 3 volt watch battery the mA hour rate is listed/stamped on it, an average is right around 200mA. Just divide the amp rating of the sight into this and you'll have an estimated run time.

Draw rate 2mA
200mA/2mA=100 hours of run time.

[don]

I turn mine on as soon as I reach my stand in the morning,and also for the afternoon hunt.I do periodically adjust the brightness of it, brighter as the morning wears on and the opposite in the evening so as not to be too bright to cause glare.I have not had a battery fail for an entire season and I am out a lot.I do carry a spare however for peace of mind.I do not have the same model as you.Pollington,HiLux and BSA red dots.

[slowpoke]

I also turn mine on when I get to the stand and turn it off, if I remember, when I get done hunting. I had one Batt. for 3 hunting season doing this. I do take a spare Batt. with me just in case. The Batt. in your site should last a long time, just take a spare Batt. with you.

[ironman11]

I can't tell you the exact number of hours they last, but I had a nice tall 6 come in last year and the batteries were dead on me, not much I could do except wish him a nice day. I turn mine on as soon as I'm in my stand and leave it on. I never had this problem before, but huntied a lot of hours prior last year. My plan this year is to change them every 4 days hunting this year. For $2.00 it's worth having new batts

[mikieday]

i use the pollington 33mm red dot by sightron and i get about 2 years out of a battery

Mikie

[Crowhunter]

I change the battery each year and use it often never had a problem ,keep it on while I am in the stand .Bud

[bumpbottom]

Leave it on when you are in the stand. I shoot every night and hunt 30 + days a year. This is the second year on the same battery. I do carry a spare, but I actually think the dot gets clearer on a lower battery. 1 or 2 setting should work fine for low light and I don't think I ever got past 4 or 5 on mine during the day. Anything brighter and it seems to have too much glare for my liking.I have also heard horror stories of when people try to turn it on when the deer approaches. They sometimes will be in between a setting and NO light when you pull back:rant:

[Fishous]

I turn mine on as soon as I reach my stand in the morning,and also for the afternoon hunt.I do periodically adjust the brightness of it, brighter as the morning wears on and the opposite in the evening so as not to be too bright to cause glare.I have not had a battery fail for an entire season and I am out a lot.I do carry a spare however for peace of mind.I do not have the same model as you.Pollington,HiLux and BSA red dots.

Same here. I put a new battery in each season, and carry a spare for those days you forget to turn it off. Even leaving it on overnight it will usually have enough usable light left.

I keep a spare battery in my case, and one in my pack. My dad and I have used several different ones over the years, and all have been good on batteries.

[mhodnettjr]

i use the pollington 33mm red dot by sightron and i get about 2 years out of a battery

Mikie


:yeahthat:

The first battery lasted two whole seasons. The next was much shorter but I left it on for a month or so.:rolleyes:

I have it on all hunt long and will adjust the intensity as the suns power changes.

[TrekJeff]

I see that you can order the mounts for these set ups with out the scope. I have an NC Star reddot and was trying to figure out a way to use it on my bow. Right now it's on my .44 carbine...I just might have to do some experimenting next year.


I just would want ot have a bit of redundancy built in. I would hate to have to pass on "that" buck because my batteries went dead...I would have to have a security pin or something set.

[HTC]

I only turn mine on when a deer is coming. I haven't see a deer in the past four years, but the battery is holding up good.:lol:

Seriously, I shoot the 33mm pollington. I leave the sight on when hunting and carry an extra with me. Before going out, I periodically turn the sight to its brightest position. Does it look dull? Then the battery is losing power....change it then.

On several occasions I have left the sight on for a couple days, just forgot to turn it off....sight was still going. Hope this helps.