I’d been wanting to try a red dot sight on my EDC pistol for a while, but the high-end options always seemed out of reach. Then I came across the Crimson Trace CTS-1550, a red dot designed for concealed carry that promised big performance on a small budget. Here’s my take after putting some rounds downrange with it.
Specs:
- 3 MOA red dot
- Auto-brightness adjustment
- Polymer body construction
- Co-witness sights (model dependent)
- IPX-7 waterproof rating
Best Features:
The CTS-1550 shines (pun intended) in its affordability. For the price, it’s hard to beat the quality and features you get. The auto-brightness function is a huge plus, automatically adjusting the dot intensity for various lighting conditions. It also co-witnesses with my iron sights, which is a great backup if the red dot ever fails (although that hasn’t happened yet).
Advantages in Use:
The CTS-1550 is incredibly easy to use. Zeroing was a breeze, and the 3 MOA dot offers a good balance between precision and quick target acquisition. I found myself acquiring sights much faster and getting tighter groupings compared to iron sights alone.
Where it Falls Short:
The biggest downside I see is the lack of manual brightness control. While the auto-brightness generally works well, there have been a couple of times in very low light where I wished I could fine-tune the dot intensity. Additionally, the polymer construction feels a bit less robust than some metal-bodied red dots. However, at this price point, it’s a fair trade-off.
Online Buzz:
Customer reviews on the CTS-1550 are generally positive. Users on forums like [SpringfieldHellcat subreddit] praise its affordability and ease of use, with some mentioning a preference for a larger dot size (which Crimson Trace offers in other models). A few reviewers mentioned minor battery compartment concerns, but overall, the sentiment is that the CTS-1550 delivers solid performance for the price.
My Verdict:
The Crimson Trace CTS-1550 is a fantastic option for shooters looking for an entry point into the world of red dot sights. It’s easy to use, delivers noticeable accuracy improvements, and won’t break the bank. While some features are sacrificed for affordability, the CTS-1550 punches well above its weight class. If you’re on a budget and want to experience the benefits of a red dot, the CTS-1550 is definitely worth considering.
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