{"id":362,"date":"2022-09-21T20:26:01","date_gmt":"2022-09-21T20:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=362"},"modified":"2022-09-21T20:26:01","modified_gmt":"2022-09-21T20:26:01","slug":"crimson-trace-rad-micro-pro-green-dot-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=362","title":{"rendered":"Crimson Trace RAD Micro Pro Green Dot\u00a0Review"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Robert A. Sadowski<\/a><\/p>\n

G<\/span>enerally speaking, a red dot works well in low light conditions and green dots work better in daylight conditions. The reality is variances occur in our eyes; some of us are color blind, and that can affect how you see the aiming dot. Or, we can have astigmatism; that\u2019s why some of us wear glasses or contact lens.<\/p>\n

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According to the science, the human eye processes wavelengths of light and color, and our retina is designed with three types of color sensing cones: red, green and blue. We have predominantly red cones, followed by green, then blue. So, it makes sense that first generation dot optics used a red dot reticle. Red is easy to see and it definitely pops on a dark background.<\/p>\n

\"testing\n<\/picture>
The Falco hybrid A116 holster has a cut in the front edge to accommodate the Crimson Trace Micro Pro. It was anchored to a nylon EDC Belt Company Foundation\u00a0Belt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since those first-gen optics, we have come to collectively call reflex sights \u201cred dots\u201d, when in fact green can be a game changer depending on where and when you anticipate using your sight. Back then, you could also get any color dot you wanted as long as it was red.<\/p>\n

On my smallbore target handgun in a dimly lit indoor shooting range, it was hard not to miss the red dot on the black bullseye. I have used red dots since the 1980s, and back then red dots were long and heavy, and chugged battery juice like we would ice water on a humid day. They weren\u2019t that durable, either, and they were expensive. Since then, we\u2019ve seen red dots morph into smaller, compact units with battery life that lasts for over a year.<\/p>\n

\"CT\n<\/picture>
As pistols decreased in size, so have reflex sights. With the Crimson Trace, the user has fast target acquisition and follow-up shots.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Obviously, a green dot on say, a green foliage background will get lost, but life does not flow in primary colors. There is a constant and nearly infinite variety of color all around us at any time. As I\u2019ve incorporated optics into my daily conceal carry routine, I\u2019ve found red dots can be difficult to see in bright sunlight depending on the unit and manufacturer. [Editor\u2019s note: Be sure to read\u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019s the Best Reflex Sight Dot Color<\/a>\u201d\u00a0for more information on this topic.<\/em>]<\/p>\n

\"Crimson\n<\/picture>
The RAD Micro Pro with green dot is a compact and capable micro optic. Image: Crimson\u00a0Trace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Must-Have Features<\/h2>\n

I\u2019ve also become particular about the characteristics of pistol optics, and I\u2019ve narrowed it down to three must-have features for me. Firstly, automatic motion sensor so it comes on when it senses motion, as on\/off buttons are not an option when I\u2019m drawing and need to make a shot fast.<\/p>\n

\"Crimson\n<\/picture>
The rear of the Micro Pro is notched so the irons sights can co-witness with the dot and can be used as a back-up. Image: Crimson\u00a0Trace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next up, automatic dot brightness adjustment to the environment I am in is important since it allows me to focus on the dot and target. There is no time to fuss with a manual brightness button. And lastly battery life. It needs to have a long shelf life since I use it for every day carry, and most of the current generation of pistol optics are constantly on and sip battery juice. Dead batteries are not an option.<\/p>\n

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Live The Armory Life.<\/strong> The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our monthly gun\u00a0giveaways!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Ok, maybe it\u2019s five characteristics. I need to be able to use the sight to rack the slide with one hand, and it needs to be able to survive a fall onto the cement deck. Finally, I like a sight that allows me to co-witness with my existing iron sights.<\/p>\n

The Crimson Trace RAD Micro Pro offers all these things, and it comes in a green dot variant.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s RAD<\/h2>\n

RAD stands for Rapid Aiming Dot. You knew it was only a matter of time before pistol optics would shrink to the size to fit a subcompact pistol. The most recent generation of dot optics have a smaller footprint, so they fit flush on the thinner slides of micro-9mm pistols like the Springfield Hellcat<\/a>. The Crimson Trace RAD Micro Pro is a good example of the evolution of the dot sight.<\/p>\n

\"Green\n<\/picture>
The RAD Micro Pro 5 MOA green dot is relatively large, making it fast to acquire in stressful\u00a0conditions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The green 5 MOA dot in the Crimson Trace Micro Pro provides a large aiming point, so it is fast to pick up and get on target. When I am in the shade, the dot brightness rapidly adjusts. When I move into sunlight, it adjusts to the brightness so I never lose the dot and it never becomes a liability. The motion sensor means the sight is nearly always on when I conceal carry, but when I am at ease or take the holster off for the day the sight takes a nap and wakes up completely at attention when moved. I can\u2019t tell you how many red dot sights I have used that don\u2019t have automatic shut off and I have accidentally drained the battery for failing to turn off the sight.<\/p>\n

\"durability\n<\/picture>
A dot sight needs to be rugged and at times used as a lever to rack the slide one-handed. The Crimson Trace proved to be rugged and\u00a0reliable.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I have a battery replacement schedule and replace the button battery before it starts to deplete per factory spec at 7,000 hours. The CR1632 used is available at nearly any convenience store or gas station. Replacing the battery means removing the sight from the slide, and in my experience I have not seen a shift in point of impact after replacing the battery. I am also extra cautious about not getting cleaning fluids on the sight when scrubbing the slide, or oil on it when lubricating the rails and barrel slide contact points.<\/p>\n

Crimson Trace RAD Micro Pro Specifications<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Aiming Dot Size<\/td>\n5 MOA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Magnification<\/td>\n1x (none)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens<\/td>\nMulti-coated glass<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Footprint<\/td>\nShield RMS and JPoint compatible<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery<\/td>\nOne CR1632<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery Life<\/td>\n7,000 hours (>1 year)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery Access<\/td>\nBottom mount<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brightness Adjustment<\/td>\nAutomatic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Body Material<\/td>\n7075 aluminum<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MSRP<\/td>\n$299.99<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

TV Screen<\/h2>\n

The Crimson Trace also has a notch cut in the rear body of the unit so it co-witnesses with the pistol\u2019s front sight. Back-up systems like this are always welcome. The front lens is also recessed into the housing so, when racking the slide via the sight, it doesn\u2019t come in contact with the whatever you are using to manipulate the slide \u2014 like the mouth of your holster or edge of a table. The body is made of 7075 series aerospace aluminum, which is 30 percent stronger than other aluminum alloys in other sights.<\/p>\n

\"author\n<\/picture>
The large 5 MOA dot makes for fast target acquisition and shot placement at close\u00a0distances.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In use, the Micro Pro offers a large window \u2014 basically, a jumbo TV screen \u2014 for aiming at ranges that the FBI say are typically the distance in a deadly encounter \u2014 a matter of feet. The large 5 MOA green dot gets me on target for a fast first shot as well as follow-up shots.<\/p>\n

\"field\n<\/picture>
EDC with an optic-enabled micro-9mm like a Hellcat and Crimson Trace RAD Micro Pro is comfortable to conceal in an appendix\u00a0holster.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I haven\u2019t babied the Micro Pro. Carrying a micro-9mm with an optic is no different than carrying a micro-9mm with standard iron sights. I use a Falco hybrid A116 holster, which has a Kydex holster shell attached to a leather back. Two low-profile steel belt clips keep it attached to my nylon EDC Belt Company Foundation Belt. I like how the leather sweat guard separates me from the gun and how the leather flexes for more comfort.<\/p>\n

End Game<\/h2>\n

If you want to go green, the Crimson Trace RAD Micro Pro is a great option with all the features that make EDC with an optic-equipped micro-9mm easier to draw and fast on target. Seeing is believing. And at an MRSP of $299.99 (a red dot model is also offered, for $274.99), it won\u2019t break the bank.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in!<\/em><\/p>\n

Join the Discussion<\/span><\/h5>\n

Go to forum thread<\/a><\/p>\n

Featured in this article<\/span><\/h5>\n

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Crimson Trace CT RAD Micro Pro (Green)<\/span><\/h3>\n


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Hellcat\u00ae Series<\/span><\/h3>\n


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Falco A116 2021<\/span><\/h3>\n


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By Robert A. Sadowski Generally speaking, a red dot works well in low light conditions and green dots work better in daylight conditions. The reality is variances occur in our eyes; some of us are color blind, and that can affect how you see the aiming dot. Or, we can have astigmatism; that\u2019s why some […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":363,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/362","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=362"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/362\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/363"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=362"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=362"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=362"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}