Have you ever looked at your RMR or other pistol mounted red dot and thought "this is just so bulky!"? Do you need a sick prop for your next Youtube video? Are you a poor who wants something "just as good" for less money than a cab ride across town? Look no further than the NcStar Flip Dot.
The Flip Dot from NcStar is a micro red dot sight (MRDS) that fits in any mounts designed for the Trijicon RMR. Glock MOS series owners are in luck; NcStar includes everything you need to mount the Flip Dot to your slide, including an RMR compatible plate and a single CR2032 battery. Dovetail and picatinny mounts are also available for those without a MOS Glock.
The NcStar Flip Dot's Construction
The Flip Dot is constructed out of aluminum and comes in at a scant 1oz, adding nearly no weight to the slide. Even with its lightweight, the real selling point of the Flip Dot is in its name. The lens folds down when not in use, which also turns off the optic to save battery life. A button on the left side of the optic body springs the lens back into place when necessary.
Despite the lens release button is a good size, there is no good way to effectively deploy dot upon the draw. The best practice I've found is to use support hand, similar to dropping slide release, during presentation. While this works, it certainly isn't the most practical. Not to mention how it is nearly impossible to do when firing right hand only.
Flip Dot or Flip FLOP
Windage and elevation adjustments don't offer any tactile or audible indications of adjustment; you are simply moving a screw in and out. The elevation screw gets in the way of sight picture when brought to the end of its travel. Unfortunately, there is not enough movement of elevation to get an actual sight picture with the dot. Shooters have to mortar your rounds on target, which is great for shooting at 300+ yards!
If the NcStar Flip Dot could be zeroed, you'd still be out of luck. Roughly 1/4 of the lens is usable. The dot streaks to the edges on all sides of the lens once outside a small area, with one portion having a circular deformity inside a streak. Sight picture with my irons still looked good despite the poor quality glass.
Editor's Note: I have a NcStar Flip dot as well and experienced a larger area that was useable, but there was still much of the window that was distorted.
Range Time
I fired 200 rounds of Blazer Brass 115gr with the Flip Dot mounted to a Glock MOS G19. Windage adjusts itself from completely left to completely right after rapid firing 10 or more rounds. Elevation stays firmly in place, poking into your sight picture.
Internet rumors told me that recoil will make the Flip Dot close on itself when mounted to a pistol slide. I can firmly say that I never had that happen. While the lens may move, I never noticed, and it certainly never locked itself closed.
Is the NcStar Flip Dot Good?
In short, the NcStar Flip Dot is a neat idea but is poorly executed. It is safe to say that it isn't good for any serious use. If the dot was capable of being zeroed, then I'd like the novelty of the Flip Dot. Unfortunately, due to the poor glass, and unusable reticle, I can't recommend the NcStar Flip Dot for anything other than a prop in your next YouTube Sci-Fi video.
For those wanting a budget micro red dot sight, take a look at the Holosun HS507c. Sure it's about hundreds more than the NcStar Flip Dot, but you'll save yourself cash in the long run.
Author's Note: The NcStar Flip Dot was sent to me free of charge for the purposes of this review.
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I have to mirror the review sentiments! My Flip Dot is extremely dim and yes it has a fresh battery checked at 3.3vdc. I contacted VISM and what a disappointment. I believe his name was Matt and he just said send it in for evaluation and if purchased less than 90 days ago the $10 return fee is not required. I paid $59 for the item at Delta Team Tactical and will not spend a dime to further a goat rope event.
Sadly MRDS sights are not an inexpensive venture for one that works well. The Holosun HS407c and HS507C are really the least expensive options that we feel comfortable recommending to readers.