Crimson Trace Rapid Aiming Dot Affordable Red Dot Optics

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Until recently, Crimson Trace (CT) was known for one thing: lasers. They owned the market, producing a vast array of laser sights for pistols, shotguns, ARs, and even AKs. A few years ago, CT shocked the industry by entering the optics world, and after a flurry of product launches and innovative designs, CT quickly became a powerhouse in this arena as well. The newest offerings from CT are the Rapid Aiming Dot (RAD), a comprehensive line of open-emitter reflex sights ranging in size from the CT RAD MICRO for compact/subcompact pistols to the CT RAD MAX PRO for long guns. In all, the RAD line includes three distinct families comprising 10 sights. All share basic features and design yet differ in size and application. At a CT launch event at Gunsite Academy, a group of us tested CT’s newest goodies. Two of the products were geared towards ARs, the RAD MAX PRO and the CMR-301 Rail Master Pro light/laser combo, while the handgun portion utilized the RAD PRO and CMR-207G Rail Master Pro light/laser. Let’s start with the RAD MAX PRO, the largest member of the line that’s geared towards shotguns, carbines, and AR pistols.

RAD MAX PRO            

In the AR world, nothing beats the speed and simplicity of a red dot. Compact, lightweight, and able to withstand heinous abuse, modern red dots are so good they’ve rendered primary iron sights on ARs a thing of the past. CT’s RAD MAX PRO is a simple, sturdy reflex sight with a 3-MOA red dot. What sets it apart from the competition are price, features, and build quality. With optics, you get what you pay for. There’s no avoiding that. However, unless you were an early Bitcoin adopter, few shooters can slap an $800 Aimpoint atop each of their ARs. With a price of $382, the RAD MAX PRO is a quality optic at an affordable price. Plus, it’s equipped with a range of features to satisfy nearly all shooters. The RAD MAX PRO is rated at 50,000 hours (5.7 years) from a single CR2032 battery. A top-loaded battery compartment means you won’t lose your zero when you swap batteries. If that’s not enough, consider CT’s Motion Sensor technology. When stationary for two minutes, the sight powers down to save battery life. Move it ever so slightly, and the dot turns on — instantly. Features are irrelevant if the sight isn’t durable, and CT didn’t coast here. Crafted from 7075 aluminum, the sight body is built to withstand abuse. Its beefy top strap is designed to protect the recessed glass lens from impact. In addition, engineers thoroughly tested each design. According to a CT employee, the rigorous testing protocol is to ensure RAD sights withstand abuse from shooters as well as Mother Nature.

“Before the launch, the RAD line went through grueling tests,” said CT. “Optics must first withstand repeated impact on a shock tower. After that, they’re live-fire tested. They must hold up and not lose zero. The main goals for RAD were to produce tough, reliable optics that won’t break the bank.” Shooter-induced abuse is one thing, but how about environmental conditions? CT assured me that weather won’t affect the sights. “The RAD and RAD MAX are IPX7 waterproof-rated,” said CT. “They can be completely submerged in water to 1 meter for 30 minutes. If you drop them in mud, no problem. Clean off the emitter and lens and get back to shooting. It’s not going to hurt the sight at all.” While the CT RAD MAX PRO has adjustment buttons and 10 settings for brightness, it also features a forward-facing ambient light sensor, automatically adjusting brightness to where the optic is looking. According to CT, this is superior to sensors in competing red dots. “All units in the RAD line have forward-facing ambient light sensors,” said CT. “Many competitors use top sensors that match the environment you’re in, which does little good if you’re in a dark room or vehicle and engaging a target in bright light. Our Radiant Sensor faces the target. It adjusts the dot to your target and not where you’re standing.”

CMR-301 RAIL MASTER PRO

At Gunsite, CT equipped our Radian Model 1 carbines with the new CMR-301 Rail Master Pro, an ingenious light/laser unit that’s sleek, functional, and sells for $315. It’s a great addition to any defensive or night-hunting firearm. The CMR-301 is a white light/green laser that mounts at various handguard locations. It’s low in profile so it doesn’t block visibility and takes up just 2.75 inches of rail space. The CMR-301 runs on a clever rechargeable battery that features a plug-in port on the battery itself. On/Off functions are handled by the tail cap or remote pressure switch. CT considers the CMR-301 to be an ideal fit for self-defense ARs. I agree. “You can’t control when or where a fight may occur,” said CT. “There’s a good chance it’ll be at night, which is why a white light/laser like the CMR-301 is a no brainer on defensive firearms. At 1,000 lumens, it lights up the night, and on lower settings, it’s perfect indoors. Low-profile mounting means it won’t get in the way of irons, red dots, or LPVOs. As for durability, the CMR-301 goes through the same testing as RAD optics do, including shock testing and live fire.” During the event, we discussed sight-in distances for the green laser. To maximize the beam’s usage for both defense and hunting, CT suggested a convenient sight-in distance of 50 yards. “We recommend a 50-yard zero for the laser,” CT said. “You’ll be accurate from the muzzle out to 100 yards. The CMR-301 was intended for home defense, but it has hunting applications as well. We’ve had reports of hunters using it on nighttime hogs, and the feedback has been great.”

CT RAD PRO and CMR-207G            

If you own an AR, it’s a safe bet you also have a polymer-framed pistol. CT offers goodies for those as well, including red dots and rail-mounted lights/lasers. The CT RAD PRO is the midpoint of CT’s three RAD sizes. Like all models, it features a large viewing window for quick dot acquisition. Designed to be slide-mounted on full-frame pistols (using the Docter footprint), the RAD PRO comes in either red (3 MOA) or green (5 MOA) versions. We tested the red version at Gunsite atop a Glock 19 Gen5 MOS. Both worked perfectly. With a battery life of 20,000 hours, the RAD PRO will go years without needing a fresh battery, yet AUTO Shutoff Function and CT Motion extend the life even further. Textured panels on the side of the RAD PRO afford purchase when racking the slide. For a pistol-mounted red dot priced at just $300, it’s a good value, and when paired with the CMR-207G Rail Master Pro, it offers protection both day and night.

After dinner on the final day, Gunsite instructors set up a course to test our night skills. Each attendee went down a 75-yard line, engaging steel targets with our pistols from 20 yards to well over 50. I decided to forgo the red dot and only use the CMR-207’s green laser. With the 400-lumen white light illuminating the targets and bright green aiming point showing point of impact, it wasn’t even a challenge. Like all CT products, the CMR-207G is built tough with an aluminum body. Its ambidextrous activation buttons are simple to use. The unit operates in three user-selectable modes: laser only, laser and light, and light only. A single CR123 battery powers the unit. If it’s accidentally activated, while holstering or placing in a glovebox, the unit will turn off after 5 minutes to prevent battery drain. The CMR-207G is a great buy for $285.

IMPRESSIONS           

During the Gunsite event, we fired from contact distance to over 200 yards in lighting conditions ranging from bright desert sunshine to darkness under the Arizona stars. We collectively sent thousands of rounds downrange through RAD-equipped firearms, and the red dots and lights/lasers worked exactly as advertised. In fact, they outperformed the Glock 19, which had some issues with frangible ammo. Thinking back, I never witnessed a single CT product malfunction. Considering that 25 shooters were testing 50 new red dots and another 50 light/lasers, that’s impressive. It leads me to this conclusion: CT makes quality products that nearly anyone can afford.

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