Tritium vs fiber optic sights, both are well sought-after choices. However, the question is, which one works for you? That’s why you must know the difference between tritium sights and fiber optic sights to serve the best for your ideal purpose. So let’s delve into the details quickly.
When it comes to choosing the sight for guns, everyone has their own opinion. If you didn’t know, defensive gun sights have a long history dating back to the 1400s. So coming back, even though both tritium and fiber optic sights can line up the shots perfectly in their unique way, you should be able to choose the one that’s right for you.
Fiber optic sights have aiming points installed with fiber optic material, typically glass or plastic, that absorbs and transmits light to help align your sight towards the target. They work best in the daylight when the sun shines bright. They also glow in low-light situations and can be used for indoor shooting games.
Fiber optic sights have a clear advantage over other types of sights because they need light to become bright. They are also easier to use in low-light conditions, and due to their ability to be seen from a distance, they can help with greater accuracy. Moreover, they are easy to use and are the best when it comes to rapid shooting. Usually, most manufacturers offer a green front dot and two red rear dots to distinguish and enhance the visibility of sights. However, you can change them all red or all green depending on your preference.
Advantages
● Good accuracy
● Works best in daylight and low-light
● Low cost
Disadvantages
● They are fragile
● Not ideal for poor lighting
Tritium sights, commonly called night sights or tritium night sights, are widely used in duty pistols with iron sights. They appear as white dots in the daylight and glow during the night (glow in the dark, green color). Tritium glows on its own. To be precise, it does not need any external light source to illuminate it. So tritium sights are all you need for no-light conditions (but obviously, your target should be in light for you to see). To best explain, if you are all alone on a night (dark night), doomed, and all you have is a tritium sight pistol, you already are a winner. Even though tritium is great for night time use, it has a less than stellar daytime performance. They're not the best option during daylight hours and don't work well in bright sunlight. Nowadays, many manufacturers provide guns with tritium sights, but if you don’t have one, you can install tritium vials with the help of a gunsmith. Keep in mind that high-quality vials last for about ten years. Find out more about trinium here.
Advantages
● Works best in complete darkness or poor lighting
● Naturally green, which is easy on the eyes
Disadvantages
● The glow is unnoticeable at daylight
● Low-grade tritium does not glow bright
● Good quality tritium is expensive
Both tritium and fiber optic sights help your aim. But which one makes a better option for you depends on your lifestyle and why you use them. Precisely, whether you use them for self-defense, competition, or for your job requirements and whether it’s daytime or night determines the best one for you. Some guns come with both fiber optic and tritium sights to overcome the limitations of each.
I switched to a fiber front and black rear sight on my concealed carry. I am able to see the sight picture clearly at night, even under low light conditions.
The Tritium gas tube is easy to view in daylight or in low light conditions because of its glowing color that matches the brightness of your surroundings. The Fiber Optic Sights have a thinner profile compared to other types of sights which makes it easier for them not only fit in most standard handguards, but also in wider handguards.
Final Words- If you use handguns mainly at night or if your work involves traveling late at night, tritium sights are the most desirable choice. Otherwise, fiber optic sights are the best options as they work great both in bright and low lights. However, the choice is yours.
To find out more information about other applications of fiber optics, why not read our article here