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Pistol Red Dot Tech Tip

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https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/150601935/m/9810051994

March 04, 2023, 09:45 AM
Pete K
Pistol Red Dot Tech Tip
I realize that there is a love/hate relationship with installing an electronic item like a red dot on a pistol.
With regard to battery life, I have found the big issue is with the battery itself rather than the device.
We have no idea how long most batteries sit on the shelf. A typical 3 volt red dot battery will measure as high as 3.35 volts, and one that has been sitting a while can measure closer to 3.0 volts.
Clearly, longer life can be expected with a 3.3 ish volt battery than a 3.0 ish battery.
Before I swap mine out, I check it with a $10 DVOM and write the voltage and date on the battery with a sharpie. Personally, if it doesn’t check at a minimum 3.15 volts, I won’t use it.
This habit of checking and documenting takes no time, costs no money (assuming you own a DVOM) and I recommend incorporating it into your predetermined maintenance schedule.
May 14, 2023, 04:53 PM
jljones
You happen to have a link to the $10 DOVM?




www.opspectraining.com

"It's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it works out for them"



May 14, 2023, 05:10 PM
babue
I use this one. https://www.harborfreight.com/...ultimeter-63759.html
I have had it for years and works fine for simple stuff.
May 15, 2023, 01:01 PM
BlackTalonJHP
For a $10 DMM, look at the Aneng M108 or M118.

I paid $10 for my Amprobe PM60 but they are discontinued
August 29, 2023, 07:40 PM
4MUL8R
Voltage is not sufficient to evaluate a battery. Several inexpensive DVOM offer a battery load test. Suggest you choose these DVOM for true eval.


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Trying to simplify my life...
May 22, 2025, 07:14 AM
Pete K
Things have gotten expensive and the Harbor Freight DVOM in the link above is no more. They replaced it with a $20 model but Amazon still has deals on reasonably accurate offshore junk. Still $10 availability if you look.
https://www.amazon.com/ANENG-M...s%2C161&sr=8-11&th=1
June 22, 2025, 01:02 PM
bumper
While checking battery voltage alone is good, better still is a tester that applies a load to the battery while monitoring voltage. While this one doesn't give voltage, it rates the battery with a percentage of useful life remaining. Quick & easy, but at near $100, not cheap:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000...t_b_fed_asin_title_3

It probably only makes sense if you have a lot of batteries to test. Being in electronics field for the last 60+ years, I've almost as much test equipment as guns.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bumper,