Sightmark Ultra Shot Review From Experts (2023 Updated)

The Sightmark Ultra Shot is a series of reflex sights designed for firearms, including shotguns, rifles, and handguns. They are known for their versatility, durability, and affordability, making them a popular choice for hunters, target shooters, law enforcement, and tactical operators.

Sightmark Ultra Shot Review: Quick Overview

One of the key features of Sightmark is its quick target acquisition. The sight picture is clear and crisp, with a red dot reticle that is easy to see in both bright and low light conditions. This allows for fast target acquisition and improved accuracy, making it easier to hit your target, whether you’re shooting at a moving target or taking aim at a stationary one.

In terms of durability, Sightmark is built to last. The sight housing is made from aircraft-grade aluminum, which is both lightweight and strong. This makes it resistant to damage from recoil, as well as being able to withstand tough conditions in the field. The sight is also shockproof, making it ideal for use in high-impact environments.

Another advantage of this optic is its affordability. Compared to other high-end reflex sights, Sightmark offers excellent value for the price. This makes it a popular choice for budget-conscious shooters who still want a quality sight that can perform well in a variety of shooting situations.

While the sight has generally received positive reviews from users, there have been some reported issues with battery life. Some users have reported that the battery drains quickly, which can be inconvenient if you’re out in the field and don’t have a spare battery on hand. However, this issue can be mitigated by using high-quality batteries and ensuring that the sight is turned off when not in use.

Sightmark Ultra Shot series is also user-friendly and easy to use. The sight is adjustable for windage and elevation, and the brightness of the reticle can be adjusted to suit the lighting conditions. Additionally, the sight is compatible with both standard and Picatinny rails, making it easy to mount on a wide range of firearms.

In terms of performance, Sightmark delivers reliable results. The sight is accurate and stable, and the reticle is sharp and clear. This makes it ideal for use in a variety of shooting scenarios, including hunting, target shooting, and tactical operations. The sight is also compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry and maneuver with your firearm.

The Ultra Shot series is also backed by a limited lifetime warranty, giving you peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected. The warranty covers any defects in materials and workmanship, so you can be confident that your sight will perform well for years to come.

Sightmark Ultra Shot Reflex Sight Full Review

Reticle

The reticle is one of the most important components of a reflex sight, and Sightmark offers a clear and crisp red dot reticle that is easy to see in both bright and low light conditions. The reticle is adjustable for brightness, allowing you to fine-tune the sight to suit the lighting conditions of your shooting environment. This makes it easier to acquire and track your target and helps to ensure that you can make accurate shots, even in challenging conditions.

The red dot reticle of the Ultra Shot is also precise and stable, ensuring that you can aim with confidence. This is especially important when shooting at fast-moving targets.

The size of the reticle is also well-suited for a variety of shooting scenarios. It is small enough to be precise yet large enough to be easily visible, even in challenging conditions. This makes it ideal for use in both close-range and long-range shooting scenarios, and it allows you to quickly acquire your target and take precise shots.

The reticle of the Sightmark is an important part of the sight’s overall performance, and it is one of the reasons why this sight is so popular among hunters, target shooters, law enforcement, and tactical operators. The clear, precise, and adjustable reticle helps you make accurate shots, even in challenging conditions, and it is one of the key features that sets the Ultra Shot apart from other reflex sights.

The Sightmark reflex sight offers shooters the ability to choose from four different reticle options, providing a high degree of customization and flexibility. The four reticle options include:

• 3MOA dot + 50MOA circle – This reticle features a smaller red dot in the center of a larger, circular reticle. The 3 MOA dot provides precise aiming, while the 50 MOA circle provides a larger target area that makes it easier to see the target. This reticle is a great choice for hunters and shooters who prefer a slightly more complex sight picture.

• 3MOA dot + 50MOA crosshair – This reticle features a smaller red dot in the center of two intersecting crosshairs. The crosshairs provide precise aiming and make it easier to make accurate shots, while the 3 MOA dot provides quick target acquisition. This reticle is a great choice for target shooters and tactical operators who need a highly precise sight picture.

• 3MOA dot + 30MOA circle/crosshair – This reticle features a smaller red dot in the center of a circular reticle that also features crosshairs. The circle provides a larger target area, while the crosshairs provide precise aiming. This reticle is a great choice for hunters and shooters who prefer a versatile sight picture that combines both the benefits of a circle and crosshair reticle.

The four different reticle options offered by the Ultra Shot scope provide shooters with a high degree of customization and flexibility, so you can go for any that meets your needs.

Adjustable brightness 

Sightmark features an adjustable reticle brightness setting that allows shooters to adjust the brightness of the reticle to match the lighting conditions. The sight is activated using the brightness control knob, which has three daytime brightness controls and three night vision mode settings.

The daytime brightness controls allow shooters to adjust the brightness of the reticle to match the ambient light conditions, ensuring that the reticle is always visible and easily seen. The night vision mode settings provide shooters with the ability to use the sight in low light conditions, making it easier to see the target in the dark.

The adjustable reticle brightness setting is a useful feature that provides shooters with the flexibility to use the sight in a variety of lighting conditions. Whether you are shooting in bright sunlight, overcast conditions, or in the dark, Sightmark has a brightness setting that is right for you. This adjustable brightness also provides a greater degree of versatility and helps to extend the life of the sight by reducing the risk of overloading the reticle and damaging the unit.

Glass Clarity

Glass clarity is an important aspect of a reflex sight, as it affects the brightness and overall image quality of the sight picture. The Ultra Shot is known for its good glass clarity, which helps to provide a clear and sharp sight picture.

The sight uses multi-coated lenses that are designed to provide a bright and clear image, even in low light conditions. The lenses are also designed to minimize distortion and glare, ensuring that the sight picture is accurate and true to life.

This good glass clarity allows for quick and easy target acquisition. Whether you’re shooting at a moving target or taking aim at a stationary one, the clear and bright sight picture of the Sightmark helps you aim with confidence and make precise shots.

Eye relief 

Eye relief is an important aspect of any reflex sight, as it determines how far the shooter’s eye can be from the sight and still see a full and clear sight picture. The sight offers a generous amount of eye relief (unlimited eye relief), making it easy to use for shooters with a variety of head sizes and shooting styles.

The sight’s unlimited eye relief is designed to be flexible, allowing you to position your eye in a way that is most comfortable and natural for you. This helps to minimize eye fatigue and strain, and it makes it easier to make accurate shots, even during extended shooting sessions.

The generous eye relief of the Ultra Shot also makes it easier to use the sight with a variety of firearms, as it provides a clear sight picture even when the firearm is mounted at different heights or angles. This makes it easier to use the sight with a wide range of shooting styles and positions, and it allows you to make accurate shots, no matter what the shooting scenario.

Durability

Durability is an important aspect of any shooting accessory, and Sightmark Shot is designed to be rugged and reliable in challenging conditions. The sight is made from high-quality materials that are built to last, and it is designed to withstand the recoil and shock of even heavy-caliber firearms.

The sight is constructed with a solid aluminum body that is both lightweight and sturdy. The body is coated with a tough, anodized aluminum construction that provides protection against scratches, dings, and other signs of wear and tear.

The sight’s lens is also designed with a scratch resistant lens system. The scratch resistant lens system is meant to withstand the rigors of heavy use. The lenses are also shock proof. If the firearm is dropped or bumped, they are less likely to be damaged because they are shock proof. In addition, the sight is designed to be waterproof, making it an excellent choice for hunters and shooters who may encounter wet or rainy conditions. 

Mount

The Sight is a versatile reflex sight that is designed to be used with a variety of firearms, including shotguns and rifles. One of its key features is the in-built, integrated weaver mount, which allows for easy and secure attachment to all Picatinny interfaces or weaver interfaces.

The weaver mount is a type of mounting system that is widely used in the firearms industry. It is a standardized system that is compatible with a wide range of firearms and accessories, making it an ideal choice for those who own multiple firearms or who wish to switch their sight between firearms. The integrated weaver mount on the Ultra Shot eliminates the need for additional mounting hardware, making it easy to attach and remove the sight from the firearm.

The weaver mount also provides a high degree of stability and accuracy, ensuring that the sight remains firmly in place and maintains its zero during use. This stability is particularly important for shooters who use their firearms for hunting or tactical operations, where a stable and accurate sight is critical for making accurate shots.

If you want to know more about zeroing a rifle scope, check out this article How to zero a rifle scope at 100 yards

Interlok adjustment system

The Sightmark optics features an interlok adjustment mechanism, which is a unique internal retention feature that ensures elevation and windage adjustments maintain zero during recoil. This system is designed to provide shooters with greater accuracy and reliability, ensuring that their sight remains properly adjusted even after heavy recoil.

One of the key advantages of the Interlok adjustment system is that it eliminates the need for a locking screw, which is often required by other reflex sights. In traditional reflex sight designs, the adjustment must be unlocked with a screw, and this can be easily damaged or broken if the shooter fails to loosen it. With this adjustment system, there is no need to worry about loosening or tightening screws, as adjustments can be made on the fly.

The Interlok adjustment system is designed to provide shooters with greater accuracy and reliability, and it is particularly useful for those who use their firearms in fast-paced, dynamic environments. Whether you are hunting, competing, or engaging in tactical operations, the Interlok adjustment system helps to ensure that your sight remains properly adjusted and ready for use at all times.

Battery

The Sightmark is powered by a CR1620 battery, which provides a somewhat short battery life of about 25 hours. This means that you cannot use the sight for extended periods of time, and you must be ready to replace it as often. The battery life of 25 hours is not reliable, so having an extra battery at hand will save you the disappointment.

The CR1620 battery is a widely available, small, and lightweight battery that is commonly used in electronic devices such as calculators, cameras, and other small electronic devices. It is easy to obtain and relatively inexpensive, making it a cost-effective choice for powering the Ultra Shot.

Comparison With Competitors

The Sightmark Ultra can be compared to some popular red dot sights like; Vortex Crossfire II, Bushnell Trophy TRS-25, and Holosun HS403R Micro Red Dot:

All four red dot sights offer a 1x magnification, allowing for unlimited eye relief and a wide field of view. The Sightmark Ultra Shot and Vortex Crossfire II have larger objective lens diameters, which can potentially provide better light transmission and clarity. When it comes to the reticles they offer, Sightmark provides a four-pattern reticle option; meanwhile, Crossfire II and Holosun HS403R both feature a single reticle option, while the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 offers a 3 MOA dot reticle.

The Holosun HS403R stands out with an impressive battery life of up to 50,000 hours, making it highly efficient. The Crossfire II also offers a significantly long battery life, but Sightmark and Bushnell Trophy have comparatively shorter battery lives.

The Bushnell TRS-25 is the most budget-friendly option, making it suitable for those on a tight budget. The Sightmark Ultra and Crossfire II are in the mid-range price category, while the Holosun HS403R falls within the mid-range to high-end range.

FAQs

How does the Sightmark Ultra Shot sight work?

The Sightmark Ultra Shot is an electronic sight that uses red dot technology. It works by projecting a small illuminated red dot onto a glass screen that you look through. This dot serves as the aiming point and helps you align your firearm accurately with your target. When you look through the sight, the red dot appears to be on top of your target, allowing for quick and easy aiming.

What is the battery life of the Sightmark Ultra Shot?

The battery life of the Sightmark sights can vary depending on the specific model and usage. On average, this Ultra Shot battery can last for approximately 25 hours. 

Is the Sightmark compatible with all firearms?

The Ultra Shot is designed to be compatible with a wide range of firearms. It typically features a universal mount that can be easily attached to most firearms using standard mounting systems like Picatinny or Weaver rails. This makes it versatile and suitable for use with rifles, shotguns, and other firearms equipped with compatible mounting options.

Can the reticle color be changed on the Sightmark Ultra Shot?

Yes, the Sightmark Ultra Shot has the ability to change the reticle color between green and red, although the red color is the most common.

What is the warranty period for the Sightmark Ultra Shot?

The warranty period for Sightmark can vary depending on the specific model and the retailer you purchase it from. Generally, Sightmark offers a limited lifetime warranty for their products and this is also applicable to this sight.

How durable is the Sightmark Ultra Shot in extreme weather conditions?

The Ultra Shot is designed to be durable and withstand a range of weather conditions. While it is not completely impervious to extreme weather, it is built to be rugged and capable of handling outdoor use. It is water-resistant, meaning it can withstand rain, splashes, or even submersion to a certain depth, depending on the specific model. It is also designed to resist fogging, so you can maintain clear visibility in various weather conditions.

Can the Sightmark Ultra Shot be used with both eyes open?

Yes, the Ultra Shot is designed to be used with both eyes open. This is one of the advantages of red dot sights in general. By keeping both eyes open, you can maintain situational awareness and have a wider field of view while still being able to see the red dot superimposed on your target. This can improve target acquisition speed and overall shooting experience.

Is the Sightmark Ultra Shot parallax-free?

The Ultra Shot has minimal parallax. While it’s always recommended to maintain proper eye alignment with the sight, the Ultra Shot generally offers good parallax performance for practical shooting scenarios.

Is the Sightmark Ultra Shot compatible with night vision devices?

No, the Sightmark Ultra Shot is not compatible with night vision devices. It is designed for use in daylight or low-light conditions but does not have night vision capabilities.

Can the brightness of the reticle be adjusted to match different lighting conditions?

Yes, the Sightmark Ultra Shot allows you to adjust the brightness of the reticle. This feature ensures that the reticle is visible and clear in different lighting environments, whether it’s bright sunlight or dim lighting.

Does the Ultra Shot have parallax adjustment?

No, the Ultra Shot does not have a specific parallax adjustment feature. However, it is designed to provide a parallax-free aiming experience at typical shooting distances, ensuring accuracy and ease of use.

Does the sight have an auto-shutoff feature to conserve battery life?

No, it does not have an auto-shutoff feature. It’s important to manually turn off the sight when not in use to conserve battery life and ensure optimal performance.

Are there different models or versions of the Ultra Shot available?

Yes, there are different models and versions of the Sightmark Ultra Shot available. These may vary in features, reticle patterns, or other specifications.