Review 

By Billy Allen 

Introduction 

Outback Optics is an Australian-owned company founded by two-time Olympian shooter George Barton. The company was established to deliver reliable, affordable optics tailored for local conditions, with a focus on serving rural stores and independent dealers with quality shooting optics. Outback Optics developed the Redback Red Dot sight for the Australian hunting and shooting market. The sight is constructed to a high standard and, like most other optics in this price point and class, is manufactured in Asia. 

Designed for rapid target acquisition at close- to medium-ranges, the Redback RD is a compact, parallax-free sight ideal for lever-action, lever release, straight pull, pump action and rimfire rifles and/or shotguns. Its robust construction and intuitive features aim to meet the needs of both novice shooters and seasoned hunters. In this review, we’ll unpack the Redback RD through first impressions, technical specifications, field performance and final thoughts, drawing on hands-on testing to evaluate its place in the Australian shooting landscape. 

First impressions 

Opening the Redback RD’s store-quality box revealed a well-thought-out package: the sight itself, a clear instruction manual, a sighting tool, an oversized lens cleaning cloth and a rubber bikini cover to protect the lenses during transport or storage. These practical inclusions signal a brand that prioritises the shooter’s experience, even at the entry-level price point. 

The sight feels reassuringly solid, with no hint of flimsiness despite its compact 70mm length and 114.5g weight. Its aluminium housing suggests durability suited to Australia’s rugged terrain, whether strapped to the handlebars of a quad bike, thrown into the ute or carried in hand chasing pigs along creek beds. The 20mm objective lens, fully multi-coated for clarity, promises crisp visuals free of the haze common in budget optics. 

As someone with limited red dot experience, I found the controls intuitive. The side-mounted illumination dial, which doubles as the CR2032 battery compartment, offers 11 brightness settings with positive, tactile clicks—easy to adjust even with gloved hands. I noted the 4.5 MOA dot’s clarity, brightness adjustability and uncluttered sight picture. The Redback RD immediately instils confidence as a no-fuss, well-built tool ready for the field. 

Technical specifications and data 

The Redback RD is engineered for simplicity and versatility, with specs that balance performance and affordability. Its 1x magnification ensures a wide, unobstructed field of view, ideal for rapid shot scenarios. The 20mm objective lens and 28mm tube diameter keep the profile low, with standard Picatinny or Weaver mounting compatibility. 

The 4.5 MOA red dot reticle strikes a practical balance for quick target acquisition without obscuring smaller targets at distance. Illumination adjusts across 11 levels, from low-light conditions to vivid bright daylight, powered by a CR2032 battery. Elevation and windage turrets offer ±35 MOA of adjustment in 1 MOA clicks, delivering precise zeroing with audible, tactile feedback. 

Fully multi-coated lenses enhance light transmission and reduce glare, critical in Australia’s intense sunlight. At 70mm long and 114.5g, the sight adds minimal bulk. It’s built to withstand tough conditions: shockproof to handle recoil, waterproof for wet environments and fog proof through nitrogen purging for humid and wet environments. Parallax-free, it minimises aiming errors from head movement. Outback Optics’ lifetime warranty, with no-questions-asked replacement, adds peace of mind, ensuring long-term reliability for Australian shooters. 

In the Field 

Mounting the Redback RD to my .44 Magnum 1894 Marlin lever-action was a breeze, clamping securely to the Picatinny rail using the included sighting tool. Zeroing at 50 yards was straightforward, with the 1 MOA click adjustments taking only moments to master compared to coarser open sights. Once set, the sight transformed the rifle’s performance. 

The 11 brightness levels adapted effortlessly to variable light, from shaded scrub to open fields. During offhand rapid-fire testing at an eight-inch Blissalloy steel target at 50 yards, the Redback RD shone. The 4.5 MOA dot locked onto the target instinctively, enabling consistent hits and shaving seconds off shot-to-shot times compared to the Marlin’s factory semi-buckhorn open sights. During the sighting in process, I shot a three-shot group clustered into a 1-inch group—a marked improvement over the two- to three-inch groups typical with open sights. Through 50 rounds of stout .44 Mag, the sight held zero without issue, proving its shockproof claim. 

On a youth-sized .22 Savage Rascal, the Redback RD’s light weight was a boon. Young family members quickly grasped its use with minimal coaching, safely hitting a two-litre Coke bottle at 20 yards with grins all round. The sight turned a potentially daunting introduction to shooting into a fun, confidence-building experience. Across both rifles, the Redback RD delivered reliable, failure-free performance, excelling for quick pest control or recreational plinking. 

Final thoughts 

The Outback Optics Redback RD is a standout entry-level red dot, delivering reliable performance for close quarters shooting. On my .44 Mag Marlin, it enables precise, ethical shots at 100 yards. Its size is perfectly balanced: visible yet unobtrusive, avoiding the pitfalls of dots that are either too large to be precise or too small to find quickly. 

This sight suits any rifle built for fast, close-range work for pest control and recreational plinking. It’s also a fantastic tool for introducing kids to shooting, transforming rimfire sessions into engaging, safe fun that builds skills and enthusiasm. Weighing just 114.5g, it’s an ideal backup for remote hunts, where a damaged scope can end a trip. With many modern rifles lacking iron sights, the Redback RD’s compact size makes it a practical spare to keep in your pack—perhaps not a full scope replacement, but enough to stay in the hunt. 

Backed by Outback Optics’ lifetime warranty, administered by an Australian-owned company that stands by its gear, the Redback RD offers genuine value. It’s not a high-end optic, but it doesn’t pretend to be. For shooters seeking an affordable, durable red dot that performs above its price point, the Redback RD is a smart choice that enhances every outing.