How does a reflex sight operate?

A reflex sight operates by projecting a reticle image onto a specially coated lens, creating a clear and illuminated sight picture for the shooter. This design allows the user to maintain situational awareness by seeing the target through the lens while simultaneously viewing the reticle superimposed over that target. The lens is typically curved and reflective, allowing light to pass through while reflecting the reticle image back to the shooter's eye. This technology enhances the speed and accuracy of target acquisition, as the shooter can focus on the target without aligning the sight through traditional open or tube sights.

The other options describe different sight technologies. For instance, some optical sights might use a laser for targeting, but this is not characteristic of reflex sights. Holographic sights create a holographic reticle image, which is a different mechanism from how reflex sights function. Magnification sights, on the other hand, are designed to enlarge the target image, fundamentally differing from the reflex sight's design, which is meant to provide a non-magnified view for rapid aiming. Understanding these distinctions highlights why projecting an image onto a lens is the defining operation of a reflex sight.