REVIEW: SIGHTMARK Volta Solar Red Dot Sight

Today we want to take a closer look at the SIGHTMARK Volta Solar Red Dot Sight. It is intended for hunting and sports shooters. However, we also want to test its "tactical" qualities.

This is what you get with the SIGHTMARK Volta Solar Red Dot Sight. And for all you fact fans, here are the technical specifications:

• Magnification 1x
• Dot size 2 MOA
• Ocular lens dimensions 24×16 mm
• Objective lens dimensions 27×20 mm
• Side range adjustment 160 MOA, 1/2 MOA per click
• Elevation adjustment 120 MOA, 1/2 MOA per click
• Material: Aluminum 6061-T6
• Maximum recoil .338 Win Mag
• IP67 - waterproof 30 min up to 1m depth
• Battery type AAA, 2 pieces
• Battery life 800 to 400,000 h

Here is our video about the Sightmark Volta Solar Red Dot.

And here is the candidate itself: On the left side of the Volta Solar, you will find the SIGHTMARK logo and the control buttons. With a length of 82 mm, it appears relatively long. However, it fits well on the weapon.

The right side features the elevation and windage adjustments. The adjustment works very well and nothing has shifted during our test. For those who are concerned about unintentional adjustments, it is recommended to apply a strip of tape over them.

The mounting is done with a clamp screw which is not further secured. The mount sits securely and thanks to the built-in spring, nothing has loosened during our test. The SIGHTMARK Volta Solar is simply mounted on the Picatinny rail. Of course, you need to loosen the slotted screw beforehand. Then just tighten the screw again.

During mounting, you have two height options available. One is Lower 1/3 with the optical axis about 40 mm above the top of the rail, and an absolute co-witness mount with the optical axis 31 mm above the rail.

Overall, the Volta Solar measures 82 x 41 x 35 mm and weighs 228 g with battery and the high mount.

The biggest feature of the Volta Solar is the solar panel and the ability to operate it completely without batteries. You just have to decide whether you want a fixed brightness of the dot, in which case it relies on the battery voltage, or if you want an automatic brightness adjustment.

In the second case, you are in solar mode. This is quite useful when you and your target are in the same ambient brightness. On the shooting range where we are usually, it works perfectly. All outdoors. The problem only arises when you are under a roof or inside a building, but your target is in bright sunlight. The solar panel only supplies little power and the dot is rather dark and cannot be distinguished against the target.

In this case, you have to switch to battery mode to brighten up the dot again. A problem with all previously available solar optics. In tactical situations, the solar mode plays a subordinate role, unfortunately, because the battery is not charged. By the way, switching between modes is quite simple: by long-pressing the up arrow button.

The battery compartment is easy to open, once you know how. The slotted screw only needs to be turned 90° so that the slot is horizontal. Then the battery cover opens easily.

CONCLUSION: The SIGHTMARK Volta Solar Red Dot is a solid optic that has its place in hunting and sports shooting areas. The solar mode has its pros and cons, which everyone must decide for themselves if it suits them. Tactically, the SIGHTMARK Volta Solar Red Dot is unfortunately less useful, as it does not have night vision modes and the automatic brightness control leads to problems, so you tend to only use the battery mode. Otherwise, with the SIGHTMARK Volta Solar Red Dot, you definitely can't go wrong and it is a red dot that does what it's supposed to do.

The SIGHTMARK Volta Solar Red Dot is available here for 414 € in black.

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