TRUGLO

TruGlo is an American sights manufacturer based in Richardson, Texas. Founded in 1993, the company specializes in fiber optic sights, tritium sights, and combined TFO sights. TruGlo products are used on pistols, rifles, and shotguns as aftermarket replacements for factory sights to improve visibility in various lighting conditions.

How TruGlo sights work

TruGlo produces three main types of sights based on the technology used:

• Fiber optic – a plastic fiber collects ambient light along its entire length and concentrates it into a bright dot at the end. No batteries needed. However, it does not work in darkness because it has no light source of its own. Price ranges from ~$20 to ~$60.
• Tritium – a sealed glass capsule contains tritium (a radioactive isotope of hydrogen), which excites a phosphor layer that glows in the dark. Tritium has a half-life of 12.3 years, so the sights last 10–15 years. In bright daylight, the tritium glow is washed out by ambient light and the dot is less visible. Price: ~$60–$120.
• TFO (Tritium Fiber Optic) – combines both technologies. In daylight the fiber optic element provides a bright dot; in darkness the tritium takes over. The shooter gets a clearly visible aiming point in all conditions. Price: ~$80–$150.

Fiber optic vs. tritium

TruGlo sights are an alternative to electronic red dot sights. Unlike red dot sights, they require no power and add no weight to the firearm. A red dot sight, however, offers faster target acquisition at close range and a wider field of view.

Related terms: red dot sight, FFP, MOA