In this Viridian RFX11 review, author Dan Abraham evaluates the usefulness of a green dot optic on a handgun. Green dots may be more visible in bright light than red dots. But, does that actually play out on the range? The RFX11 was provided to the author by the company for the purposes of this article.
I have an intense love for the Springfield Armory Hellcat line of pistols. I have been carrying the original Hellcat with the 3” barrel daily since the day it was launched. Its subcompact size and weight were a game-changer for me. The Hellcat rides on the hip better than any pistol I have ever carried. On top of that, the superior ergonomics, capacity, precision, and reliability of the Hellcats are on a higher level. What’s not to love? I have extreme confidence that the Hellcat will be there for me when I need it the most.
When Springfield Armory launched the Hellcat Pro, I found my love for the Hellcat Pro line of pistols to be just as intense. While remaining small and lightweight, the Hellcat Pro — which is only slightly larger and yet still a breeze to control when shooting — offers increased capacity with incredible shooting accuracy and reliability that is second to none.
Much like the Hellcat, the Hellcat Pro is an exceptional everyday carry handgun. But, what could help take it to the next level?
What’s Next?
I felt that the Hellcat Pro — of which all the models are OSP (Optical Sight Pistol) versions — deserved a first-class, quality-made reflex optic. The reflex optic that I chose would have to complement the Hellcat Pro not just in style, but also be tough and reliable.
Furthermore, I wanted a green dot reticle, shake-awake function and crystal-clear glass. The reflex optic had to stand out from the crowd with superior performance, just as much as the Hellcat Pro does.
Enter Viridian
I first learned about the Viridian RFX11 when I got to try it out on the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F. At that time, I did not know that Viridian produced a reflex optic that was specifically custom-created for the Echelon.
The RFX11 fits the Echelon like a glove. It had raised points on the bottom of the optic that snapped easily into the Variable Interface Optic System, tight and secure. Also, the Echelon’s rear slide serrations were mimicked on the body of the optic perfectly. It gave the appearance that the RFX11 was part of the pistol.
It easily met my expectations because the reticle was green, it was shake-awake, the glass was crystal clear, it had a wide field of view, and it was built solidly — much like the Echelon. Most importantly, with a couple of clicks for elevation and windage, I was ringing steel better than I deserved.
At that moment, I realized the Echelon and the Viridian RFX11 were a perfect combination.
For the Hellcat?
Not long after, I learned that Viridian also produces a reflex optic that is made custom-designed for the Springfield Armory Hellcat line of pistols.
The body of the optic mimics that of the Hellcat Pro’s rear slide serrations, just as it did with the Echelon. The old saying that “timing is everything” came to mind because I was just thinking about upgrading my reflex optic for my Hellcat Pro.
Understandably, I was excited to have the opportunity for the same pistol/optic experiences with the Hellcat Pro that I did with the Echelon 4.5F and the RFX11. The qualities and functions were so similar, I knew it would be a great choice for the Hellcat Pro.
Tell Me More
The Viridian RFX11 has an RMSC footprint with a 3 MOA green dot. Its housing is a high-strength, thermo-molded polymer that makes the optic extremely light, yet strong. It weighs just 0.44 oz. and is IPX4 water-resistant.
The RFX11 has a shake-awake function that Viridian calls “instant on.” I put the instant-on function to the test with a stopwatch. I moved the optic, then let it rest, and after two minutes and nine seconds, the green dot disappeared. With the slightest movement of the pistol or the table, it was on with the green dot appearing instantly.
The optic uses ambient light sensing to automatically control the brightness intensity of the green dot. If the surrounding conditions are bright, like a sunny day, the green dot will appear brighter and more visible to the eye. In low-light settings, the green dot will appear less intense, allowing the shooter to easily focus on the target.
Therefore, there are no brightness buttons to adjust on the body of the reflex optic. In short, the ambient light sensor takes away any guesswork at the range. Quite simply, this and the shake-awake feature make it a hassle-free way to enjoy range time.
Viridian uses strong glass that is fully multi-coated, which creates a distortion-free window for the best optic clarity. I mentioned earlier that a crystal-clear glass window is a must-have for me, and the RFX11 delivered.
The glass dimensions are 16x22mm, which is perfect for a carry gun. The field of view is wide enough to confidently transition targets, but it’s not oversized and bulky like many full-size pistol reflex optics. Also, the RFX11 is powered by a single, included CR2032 battery. Viridian claims the battery life will achieve 30,000 hours of usage in the mid-setting.
What’s in the Box?
The Viridian RFX11 ships with several items in the box. The package includes the RFX11 with a protective rubber cover. I use the protective cover when the pistol is in the safe and when I transport it in a range bag.
The CR2032 battery is included along with two hex wrenches. One hex wrench is for mounting, and the other is for adjusting for windage and elevation. It has an optic cleaning cloth, a Viridian sticker and a quick start guide that will explain relevant information for shooters who are new to pistol optics. A registration card is included so the buyer can claim ownership in case they need to send the RFX11 for customer service.
Lastly, the box will include a screw set that is the perfect size screws for the Hellcat or Hellcat Pro.
At the Range
When I mounted the Viridian RFX11 on my Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F, I had high expectations. I hoped the optic would live up to my high standard of perfection. The Echelon 4.5F was the best in the market, so the Viridian RFX11 had to not only complement the Echelon 4.5F, but also help bring it to its fullest potential.
Once the RFX11 was sighted in, I ran the Echelon 4.5F hard. I quickly transitioned targets, shot some controlled pairs, and backed up to past 25 yards just to make sure. After shooting through four of the Echelon’s 20+1 round magazines, I knew the RFX11 was a winner. The pistol/optic combination was like peanut butter and jelly.
My expectations were just as high for the Viridian RFX11 once it was mounted on the Hellcat Pro. It only took a couple of clicks for both elevation and windage, and the RFX11 was sighted in. My goal all along was to find a reflex optic that would enhance the Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro to its fullest potential.
Much like the Echelon 4.5 with the Viridian RFX11, I ran the Hellcat Pro hard and it performed like a champion. I truly enjoyed the 3 MOA green dot, finding it to be easy to acquire. The conditions were bright and the ambient light sensor adjusted as intended.
So long as I did my job behind the trigger, the Hellcat Pro and the Viridian RFX11 did theirs. The combination wasn’t just peanut butter and jelly. It was chocolate cookies and milk.
How Much Is It?
The Veridian RFX11 for the Hellcat series is available at the Springfield Armory Webstore for just $229.99. When compared with other reflex optics with similar build quality and functions, it is clear to me that price is a bargain.
I refuse to mount a subpar reflex optic on a pistol as fine as the Hellcat. The Viridian RFX11 instills confidence, and I enjoy the RFX11 so much I purchased two more. I believe you will share the same experiences as I did if you mount the Viridian RFX11 on any of your Springfield Armory handguns.
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