NEW! Steiner T1Xi Red Dot

Built for everything from CQB operations to hunting and compatible with numerous firearm platforms, the Steiner T1Xi red dot is quite simply the solid choice for any occasion

by Rob Reaser

Three years ago to the day, we published our review of Steiner’s MPS (micro pistol sight). Since that time, I’ve pretty much claimed it as one of my favorite red dots — not just for pistol use, but also as a solid sighting system for carbines and shotguns. I even mounted it on a Henry lever-action a couple years ago and used it to put a couple of hefty deer in the freezer.

Recently, Steiner introduced yet another red dot specifically for long-arm use, although it would certainly be right at home on a hunting revolver. Called the T1Xi, this red dot fills something of a gap in Steiner’s current red dot lineup as the other red dot offerings are rather niched: DRS1X (CQB), T332 (AR-centric), and MPS (handgun).

Steiner had its eye on the “tactical sport shooter” during the development of this optic, and then realized the advantages offered to hunters and, of course, the personal and professional defense segment. Simultaneously, Steiner introduced the TM3X magnifier, which further expands the T1Xi’s versatility by delivering 3x magnification for longer shots yet it can be flipped out of the way for CQB applications. Thus, the T1Xi can serve a variety of functions.

Another part of that diversity is found in the reticle. Here, Steiner engineers equipped the T2Xi with three options. First is the 2 MOA illuminated red dot. Two MOA is about as small as you want to go with a red dot and still be able to pick it up for fast sight picture acquisition. The plus to this size reticle is that it lets you take advantage of your rifle or shotgun (firing slugs) ballistic potential since you can take precise aim out to 100 meters and beyond. With red dots exceeding 3 MOA, as is often typical, the dot is so big relative to the target that precision aiming is a cross-your-fingers affair.

New! Steiner T1xi Red Dot — A soft-touch button on the left side of the T1Xi allows shooters to quickly change the optic to one of three reticle configurations.

In addition to the requisite red dot, the T1Xi also includes a 60 MOA illuminated circle. This is perfect for close-range engagement with a carbine or SBR, as you can quickly center the circle on your target and be confident of shot placement.

Lastly, the operator can select both the 60 MOA circle and 2 MOA dot as the reticle. This is ideal for times when you may be transitioning between targets of greatly varying distances. The dual reticle mode also works well for hunting upland birds or when pursuing turkeys with full chokes and tight pellet strings.

Continuing with the diversity and adaptability theme, the T1Xi comes with two mounting options. Both utilize a clamp design to secure the mount to a Picatinny rail.

The high mount is perfect for rifle and carbine applications where you want to ensure the use of backup sights. The height placed the T1Xi in perfect co-witness with my rifle’s Magpul MBUS sight set.

For shotgun or hunting revolver applications, the T1Xi low mount works great. Granted, the sight line doesn’t offer that perfect cheek weld for wingshooting, but for defensive work, turkey hunting, or big-game hunting with slugs, the optic height works just fine.

The reticle offers 11 illumination settings: nine day/night brightness levels and two NV-compatible modes. The illumination dial sits atop the housing and is robustly knurled for easy transition between settings.

Affirming the longer-range application of the T1Xi is a surprisingly fine reticle adjustment. The windage and elevation controls allow for a 0.5 MOA movement per click. Many red dots of this class offer only 1 MOA per click adjustment, so this model really lets you dial-in your point-of-aim, point-of-impact.

Overall, the T1Xi is a top-tier red dot built to the same pro-grade benchmark we’ve come to expect from Steiner’s T-series optics. The glass is crystal clear, lacking any color aberrations or annoying edge distortions that are all too common in many enclosed red dot systems. The unit is powered by a conventional CR2032 battery that is accessed at the top of the illumination dial, and battery life is rated up to 50,000 hours.

From my evaluation, the Steiner T1Xi brings together all the key attributes you could ask for in a red dot system. It works across multiple firearm platforms and is designed to perform in a wide range of applications — from room clearing on an SBR to busting a hog with a shotgun at 175 yards.

Could you ask for more? Well, you can try…