Didn't realize that when having the same sight being discussed on a different type of weapon was an issue.
It is an auto mode but only one time is it acted funky and I think it's cuz it is in the dark for too long and the battery is down weak or bad whatever you want to say. Now that said that might be a drawback to your solar back up because you might not know your battery is dead until it's stored in the dark for a long period of time? Let it charges up enough to turn the reticle on within just a few minutes. So unless grabbed and used immediately someone might not know this I might get it out take it to the range get it back out of a case that sits around for a few minutes you know the drill.
