Truglo has a reputation for producing quality tritium sights ideal for use as a night sight. Their two core tritium products are the TFO and TFX, with only a few features that differentiate these two sights from each other. However, it is important to know what they are before making a final decision on which sight to purchase based on your handgun’s use case.
Main Differences: Truglo TFO vs TFX?
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HuntersHalt: #1 Choice
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Pros:
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Pros:
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- Improved Version Of The TFO
- Great In All Lighting Conditions
- Better Accuracy - Contrasting Focus Ring
- Great In Low Light Conditions
- Durable - Hardened Steel
- Different Color Options - Green or Yello
TRUGLO has a fantastic reputation for making top quality pistol optics. If you’re stuck between the TRUGLO TFO and TFX, consider these main differences.
- Quality
- Reticle
- Durability
- Low Lighting Performance
- Accuracy
- Optic Size
What Is The TRUGLO TFO?
- Great In Low Light Conditions
- Durable - Hardened Steel
- Different Color Options - Green or Yello
- TFX Is Brighter & More Durable
The TruGlo Tritium Fiber Optic (TFO) Handgun Night Sights are the perfect way to improve your shooting accuracy, even in low light conditions. These sights use an advanced fiber optic system to create a bright, Green front & rear sight that is visible day or night. They make some of the best M&P Shield 9mm night sights as well as Glock sights. The three green aiming dots provide a quick and easy way to align your shot, and the sights are designed to fit standard holsters.
What Is The TRUGLO TFX Pro?
- Improved Version Of The TFO
- Great In All Lighting Conditions
- Better Accuracy - Contrasting Focus Ring
- More Expensive Than TFO
The improved version of the TFO sight, the TruGlo Brite-Site TFX Pro Sight is even more durable with a new front focus ring. This contrasting colored ring makes it easier to see in any light condition and ensures a crisp, clear sight picture. Whether you’re a competitive shooter or just looking for an upgrade, the TruGlo Brite-Site TFX Pro Sight is the way to go.
Note: If you’re leaning towards the TFX, you might as well get the Pro version as there is only a slight price difference.
#1) Quality Comparison
The Truglo TFO – First released in 2001, this patented sight has been the sight of choice for many a Glock or other handgun because of its reliability and quality. Truglo TFO sights are made of CNC aluminum. CNC aluminum is a super strong aluminum with the outer layer being oxidized to prevent corrosion of your TFO sights.
The Truglo TFX – The Truglo FTX incorporates TFO technology and was first released in 2014. It is also manufactured from high-quality CNC aluminum and rubber mixture. The design actually reminded me a lot of the Trijicon HD XR night sights.The mixture composition of aluminum and rubber is perfectly balanced to protect the tritium fiber optic and give it that quality edge above the Truglo TFO sights.
#2) Reticle Comparison
Truglo sights are characterized as a typical front and rear sights made for Handguns. Both these sights have similar reticles that are easy to use. They are defined by having green dots on the square notch rear sight and a green dot on the front sight.
However, the TFX front sight has an white-colored FOCUSLOCK ring on the front sight to increase visible contrast between the front and rear sights. Allowing for increased speed of accurately putting sight on the target.
#3) Durability Comparison
The Truglo TFO – As already mentioned, the tritium stick is protected by a layer of CNC aluminum and then with rubber armor. These sights are strong enough to handle the toughest of conditions. The sight is known to last for up to 12 years before illumination of the Truglo tritium diminishes.
However, Truglo recommends that a gunsmith install the sight with the proper sight tool. This will ensure proper sight installation to prevent the tritium vials from damaging. Durability is very important. Most of the top-rated Glock suppressor sights are built to last for years.
The Truglo TFX – Truglo went the extra mile with the TFX. It has added enhanced rubber protection over the existing aluminum and rubber protection of the TFO, creating an almost indestructible configuration.
TFX sights are impenetrable to oils and are chemical resistant.
#4) Low Light Performance Comparison
Being comprised of tritium, they are visible 24/7. The tritium produces light that shines through the sight to illuminate it.
Because they are the same sights that use identical tritium and fiber combinations for their sights, their effectiveness in ambient light conditions is glaringly similar. Both are excellent tritium night sights that produce excellent lighting to ensure optimal night sight visibility.
#5) Accuracy Comparison
Compared to other night sights, the Truglo, with its tritium inserts, is the sector leader in accuracy for both day and night shooting.
Both sights remain a neutral color for daytime shooting to provide an excellent sight picture. At night, the Truglo sights offer excellent lighting, allowing a more precise sight picture. But if you want superior accuracy I always recommend shooters shop for the best pistol red dot for their money. Red dots will no doubt make you a more accurate shooter.
The Truglo TFO – TFO sights have superior accuracy at short range compared to competitors. Unfortunately, the sharp rear sight edges decrease quick shooting performance. The TFX’s decrease in performance is due to the human eye tending to focus more on the sharp edges pf the rear sight leading to distraction.
The Truglo TFX – TFX sights have even better accuracy than the Truglo TFO sights. It has a white ring FOCUSLOCK to produce a front sight dot making it more distinguishable between the front and rear sight.
#6) Size Comparison
Both these target sights are small because they are used for handguns. Compared to popular red dots like the HS507K or 407K, these sights are small and compact.
The Truglo TFO – Truglo TFO sights are smaller than the TFX sights. The front sight is o.15 inches, while the rear sight is 0.17 inches.
The Truglo TFX – The TFX’s front sight is 0.2 inches, and the rear sight is 0.18 inches.
What About The Truglo TFX vs TFX Pro?
Truglo went a step further with their TFX sights to produce Truglo TFX Pro sights, an upgraded version of the TFX with three unique differences.
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Front Sight
It also has the same FOCUSLOCK feature the front sight of the FTX has, yet TFX pro sights have a deeper and richer high-contrast orange ring color that is easier to recognize for our eyes.
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Rear Sights
TFX Pro sights have a slightly angled rear sight edge to allow slide one handed use in emergencies.
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Rear Sight
The TFX Pro has a U-notch rear sight, allowing for better accuracy and increased speed compared to the standard square notch.
Overall, the TFX Pro is an improvement over the normal TFX and TFO sights, especially with the rear sight of the TFX Pro.
Which Should I Choose?
Usually, it would depend on usability, durability, budget, and reliability. However, because these two sights are so similar, the normal criteria can be neglected.
If you are looking for the budget-friendly option, the TFO, $30 less, is the better option. If you want a more rugged option with increased accuracy normally associated with a competitive shooter, you should opt for the TFX.
To summarize: The TFO is better for a gun used in home defense or everyday carry, while the TFX is better for competitive shooting or for outdoor use.
How I Rate Sights Like This
I use several criteria to rate my handgun sights, which differ from rifle sights.
Close Range Accuracy – What features does the sight set have to help increase the gun’s accuracy? Features I look for include a u notch or square-notch rear sight, a distinguishable rear and front sight, indoor range, size of the sight, and allowance of maximum visibility.
Usability – If I have this sight on my gun, does it still allow for everyday carry? Meaning the sight does not make the gun too big. Also, does the sight set allow for use in ambient light or total darkness as well as conditions with bright sunlight?
Durability – What material is the sight made out of? Is it only made out of a metal component? Combining rubber with the sight set’s metal material is important to allow shock absorption.
Value – Is the sight worth the price you pay for it? To be eligible to be classed as a sight that has good value for money, it should at least adhere to the following:
- Made from materials that will protect the fiber optic element or the tritium inserts of the sight.
- The sight set should have an included sight tool to adjust the front sight screw making it more user friendly.
- It can be used in both low light conditions as well as conditions with bright light. Making it both a night sight as well as a day sight.
- A price that is within reasonable bounds of its closest competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Truglo TFO sights last?
Which is better Truglo or trijicon?
Which is better fiber-optic or tritium sights?
How often should you replace tritium sights?
What is the best pistol sights for aging eyes?
The Bottom Line
Both the Truglo TFO and TFX are outstanding sights for your pistol. I enjoy the TFO as a budget-friendly option compared to the TFX. However, still adhering to TFO technology, the TFX has that added luxury of the white ring FOCUSLOCK increasing accuracy. Choosing your sight will ultimately depend on your personal preference.
- Improved Version Of The TFO
- Great In All Lighting Conditions
- Better Accuracy - Contrasting Focus Ring
- More Expensive Than TFO
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