The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: RTFM on February 26, 2013, 10:59:05 PM
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OK - looking for opinions on a red dot that won't cost more than the AK I want to put it on.
I'm not looking for (though would love to have) an Aimpoint, EOTech.... et all.
Can't afford it, and I stopped getting paid to be in harms way in the early 90's
Not looking for cheap junk, not looking for gold lined.
Anyone have any suggestions for decent rd dots in the $100 ~ $250 range... speak up please.
(AK does not have the side mount - this will go on a top cover rail)
Thanks.
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I'd look at Bushnell and Vortech (sp?). They seem pretty good for short $$$. Not sure about how they work on bright days, but I haven't heard any complaints about either.
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http://www.midwayusa.com/product/929725/truglo-tru-brite-reflex-red-dot-sight-red-and-green-4-pattern-reticle-25-moa-dot-5-moa-dot-25-moa-circle-dot-5-moa-circle-dot-with-integral-weaver-style-base-matte (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/929725/truglo-tru-brite-reflex-red-dot-sight-red-and-green-4-pattern-reticle-25-moa-dot-5-moa-dot-25-moa-circle-dot-5-moa-circle-dot-with-integral-weaver-style-base-matte)
Cheap,a little bulky but not to bad, bright reticle in two colors. I wouldn't trust it for a combat optic but it is functional enough for an every day shooter. I put one on my AR when I first started to "accessorise". Now I am looking at another one for a 10-22 project.
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/Redneck2_2006/2012-03-16_18-48-33_142.jpg)
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I like the Bushnell First Strike Red Dot for a simple low-end. Only problem is that you must put the cover on to turn it off. That is of course balanced by the fact that there is no on-off switch to break or go bad.
http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=21653.0 (http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=21653.0)
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I'll be the third to vote for Bushnell. I've been really impressed with a lot of what Bushnell is manufacturing these days. They are putting out some very good optics for the money. I'm completely sold on their Elite 3200 Tactical Series. The clarity easily compares to my Leupolds, and they return to, and hold zero as good or better than any brand I've ever used.
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RE: Bushnell: The 3200 and the 4200 series and their Legend were some of the few that would stand up to air-rifle recoil. Since everyone's gone PCP and Bushnell has changed their product line a bunch I'm not sure if it's still true, but I always thought highly of their top products lines.
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I stopped getting paid to be in harms way in the early 90's. Not looking for cheap junk, not looking for gold lined.
This is a good point. I think many invest in these high end scopes for no other reason than to mimic what, "the soldiers carry". While there is nothing wrong with that, it does involve paying a lot for something you really don't need. Take an ACOG for example. Many will tell you a Trijicon is the only way to go, and most everything else is junk. Same with Aimpoint for red dots, and U.S. Optics and Nightforce for tactical scopes. How many civilians put their equipment through the same rigors the military does in Iraq, Afghanistan, or most anywhere else? Almost none. While it's certainly nice to have the strongest and the best, most are paying a real premium for something they'll never require.
Most of these are simply not necessary for 99.9% of most shooters. The only civilian exception I would make is for die hard competitors who want to leave absolutely nothing to chance. Even then, they could easily get away with spending a lot less. Now if you're someone who can lay down 2 1/2K for a scope like it's nothing, then fine. But few shooters fall into that category. With today's economy, when you take into account the rising price of guns and ammo, that money could go a lot further buying things that will keep you going to the range to shoot. Instead of sitting home admiring a rig that you have minimum ammo for.
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Nailed it billt
And alfsauve I remember your post - I just could not REMEMBER where your post was... memory... age... you know the drill.
Thank you all - looks like there are some good options out there.
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Primary Arms imports some red dots that are far nicer than anything else within their price points. But they go quick when they become available.
https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_s/586.htm
I got one of their MD-08 models in their last batch last month. Very rugged. I shot about 120 rounds of 5.56 with it and holds zero fine. Also, it's very bright and clear compared to the greenish tint found in others at this price point.
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I have had great luck with Burris optics. Reasonably priced, but darn good glass. I wouldn't hesitate to go with one of theirs.
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I've had an Aimpoint ML2 and a Trijicon ACOG as far as dot type optics are concerned. The ML2 was probably my favorite due to its use on a WASR-10 I really love the Dot style on a carbine short use rifle. The Trijicon was far and above the best scope I have ever had but I sold and put a Trijicon TRS on my M1A and for a while and that became my favorite scope but it put me in a 3 gun class that I just could not compete in. As far as the ACOG goes it was a great scope but on 16" DPMS AR it was just too much and I like a 1x dot for short rifles. I had always felt that if I was going to do something that I might as well do it right. Drank the cool aid, paid my bills and got what I thought was the best money could buy. Much of this was vindicated as my best bud at the time would venture to the range and compete with me on a daily basis. He tried a BSA red dot, a Sightmark hollow graphic site, a Bushnell Dot Sight and I think he had a True Glow a time or to. All worked for a range day or two before loosing a zero or breaking in one manner of another on his Frankin AR. He finally ended up getting a Eotech and has since had a great optic for his gun.
Life goes, he moved a distance away and I bought and sold as things go. I recently acquired a Vortex StrikeFire dot sight. If I did have some left over Christmas money and gift cards I wouldn't have bothered but seeing as the Ammo situation is what it is I figured that if I didn't like it I could always take it back...
No way buster! What a genius little scope! The controls are on the left hand side and kinda mimic the Eotech style except for the on button which is directly on the side. Once you get a good feel for where it is you can turn it on with just a lite tap of the optic. The buttons are all very tactile and the dot is bright enough to be seen in any sunlight or snow condition. The glass is clear, it holds zero on the M1A so I imagine the AR scene would be fine and the battery life is outstanding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oQg1p1UPFY
^ kinda a tool bag but a good review of the features...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDp-EvgnC94
^ Not so much a tool and he gets mean on it.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/category/strikefire_red_dots
If you don't plan on diving to 150 Meters or jumping out of a plane, or dropping your rifle from a 3 story building and you just want an affordable option. I would give this a good hard look. I think the Aimpoint is more stout but I like the controls on the Vortex a lot more.
Good luck!