AR red dot optics?

[RTFM]

Nah pegleg, I'm out of this thread, not worth much more of my time in this useless argument.
Pioneer will do what he wants regardless of what the brain trust has to offer. And he should.

 

[CDR]

I think the advice of saving for a better quality red dot optic system is extremely prudent.  My choice would be an Aimpoint Comp M4, M3, M2 or for a really nice compact sight and just as well made, the Aimpoint H1, R1 or T1.  You really do get what you pay for with red dot optic systems. There are none better than the Swedish made Aimpoints...ask the United States Military. You can also later on get a 3x magnifier to get the best of both worlds.

http://www.aimpoint.com/products/aimpoint_product_lines

There is also the option of a Trijicon ACOG, also employed by the U.S. Military......big bucks though and not a red dot optic, per se, but a great optic in its own right that utilizes a fiber optic system to illuminate the reticle in daylight or low light environments, or a tritium illumination of the reticle in no light.  The ultimate is the ACOG with the Trijicon "Docter" red dot optic mounted on top....about $1,450 smackers though.

http://www.trijicon.com/user/parts/products1.cfm?PartID=583&back_row=4&categoryID=3

Good luck and go for quality.

[DesertMarine]

My son presented me with a Bushmaster 5.56 lower on Christmas morning, leaving it up to me to build the rest. I'm not sure if I want to thank him, or spank him. This gift is going to cost me about $800.00. My former partner / gunsmith will build it for me and said that's what the parts I want will cost. He won't charge me labor, but that's a long story.

Since I want an A3 flat-top configuration I'm interested in putting some kind of red dot optics on it that won't cost me an arm and a leg. My question is; What experience does anyone have with the lower cost red dots? I'm looking for positive as well as negative comments.
This rifle will not be used for 1000 yard tack-driving competition, just your basic SHTF defense and utility rifle.

For RTFM.  Yes, Pioneer ask for feedback on red dots that won't cost an arm and a leg but for basic SHTF and utility rifle.  He also asks about experiences with red dots.  I don't have experience nor do I think my nephews have experience with low cost red dots.  But they do have experience with Aimpoint, Trijicon and EOTech in combat.  What's yours?  Hope you read what others said here about cheap red dots.  Here again comes the question.  Why would you spend $1000 or so on a rifle and put a $25 sight on it.  But for you, you decide how much your life is worth and go accordingly.

[warhawke]

I have a gadget happy friend who has  bought a truckload of various cheap optics and red-dots. His current is the ATN and it seems to work ok, except when he leaves the thing on and runs down the battery. He had a Barska for a while and it worked ok too but it was bigger and heavier. The thing is he has had so many of them break and be replaced that he probably could have bought an Aimpoint. I decided long ago that if I can't afford a GOOD sight of this type I might as well not bother. I would buy an Aimpoint if I had the cash but nothing else that I have seen or researched comes close to being reliable enough for my taste.

That being said, these guys have a huge sale right now;
http://www.opticsplanet.net/red-dot-scopes.html


Remember;
Buy cheap, buy twice and only a rich man can afford to buy twice.
(ripped off from somebody)

[TSB]

All ya'll should lighten up a bit...

I don't know jack shit about scopes but I do know about tools and Stanley makes some real JUNK.....avoid at all cost...


Starrett, Lufkin, Estwing, Snap-On, that's the ticket!!!

[Sponsor]

[Pathfinder]

Since I want an A3 flat-top configuration I'm interested in putting some kind of red dot optics on it that won't cost me an arm and a leg. My question is; What experience does anyone have with the lower cost red dots? I'm looking for positive as well as negative comments.
This rifle will not be used for 1000 yard tack-driving competition, just your basic SHTF defense and utility rifle.

I have 3 Tru-glos I bought on sale for about $40 each. I had problems with the first one - ate batteries, killed the little 2032 lithiums in a day. So I contacted Tru-glo by email, fast response, said to return it to the store. I did, not questions asked, got a replacement which was so nice I got 2 more - both worked well too.

Those are for the basic rifles. When I get done with the 6.8 build-out, I will put something better on top, like an Eotech or Aimpoint.

[jimbob_texas]

Why thank you jimblob for setting me straight, next time someone asks abut red dots, I'll just tell them to buy an AK instead, your right why bother keeping it on topic, let's tell him that Stanley hammers are the best and maybe he should put one of those in every room of his house.

Pioneer do what jimbo tells you , he knows more than I do.

Ah, when logic fails, resort to name-calling.  You stay classy, RTFM.

[Big Frank]

Gee jimbob, can't you take a compliment?   

Nevermind. I didn't notice earlier that he said jimbLob. 

[m25operator]

Hey Pioneer, what is your budget, a lot of people on the forum know I'm a hound when it comes to finding deals.

On the low end I've used Tasco pro points for a long time, and they have held up well, mostly on handguns but also on 12 gauge 1100. Battery life is not great, and had one front lens fall off, which is the coated part, so the dot washes out easier, but it still works.  We shoot a .22lr carbine match at my local club, with most of us using AR .22lr conversions, most are using low end optics, like Tru Glo, NCstar, BSA, Barska etc... Most of them are working decent for the match we shoot, if the unit had a problem, it usually showed up quick, got repaired or exchanged and was ok after that. The single lens reflex designs that look like a C more, aren't beefy enough to whack it on a barricade, and the ones that have multiple reticles, don't shoot to the same point of aim, if you go from 1 reticle to another.

The Hakko and Oki dot are a step ahead of the lowest end.

Now to the medium to upper end.

1) C-Mores can be had new for under 250.00 bucks, very sturdy, and a good sight picture, bright in full sunlight, I like 2 minute dots on rifles, and I think the lowest they go is 4 minutes, not a deal breaker but that will cover up a head at 100 yards. The main draw back if you want to call it one, is the adjustment system is very coarse, get it sighted in and lock it down, never expecting to adjust it in the field.

2) The bushnell holo sight, not milspec like the Eotech, but a lot less money, and they are sturdy too.

3) Trijicon reflex, Msrp on these will scare you, but I got a used one on AR15dotcom, with an Arms quick release mount for 225.00 bucks, put it on my Marlin 336 levergun.

4)  C class or older aimpoints. Again not milspec, but you still get a lot of good features, extended battery time and less money. I bought a used comp C3, with quick release mount for 360.00 on AR15dotcom as well. The mount go's for a hundred bucks. Side by side, I can't tell it from my comp M2 2x.

5)  Look for quality used optics, that have lifetime warranties, lower cost and your covered if it breaks, unless it was abuse.

6)  Not a red dot, but I picked up a 1.5x5 Leupold vari x 3, for 175.00 bucks, because it was mounted on a 7mm Mag, and they did not tighten the rings sufficiently and scratched the hell out of it, when it slipped under recoil. Scratches and dents don't bother me if it works. Msrp on that scope was 500 bills. It is on one of my 3 gun AR's.

Message me here, and I will try to find what you seek, I do it everday for me, would not mind doing it for you.

M25 Scopebroker

[Big Frank]

I was thinking of getting a red dot like a Weaver with 4 reticles but don't want one if it shoots to 4 different points of aim. I have enough trouble zeroing in already. The 1.5x5 Leupold scope sounds sweet. Good for short or long range. 5x beats 1x when you get a little distance.