Looking for an inexpensive red dot sight for my 10/22 plinker. There seem to be lots of them for less than $60 but they all look like they're just the same scope with different logos. Is there really any difference between a cheap Simmons or a BSA , Tasco, Bushnell, Magnacraft, Barska, etc.?
Inexpensive red dot sights-diffferences?
- Thread starter ammodave
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DougCxx
Member
I have the BSA 30mm--it seems to be the cheapest at $30, and $30 is practically disposeable as far as I'm concerned. It works just fine on a Mk II so far (500? shots), but others have said it comes apart on bigger-caliber handguns. It has integral weaver mounts and mounts pretty low, and the 11 dot levels have a good, wide range to them. --I found several reviews of the BSA 42mm that said it has poor internal reflections.
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Before that, I bought a Tasco Mini-Mag 25mm for about $45 on an impulse. It uses an intermount weaver block (as below), the 25mm window is rather cramped (I think it's really closer to 20mm, internally), and the 5 dot levels don't have a lot of range between them (the lowest is nearly as bright as the highest). I am keeping it as a "stand-in sight", but it does not live permanently on any gun.
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I would warn you to make sure whatever you buy can mount as low to the gun as possible--get something that will fit directly onto the mounts you have. Some of the cheaper red dots have integral "22/mini"-type mounts, and then include a weaver-rail adaptor block but they end up sitting rather high. It works but feels odd with the sights a couple inches above the boreline--most people agree that "lower=better" in this matter. -And other cheap red-dots don't include a weaver adaptor block at all, so check this before buying.
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Before that, I bought a Tasco Mini-Mag 25mm for about $45 on an impulse. It uses an intermount weaver block (as below), the 25mm window is rather cramped (I think it's really closer to 20mm, internally), and the 5 dot levels don't have a lot of range between them (the lowest is nearly as bright as the highest). I am keeping it as a "stand-in sight", but it does not live permanently on any gun.
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I would warn you to make sure whatever you buy can mount as low to the gun as possible--get something that will fit directly onto the mounts you have. Some of the cheaper red dots have integral "22/mini"-type mounts, and then include a weaver-rail adaptor block but they end up sitting rather high. It works but feels odd with the sights a couple inches above the boreline--most people agree that "lower=better" in this matter. -And other cheap red-dots don't include a weaver adaptor block at all, so check this before buying.
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mattd
Member
The cheap ones are not parallax free, so if you don't keep the dot in the middle it won't hold zero.
My Simmons 30mm for my 10/22 came with dovetail and weaver type mounts and it doesn't have any buttons on the left side of the sight so it doesn't block any more of your vision and a see through dust cover, cost me $35.
My Simmons 30mm for my 10/22 came with dovetail and weaver type mounts and it doesn't have any buttons on the left side of the sight so it doesn't block any more of your vision and a see through dust cover, cost me $35.
Mattd refers to the better red dot sights as being parallax free. Sorry to be so dense, but what exactly is parallax in a red dot scope, and how do you tell if your brand has it?
Just purchased a Burris SpeedDot, and I notice when I look thru it a a given object the dot will move depending on the position of my head.
Thanks for your replies.
Just purchased a Burris SpeedDot, and I notice when I look thru it a a given object the dot will move depending on the position of my head.
Thanks for your replies.
mattd
Member
That is parallax, its when your head isn't aligned right so the dot doesn't stay on target.
Well if its under 100 dollars , I'm guessing it has parallax, thats just about the only thing you pay more for. Or put your sight on a table or so it doesn't move , point it at a target first and then move your head around, if the dot doesn't move its parallax free.
NevadaPistolero
Member
I didnt want to spend alot of money on something I didnt know alot about...went to a recent gun show and picked up a "NecStar" 30mm reddot that fits my AR15 for $30.00, had the weaver rings and and extra battery also. Seems to work just fine. Now that I know I like it I'll save a little and buy a much better one pretty soon.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
I have several of the ''cheapo's'' ...... and all in all they are well .. ''OK'' ... as long as you work within limitations.
Don't ask me their names .... all sorta of obscure ones! But look not so hard and they are all (cringe) ''made in China'' ... hell, how I get a lift these days when I see ''made in USA''!!
These cheapo's tho I only use on plinkers ... SKS, AK .... one on my Blackhawk, yet to set it up. Most are well OK too on .22's.
But for more serious stuff I reckon at (around) $100, the Millet is well useable. I have one on my .44 SRH and am soon to pick up another SRH in.454 . will fit same unit. They seem to work well and also accept recoil ''punishment''!
I'd like to splash out on a ''Holosight'' but those suckers roll in at about $250!!!
Don't ask me their names .... all sorta of obscure ones! But look not so hard and they are all (cringe) ''made in China'' ... hell, how I get a lift these days when I see ''made in USA''!!
These cheapo's tho I only use on plinkers ... SKS, AK .... one on my Blackhawk, yet to set it up. Most are well OK too on .22's.
But for more serious stuff I reckon at (around) $100, the Millet is well useable. I have one on my .44 SRH and am soon to pick up another SRH in.454 . will fit same unit. They seem to work well and also accept recoil ''punishment''!
I'd like to splash out on a ''Holosight'' but those suckers roll in at about $250!!!
mattd
Member
Kobras are 125 and a few other nice ones just likeit.
3 gun
Member
Another vote for spending a little more money and getting a Millett red dot. I have a SP1 mounted on a SA M1a. This rifle is well known for breaking scopes; it hasn't even been able to shake the zero on the SP1. Picked this one up used at a show for $65; new they run about $100-110. It's the least expensive red dot that I know is parallax free. An important feature with the poor cheek weld you get with an M1a. Millett
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