finding the right red dot sight

Are you looking for any magnification?

I would reccomend the Aimpoint 9000L 2x 2 moa model but while looking for a link for you I find them to be discontinued. I do however have an Aimpoint 9000L 4 moa mounted on a shotgun and it work real nice. The Best part is Midway USA has them for 274 dollars!

I had a Sightron red dot and really liked it, 4 reticle choices, 15 brightness intensities. If I remember right a 1 min dot, 4 minute circle, crosshairs and a crosshair diamond reticle

Whatever you do, don't get the Truglo 2X red dot. It's like trying to shoot while wearing someone else's glasses. Worst scope ever.

Considering the range and type of carbine you are using, are you sure you wouldn't want a compact red dot sight with no magnification like an Aimpoint Micro H-1? They are much faster to use than a magnifying optic because there is no parallax, they are the size of a "C" battery and can be mounted anywhere on the receiver. I can maintain 2" 5 shot groups at 100 yds with one on an AR. They are very small, rugged and a battery lasts 5 years if left on continuously

They can be had for about $450. if you want an economical version good enough for the range or hunting use, Primary Arms has several choices starting at about $ 60. http://www.primaryarms.com/ I have used one on a 10/22 for years with great results.

If you want magnification, have you considered a compact scope with an illuminated reticule? There are many more choices than if you try to find a dot sight with magnification.

Trijicon makes the TR-24, a 1-4X scope with fiber optic and tritium illumination.
These are fairly high end cost wise but it's a great hunting optic.

Aimpoint ML3 2moa dot.

No magnification needed for 100yds as long as your glass is good.

trijicon, aimpoint or eotech

Whats your budget? Red dots start at about 30 for one that will hold together and hold zero (even less if those arent requirements ), and go up to more than your gun cost for nearly indestructible military grade ones with great glass.

Of course magnification adds to the price and list of things that can go wrong. I've got a 40 dollar 1x. Its accurate and all of the reticles are clear. The glass is good though the coatings dont let enough light through IMO. I haven't had it long enough to know if it will hold zero over time or if it would on a rifle more powerful than my lowly .357. Realistically speaking, there isn't much going on with a red dot sight so I don't see spending a fortune on one unless your life will depend on it.

I am telling you for the money you can't beat this Aimpoint! Mine is mounted on my Mossberg 500 and handles the recoil of 3 inch slugs and buckshot. Link

Aimpoint,Eotech are mentioned a lot, if you got the money cause they aint cheap, Ultradot is reasonable and reliable.

just curious though will it hold up to the kick of a 44 mag

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I've got a $20 "Target Sports" 1" tube red dot on a .44Mag pistol. Its held up better than my hands

I've found the tube type red dots to be generally very rugged, the reflex sorta"EOTech" like ones to be fragile. The EOTech is not fragile.

I recommend trying a cheap red dot first, as they are different and not everyone likes them. You have to look through the dot and focus your vision on the target, whereas with irons it focus on the front sight, and with a scope its focus on the reticle. If you focus your vision on the dot you'll swear they "don't hold zero".

--wally

taliv said:

agree with Mags... the aimpoint is definitely rugged enough to handle recoil.

The EOTech is not fragile.

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then why does everyone wrap an extra half-pound of armor around it?

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So it won't be fragile.

Seriously, the Eotech is not fragile, it's a well made and respected design.

these are all great considerations, the micro h-1 sounded interesting, just curious though will it hold up to the kick of a 44 mag

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The Aimpoint will handle it just fine. The Eotech, I'm less sure about. I suspect it would be just fine, but I'm just less certain, as the whole thing just seems less bombproof.

Mike

I would suggest a 1x standard red dot.

If you want absolute dependability and top quality, an Aimpoint is pretty much THE red dot to get. Unfortunately they are expensive.

If you want to spend less and still get a very nice dot, I recommend the Vortex Strikefire. For $150 or so it is very rugged and has quality optics. I wouldn't trust my life on it, but for any other uses it should be fine.

I own a Strikefire and may buy another. I have owned Aimpoints in the past and used various others.

I also own an Eotech. I have mixed feelings about them. IMHO they are a significantly superior technology to the red dot scopes, and may provide better speed and precision. They are also made in the US and cost no more than the Aimpoint. HOWEVER, battery life is a fraction of that of the Aimpoint, and their dependability is not quite there. They are mostly dependable, but there are enough reliable reports of problems - including outright failure, batteries discharging while the sight is off, and simple loss of zero - that I would hesitate a bit to really recommend one.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=459296 Here's a millett 3moa red dot. I have owned a few of them with out any problems. There on sale right now. Mark

Vortex strikefire is reported to be a very good red-dot for the money. It also happens to come with a 2x magnifier.

Vortex strikefire is reported to be a very good red-dot for the money. It also happens to come with a 2x magnifier.

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Yup that will be my next red dot....mostly using ultradot's right now and they are good but no magnification option.

It also happens to come with a 2x magnifier.

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It does, but it's almost useless. The field of view is tiny with it. You feel like you're looking down a several foot length of pipe. If you really need magnification, get a conventional scope. Runner up is the genuine Aimpoint 9000 in 2x version, but I had one and didn't like it - it also had small field of view, though not as bad as the doubler on the Vortex.

I dont feel a need to equip all my guns with $500 + Red dots anymore. Well I would if I could afford it but I tend to only buy them for ones that will see heavy heavy use. I have had good luck with The Vortex Strikefire that has a 2x multiplier and the Bushnell Trophy MP.
IMO those 2 red dots that are both less than $150 will be plenty for most any casual shooter.
I dont have a Bushnell Holosight. I would like one as the EOtech is my favorite of the Higher End Red Dots. I think you can get one for a little over $200 .