Please tell me about red dots on a black rifle

Well, as far has quallity and holding zero. The "civillian models" I have experience with don't match up particularly well. You can get great entry level Aimpoints and Eotechs for a fair price. Batteries in an Aimpoint will last up to 8 years on power level 12 I believe. Eotechs last a few hours. They need batteries and need to be turned on to present an aiming solution.

Can you be more specific with "medium price"? Some models put $500 in the medium bracket.

Without cost concerns, the questions that you asked can be answered with, "it depends." There are magnified and not, battery only, dual reticle, fiber optic, tritium, specialty batteries or common, and so on...

I suggest trying one of the Primary Arms "inexpensive" red dots. They've worked very well for me so far, and proved that if they die it'll be worth spending 4-6X more for the good ones.

Not everyone likes red dots, you have to adjust your shooting -- you have to focus on the target and look "through" the dot, unlike with irons or a scope where you focus on the front sight or the reticle.

Astigmatism is another reason some folks have problems with red dots -- depending on the strength and the "axis" you may see two dots instead of one!

I second the Primary Arms red dots as an inexpensive way to see how they work for you. A little bit more and you can get an aimpoint PRO for $400.

I have a primary arms M3 that has served me well. I got it intending to replace it.....and its still on top of one of my rifles. That said the PRO has been the best overall value in a while. Completely trustworthy with a battery that lasts and lasts. I lean toward aimpoints (and aimpoint type) dots over the eotech, but it is a personal preference.

look up:

Primary Arms has several types
Burris XTS135
vortex strike fire or spark
Millet zoom dot

Batteries will last a good while, but no nearly long as Eotech. Eotechs dont last nearly as long as Aimpoint. But Aimpoint and Eotech are twice the price.

look for the smallest MOA dot you can find. 4 MOA covers up the target. I like 2MOA for a single red dot.

Look for adjustable brightness.

I would try to stick above $150 to eliminate chinese clone crap. Except Primary Arms is ok stuff for the price.

There are also alternative red-dots to Aimpoint and EOTech sights. Trijicon's main feature is that most of their optics dispense with batteries and employ tritium illumination, almost always backed-up with fiber-optic* illumination. The Reflex is a solid entry-level sight, costing about what an EOTech costs after the mount is factored in. Not as versatile as a tube-style red-dot, but there's no on/off switch either.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/trijicon-reflex-sights.html

Do you want to get into cheap and decent or do you want to buy something and never have to worry about it again?

I usually don't cheap out on what I consider to be my primary firearms. For me, the only red dot is an Aimpoint. Right now, the best deal seems to be the PRO model.

I'm getting older with 50 right around the corner and my eyes aren't what they used to be with my astigmatism giving me trouble too, so I run an ACOG TA44S-10.

For me, the only red dot is an Aimpoint. Right now, the best deal seems to be the PRO model.

Click to expand...

What he said. ^

I have heard that basically all "cheap" optics dont hold zero well.
Its either Aimpoint or Eotech.
HOWEVER
The Vortex SPARC just came out and is going through some testing by individuals that have the money to ruin them, and its proving very durable and holding zero well.

If you cant afford the $400-$600 for an Aimpoint or Eotech, I say get the SPARC. It comes with 3 different mounts and a 2x Magnifier.
Cant beat that
I have just started saving to get an Aimpoint H-1 for my AR, but I am considering the SPARC now.


Go to youtube and search for Aimpoint torture test or eotech test ect...
People drop them from moving vehicles, hit them with hammers, freeze, submerse in water, all that.
Aimpoints are the gold standard for durability and holding zero, eotechs are good also.

I dont like a huge optic up there, so I like the Aimpoint T-1/H-1, Eotech XPS series, and the Vortex SPARC

EoTech's are parallax free... i have no idea if i spelled that right.but its something 2 think about

Pardon my heresy, but if you want to try a cheap red dot before you move into the high priced or medium priced spread, get a Walther PS22. Around $62 from Amazon and if you like what you see, you can upgrade. I have 2 of them on 2 black rifles. Both have had a few thousand rounds under them and have not had a problem with zero shift. Both rifles shoot minute of perp at 100 yards with zero maginifcation. I'm old, wear bifocals, and ymmv.

If you go this route and then upgrade, you can always sell the Walther. To me.

Bushmaster1313,

Your series of questions is too vague. You should do some research and answer your own questions. Once you find models you like or that suit your needs, you can come back and ask for opinions on specific models. Otherwise you will hear a million and one responses and still not know what to get.