$200 red dot for an AR carbine

[ID-shooting]

Do you have full front sight?

I was looking hard into the SigTac CP4. 4x, ranging scale, red, green, and also black with no batteries or dead batteries (this is important to me). The only trouble was that the front sight at least on my m4ish carbine was clearly visible in it. There are fixes for this. I have been seeing them for sale under $200 in multiple places.

 

[jlr1962]

I really like my sparc II. I looked at many red dot and reflex sights. I irritated many sales people at the local retailers. I looked at th sightmark Q..., it looked good as well. The battery setup on the sightmark was not as user friendly as the sparc II. It looks and felt solid. The sparc II had the brightest single dot of all of the sights that I looked at. Much brighter than all of the high dollar units, (????). Make sure to buy the sight firm a place that will give you ample time for exchange or refund at full value. I had to have some sort of single dot reticle. I have an astigmatism. Any rings or cross style reticles looked awful. The single dots still look like a short streak at times. Some day I will grow up and go get some glasses.

 

[Laphroaig]

Someone mentioned Aimpoint PRO's for $200. I've never seen any that cheap. If I did, I'd buy one in a second. However, you can get older Aimpoints, like a 3000, for $120 or so on ebay. That was state of the art in 1985 and I'd still take one over anything made in China or the Philippines today.

Question: I know that Ultradots are generally used on pistols, but why not on an AR? Quality optics and Japanese manufactured. Generally less than $200.

Laphroaig

 

[tiamat]

I wondered the same thing. I don't know for sure, but it seems to me that the eye relief of an optic meant to be held at arms length may be too much when mounted on a rifle only inches away from your face?

In the end, I just went with an AimPoint PRO and called it a day.

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

Burris FastFire III - 3 MOA; I would not want 1 MOA.

Under $200 on Black Friday; now about $230 mostly but deals are still out there.

 

[wally]

The Fastfire III is great, but I prefer them on handguns. Burris' "no weasel words" warranty is top notch -- I had an old original Fastfire fail and they fixed it fast, no questions asked!

 

[Warp]

The Fastfire III is great, but I prefer them on handguns. Burris' "no weasel words" warranty is top notch -- I had an old original Fastfire fail and they fixed it fast, no questions asked!

That's my issue with the less expensive red dots.

Lots of people talk about the warranty and how the company replaced the product when it failed.

As long as people realize that's what they are getting into and an optic failure wouldn't be a big deal it's a fine idea. I'd probably get a Primary Arms or a Vortex Strikefire, but the Burris doesn't seem too terrible either.

 

[wally]

As long as people realize that's what they are getting into and an optic failure wouldn't be a big deal it's a fine idea.

If it requires a battery, failure is a built in option no matter how much it costs!

I have about the same number of Fastfires and Primary Arms sights on a variety of guns. Only one Fastfire failed, but that doesn't mean the PA is better. Stuff breaks.

 

[Warp]

If it requires a battery, failure is a built in option no matter how much it costs!

I have about the same number of Fastfires and Primary Arms sights on a variety of guns. Only one Fastfire failed, but that doesn't mean the PA is better. Stuff breaks.

Failure is a built in option for EVERYTHING, even iron sights.

 

[strambo]

Here is a torture test of the Primary Arms MD-ADS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox0hgWlYWOg and another http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lVE3BrauLvQ

I doubt an AP micro would do better (in the first one dragged behind the truck). I can see the entry level PA micro being less rugged, I have one on my .22 AR build and the mount is really chintzy, but it was only $60 on a closeout sale with mount.

I haven't seen any bad reviews of the MD-ADS model yet, but they are still pretty new.

I do believe in a higher quality unit like the AP PRO for HD or duty use since you only need one, but the MD-ADS might be the first budget dot I'd trust for HD (which isn't hard duty at all), I'm keeping an eye on them. I already have an AP micro H1 though and an ACOG.

 

[browningguy]

I've been using the TRS-25 on my Super Blackhawk .44 mag hunting pistol for 2 years with absolutely no problems. If it will take that recoil it will take anything.