AR Sight Suggestions

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blackops

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I’m looking for a sight for the new AR I just bought. I’m looking for something to help me target the center mass rather than a scope for tight groupings. I will be shooting this rig mostly 200yds or less. Maybe stretch that every so often. I’ve been heavily favoring an EO Tech (listed below).

http://www.opticsplanet.net/eotech-hunting-sport-light-weight-516-holo-sight-a65-with-moa-reticle.html

I notice many different models, but only find the battery compartment and reticles to be the major difference.

I have limited experience with Holographic sights, but this EO Tech was awesome when I used it. If you have any other options around this price range that you think is worth considering, I'm all ears. I appreciate your time. Thanks.
 
The EOTech 5xx series has been around maybe 5-7 years or so and gets somewhat mixed reviews for reliability. If you want one, do yourself a huge favor and get the models that take AA batteries, 512 or 552. If you want a nice EOTech, I would skip the 5xx series and get the newer XPS series that uses a single transverse battery, which should eliminate any battery compartment issues and is smaller too. The XPS2-0 is probably the one you want, with the most common A65 reticle.

You could also consider the more expensive, potentially more reliable Aimpoint CompM2 or ML2 (both around $500 with mount). For less money, the Vortex Strikefire (red-only version!) is a great value at $150 and you would have to use it very, very hard to detect a significant difference from the Aimpoint. There's also the Lucid HD2 which gets good reviews, but I have not used one or even seen one in person.
 
Just get a rear sight. Iron sights are ideal for the role you mentioned, and everyone should be proficient in their use. They really aren't much of a handicap compared to a red dot or a scope if you know what you're doing.

Or if you want, get the EOTech or Aimpoint, but get a flip-up rear sight too!

I actually prefer the aimpoint over the eotech... they are more durable and have a longer battery life. I'd get one with the 2 MOA dot instead of the 4 though... it helps for hitting those smaller or more distant targets that a fatter dot would blot out completely.

Or if you want super light weight and small size, get an Aimpoint micro. They are pretty amazing. Only available with a 4 MOA dot unfortunately though.
 
it sounds like you would like the XS Sight designed by Paul Howe. Howe is USARMY-Delta retired and should know what works as he currently teaches combat skills to Law enforcement. His design has two slots---one for close range (7 yards) and one for 100 yards. Both are easy to acquire and relatively inexpensive for the set. xssights.com I agree that scopes clutter the combat arena sometimes and I like keeping it simple too with durable metallic sights. Its easier to pass up a long shot due to having open sights than to take a closer shot trying to utilize a scope and taking your eye off the peripheral.
 
A 4 MOA dot is 8" at 200 yards - and beyond that you should be using irons or a magnified optical sight. I run s 3x ACOG with an off set RDS - the dot is for fast shots up close, the ACOG is for longer range.
 
I run a Nikon M223 1-4x20 scope and really like it. The only draw back is the small objective does not gather as much light as I would like. But it is not so bad that I would not use it. In fact I plan on using the heck out of it.

I zeroed my rifle the other day and with it on 4x I had no issues hitting the gong at 300y nor the popper at 100y. Great little scope, no batteries, and not that expensive.
http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/Products/Riflescopes/M-223/index.page
 
I have Aimpoint Comp M2/ML2's on a couple of my AR's, as well as a set of BUIS on each. Since I initially zeroed the irons, they rarely get any use, and stay folded down. The red dot is the way to go, and for the ranges youre looking at, the 4moa dots are fine. If you need to make a more deliberate shot at longer ranges, you can dial the brightness down and the dot "appears" smaller and more precise, if you really feel the need.

I just never got into the Eotechs, and have always preferred the Aimpoints. Just more experience with them. Batteries are basically a non issue with the Aimpoints, even the older models, and I no longer bother to turn mine off. I just swap batteries once a year. The newer models are good for 5, to almost 10 years of constant use.
 
You don't need a EOTech 552 unless you're going to use night vision with it. Get a 512, identical but for the NV mode, and save $100. Or get the newer, smaller XPS2-0.

The EOTech reticle is nominally a 1 MOA dot and 65 MOA circle, but if you read their literature the center dot is really about 1/3 MOA. It works.
 
Looks like the 512 is the way to go. Seems like the best sight for the money considering the application also.
 
If you are going to be shooting out to 200 yards I would look at the Leupold Mark AR 1.5-4x scope. The only other option I would consider is one of the smaller-MOA dot sights like AIMPOINT.

----------------------------------

Je Suis Prest
 
My Vortex Strikefire was $150 for the red/green/NV model and comes with a detachable 2X doubler and X-high ring for mounting. There is an inexpensive 3X available as well. It's a bit bulkier than an Eotech but is reasonably light weight and gives me an absolute co-witness with my BUIS.

My $350 Leupold Mark AR may be gathering a lot of dust this winter. Nice enough but how many one hole groups do you want to shoot with an AR? I have other rifles for that.

Adding things up for the price of one Eotech you could choose 2 optics and swap them out as needed. I might well have chosen the Vortex SPARC for it's compact size but I was saddled with a gift certificate to Gander Mountain and they didn't sell it.
 
Cowitness means that the red dot's Dot is on the same point as the tip of your front sight post.

When you relax you neck a little, most people tend to use the top half of the window in the Eo and Aimpoints. In that case the dot will appear to float over the front sight post.

A lower 1/3rd cowittness setup mounts the scope a hair higher. Putting the dot over the front sight post all the time giving you a clearer cleaner sight picture. But if your optic fails, you can still see your irons in the bottom of the optics window.

Larues mounts and scope combos come at just the right 1/3rd cowitness height (as long as you order the right one LOL, I think all thier Eo mounts are low 1/3rd. and the Tall aimpoint mounts are Low 1/3rd.)
 
henschman said:
Just get a rear sight. Iron sights are ideal for the role you mentioned, and everyone should be proficient in their use. They really aren't much of a handicap compared to a red dot or a scope if you know what you're doing.

Or if you want, get the EOTech or Aimpoint, but get a flip-up rear sight too!

I actually prefer the aimpoint over the eotech... they are more durable and have a longer battery life. I'd get one with the 2 MOA dot instead of the 4 though... it helps for hitting those smaller or more distant targets that a fatter dot would blot out completely.

Or if you want super light weight and small size, get an Aimpoint micro. They are pretty amazing. Only available with a 4 MOA dot unfortunately though.
Click to expand...
Could not have said it better my self, +1
 
I'm going to get the Samson flip up rear sight, but how does that work? Say my Eotech takes a dump. How do you then utilize the iron sights? Seems like the flip up rear wouldn't be tall enough to line up perfectly through the glass on the Eotech to the front sight.
 
The older style Eotech has a base that is 7mm lower than the newer ones therefore you'll need a riser block if that's the style you have. I believe they are the rear button models vs. newer side mounted controls.

If it dies, you'll simply be looking through a "window" at the front sight.
 
If it dies, you'll simply be looking through a "window" at the front sight.
Click to expand...

This. Unless, of course, the glass is so dirty or smashed you can't see through it. In that case, you use the thumbscrew on the mount (you did choose the thumbscrew, right, not the allen-wrench-only bolt? right?) to remove the optic and drop it in your pocket/dump pouch.

I have the DTI/Samson flip up rear sight. It's pretty good, but depending on the prices you're looking at, a Troy is a somewhat better sight for only a few bucks more. Either one is fine though.
 
Well the post didn't mention smearing mud on it then poking a screwdriver through it but sure, in that case it WILL need to be removed.

To the OP, disregard my "useless" information.
 
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