Good Red Dot Sights?

[HGM22]

I know virtually nothing about optics, both red dot and regular. However, I want to get a red dot scope for a AR15 or maybe AK47. I'm not sure what I should even want other than reliability and reasonable battery life. I would like the ability to add magnification quickly as well as remove the scope quickly and/or co-witness the iron sights. I'm looking to spend less than $300 but am open to saving up for something more expensive if its worth it.

I've looked at the Vortex SPARC and Strikefire. I like that they are lower priced and take a more common battery, but not sure how they hold up or what the difference is between them.

If the Aimpoint is significantly better I'd be open to saving for it. I definitely like its ridiculously long battery life.

Edit: Is the Primary Arms $70 red dot any good?

 

[Outlaw Man]

The Aim point IS significantly better. The question is do you need/want a red dot that has battery life measured in years and is probably tougher than you.

The Primary Arms is decent for it's price, but the Vortex is probably worth the extra money.

 

[hughie]

Ultra Dot

 

[mtrmn]

I have a Docter sight like the Burris Fastfire. In fact they use the same mounts and everything, and I'm thinking the Fastfire may actually be the same sight for less money. Mine is mounted in a Burris mount with protective ears. I like it because it's very small and light. (hardly bigger than my thumb) Get the smallest MOA dot you can find.

On my 16" M4gery I can keep all rounds on a std sheet of paper at 200 yards.

 

[hso]

If the Aimpoint is significantly better I...

Yes, but do you need it or can you just afford to pay for it if you don't need that ruggedness and quality.

There are a surprising number of adequate for the range/plinking 1X optics out there that aren't as rugged as Aimpoint, Eotech, Elcan, etc., but they don't have to be.

 

[sappyg]

Bushnell TRS-25 is a nice red dot for the money. I've had one on a 22/45 over a year now with no POI shift and still on the factory supplied battery. Another is mounted on a 10/22 that was left on for maybe 6-8 weeks straight and the battery shows no ill effect.
Avoid the factory high rise mount though. It's too flimsy for an AR rail mount.

 

[OpticsPlanet]

The Vortex SPARC is smaller than the Strikefire, both are NV compatible, if you own NV or see it in your future. The Strikefire has red/green illumination, the SPARC is red only. The SPARC comes with a 2x screw in magnifier, that Vortex calls a "doubler".

SPARC:


http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-sparc-red-dot-sight-sprc.html

Strikefire:


http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-riflescope-sfrd-hunt.html

I bought my SPARC based in large part on this review:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_2_277/187104_.html

The TRS-25 is very popular in the under-$100 range, here are reviews:
http://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-bushnell-1x25-trophy-series-riflescope-trs-25-red-dot-731303.html

There is also a TRS-25 HiRise, with a mount for an AR:


http://www.opticsplanet.com/bushnell-ar-optics-1x25mm-trs-25-hirise-3-moa-red-dot-sight.html

If you're mounting on an AK, take a look at the Midwest mounts:

http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=421

Mark H.

 

[RIATAC45]

I like the primary arms micro dot on an ultimak rail that is on my Saiga.