StrutStopper
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I know an Aimpoint PRO would be wonderful, but I'd like a sub-$200 sight for my .223/556 AR-15 that is strictly a range toy. Which would you choose and why?
Help Choose Budget Red Dot for AR-15
- Thread starter StrutStopper
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tbass23
Member
I have the Bushnell and it had pretty good battery life and held zero with the few hundred rounds I put through it on my AR. I now have an EOtech and the Bushnell is on my 10/22. I have zero complains with my experience using the Bushnell but I never dropped it or put it through much abuse.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I too have that Bushnell. I have moved it around on three of my rimfires and really like it. It works.
I haven't tried it on a centerfire gun, so I can't say anything about recoil resistance.
The others I have no experience with.
I haven't tried it on a centerfire gun, so I can't say anything about recoil resistance.
The others I have no experience with.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
BTW, the one on your list that interested me for fun factor is the Lucid HD7.
It has selectable reticles and if I remember correctly it comes with a screw in 2x magnifier on the eyepiece.
I have an older Chinese clone of a Ultradot with 4 reticle selection and it is still fun to shoot with. It too has been moved across several rimfires.
EDIT: it looks like the 2x magnifier comes separately and costs extra.
It has selectable reticles and if I remember correctly it comes with a screw in 2x magnifier on the eyepiece.
I have an older Chinese clone of a Ultradot with 4 reticle selection and it is still fun to shoot with. It too has been moved across several rimfires.
EDIT: it looks like the 2x magnifier comes separately and costs extra.
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i have three trs-25s... also two eotechs (which are reported to have some significant temperature/accuracy issues of late)... the trs's arent perfect, but do the job.. one on a 554 ar; one on a 9mm ar, and one on an ak... no problems.... id like to try a vortex Spark.. i have a vortex viper scope that was very cost effective...
moe.ron
Member
I've got a Primary Arms Micro Dot that's works well for the dough. The American Defense mount cost me almost as much as the sight. At the time I got both sight and mount for about $170. I like the quick release mount.
I didn't want to spend $500 on a red dot for a $900 home build.
I didn't want to spend $500 on a red dot for a $900 home build.
1911 guy
Member
I have a Vortex Sparc. While I agree with the OP that Aimpoint PRO is the one to have, that's not always possible due to budget, availability, etc.
The big selling points for me were the inclusion of mounting hardware with the sight, 2 MOA dot versus 4 MOA, included magnifier, can get batteries at the drug store if needed and Vortex customer service reputation.
The big selling points for me were the inclusion of mounting hardware with the sight, 2 MOA dot versus 4 MOA, included magnifier, can get batteries at the drug store if needed and Vortex customer service reputation.
StrutStopper
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The Lucid caught my eye too. I hear good things about it. From what I read, cons are the detents for reticles are a bit mushy, it is a bit heavy, and it has flunked a waterproof test a time or two. I'm still drawn to it.
I have a TRS-25 on a 22/45 and like the sight, but not sure how it will do on an AR.
I built this AR a few years ago and only shot it with the front sight post and MBUS, but I want to finally get an optic on it.
1911 Guy, how do you like the Vortex? What's the battery life like?
jmorris
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Toy? The el cheapo $25 BSA and other cross marketed red dot sights that are the same thing with different stickers on the side.
Sure the dot is more of a blob than a circle and covers more of the target and it eats batteries like a 4 year old eats candy but buy and try, if it holds zero keep it. If it doesn't return it to Walmart.
This one is actually pretty old and still works.
Sure the dot is more of a blob than a circle and covers more of the target and it eats batteries like a 4 year old eats candy but buy and try, if it holds zero keep it. If it doesn't return it to Walmart.
This one is actually pretty old and still works.
rjrivero
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I've owned AimPoints, and they worked well. I also have owned Milletts, and they worked as well, for far less money. I had these mounted on my T/C Arms, Encore pistols, chambered in .444 Marlin, .45-70 Gov't and .270 Win. Any reddot that can withstand that recoil, will hold on an AR-15.
Link: http://www.millettsights.com/scopes/sp-series-red-dot/
Edit to add: I will be taking the 4X Leupold off of my wife's S&W, M&P-10, and adding a Millett. She will have both available.
Geno
Link: http://www.millettsights.com/scopes/sp-series-red-dot/
Edit to add: I will be taking the 4X Leupold off of my wife's S&W, M&P-10, and adding a Millett. She will have both available.
Geno
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sappyg
Member
TRS 25. They've all held zero well. One of them has been on one gun or another now for Over 3 years without a hitch and is still on the original battery. Another has been left on low for over 6 months on the original battery. Battery life is good enough for me. Both are mounted on ARs.
Can't recommend the TRS riser mount though. Never could get it to stay put on the picatiny. Tried them with a Truglow 1"? Riser and never had an issue.
Can't recommend the TRS riser mount though. Never could get it to stay put on the picatiny. Tried them with a Truglow 1"? Riser and never had an issue.
jimbeaux82
Member
It has been reported that TRS 25 and Primary Arms Micro Dot are made in the same factory and are virtually identical. I have a couple of each and functionally I cannot tell the difference between them. I like them both. The only minor difference is in the outer case contours, Bushnell is smooth and PA has a couple ridges. I consider them to be otherwise identical.
Quentin
Member
I have three TRS-25s and they've worked well on ARs, an AK and a .308. A bargain when you find one for under $70, well worth more.
1911 guy
Member
In reply to Strutstopper's question, I like the Vortex Sparc (original, not Sparc II). Zero experience with the updated model, but i understand it's the same sight with the controls relocated and no magnifier included.
The battery has lasted well over a year with a couple hundred hours of use. I keep it set just under medium brightness, brighter uses more battery. No visibility problems even in direct sunlight. They advertise 200 or 300 hours for max brightness, I've got more than that leaving it set on medium. I do have an extra battery stuck in my pistol grip, though. Just in case.
The 2 MOA dot is a vast improvement if you're used to one of the 3 or 4 MOA dots. Apples to oranges, especially if you handle one immediately after the other.
I can't speak to the magnifier, as I don't use it. I run a fixed rear sight absolute co-witness and there's no room for the sight, red dot and magnifier. Actually there is, but not enough room to install and remove. I'd rather have it not there at all than in my way and not able to get rid of it. My limited monkeying with it gave me the impression it was a "range only" item, as it seemed to me the design of the magnifier would limit your field of view dramatically compared to just the sight tube. Your opinion may be different.
The mounting hardware included with the sight is great. It includes risers and shims, all of which attach directly to the sight, to accommodate mounting on a "regular" rifle (think bolt action, etc.) and your choice of absolute or lower third co-witness on an AR.
1913 mounting hardware, so it will fit both the picatinny rail and weaver rails. Bikini style dust covers for the lenses. By fluke of mounting location, I'm able to thread mine through the windage adjustment cap lanyard to retain it on the rifle at all times. Otherwise, I'd be really tempted to throw it in a drawer. A friend tried the same retention and it interfered with his ejection port.
The battery has lasted well over a year with a couple hundred hours of use. I keep it set just under medium brightness, brighter uses more battery. No visibility problems even in direct sunlight. They advertise 200 or 300 hours for max brightness, I've got more than that leaving it set on medium. I do have an extra battery stuck in my pistol grip, though. Just in case.
The 2 MOA dot is a vast improvement if you're used to one of the 3 or 4 MOA dots. Apples to oranges, especially if you handle one immediately after the other.
I can't speak to the magnifier, as I don't use it. I run a fixed rear sight absolute co-witness and there's no room for the sight, red dot and magnifier. Actually there is, but not enough room to install and remove. I'd rather have it not there at all than in my way and not able to get rid of it. My limited monkeying with it gave me the impression it was a "range only" item, as it seemed to me the design of the magnifier would limit your field of view dramatically compared to just the sight tube. Your opinion may be different.
The mounting hardware included with the sight is great. It includes risers and shims, all of which attach directly to the sight, to accommodate mounting on a "regular" rifle (think bolt action, etc.) and your choice of absolute or lower third co-witness on an AR.
1913 mounting hardware, so it will fit both the picatinny rail and weaver rails. Bikini style dust covers for the lenses. By fluke of mounting location, I'm able to thread mine through the windage adjustment cap lanyard to retain it on the rifle at all times. Otherwise, I'd be really tempted to throw it in a drawer. A friend tried the same retention and it interfered with his ejection port.
Jackal
Member
Under $200, the Primary Arms Advanced Micro dot cant be beat. For under $100, the Bushnell TRS is a wonderful sight.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I've had a Strikefire on a 10/22 for several years and many thousands of rounds, it's done well. I had another on my AR that only lasted about six months. It's been replaced with an Aimpoint PRO.
Primary arms...all day long.
http://www.tacticalsandwich.com/primary-arms-micro-dot-ultimate-torture-test/
http://www.tacticalsandwich.com/primary-arms-micro-dot-ultimate-torture-test/
Crunchy Frog
Member
I have a Strikefire on one build and a TRS-25 on the other.
If you are comparing to the Aimpoint PRO, the Strikefire is similar in size. I like the ability to choose a red or green dot. It came with a screw-on 2x magnifier but I've not used it much. Excellent cantilever mount with a true cowitness.
I bought the TRS-25 bundle with the riser "optimized" for a flattop AR. Right. It put the optic so high that I could not even see the iron sights through it. At all. Ordered a medium sized UTG riser and now it's great.
I hear good stuff about the Primary Arms optics. I have purchased other accessories from PA and was very pleased with the price, prompt shipping and customer service (I had questions about a product and received prompt, polite and knowledgeable responses).
If you are comparing to the Aimpoint PRO, the Strikefire is similar in size. I like the ability to choose a red or green dot. It came with a screw-on 2x magnifier but I've not used it much. Excellent cantilever mount with a true cowitness.
I bought the TRS-25 bundle with the riser "optimized" for a flattop AR. Right. It put the optic so high that I could not even see the iron sights through it. At all. Ordered a medium sized UTG riser and now it's great.
I hear good stuff about the Primary Arms optics. I have purchased other accessories from PA and was very pleased with the price, prompt shipping and customer service (I had questions about a product and received prompt, polite and knowledgeable responses).
HRnightmare
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Vortex Sparc on my budget "Extra AR's" and it holds up every bit as good as my Aimpoint and EoTechs.
StrutStopper
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Wow, overwhelming number of votes for the Bushnell. I already have one on a .22 pistol and like the sight, but think I want something different for my AR. I ended up ordering a SPARC II. From reading reviews the Primary Arms sounds great, but the Vortex warranty sounds really good. I went with the SPARC II over the Stikefire II because of the 2MOA dot vs. 4 MOA. Not sure how I'll like the smaller tube, but I'll give it a shot.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Getting something different is not a bad choice. How else will you know how other products work out?
Be sure to let us know what you think of the Sparc II.
DaveInFloweryBranchGA
Member
Take a hard look at the Holosun 503C and 403C. They're the outfit that manufactures Primary Arms red dots. These are just under 200 dollars and are excellent with the benefit they long battery hours.
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