looking for a red dot sight, advice?

[jason41987]

hey everyone, im looking for a red dot sight to put on my upcoming AK-74 rifle... i have decided i am going with a side mount, either midwest industries if i go with an open style red dot, or the RS mount if i go with a tube style red dot

so... id like to know whats available around the $100-$200 mark, and whats the best option in the up to $500 mark (aimpoint, eotech, trijicon, etc)

how important is battery life?... i know the aimpoint will last 50,000 hours it says.. which is 5 years if left on.. thats truly amazing.. but honestly... who would leave it on for that long?...

so.. im looking for a sight with the common features, adjustable brightness, different reticles would be cool, but if i had to decide i guess a 2-4MOA dot would be good too.. and ive also considered the russian PK-A sight and the kobra

what is important to me is durability, something waterproof and shock proof as well

so... what are your recommendations for my criteria?

 

[marinetowgunner]

If it were me:

100-200 mark I would go with the Vortex Sparc. It's the only red dot that I know of that has a lifetime warranty.

500 mark I would look at an Aimpoint Micro H-1.

 

[modarmory]

If you are looking for durability, +1 on aimpoint.
If you look up guntalk.tv they put Aimpoints to the test! They also show how much money you would save if you do not constantly purchase batteries.

The Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic is less expensive than the H1 and is easily our best seller.
The H1 and T1 both micro's are very durable and a great compact sight.

A link to guntalk.tv featuring different videos

http://www.guntalktv.com/gtv/librar...=undefined&cache=Mon Aug 13 13:52:43 MDT 2012

 

[Inebriated]

I have a Vortex StrikeFire (30mm tube) that sat on my Arsenal for a while, and now is on a .22. It's been awesome, despite the thrashing it got on the Arsenal. The Sparc I'm sure is just as good.

If you aren't using the rifle for defensive use (going off your mounting thread), then no need for an Aimpoint or Trijicon, in my opinion. Their big seller is the durability and constant service. A plinker doesn't necessarily need that (not that it isn't nice to have).

Just as another option, there are a couple 1-4x scopes out there. They're light weight, and most have a dot instead of crosshairs, so you can use it effectively like a red dot (to my knowledge... I'm not sure how the eye relief matters for 1x).

 

[fanchisimo]

+1 on the Strikefire, mine has been awesome.

 

[allaroundhunter]

how important is battery life?... i know the aimpoint will last 50,000 hours it says.. which is 5 years if left on.. thats truly amazing.. but honestly... who would leave it on for that long?...

If it is a home defense rifle, you want to be able to leave it on and be able to grab and go at a moment's notice. You don't want to be fumbling around for an "on" switch when an intruder is seconds away. That is who would leave it on for that long, and I personally think it is an absolutely incredible product.

 

[fatcat4620]

Low end- strikefire
High end- aimpoint