I'm looking at sights for my AR, I want to spend around 500 bucks because that's what I'm selling my AK for. I've looked at the Aimpoint, Eotech, and Trijicon reflex sights. Anyone have experience on these and opinions. Are they worth the money or is there something cheaper out there that can compare to these brands? I want a good quality sight for up to 200 yards. Will be using this sight for target and SHTF situations. I want them to be tough enough to withstand some abuse and a long battery life.
Need a sight for my AR
- Thread starter ronford21
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Zerodefect
member
Aimpoint Tall Mount combo:
http://www.laruetactical.com/aimpoint-micro-h-1-4moam4-mount-combo
Eotech XPS combo:
http://www.laruetactical.com/eotech-xps-lt-110-qd-mount
For a little longer range:
Aimpoint ML3 2moa, Get the LT-129 cantilever mount.
http://www.laruetactical.com/aimpoint-comp-ml3-w-larue-tactical-mount
I'd bet my life an any of the above combos.
The Eotech XPS is really the only Eotech left out there, it's made the older models hopelessly obsolete. It's more durable, smaller, lighter, watertight battery compartment.
http://www.laruetactical.com/aimpoint-micro-h-1-4moam4-mount-combo
Eotech XPS combo:
http://www.laruetactical.com/eotech-xps-lt-110-qd-mount
For a little longer range:
Aimpoint ML3 2moa, Get the LT-129 cantilever mount.
http://www.laruetactical.com/aimpoint-comp-ml3-w-larue-tactical-mount
I'd bet my life an any of the above combos.
The Eotech XPS is really the only Eotech left out there, it's made the older models hopelessly obsolete. It's more durable, smaller, lighter, watertight battery compartment.
C-grunt
Member
Im a huge fan of Aimpoints. That being said you can find used ACOGs for 500 bucks.
NYH1
Member
I'm going to get a Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic (PRO) for my AR. $400 with the mount. Hard to beat that IMHO, YMMV.
NYH1.
NYH1.
The War Wagon
Member
You want an OPTIC. A sight is the metallic peep that goes BEHIND the "optic," or at the end of a flattop rail.
<--- "sights"
Aimpoint - I run a Comp M2, a Pro, and T1, and even an old Comp M (1 - the FIRST Comp - has about 12 hours of battery life!
) on my .22LR AR Tactical Trainer, so I have a LITTLE bit of experience with them.
Pros - newer models have INCREDIBLE battery life. BATTLE-proven in Iraq & Afghanistan for 10 years now! LOTS of accessories, like rubber armor, killflashes, etc., and the QRP mount, which can save you some money. Easy on the eyes for the astigmatic set (which I am!).
Cons - cost; you DO need to pinch pennies for them, but they ARE worth it! Some models use 'funky' batteries (I consider anything OTHER than a AA or CR123, to BE a 'funky' battery), and those COULD be tough to locate in a grid-down scenario, and possibly tough to store on-board the rifle. After-market mounts available, but can easily add another $100+ to the overall cost.
EOTech - I have run both a 512 and a 557 in the past, so I have some experience with them.
Pros - MOST affordable of the BIG 3 - used ones can be had around $200! Mount/s are built-in. Have also seen extensive use in the sandbox. Reticle remains visible in the largest UN-broken part of the glass, should the glass be damaged (keeps you in the fight!).
Cons - short battery life. VERY hard on folks with astigmatism (the ONLY reason I had to get rid of mine, and switch to Aimpoints - I really loved them, otherwise ). Smaller units require 'funky' batteries, too.
Trijicon - I did have a couple of their RX30-23 units for a while, and even ran a couple of introductory carbine courses with them - they held up VERY well.
Pros - rubber-armored, heavily shock-proofed. Large dot reticle is very easy on the eyes, and the amber dot is practically gold in color - GREAT contrast EVEN in bright sunlight for ME (some people DO complain of washout - I'm guessing they live in an AZ desert, because in the eastern forests of North America, it works GREAT for me!). Optic cost is very reasonable, and used you can get them GREATLY discounted. MULTIPLE mounting options available. Fiber optics eliminate the need for a battery, although I've also owned a TX30 Tri-Power, which does take batteries!
Cons - mildot is 6.5 MOA, which bothers some people at distances beyond 50 yards. To that I say, the "C" in "CQB" does stand for, "CLOSE." Again, some people complain of washout in the sun - I've shot moving from complete shade to bright sunshine in ONE step, and it never washed on me. The tritium insert for nightwork is on the dim side, and has a 17 year guarantee. Ergo, it WILL go inert, eventually. Some mounting options (the ARMS #15, for instance!) are MORE expensive than others! The TX30 has funky batteries, short battery life, and dim Tritium.
In conclusion, there's up & down sides to EACH optic. The GOOD news is, NONE of them will break the piggy bank, if you save up long enough, and all of them have excellent warranties, good workmnaship, and are proudly made in the USA by established manufacturers who stand behind what they sell.
What it boils DOWN to is, DO YOUR HOMEWORK - find out whaich ones works BEST for you (and yeah, you might do like me, and go through ALL of them, before you find what works BEST! ), and then practice, practice, practice with what you decide on!
Aimpoint - I run a Comp M2, a Pro, and T1, and even an old Comp M (1 - the FIRST Comp - has about 12 hours of battery life!
) on my .22LR AR Tactical Trainer, so I have a LITTLE bit of experience with them.Pros - newer models have INCREDIBLE battery life. BATTLE-proven in Iraq & Afghanistan for 10 years now! LOTS of accessories, like rubber armor, killflashes, etc., and the QRP mount, which can save you some money. Easy on the eyes for the astigmatic set (which I am!).
Cons - cost; you DO need to pinch pennies for them, but they ARE worth it! Some models use 'funky' batteries (I consider anything OTHER than a AA or CR123, to BE a 'funky' battery), and those COULD be tough to locate in a grid-down scenario, and possibly tough to store on-board the rifle. After-market mounts available, but can easily add another $100+ to the overall cost.
EOTech - I have run both a 512 and a 557 in the past, so I have some experience with them.
Pros - MOST affordable of the BIG 3 - used ones can be had around $200! Mount/s are built-in. Have also seen extensive use in the sandbox. Reticle remains visible in the largest UN-broken part of the glass, should the glass be damaged (keeps you in the fight!).
Cons - short battery life. VERY hard on folks with astigmatism (the ONLY reason I had to get rid of mine, and switch to Aimpoints - I really loved them, otherwise
). Smaller units require 'funky' batteries, too.Trijicon - I did have a couple of their RX30-23 units for a while, and even ran a couple of introductory carbine courses with them - they held up VERY well.
Pros - rubber-armored, heavily shock-proofed. Large dot reticle is very easy on the eyes, and the amber dot is practically gold in color - GREAT contrast EVEN in bright sunlight for ME (some people DO complain of washout - I'm guessing they live in an AZ desert, because in the eastern forests of North America, it works GREAT for me!). Optic cost is very reasonable, and used you can get them GREATLY discounted. MULTIPLE mounting options available. Fiber optics eliminate the need for a battery, although I've also owned a TX30 Tri-Power, which does take batteries!
Cons - mildot is 6.5 MOA, which bothers some people at distances beyond 50 yards. To that I say, the "C" in "CQB" does stand for, "CLOSE." Again, some people complain of washout in the sun - I've shot moving from complete shade to bright sunshine in ONE step, and it never washed on me. The tritium insert for nightwork is on the dim side, and has a 17 year guarantee. Ergo, it WILL go inert, eventually. Some mounting options (the ARMS #15, for instance!) are MORE expensive than others! The TX30 has funky batteries, short battery life, and dim Tritium.
In conclusion, there's up & down sides to EACH optic. The GOOD news is, NONE of them will break the piggy bank, if you save up long enough, and all of them have excellent warranties, good workmnaship, and are proudly made in the USA by established manufacturers who stand behind what they sell.
What it boils DOWN to is, DO YOUR HOMEWORK - find out whaich ones works BEST for you (and yeah, you might do like me, and go through ALL of them, before you find what works BEST!
), and then practice, practice, practice with what you decide on!JimStC
Member
Leupold Mark 4 CQ/T. Find a used one. Used a couple for years. They are very reliable.
briansmithwins
Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2005
- Messages
- 4,631
Where?
I'll take two.
Stolen .mil doesn't count.
BSW
Here's a good sight- Aimpoint H1 with riser & mount, $588. I have one on my AR and it's so much faster than using iron sights
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=42949/Product/MICRO-H-1-RED-DOT-SIGHT-WITH-FLATTOP-MOUNT
Or get the Aimpoint Pro for $410, ready to mount to your rifle
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/sights-optics/aimpoint/aimpoint-patrol-rifle-optic.html
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=42949/Product/MICRO-H-1-RED-DOT-SIGHT-WITH-FLATTOP-MOUNT
Or get the Aimpoint Pro for $410, ready to mount to your rifle
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/sights-optics/aimpoint/aimpoint-patrol-rifle-optic.html
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
WRONG, an optical sight is still a sight, the little metal thing on the front of the rifle is an Iron sight, and Acog is an example of an optical sight, all of them are still sights
This is the best red dot on the market for the money, IMO. I love my PRO. The thing is bombproof, the included mount is excellent (if a little heavy), and the insanely long battery life means you can turn it on and just leave it on for years and years. No switches to fumble with - just pick it up and go.
SwissArmyDad
Member
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2011
- Messages
- 490
Anyone go with a nice set of irons, (troy, DD rear etc. I have an "f" stamped A2 front sight on my new PSA upper)and simply add a green laser and a quality weaponlight, for nighttime shooting?
I don't want to waste money on a subpar reddot or holo optic, and I'd like to get my gun up and running sooner rather than later.
I figure with these three things I'm covered as long as I need to be, while I save up for an aimpoint PRO or similar.
Budget right now is about $200.00 or less, if possible.
I don't want to waste money on a subpar reddot or holo optic, and I'd like to get my gun up and running sooner rather than later.
I figure with these three things I'm covered as long as I need to be, while I save up for an aimpoint PRO or similar.
Budget right now is about $200.00 or less, if possible.
C-grunt
Member
I bought my 3x ACOG I had a few years back for 500 used on a local board. I did spend 750 recently for a LNIB USMC model TA-31RCO but I was also looking at a couple other models on some online boards for around 500. Check out M4C.
ETA. The mini ACOGS (1.5 and 2 power) tend to sell for a lot less that the bigger ones and after trying one out they might be my favorite.
Creature
Member
Take a look at the Burris AR332 or AR536...
The War Wagon
Member
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