Optics Options

[Thomasthedankengine]

I've been looking into getting a new optic for my AR-15, it currently has a Vortex Strike Fire Gen 1. My price range is about the same as a Holosun 510c. Which is one of the optics that I'm looking at getting, but I don't like the shake awake feature because it uses a lot of battery life. The two main things I'm looking for are decent battery life and return to zero for which I'm sure the strikefire I have is not great. I'm betting the 510c is my best option but I want to hear some other opinions.

 

[CapnMac]

You can program how long the 510c stays on/off; and the factory spec battery lifespan is 50,000 hours, which is around five years.
Hard to beat the Holosun for value.

 

[jmr40]

Put a decent 1-4X or 1-6X scope on it and you'll never go back to dot sights. No batteries required. If you want to spend a little more there are several options with illuminated reticles that do the same thing as a dot sight with the advantages of a conventional scope.

On 1X they are at least as fast to use as a dot sight and even without the illuminated reticle are much better in low light. Then on 4X or 6X you have a viable long range weapon as well.

 

[herrwalther]

but I don't like the shake awake feature because it uses a lot of battery life

Not really sure what you mean. Shake awake prolongs battery life. I have the feature on a Holosun and another optic brand. They are on years of operation with the same battery. The Holosun on my carry pistol has been running for two years on its first battery. With probably 2 or 3 more years before I will have to replace it. The only brand I know that can beat that in battery life are Aimpoints that can go for up to 10 years. But you are also paying 800+ for that kind of battery life.

LPVOs are good for an all around rifle. Defense and hunting at a decent distance. Red dots for defense and close in hunting. What you plan on using the rifle for matters in optic choice.

 

[citizenconn]

Hard to beat the Holosun for value.

Indeed!

 

[Telekinesis]

I honestly don’t like the shake awake feature either. It’s ok if you plan to leave the gun stationary in a safe, but in my experience if you’re planning to move the gun around the battery life will be significantly lower than the published runtime. I have a Sig Romeo 5 which is a decent dot that is “rated” to 50,000+ hours of battery life, but that is taking into account the power saving of not having the dot actually projecting at all times. I put a new battery in the optic and took it to a carbine class (hours of driving each way, so it was constantly on plus time actually using the gun during the class) and then returned to my normal usage schedule and the battery was dead after 2 months.

Unfortunately in order to get an optic that is actually constant on (as opposed to using a shake awake system) and still has the multi-year battery life you’ll probably want to move to an Aimpoint. It’s a bit above your stated budget, but I’d recommend either an Aimpoint Pro or an Aimpoint Duty.

Note that if you go with the Aimpoint Duty, it has the footprint of a micro, but it sits a little bit higher on the mount than a T2 will. T-Rex Arms has some pretty good pictures showing the comparison.

 

[Bartojc]

I have a low power scope on my AR. No batteries, a little magnification, low tech. For me and what I do it works better than a red dot. Your uses may be different though so a Holosun might be perfect.

 

[ms6852]

I prefer the Vortex Spitfire 3X prism scope. Has an etched reticle for daylight use and illumination for night. I've used the BDC reticle it has to 500 yards consistently.

 

[citizenconn]

I prefer the Vortex Spitfire 3X prism scope. Has an etched reticle for daylight use and illumination for night. I've used the BDC reticle it has to 500 yards consistently.

I did not have great luck with the Vortex one in regards of eye relief. But I really like the Primary Arms prism scopes. I have several of the 1X and this 3X is possibly my favorite:
https://www.primaryarms.com/primary...-illuminated-acss-raptor-556-308-reticle-yard

I had been using several Nikon fixed 3X scopes but sold them and replaced with the PA mainly because the reticle was far superior.

 

[ms6852]

I did not have great luck with the Vortex one in regards of eye relief. But I really like the Primary Arms prism scopes. I have several of the 1X and this 3X is possibly my favorite:
https://www.primaryarms.com/primary...-illuminated-acss-raptor-556-308-reticle-yard

I had been using several Nikon fixed 3X scopes but sold them and replaced with the PA mainly because the reticle was far superior.

Too bad it did not work out for you. I have the Primary Arms prism scope also on another built, reticles are very similar and is why I chose the Primary Arms because the Vortex was not in stock. I find both to be comparable but lean towards the Vortex because I am able to better focus and see the reticle without illumination during daylight.

 

[citizenconn]

I find both to be comparable but lean towards the Vortex because I am able to better focus and see the reticle without illumination during daylight.

I know exactly what you mean with some of the PA offerings. On a lot of their older model first focal plain optics the reticle is hard to see, much less be able to use as intended, at less than 6X magnification. Some second focal plain offerings were better but it still depended on the particular reticle you were using.

But in my opinion their newest offering of reticles, the ones designed in the last couple of years particularly, have greatly improved on that handicap. I have the advantage of being able to go to their storefront here in Houston and look through all the offerings, which has turned me into a proponent of several of their optics. I know this sounds like a paid advertisement, and I wish it was, but its just my unvarnished opinion.

I still have probably 4X as many Vortex red dots than any other brand, though I have discovered a couple Holosun ones I prefer to Vortex. My Dad really likes the Vortex PST 4-16X I gave him, too. And I love the Vortex Razor binoculars I've had for a number of years. So I have nothing against Vortex; some of their options just don't work for me.