Quality micro-red dot sights?

[Arizona_Mike]

In the last year I've gotten into holographic sights and micro red dot sights and my middle-aged eyes are very happy.

I have a 3 MOA Burris Fastfire III that I am using on a PCC (pistol-caliber carbine) and an 8 MOA that I use for pistol and shotgun.

I have trusted Burris since the early 90s as being very recoil tough even if their optics are not the brightest (still pretty good).

What other good micro-red dots are available and what are their benefits? I hear there is one that has a built in rear sight notch.

After being "generic mac-and-cheese poor" throughout college and almost 7 years of grad school I am at a financially very comfortable place so cost is not a big consideration but (quality+features)/cost still is (I grew up in MI and still love a bargain )

Applications I have in mind are:
Glock 20 and 21
Custom .45/70 Lever Gun
Mossberg 590 Mariner
Rem870-based SBS (12.5"/14"/18")
Springfield M1A (in one of those rear sight replacement mounts).

I will probably have one on my Glock20 all the time, one on my PCC all the time (can use as my upstairs house gun), one on my Mossberg 590 all the time (my downstairs house gun), and then one or two to move around depending on dot size. I may dedicate one to the SBR since I am going through a lot of expense for that ($200 tax, Pelican type hard case, etc.)

I want very good recoil tolorance and top side battery change, as well as marked (if not detented) adjustments. The Burris Fastfire II would not be acceptable but the Fastfire III fits most of my needs.

Mike

 

[cavman]

Aimpoint micro

These are being used a lot by those with a little more of the well-heeled guys.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/aimpoint-micro-t-1-red-dot-sight.html

They seemed to be most liked due to their clarity, and super low lack of parallax. Also the problem of the battery running out during shooting is pretty much gone as well.

Maybe one day I would have gotten them as well replacing my Ultra-dots, but I have gone all irons several years ago

 

[Arizona_Mike]

Thanks. I am new to this type of optic and may not know the terminlogy. I am looking for the "heads up" type with most of the guts below and maximum visibility over and around the sight.

Mike

 

[Sgt_R]

Trijicon RMR is about as good as it gets, but the battery mounts from below. Still, you only have to change it once per year, so not so bad.

For anything larger than a SMG, I like a larger optic. I am personally partial to the Aimpoint Micro T1. Trijicon also makes a mini red dot, but I haven't had my hands on one yet.

If you want a reflex type sight on a long gun, you could also try Eotech.

R

 

[Arizona_Mike]

I love my EOTech XPS3-2. It is my favorite sight for AR-15 and I also use it on my M1a (ordered a stripper clip adapter base for the magnifier). It is my favorite long range rifle sight.

I am looking for these smaller units in addition to that for shorter range work.

Mike

 

[1KPerDay]

MAC just did a good vid on the Vortex Razor, FYI.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqy_FuJAWAE

 

[Walkalong]

In a red dot review, I want to see the dot, or at least have them tell me if it is a round dot or just a star burst like so many are. I am tired of crappy dots.

 

[Sgt_R]

In a red dot review, I want to see the dot, or at least have them tell me if it is a round dot or just a star burst like so many are. I am tired of crappy dots.

Your eyes could be part of the problem (seriously).

If I take a photo through my RMR, the dot is a perfect circle. Yet, to my naked eye, it has a bit of starburst to it.

R

 

[Blue68f100]

Over driving the dot for the lighting condition can make them star burst. Like Walkalong I have seen many like that. The ones that only have ON and on some auto brightness control will star burst. I prefer to have both Manual and Auto if I have an option.

C-more are very good too, Al body glass lens. http://www.speedshooter.com/product_detail.cfm?id=CMRSTS&n=C-more-Scope-STS-Tactical-Sight

 

[1KPerDay]

In a red dot review, I want to see the dot, or at least have them tell me if it is a round dot or just a star burst like so many are. I am tired of crappy dots.

You and me both... my cheap Primary Arms is a dot, my expensive Aimpoint is fuzzy.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

My EOTech caused a visit to the optometrist for a prescription update and new glasses. It is a dot as are my Burris FastFire III 3 and 9 MOA micro-minis

Both technologies project the image to infinity and any astigmatism you may have will be readily apparent, much more so than looking at objects at a finite distance.

I love the Burris 8 MOA for shotgun but am debating which one is better for pistol. When the eye relief gets beyond about 12", you start to see reflections from the edge of the glass (these are completely blocked up closer and you never see them). There is a lot more extraneous light form the 8 MOA dot (I suspect about 7 times as much (as 8^2 / 3^2 ~= 7).

Mike

 

[TAKtical]

My favorite is the dual illuminated trijicon rmr. Ive run them on Ak's, Ar's, Benelli's, 10/22's, Glocks, 1911's. WELL worth the money IMO.

 

[Walkalong]

Your eyes could be part of the problem (seriously).

Well, I have some that are nice round dots, and many more that are starbursts, so I figure it is not my eye. Wrong? Dunno, but I do know some are nice and round, so others could be as well. I have a couple of Aimpoints that have nice round dots, an old Ultra Dot tube that is round, and old Tasco tube that is round, a Nikon that is round, and an inexpensive Primary arms that is nice and round. Unfortunately when I bought another PA, it would not zero. I used to have A C-More that was round and crisp. *sigh*

 

[LiquidTension]

If durability is your main concern the Aimpoint micros (T-1, H-1) are the way to go. There are companies that can mill the slide on your Glock so it can be mounted. They are expensive but absolutely worth it. Besides, you can occasionally find a lightly used one relatively cheap. I paid the same amount for my last two Aimpoints - one an H-1, the other a PRO.