Red dot sight for my AR-15

[High Plains]

Palmetto State Armory has the Romeo 5s on sale.

 

[TonyAngel]

If this is your only AR, I wouldn't cheap out on the optic. The Eotechs are great in use, but the weight and battery life have always steered me away.

For me, there is only one choice and that's aimpoint. I say this because in 35 years of shooting very actively, I've never killed an aimpoint. I have one of the early models that is anodized blue and it still works.

Still, if a budget model is what you're after, I've had very good luck with the Romeo 5 models.

 

[21H40]

My M4 had the ACOG, and that's just outside of my budget for a rifle. I liked it when Uncle Sam bought it, though.

I've recently picked up a Swampfox for my lever action, and it has been much better than I expected - especially since it was on sale at Optics Planet.
I also have an old EOTech - circa 2005. Great optic, decent battery life, durable, but big. I don't know about their newer stuff though.

 

[gralewaj]

Look on eBay or a forum marketplace for AimPoint. I have a PRO and ACO that are like new, acquired "used". Replaced the batteries and have been good to go for years. Paid well below market if that is of interest.

 

[12Bravo20]

I haven't had a chance to compare the Vortex Strike Eagle to the Swampfox or Primary Arms LPVO scope. Out of the PA and Swampfox LPVO scopes, I definitely prefer the Swampfox. They are a true 1X and the reticles are slightly bigger and easier to use compared to the PA reticles. I have the Swampfox Tomahawk and Arrowhead LPVO scopes.

For budget red dots I will stick with the recommendations I posted above.

 

[gotboostvr]

Look on eBay or a forum marketplace for AimPoint. I have a PRO and ACO that are like new, acquired "used". Replaced the batteries and have been good to go for years. Paid well below market if that is of interest.

Depending on model of Aimpoint you gotta be on the look out for Chinese fake clones.

Some can be very hard to spot the difference. Some are pretty bad and are easy to sniff out.

Fake CompM2's and M4's are all over the place.

 

[Choctaw]

Although not a red dot I really like the Primary Arms 3x micro prism scopes. They hold up to abuse well and with the etched glass you don't have to rely on batteries.

 

[Hookeye]

I have the PA Gen 2 1x Cyclops.
Its kinda neat.

Zeroed and held zero just fine, but doesn't line up perfect w my irons.
Yeah, two diff systems, as long as each is zeroed, doesn't matter.
And w glass etched reticle, don't need BUIS...........but........

I'll run a LPVO or irons w a reflex clocked.

Am done with Chinesium.

 

[mavracer]

The TRS 25 is good for a cheapie but the last one I had had issues.
My favorite budget red dot for ARs is the Vortex SPARC AR, the next step up for me would be aimpoint pro

 

[gotboostvr]

Although not a red dot I really like the Primary Arms 3x micro prism scopes. They hold up to abuse well and with the etched glass you don't have to rely on batteries.

I really like those as well. I'm contemplating one of the new 5x's that were just announced.

 

[jmorris]

I agree with the Aimpoint suggestions, the comp 3 is my favorite of the ones I have used.

The ACOG reflex is the one I use most often though. No batteries or switches to fiddle with and probably the most durable one I have.

There are lots of them that are usable though, even some of the really cheap ones. This $25 BSA China optic has lived through more stuff than I thought it ever would. The dots not very round and I wouldn’t take it anywhere without a spare battery but it does work and hold adjustments.



The only one I would really try and avoid would be the Cmore railway, they can be frustrating to zero on a rifle as the adjustments are really better suited for pistols or at least closer ranges.