Budget AR Optic

[jimbo74]

Not looking for an ACOG, but want something decent.

Been looking around.

There are some that are really bottom and some mid range before the good stuff.

I want absolute co-witness. I probably wont shoot anything more than 100 yds at the range.

Rifle is range toy/HD/SHTF -- but I do have a Mossberg 500 12g, and will have some pistol soon as well.

I did get a Magpul MBUS used off ebay, but not sure if they are legit yet (will post a thread about that later).

Holosun ?

Primary Arms Micro Red Dot or Red Dot 2

Vortex SPARC 2 OR SPARC AR

Bushnell TRS25

Possibly Strikefire 2 or Spitfire maybe? (Not sure on name)

[excabswap]

Vortex is where it's at 👍

Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk

[tradecraft]

Those are all fine. YW

[Erion929]

Do you have any astigmatism issues with red dots.....rendering the dot to look like a grape cluster?

For that issue...or even if you don't have astigmatism....check out a Vortex Spitfire 1x AR PRISM sight.

The circle-dot reticle is PERMANENTLY etched, so with or without illumination...and with or without a battery...you can always see the reticle. So, you don't even need your iron sights or worry about co-witness, if you don't want 'em.

[jimbo74]

I am not sure if I have an astigmatism issue with red dots. I have never used one. I have only used iron sights.

I do wear rx glasses.

[SkylineGTR06]

I have had a TRS-25 on one of my ARs for the past three years and it keeps trucking. I've only replaced the battery once because I left it on for a few days and it got significantly weaker and it's still trucking(I usually turn if off when not in use).

The only downside is that you can't replace the mount you pretty much just use a riser. The other options let you use Aimpoint T series mounts which be cooler but probably cost more than the optic itself.

Just don't buy a cheap chinese red dot its a hit or miss but usually a miss. All those options you stated should be good to go and it shows you've already done your homework. Good Luck!

[jimbo74]

I actually saw a lot of reviews for the ones I have listed individually, but not really in a head to head.. I want to get the best value of course, but I know you get what you pay for with optics..... an ACOG would be nice, but I can't spend a month of child support on an optic

[monwren5]

I have a bushnell 1-4x AR223 scope.

I really like it. Bought mine from here.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/bushnell-bushnell-ar-optics-1-4x24-riflescope.html

[RogueSniper]

#1 Get the Vortex for the warranty, I have the StrikeFire I Red/Green cantilever mount plus screw on 2x.

#2 Get the Bushnell for the price. Sometimes on sale for $70. I have the TRS-25 w/UTG riser and a Lucid 1-5x magnifier. Works great.

The Holosun and Primary Arms seem to be the same manufacturer in China.

I bought a Hi-Lux MicroMax B red dot to sit on a 300BLK: 55,000 hour rated on one battery, sleep mode, spare battery compartment, killflash, etc. I think the mount is compatible with Aimpoint. Really nice rds. I paid $199.

[kenl]

Wife has uses a TRS-25 on a utg super slim riser (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CKYYH16...9ITFFHSS&psc=1) and backup sights. She has a 1" riser for a 1/3rd co-witness. Nice strong lightweight setup that she really likes. My AR has a 1x vortex spitfire prism sight with no backup irons. Not really inexpensive, but it's a very nice sight, setup is simple and easy to use.

Just for s&g, I got this $20 red dot https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y3SZEJC...I3KFFB93YMXT88. Wasn't expecting much, but it's way better than it should be. Optics are clear, the dot is crisp, looks like it's 2 moa instead of the advertised 4, and doesn't resemble some kind of exotic fruit. No, it's not going on anything that's going to see hard use, and don't know how durable it is, but we'll see. It found a home on the Buckmark. The pistol has backup iron sites, so I'm not that concerned if it falls apart.

[WMG]

I was under the impression the newer TRS-25's were not as highly thought of as the older ones ...........

[CouchOperator]

Aimpoint

[Euphoria526]

Eotech

[kramynot]

I just received a Monstrum Tactical 1-4x scope with illuminated reticle and really like it. Seems very clear and cowitnesses with front sight post. Big caveat is that I'm an iron sights guy so I don't know much about scopes or red dots. But the eyes are starting to fade so I thought I'd give optics a try. I intended to go with the Bushnell 1-4x but the Monstrum was cheaper and then went on sale. They are located in the L.A. area so shipping was extremely fast.

[dieselpower]

Bushnell
Primary Arms
NCStar

all make budget optic for the AR. nothing wrong with any of them, while you have a higher chance at getting a dud optic, they will make it right on warranty service.

A small red dot I would go with PA, over Bushnell, but for magnified Id go with Bushnell over PA.

NCS has better magnified optics then people think in fact NCStar has the two of the best under $120 AR15 scopes around. https://www.amazon.com/Ncstar-Compac.../dp/B00LXYE02Q and https://www.walmart.com/ip/New-Centu...250#about-item

I have seen and used both of these and for the price they do what they say and are fine for everyday use that is not penis measuring ... and you know what I mean.

If you are looking in the $200 range look at Leupold VX1 over PA, just my 2 cents.

and at $130 with tax-shipping included, this is a great deal, https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...&condition=all