Red Dot for AR

[Gun Nerd]

give me 4 and ill sell you a new aimpoint micro

[k1dude]

In that price range, I'd consider something by Holosun or Sig Sauer.

[the Scholar]

Aimpoint PRO as others have mentioned.

[Stanze]

AimPoint vendor used to get people's attention by chucking an Aimpoint Comp M2 10-25 yards across the pavement during LGS parking lot vendors event to demonstrate it's ruggedness.

[crufflers]

Aimpoint PRO, Trijicon MRO near the $400 limit.

Vortex Sparc AR for something at $125-$150

SVM Cabela's gift cards with Active Junky will be $391 and $314 for the MRO, PRO respectively. (both with mounts)

More value and toughness with the PRO, IMHO.

[CouchOperator]

Aimpoint. Accept no substitute

[J.O.]

I'm assuming the budget includes the mount needed. Maybe go with a budget friendly red dot like a Holosun. And if he finds himself needing more, upgrade to a T2/T1 down the road and reuse the upgraded mount.

Mount:

https://scalarworks.com/shop/optic-mounts/ldm-micro/

Red Dot: Holosun HS403GL

https://www.amazon.com/Holosun-Paralow-Parallax-Free-External-Battery/dp/B017C69KCI/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1498606770&sr=1-1&keywords=holosun+hs403gl

HS403GL + scalar works LDM = 4.32oz @ approx. $345
Aimpoint pro = 11.6oz @ approx. $420+

[Calico1404]

I was in Barstow, hot day, and had a halo die on me, solar back up and still died.
Was in a class during a rainy day with a fellow calgunner running a Primary Arms 1x4 that fogged up.
You have options and I doubt a "life " really will depend on it, but if it did..
.........

[Kestryll]

Aimpoint ACO maybe?

[crufflers]

I was in Barstow, hot day, and had a halo die on me, solar back up and still died.
Was in a class during a rainy day with a fellow calgunner running a Primary Arms 1x4 that fogged up.
You have options and I doubt a "life " really will depend on it, but if it did..
.........

I want to try a Holosun 500 series circle dot, but those solar models look gimmicky. 503GU for me or similar if I try one. I see cheap features on pretty much everything except Aimpoint, but YMMV. Trijicon stuff I have doesn't even come with a seal plate standard, yikes. MRO, I dunno have not mounted it.

[Sir Toast]

I want to try a Holosun 500 series circle dot, but those solar models look gimmicky. 503GU for me or similar if I try one. I see cheap features on pretty much everything except Aimpoint, but YMMV. Trijicon stuff I have doesn't even come with a seal plate standard, yikes. MRO, I dunno have not mounted it.

I have the Holosun circle dot. It is really nice. It has solar power and the battery lasts for years, even when left on. It automatically adjusts to the light or you can adjust manually.

[naeco81]

+1 for Aimpoint PRO

[CouchOperator]

I definitely do recommend the t2/h2. Awesome little optic

[Ej6fade]

...

[Gun Nerd]

all these posts and not one recommendation for eotech.... What gives??? Have they really been black balled that bad???