Best CQB scope under $100 for entry level training class?

[Squirly]

Need a rear sight for my Dads AR but thought i could recommend him a low cost optic instead. Under $100. Its for a carbine class we are taking. Thought it could replace the rear sight investment. Needs to be on budget.
Recommendations are welcome.
Thanks.
MAGA

[jdewolf]

Red Dot or LPVO? As far as I know in the LPVO there wasn't much available in that price range. For anything half-way decent [PA or Vortex] you'd have to go in the $200-300 range. As for Red Dots there's plenty decent one's in that range. I'm partial towards Vortex due to their warranty. Infact I have a spare Gen 1 SPARC [absolute co-witness] that I was considering parting with for 100 shipped

[Full Clip]

If I was going to the trouble of taking a class, it would not be with a low-rent optic that could fail on me.
Just get the rear sight.

[Squirly]

Well i was thinking Red Dot because of cost and quick sight picture for a carbine class.
I imagine most shooting will be within 10-20 yards or even closer. I wanted to give my Dad a little advantage over iron sight s. But keeping it within tight budget.
I see the Vortex 2nd gen online but also see some preferences for 1st gen. What condition is your vortex?

Red Dot or LPVO? As far as I know in the LPVO there wasn't much available in that price range. For anything half-way decent [PA or Vortex] you'd have to go in the $200-300 range. As for Red Dots there's plenty decent one's in that range. I'm partial towards Vortex due to their warranty. Infact I have a spare Gen 1 SPARC [absolute co-witness] that I was considering parting with for 100 shipped

[jdewolf]

Well i was thinking Red Dot because of cost and quick sight picture for a carbine class.
I imagine most shooting will be within 10-20 yards or even closer. I wanted to give my Dad a little advantage over iron sight s. But keeping it within tight budget.
I see the Vortex 2nd gen online but also see some preferences for 1st gen. What condition is your vortex?

Good condition, some minor marks on the exterior but the glass itself is perfect. 2 MOA dot, absolute co-witness, and it has the bikini cover for it. I can get you some pictures later on in the afternoon if you want.

[Mr. Meeseeks]

Well i was thinking Red Dot because of cost and quick sight picture for a carbine class.
I imagine most shooting will be within 10-20 yards or even closer. I wanted to give my Dad a little advantage over iron sight s. But keeping it within tight budget.

You answered your own question. At those ranges any Vortex Sparc variant or Crossfire RD would be the best option. Messing with eye box and proper cheek weld with a LPO is an added obstacle with no advantage at those close distances. It might even limit his field of view and ability to spot targets and transition between targets at close range. Also an LPVO at that price range will not have a true 1x, so both eyes open will not be an option. The small RDSs will also be much lighter too and come with a mount.

I see the Vortex 2nd gen online but also see some preferences for 1st gen. What condition is your vortex?

[The War Wagon]

Need a rear sight for my Dads AR but thought i could recommend him a low cost optic instead. Under $100. Its for a carbine class we are taking. Thought it could replace the rear sight investment. Needs to be on budget.
Recommendations are welcome.
Thanks.
MAGA

There is NOTHING new under $100 I would recommend - EVEN to my mother-in-law. GOOD glass has gotten cheaper... but not THAT cheap, yet.


My go-to recommendation for years, has been a used Aimpoint Comp M2/ML2, which can be had for $250 +/- these days. I snagged one for $230 several years ago, so it can be done.


Failing that, Vortex glass has come a LONG ways since its inception - so much so, that I'm running a Razor on my SPR. Ergo, I'd recommend a Sparc, as I've seen them go for $179 new - and under $150 used. Pinch a few more pennies, and get that for ol' dad, before his course.


Because if you get a Barska (translates from Russian as, "breaks" ), which fails on his 3rd shot, and he becomes "THAT guy" - slowing down the class with a broken crappy optic - he'll just be ANOTHER hundred behind the 8-ball for GOOD glass, and he'll get MUCH less value out of his carbine class as well.


If you're pressed for time, bite the bullet, and break out the American Express. Otherwise, you'll lose money, on both a crappy optic and less value from your class.

[tomrkba]

You still need iron sights. If you buy a cheap optic, you will end up ripping it off the rifle and finishing class with irons.

Buy Aimpoint. You will be glad you did. Otherwise, you will run into problems like dot fade out, roving zero and so forth. Class is not a place to be fooling around with optics. Buy quality or cry later.

Heck, a decent quick detach mount will run you $100+.

[67Cuda]

I bought this and returned it "only" because it did not fit on a weaver.
For the price, I thought it was a great deal. Had a quality feel to it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V1PKLFC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Kestryll]

There are a few that are decent for under a hundred, they are exceptions to the rule but they are out there.

The Bushnell TRS-25 has a solid reputation and as far as durability when we do kids shoots at Rahaagues and such we use them. They get manhandled by kids for days and if you think you’re tough on your optic give it to a kid for ten minutes.

Without riser:

https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Trophy-TRS-25-Riflescope-1x25mm/dp/B00200E0HM/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3ONE8N3D7ATQN&dchild=1&keywords=trs-25+red+dot+sight&qid=1581225968&sprefix=Trs-2%2Caps%2C286&sr=8-2

With riser:

https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Optics-TRS-25-Hirise-Riflescope/dp/B00ABP8YCA/ref=sr_1_10?crid=3ONE8N3D7ATQN&dchild=1&keywords=trs-25+red+dot+sight&qid=1581225968&sprefix=Trs-2%2Caps%2C286&sr=8-10

Primary arms also makes a red dot with a good reputation, lots of history to see on them and a solid warranty. You will need a riser if it’s going on an AR pattern rifle.

https://www.amazon.com/Primary-Arms-Classic-Micro-Sight/dp/B00NC1G0KI/ref=sr_1_24?crid=3ONE8N3D7ATQN&dchild=1&keywords=trs-25+red+dot+sight&qid=1581225968&sprefix=Trs-2%2Caps%2C286&sr=8-24

Would I take them in to battle? No, I’d use my Eotech’s and Aimpoints.
Would I refuse to use them if it was all that was on hand? Nope, I’d lower my expectations a bit but I’d use them.

[Squirly]

That's pretty Epic information so far. Optics are like Politics! Stay strong CG!. Starting looking at TRS25 by Bushnell. Hoping the brand has mastered basic technology.
Clarification...he is using an extra rifle i have which has NO rear sight and A2 front sight. Also buying magul buis.
The idea is to co-witness front sight w TRS'25 and have rear magpul buis in down position.
$100 out the door. Tough price to beat w a brand name on it. Sorry for my corp atidude..

[GW]

Sig Romeo MSR $109 on Optics Planet but use code WDRD for 14% off till 9PM on 2/9
You get free shipping too!

[ldsnet]

I was an Irons only (Colt carry handle) shooter for years. I just upgraded to a red dot and BUIS https://www.primaryarms.com/magpul-m...ack-mag276-blk

For red dot, I am using the Vortex SPARC AR2 https://www.primaryarms.com/vortex-o...ot-sight-2-moa

Great mid budget quality and (so far) has just worked like it's supposed to.

Both are outside of your $100 budget, but with the cost and time of classes, a class isn't the time and place to find out your budget decision optic or sights are junk.

I have the Bushnell TRS-25 on another rifle, been ok, but based on reviews, quality can be hit or miss.

[Squirly]

We are now looking at the Vortex or Sig Romeo. Diff price points and warranties.
Will a RDS really help him? Ive never used one but i imagine it will really make a difference.

[enorbit3]

Bushnell trs25.

No personal experience but I've heard it's decent and cheap. U can probably find a basic buis on Amazon AND get the bushnell for under $100.