Need ideas for a sight for my AR....

[Glock Fan]

I am looking to buy a sight for about 500 bucks or so. I am looking for a sight mostly just for general use. 3 gun matches, LESA matches, plinking in the desert and at the range and so on. I will be running a optical sight and iron sights.

I have heard really good things about the Aimpoint H1! Does anyone have any feedback on this specific sight? I am tossing and turning between aimpoint and EOTech.

Just looking for some general feedback and some insight on a good sight to fit my needs. Also, any links to some good prices for the sights would be appreciated!!

Thanks for all your help CGers!!

[esskay]

Which 3-gun matches do you plan to shoot? LESA & WEGC 3-gun matches don't go that long and you can get away with 1x, but others like X3 Piru and Pala do... so you'll need magnification for those matches.

[Glock Fan]

ya I figured I would need a magnifier at one point and I was looking around and the price jumps pretty significantly!

[esskay]

For 3-gun matches like X3 you're shooting up to 375 yds or so, so red dots with 3x magnifiers are at a disadvantage -- lower magnification, reticles (usually) without holdovers, and large dots (e.g. 4MOA dot in the Aimpoint).

[Glock Fan]

dang. wish i was rich

[damndave]

Aimpoint H-1 is a great sight, but only comes with a 4moa dot. that was the main reason I did not get one for my AR. I run a CompM4 2moa but it is big and heavy. Pretty nice with a 3x magnifier but the optics alone after that is about 1.5 lbs of added weight. EOtechs are nice and come with a 1moa dot. I personally did not go that route as the glass seems like it can get damaged easier than an Aimpoint. If you plan to get a Aimpoint and magnifier, just get a ACOG for the same money. The TA11 Series has awesome eye relief too.

[Glock Fan]

so much to learn! thanks for the info so far

[esskay]

Here's an upcoming 1-4x optic to keep an eye on, the Vortex Viper. It could be a real good value. It's not out yet, and I've read it will be around $500 though link below shows mrsp $599. The big question is how bright the illumination will be, early indications from SHOT show were promising.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-viper-pst-1-4x24-riflescope-with-tmcq-moa-reticle

[esskay]

Should reiterate that there is no perfect optic, everything has pros & cons and depends on your intended use. Your initial description of its mission is very very broad, so you will be making concessions to one application or another regardless of which optic you go with.

Personally, I run a 1-4x on my competition rifle and a red dot on my defensive rifle. I've run Aimpoints and Eotechs and prefer Eotech.

Also personally I'd take the red dot (+ optional magnifier) over an ACOG, based on my likely uses and ranges for home/self defense. For CQB/shorter ranges red dots rule the roost (speed, less than ideal shooting positions, etc). If I were deploying to Afghanistan, might make different choices!

[santacruzstefan]

Here's an upcoming 1-4x optic to keep an eye on, the Vortex Viper. It could be a real good value. It's not out yet, and I've read it will be around $500 though link below shows mrsp $599. The big question is how bright the illumination will be, early indications from SHOT show were promising.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/...cq-moa-reticle

Yeah, I've been heard about this one... it looks pretty good. On Optics Planet, it looks like its already available, and at a decent price. Does anyone have any first hand experience with this thing yet?

http://www.opticsplanet.net/vortex-viper-pst-1-4x24-riflescope.html

[Glock Fan]

That may be a good option. Reasonably priced too

[santacruzstefan]

Yeah, I emailed Vortex and they said it hadn't been released yet. But for the price, I think I'm gonna get one when they are... one of the vendors on here had a presale going for them, I forget who or when they said they'd be available. IIRC, it was sometime in May.