Optics on the Cheap

[joash]

There's a lot of discussion of high-tech, high-end optics and other firearms accessories, but what about high quality low price?

What are some of the best low budget options out there?

[sengk]

How low of a budget are you talking about? My go to 100-200 dollar range scopes have been the Nikon Prostaff and Redfield scopes. The Bushnell Elite 3200 line is decent for the price also. Any cheaper than that and you are just wasting money, imho.

[The War Wagon]

There's a lot of discussion of high-tech, high-end optics and other firearms accessories, but what about high quality low price?

You GET what you PAY for, and NOWHERE is that more true, than in rifle glass.

What are some of the best low budget options out there?

Are you looking for CQB glass, or long range? Aimpoint/EOTech/Trijicon are your go-to standards in CQB. Trijicon & Leupold also make quality long-range glass at an AFFORDABLE price.

UNLESS it's used, GOOD glass invariably STARTS around $450 and up. PINCH, your pennies 'til they scream, and buy ONCE, and buy RIGHT.

$79.95 for some craptacular piece of Barska/UTG/Leapers/NcStar hunka junk, means you're $79.95 behind the 8-ball towards REAL glass. Of course, if you don't actually plan on SHOOTING your rifle, or ever needing TO shoot your rifle ("Hey buds - LOOKY what I got!" ), than go nuts.

Firearm forums are FULL of horror stories & FAIL! on cheap glass, and the people who tell you "it works great," either DON'T shoot their firearms enough to MATTER, or, they SELL this junk for a living.

Here endeth the lesson...

[sengk]

^^ Words of wisdom right there.

[Droppin Deuces]

The lowest I'd go on a magnified optic is the mid $300 range. That'll get you into "budget" Leupold and Nikon territory. Once you get a taste of decent glass like that you begin to understand why you shouldn't skimp.

[ejhc11]

Currently, I think Vortex has the balance between quality and good value not to mention top notch service. They provide a good product with prices still attainable by average wages.

[joash]

I was thinking of more along the lines of non-magnified.

[Droppin Deuces]

For red dots, look at Primary Arms, Lucid(HD7), Bushnell(TRS-25), Vortex(Strikefire). Those ar all pretty rugged. The Lucid is a bit more expensive, but it gets good reviews.

[Steerme]

Aimpoint/EOTech/Trijicon are your go-to standards in CQB.

OP,
If you have a eye stigmatism, make sure that you look though the red dot sight before buying, otherwise you may find that you see a cone instead of a dot. I don't have that problem with my EOTECH, but I do with cheap chinese red dots.

Before you buy, think about how you plan to use the optic. My XPS has the single dot (making it fast for targeting) but now that I have been using it for awhile, I "might" rather have the BDC reticle and a side folding magnifier.

Alternatively, I like the 3x or 4x Trijicon AGOGs for ranging (and you don't need a battery).

[gesundheit]

OP,
If you have a eye stigmatism, make sure that you look though the red dot sight before buying, otherwise you may find that you see a cone instead of a dot. I don't have that problem with my EOTECH, but I do with cheap chinese red dots.

Before you buy, think about how you plan to use the optic. My XPS has the single dot (making it fast for targeting) but now that I have been using it for awhile, I "might" rather have the BDC reticle and a side folding magnifier.

Alternatively, I like the 3x or 4x Trijicon AGOGs for ranging (and you don't need a battery).

I heard that Aimpoints (LED sourced) are worse than EOTechs (Laser sourced)for Astigmatic users. Is this true for those of you who have used both?

[Vacaville]

How low of a budget are you talking about? My go to 100-200 dollar range scopes have been the Nikon Prostaff and Redfield scopes. The Bushnell Elite 3200 line is decent for the price also. Any cheaper than that and you are just wasting money, imho.

+1

Pretty much hit it on the nose there.

[edwardjames]

id stay above $350. anywhere below that youll be setting yourself back

unless its going on a .22lr

[cal5]

What do you guys think of this Bushnell for $135. Bushnell is a reputable company right?

http://www.bushnelloptics.com/bushnell-red-dot-sights-730005.html

[Frank92612]

Any thoughts on the Weaver Kaspa 3-12X44SF ILL Ballistic-X Tactical Rifle-Scope for $200?

[NeilM]

Hi guys. New to the forum here and I'm currently hunting for a long-range scope to go on my .308 Savage 10BA rifle. Will be shooting at distances from 150 - 400yrds mostly.

Specs: looking for no less than 16X magnification and no less than 50mm obj lens


Would love to get your input/opinion on a sub $1K scope that is very good. Preferably something you currently own or have experience with in the past. My price range is from $550 - $850.

So far from a couple of days of research, I've found these 2 scopes:

1. Leupold VX 3 6.5-20x50mm (approx $860)

2. Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 (approx. $750)


Any input would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!


~Neil