Red Dot Value Question Aimpoint/Vortex

[wendys]

Hello Everyone!

I am looking to buy a Red Dot Optic. I know that a lot of people will say save your money and buy an Aimpoint or EOtech, which is not a bad idea at all but I am also thinking that the Vortex Strikefire Red Dot only version is not a bad idea either at around ~$169.00.
The other Red Dot I was considering is the Aimpoint Pro Patrol which is around ~$400.00. I know... kind of opposite sides of the spectrum here or at least I think so??

What gets me is that you could always say "oh just keep saving and get the CompM4". SO help me figure out what you think works for me!

There is about a $230 dollar price difference which is substantial for me, but I could always go the route of waiting and saving for the Aimpoint Pro Patrol. I just wanted to hear from the experts, how big of a difference could one expect between these two optics? and do you think it is still worth it to go either route?

The rifle would be used for SHTF scenario, HD, and plinking at the range.

Take it easy on me I am new to the optics scene.

[protoolsnerd]

I have a vortex Sparc red dot . I prefer that one over the strikefire , but i won't speak of which vortex you should get .

The real difference between vortex and say aimpoint is that the aimpoint are military grade optics. You can beat them to hell, submerge them , incredibly rugged . The battery lasts forever. I think something like 5k hours.

The vortex is every bit as precise , mine has held its zero incredibly well . Great light transmission through the lenses . I'm easily able to hit 200 yard steel off hand with my AR. So the quality in the optic is def there. Also, vortex has the BEST customer service . I have owned 2 vortex scopes for my long range rifle and i couldn't be happier with them or vortex customer service .

So if you need one to go to hell and back with you , aimpoint is the way to go. If you're going to be in hostile zones or over in the middle east with the military get the aimpoint .

If you aren't , vortex is just as accurate .

[wendys]

So if you need one to go to hell and back with you , aimpoint is the way to go. If you're going to be in hostile zones or over in the middle east with the military get the aimpoint .

If you aren't , vortex is just as accurate .

Thanks for mentioning the Sparc. I have heard very good things about this optic but I just love the look of the Strikefire and especially the Aimpoints.

Can the Strikefire be submerged in water? can it take at least some beating without malfunctioning? or is there little to say on its durability?

[NoHeavyHitter]

I own a couple of Aimpoint comp ML3's, an EO Tech 557, and also a Vortex Strikefire. I think the Vortex product is about as "low" as I'm willing to go - in that it's an acceptable sight and even comes with a 2X magnifier. I have the Vortex Strikefire mounted on a Marlin 1895 SBL and it's living with the recoil of the .45-70 (although I only have about 200 rounds on it).

The downside to the Vortex Strikefire is that it could use more elevation adjustment clicks. Also I prefer a greater range of brightness between settings. The green "dot" is a welcome bonus as is the magnifier. That said, I like my Vortex, but I wouldn't want one for my "SHTF" rifle. Buy an Aimpoint or EOTech for your number 1 rifle. The military uses these sights for a reason - but not the Vortex, so that ought to tell you something.

What it comes down to is I'd like to have the loose change for premium optic on all of my guns, but I simply cannot afford to do that. The Vortex is a good quality option for a rifle that you use for pleasure. If I'm going to need to protect my life with a rifle - then I'm going to use the best for that.

Deciding to buy a premium optic is a difficult thing to do (at first) and I know having just bought a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56 last week. I'm about a year late on my goal of completing that rifle and the price of the optic had a lot to do with it.

Use the appropriate equipment for the task that your equipment is expected to perform. What is your life worth to you?

[jj805]

I have a Primary Arms micro dot for plinking at the range. I think it is a really good option for a low cost RDS.

[wendys]

I own a couple of Aimpoint comp ML3's, an EO Tech 557, and also a Vortex Strikefire. I think the Vortex product is about as "low" as I'm willing to go - in that it's an acceptable sight and even comes with a 2X magnifier. I have the Vortex Strikefire mounted on a Marlin 1895 SBL and it's living with the recoil of the .45-70 (although I only have about 200 rounds on it).

The downside to the Vortex Strikefire is that it could use more elevation adjustment clicks. Also I prefer a greater range of brightness between settings. The green "dot" is a welcome bonus as is the magnifier. That said, I like my Vortex, but I wouldn't want one for my "SHTF" rifle. Buy an Aimpoint or EOTech for your number 1 rifle. The military uses these sights for a reason - but not the Vortex, so that ought to tell you something.

What it comes down to is I'd like to have the loose change for premium optic on all of my guns, but I simply cannot afford to do that. The Vortex is a good quality option for a rifle that you use for pleasure. If I'm going to need to protect my life with a rifle - then I'm going to use the best for that.

Deciding to buy a premium optic is a difficult thing to do (at first) and I know having just bought a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56 last week. I'm about a year late on my goal of completing that rifle and the price of the optic had a lot to do with it.

Use the appropriate equipment for the task that your equipment is expected to perform. What is your life worth to you?

SO what is the difference between the Aimpoint Pro Patrol and the other CompM*'s just curious and lazy to really look on my own. from what I understand the MOA determines the size of the dot?

[protoolsnerd]

I'm not sure about the strikefire's ability to be submerged , but it's certainly not going to melt if it gets rained on .

As ruggedness , they can be banged around a little , take a wall smack or something without losing a zero, a great option for most users unless you really plan on beating it up .

[monk]

I've heard good things about the lucid hd7, apart from the shadow of the laser that is slightly visible thru the optic, so I'm getting that.

[HK Dave]

If you get the Aimpoint, you'll be finished... you'll have the cream of the crop...

If you get the Vortex, you will always think of "upgrading" someday to the Aimpoint and lose money in the process.

Both can be a fun process though.

Keep in mind, the Vortex comes with a lifetime, transferrable warranty... so if it ever goes down, you'll be taken care of. The Aimpoint does not come with that warranty however it probably also won't need it.

[PrimaryArms]

Our Micro dots are very tough and well below budget. Make sure you cowitness with some irons and your good to go

Dimitri

[ExtremeX]

Our Micro dots are very tough and well below budget. Make sure you cowitness with some irons and your good to go

Dimitri

Dimitri,

You have have been out of stock of the PA micro dots for a while. Any idea when you are getting more?

[marsh1]

Dimitri,

You have have been out of stock of the PA micro dots for a while. Any idea when you are getting more?

It looks like late August. The factory is way way behind.

OP we have Vortex, Aimpoint and EOTech. Glad to help with them.

If you are really going to use it for home defense and a AR makes a great HD weapon Aimpoint or EOTech would be my recommendation. Same thing I say to LE. If your life is on the line you want the lowest failure rate possible. They also can handle extreme situations better, like being banged into a wall as you round the corner. Even with those two brands a set of backup irons are called for.

Marshall

[HK Dave]

Or you could get a backup red dot. HEHE

[wendys]

Our Micro dots are very tough and well below budget. Make sure you cowitness with some irons and your good to go

Dimitri

Thanks for posting.

I have looked at your Micros and heard good things around here about them as well. I know it sounds dumb but what gets me about any Micro Red Dot is the look of it, its just too small i guess. I like the look of the ~5-inch 30mm Red Dots much more.

Can you tell me more about this red dot you guys sell here. ?

I currently have a set of the Magpul MBUS GEN2's which I am now thinking twice about. But I did not want run an absolute co-witness setup. I have been reading about the lower 1/3 co-witness and like the idea of it.

How would I be able to achieve this setup with the red dot I posted above and which mount would be necessary?

[ExtremeX]

The Micro is my favorite size Aimpoint.

While I understand aesthetics may be important to some, but the added benefit of reduced weight and smaller profile is a huge winner in my book.

From a functionality / usability standpoint I don’t feel like I am missing out on anything using a micro vs the larger sizes.