Do I get what I pay for with a red dot sight?

[MRJones]

No doubt the most expensive are high quality and the cheapest are, well, the cheapest. My question is: what do the high dollar red dots have to offer that the less expensive ones don't? When I read what the manufacturers have to say about their products the $90 Bushell works just as well as the $500 Eotech. What's your experience?

[DarkSoul]

The Vortex Sparc was tested over on ar15com and got an outstanding review for a reddot under $200, I bought one based on that review, and overall it's been great, can beat the crap out of it, hold it under water, keeps on going. My only complaint is that the actual red dot has a bit of a flare to it, I.e. It's not super sharp, but for a quick acquisition , get your shots in the "upper 8", it's not an issue.

I also bought a 1.5x mini ACOG with a green reticle ($900)and it has been by far my favorite dot style optic. The dot and circle reticle is super sharp, the green is great (apparently the human eye picks up green better than any other color), and the slight magnification actually works great.

If I were limited on funds, I would go for the Sparc again, money NOT being an issue, absolutely would go with another mini ACOG.

In regards to the Bushnell, see if you can find any long term reviews, sometimes these cheaper (sub $100) optics have issues if dropped or wet, zero can change, electronics can fall apart etc.

[postal]

Most times in life... unless you cross paths with a con artist.... You typically get what you pay for.

Optics is one them.

I had a tasco accudot for years- when it broke, I replaced it with a nikon monarch which is pretty cool. It's one of the few out there with adjustable dot size. They run over $200.

I also have a vortex Razor red dot which is similar to the trijicon RMR and it's a sweet little piece of gear. They run about $500.

I have a really nice bushnell scope, but for cheaper red dots, the burris fastfire has a big following.

If you want to save some cash, try the burris.

Part of what you pay for is brand name, if mil uses it, they can charge more, but otherwise it's the overall quality, reliability, features, longevity, and warranty you're paying for.

People say the burris has a lifetime no hassle warranty (I'd double check the specific models). I know the vortex products do. Which is rare for red dots. Most other companies only have a 2-5 yr limited warranty.

[R19]

This has been discussed many, many times. Durability and battery life are just a few of the qualities that are strong points of the higher end red dot sights.

[hermosabeach]

If you are a range shooter, almost anything works.

If you hunt or plan to use for self defense, get something that was built to survive drops and other impact without losing zero or breaking.




And as the poster above said, search on the forum. Lots of great threads on this very topic.

[J-cat]

Why do red dots look like you're looking though a fish tank that hasn't been cleaned for years?

[JDW67]

Why do red dots look like you're looking though a fish tank that hasn't been cleaned for years?

If hope you're not talking about Aimpoints. My ML2 and Micros are sharp as heck.

[Oneaudiopro]

You ALWAYS get what you pay for.

[aaaslayer]

I use cheap a55 red dots from Amazon and they work well for me, shooting at the range. However, I have 1 good quality red dot that is on my go-to rifle if shtf.

I have a Bushnell TRS25 on an AR pistol, has been on a 12ga, has been on my Ruger Mark3 22/45, and it is great for the price I paid. I also have a UTG red dot that was only $40 and it works really well on one of my ARs. Would I trust it in battle? Perhaps, so long as I don't drop my rifle or submerge it water. But for battle use, I'd rather have the peace of mind with a higher end optic. But most of us are not in battle, so you'll do fine with cheaper optics. Believe me. Unless you like to pay for high end name brand stuff, then go for it, because often times you're paying a lot more for those products because of the name.

[ChuckDizzle]

Buy once, cry once. My experience is that people who say their cheapo stuff is just as good or almost as good as the top of the line product either a) don't shoot enough/well enough to notice the difference, and/or b) haven't really experienced the top of the line product enough to notice the difference.

I liked my TRS-25 for what it is, but the click adjustments were not precise and varied movement from click to click. Also the mounting screw stripped itself very easily. How am I supposed to torque it down tight enough to hold zero and remain on a rifle for years if I can easily wear down the edges for the allen key?

[ChuckDizzle]

Why do red dots look like you're looking though a fish tank that hasn't been cleaned for years?

Most use a slight green/blue tint to help with the reflection and contrast of the red dot.

[MaHoTex]

Vortex is great value and excellent optics. I have a couple different ones: SPARC and I think the other is the Strikefire. For an est $200 I would say it is hard to beat. Look for sales and specials. I got a smoking deal on the Strikefire (I think that is the model) a year ago in a 24 hour sale and it was literally 1/2 price.

[p1choco]

Be realistic about what you're using it for and what you're putting it on. If you need one for SHTF or combat, seriously consider the possibility of that ever happening... If you hunt, well there are plenty of Turkey hunters using those true glo red dots on mag shotguns. For plinking, a more reputable Trs, SPARC, Primary arms will do just fine. If you need the piece of mind, you'll spend the money and won't regret it.

[Sniper3142]

Why do red dots look like you're looking though a fish tank that hasn't been cleaned for years?

Possibly because you were looking thru a cheap POS Red Dot.



Top of the line units like the Aimpoints have battery lives that are measured in years. Plus they will probably survive anything short of something that would destroy the firearm as well.

Best idea is to usually base your purchase on where, when, & how you plan on using the optic & firearm.

[hatidua]

When I read what the manufacturers have to say about their products the $90 Bushell works just as well as the $500 Eotech. What's your experience?

I've owned/used both ends of the spectrum and while most of us would be served just fine by a $100 RDS, there's little comparison when it comes to optical clarity, durability, battery life, degree to which they are waterproof, or ability to hold zero when banged around a little.

I realize it's rather trendy of late to race to the bottom and boast that a Yugo is every bit as good as a Mercedes but it just ain't so. A SPARC will never be the equal of a T-1.