Hollowpoint Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 So I know this has been beaten to death in numerous forums, but looking at getting a red dot for my recently put together AR-15. It is a PSA 16" upper (magpul rear buis/A2 front)/Anderson lower. Basically the rifle will be used for mostly for range, home defense, and general plinking (so likely looking for a 1x). Pretty much all I have ever used as far as optics are Aimpoints and EOTechs--minus a short stint with a reflex (switched it out quickly because of the tint it had on it). However since I have to pay for the optic, those are a bit out of budget. I know it is buy once; cry once...I know wifey don't see it that way. I am looking for recommendations maybe some pros and cons. Maybe around the 200.00 mark. Been reading alot on Vortex (few different models there) and then there is primary arms and Bushnell. Seems like so many options nowadays. Sorry about the long post, but wanted to try to get all the info in there. Plus its the first "optic" thread! We all know how everyone loves those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leavemeout Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 I have a couple vortex products. Have always worked as expected and seemed to be a good value. I'd have to go downstairs and look at the models but my last vortex was $179 red dot and I bought the magnifier with it for a total of about $350 to $400. Works great for plinking and flipping the magnifier(or not running one) would be a good hd fit I think. I have used lower priced brands which were okay but tended to last only so long and were cheap for a reason. I think there are a good number of quality options in your searching range and vortex would certainly be a good start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBKEITH Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 1 hour ago, Leavemeout said: I have a couple vortex products. Have always worked as expected and seemed to be a good value. I'd have to go downstairs and look at the models but my last vortex was $179 red dot and I bought the magnifier with it for a total of about $350 to $400. Works great for plinking and flipping the magnifier(or not running one) would be a good hd fit I think. I have used lower priced brands which were okay but tended to last only so long and were cheap for a reason. I think there are a good number of quality options in your searching range and vortex would certainly be a good start. I have a Vortex Razor Reflex which was about $400. I do like it and it works great. I also have a couple of red dots from Holosun which are less expensive and work equally as well. If I had to buy another red dot I’d look at another from Holosun. I think for the money they are hard to beat. YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minervadoe Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 No recommendations, but here is a table on red dots that I put together: http://etherealdoorways.com/shortRangeOptics.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalmerThanYou Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 My Trijicon MRO sits atop my MPX and gets heavy use. Rock sold option within the upper level of your budget with a decent mount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ASH Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 aimpoint patrol . love it . 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollowpoint Posted October 23, 2017 Author Share Posted October 23, 2017 Ended up getting a Sightmark M-Spec to try out. Once I can get to the range, I will post my experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUBSY Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 +1 on the Aimpoint! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crockett Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 (edited) No red dots for me. Bought and tried a bunch and hate the small field of vision as well as the finicky alignment. Sold them all and got what most pro 3 gunners use: a quality 1x6 scope with daylight visible illumination and a proper reticle. From both eyes open close range indoors out to 400 yards. Ya'll need to try the Kahles K16i or its sister from Swarovski. HUGE eye box, huge field of vision, and so much detail you will wonder if you need glasses when using a red dot. Also, when the battery or electronics die on your red dot, you are dead in the water, unless you co-witness your AR and add more weight. The scope on the other hand still has cross-hairs. Edited July 5, 2018 by crockett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rev. Posted October 7, 2018 Share Posted October 7, 2018 I just bought a Romeo 4B for a AR pistol. So far I am very impressed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar_ml Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I looked through the Sig Sauer red dots recently, I ended up getting a "blemished" Romeo6T from Midway because the price was good. From what I can see with the short time I've had it, their motion sensor to turn off the optic works exactly how it's supposed to, turning on whenever the sight gets bumped even a little. Doesn't work on a truck gun, but it's easy enough to just turn on and off in that case. There seem to be a lot of good reviews for the Romeo5 which is easily within your ~$200 budget. There seem to be a lot of people that say they are just a rebranded Holosun, but Sig insists that it is their own design. Probably built in the same factory in China. The Romeo4 and Romeo7 seem to start around the $300 range unless you can find a discontinued Romeo4A somewhere. Sig Romeo5 comes in either a AAA version or CR2032 version with a couple different reticle options Here are the Romeo4 versions, borrowed from https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Sig_Romeo_4_versions/18-713171/ Model Power Source Reticles Objective Size Water Proof Ruggedized Price Year Introduced Romeo 4A Battery Only 2 MOA dot only 20MM IPX-7 No $215 (Discontinued but still available on Amazon) 2016 Romeo 4B Battery Only 2 MOA Dot + 65 MOA Circle 20MM IPX-7 No $350 2016 Romeo 4C Battery + Solar 2 MOA Dot + 65 MOA Circle 20MM IPX-7 No $400 2016 Romeo 4M Battery Only 2 MOA Dot + 65 MOA Circle 20MM IPX-8 Yes $500 2016 Romeo 4H Battery Only 1 MOA Plex or 2 MOA Dot + 65 MOA Circle + BDC 30MM IPX-7 No $350 2017 Romeo 4S Battery + Solar 1 MOA Plex or 2 MOA Dot + 65 MOA Circle + BDC 20MM IPX-7 No $450 2017 Romeo 4T Battery + Solar 1 MOA Plex or 2 MOA Dot + 65 MOA Circle + BDC 20MM IPX-8 Yes $550 2017 Biggest downsides to the Sig optics are they are still too new and therefore unknown to how well they will hold up, and the fact that their "SIG SAUER Electro-Optic Infinite Guarantee" doesn't actually cover any of the electronic components, the internals only have a 5 year warranty (they way they word the "guarantee" is confusing) Oh, and the reticle options don't work that well for me personally. To me a red dot is able to be held away from you without any set eye relief distance, but one of the reticle options has 3 additional dots below the center one to give you shorter range target points, but I don't see how they will work if your eye isn't at a specific distance from the sight. I'm just sticking with the plain 2MOA dot. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holyjohnson Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 Holosun 503G with ACSS. cheap,tough long battery life and 1 MOA chevron i like it a lot. only problem i have is without magnification the BDC chart is a little hard to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moeman Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I think a good 1-4x is the best... Burris MTAC...Burris PEPR mount. They both punch way above their weight.?do have an Aimpoint... their battery life is crazy long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moshe Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 (edited) On 10/11/2017 at 11:12 PM, ASH said: aimpoint patrol . love it . I hope I end up loving it too. I got one for my Colt AR-15 Build. I put my Ruger Gas operated on the chopping block. Great AR. It is just way too damn heavy for me for the round coming out of the barrel. Plus, The Colt LE version reminds me of the full auto Colt I used to qualify with, except you don't have to adjust a rear optic to dial into your number. Fortunately, for me, back then it was mechanical zero, and it is not a 14" barrel. Edited December 3, 2018 by Moshe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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