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is there a decent red dot sight for under $200

5K views 36 replies 28 participants last post by  bevobaseball44 
#1 ·
i was thinking of trying a red dot type sight.
i got a 2nd bassett mount so would like to try one.
looked at a bunch for really cheap to rather high price.
never used one. so what ones have you guys tried ?
let me know the good the bad and the ugly of brands.
i put price at $200 and under it seems like a lot
of them in that price range. thank you all
Lruss
 
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#3 ·
Vortex Strike fire has been a good one for me--I Have two of them.
 
#19 ·
i only see 2 mounts AR or low. am i missing one ?
Lruss
 
#16 ·
Unicorns................... Just like good red dots under 200 they do not exist! Basically if you want 100% reliability you need to go with a name brand like Aimpoint or Trijicon. I'm quite sure that I'll take crap for this. But if you want the best your going two have to pay for it!GI2
 
#17 ·
I've beat my Vortex Strikefire & SPARC RDS to heck, and they're like an old Timex watch.
Takes a licking & keeps on ticking.

The PA Aimpoint Micro clone has been heavily tested & very well reviewed.
If I buy another RDS, it will be the PA clone.

Of course, if you've the budget, Aimpoint or Trijicon.
 
#20 ·
I can't speak to this so keep in mind my conjecture is nothing compared to folks that have been in combat or even those who have simply received training.


I believe 200 may be better spent on a knights armament rear 600m flip sight, or the many good service rifle sights available. Your m1a this is included so maybe buy ammo.

I have a box of cheap red dots that are ok to go plinking but the ones I have tried may or may not be reliable. On the other hand the Burris , or vortex or any sight that can be co witnessed can certainly serve in a primary defense weapon.

Just don't use the cheap counterfeit stuff and have a backup plan.
 
#18 · (Edited)
I have yet to try primary arms. They seem to be a great option. They appear to make clones but intended for firearms. And once you search there's more, A'S web gear store has a good rep.
P
The guys there seem smart, and the proof is in the pudding if you examine arfcom, many many happy owners. They even are able to design and patent a reticle.

There is one "red dot sight" specification that is the clincher for me - Brightness. Does it work at full sun? What about snow? If the unit is battery independent does it work well in dim or dark enviroments?

I have purchased dozens of red dots but only my m68 cco, eotech, and ACOG have worked in all enviroments and are tough and you can rely on them if tossed in a truck bed a few times.


If you need a sight that will ride a 1913 rail to the range and shoot it from the rifle case to the bench I can tell you the Bushnell microdot is bright enough and reasonably tough if your careful with the mount and mount it properly. THE TRS micro sight also commands excellent battery performance for its price.

A step up would be the vortex strike fire. Many say the sparc is also great. It may not work in snow/sun but it works for just sun.

Next I can suggest the Burris fast fire 2. It's cheaper on amazon then the FF3. If you want a fancier mini reflex sigh then get the cmore rts with its battery drawer it's good in case you try it in your pistols rear sight dovetail.

If your gonna be Goin on a Texas hog hunt I would want an aimpoint comp3 and If you have enough clams get the m4.


These are just a few of the sights I have tried.

My ar pistol has an m3, my mk14 mod1 clone has an eotech, and my Mauser scout uses the trs25. I run the FASTFIRE2 on my uspsa pistol in the fnx9 rear sight dovetail, my hk pistol has luminescent sights which are very bright (despite some folks cursing them as useless). It all helps my poor vision.

I'd like to give primary arms a try especially with some of the ffp med range scopes. One problem with their new scopes seems to be out of stock.
 
#23 ·
I had A Bushnell TRS 25..... It was a great red dot for $100 bucks.......I was impressed by its ability to maintain accuracy. Shot a few hundred rounds with it mounted on a socom 16, it was always dead on. And battery life was amazing also.
 
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#25 ·
My vote is the "Vortex Strikefire, " affordable, durable, no BS replace it it dies type of warranty, great customer service and this company gives preference to hiring vets. Been to the factory on several occasions in Middleton,WI great bunch of folks and good products overall. Only down side with the Strikefire is their lens caps - Just replace them with Butler creeks and they work fine.


“These are the times that try Men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; But he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”…

December 23rd, 1776, George Washington's Address that led to the Victory at Trenton.
 
#26 ·
well seems most of you say the vortex strike fire.
i looked around and see a low mount one for $125.
i bookmarked it. i will see if it fit's in next months budget.

now a little humor
*i will be mounting it on a bassett mount and sending to
dredsen. he can mount onto his rifle and toss a few times.
if he breaks it i will send in for warranty if not it will be tested.*
just joking. thanks for all the replies.
Lruss
 
#29 ·
ordered a vortex strikefire (sfd-hunt)
that is the one with the low mount.
was $124.90 and free shipping.
i had bought a spare bassett mount a while back.
i will see how the combo works out.
thank you all for comments.
Lruss
 
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