[Quentin]

Originally Posted by Sgt_Skrb_25

Quentin,
You got me interested in the Bushnell now. I want a small red dot for my 7.5" pistol build. My A2 irons are to big for this. How does it do on sunny days, is it bright enough? If I shoulder fire, sighting rough because of the eye relief, I think if I mounted the TRS-25 a couple of inches forward it would be easier.

The TRS-25 has 11 brightness settings and set on bright does pretty well on sunny days. I really don't use it much beyond 50 yards but would say within 75 yards or so you won't have many complaints. I have two and no problems with either. They're an Aimpoint Micro knockoff but a pretty decent one in my opinion. Daniel Defense used to put them on a value patrol M4 for LEOs.

I hate to recommend it too strongly since I've only used two but it's light, $80 and holds zero on a 5.56 so you won't get hurt too bad if it doesn't work out for you.

[bamashooter68]

I saved up and put an Eotech 512 on my Delton Echo 316/MOE and it was well worth the cash. Close to $450 with tax. I would love to have an aimpoint micro but the Eotech will have to do for now.

[jeepin1990]

Thanks everyone

[JTJ]

I have 3 Bushnell TRS 25's and they are the best under $100. 3000 hr battery life. You will need a riser for the AR.

[sweeper22]

I love Vortex for under $200.

I'd argue that they're 80-90% as good as the Aimpoints they seem to replicate, at 40% of the price. Of course that's a highly subjective statement. But for my needs and uses, I'd say they're that good.

[eastby]

Primary Arms Micro Dot. Yes.....it is a "poor man's Aimpoint" but it's also $400-$500 less. I would have loved an Aimpoint Micro, but I couldn't afford it. I got a PA Micro Dot for $90, and I was very impressed. A GREAT alternative until I can cough up the dough for an Aimpoint or Eotech or ACOG.

[kbd512]

There is no such thing as an inexpensive quality red dot optic. There are red dot optics that work reliably and have good battery life and there are optics that don't work reliably and/or don't have good battery life.

Don't waste your money on cheap optics of any kind. There's no point in purchasing an optic that doesn't work when you need it to, even if the rifle it's mounted on is just for plinking. If you purchase an optic that's not up to snuff, then you'll inevitably pay for an optic that does work reliably in addition to the money wasted on the optic that did not work reliably.

Even with China's artificially low wages for skilled labor, there's no way to make a $100-$200 dollar optic equivalent to a $500-$600 dollar optic. Quality has a price tag attached to it.

Save your money and buy an optic of known quality. Aimpoint and EoTech make quality red dot optics. Get the models that permit you to use night vision if the thought even passes through your mind that you might need to use night vision. The $50-$75 extra dollars you pay for the capability is of no consequence.

I like the Aimpoint Comp M3. I think the Aimpoint Micro tube is a tad too small. I like the Aimpoint Comp M4, too, but I can put a Comp M3 and SureFire X300 on my carbine or rifle for the same weight. Basically, the little extra bit of ruggedness and AA battery are not as useful to me as the weight savings. I try to limit the weight of my added accessories to 1 pound or less.

[m4master556]

U can get a decent reflex for cheap. It depends on what caliber of gun your going to run it with.I would recommend a reflex and if u got the money a eotech

[Westy]

I've read good things about these, for $ 70:

http://www.guns.com/2013/02/16/primary-arms-new-even-lower-priced-red-dot/