Recommendations for a budget optic

Ovechtrick · Apr 3, 2014

I'm a recreational shooter that typically goes to the range once a month if I have the time, and only shoot out to 100 yards. With the limited amount of range time that I have I can only justify spending $150 or under for a red dot. Can anyone recommend a sight in that price range for use on an AR? My only requirement is that I need to be able to cowitness with my iron sights. Also, since I'm sure someone will say it, I know that you get what you pay for, but I just can't justify spending $500+ for a sight with the limited time I have allotted for the range. Thanks.

SRD · Apr 3, 2014

Bushnell TRS25

mtlcafan79 · Apr 3, 2014

Primary Arms.

erwos · Apr 3, 2014

If you can stretch it to $170 or so, this is the sight to beat:
https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary-Arms-CR123A-Battery-Red-Dot-with-8-hr-auto-p/pacrs.htm

50k hour battery life, auto shut-off, QD co-witness mount, 2MOA, NV compatible, AND has survived mild torture testing.

Seagrave1963 · Apr 3, 2014

SRD said:
Bushnell TRS25

+1

Seagrave1963 · Apr 3, 2014

Vortex Strikefire is fairly decent too - http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...specials/vortex-strikefire-red-green-dot.html

Ovechtrick · Apr 3, 2014

Seagrave1963 said:
+1

Can you cowitness with the bushnell? I read the specs and didn't see where it states that.

SRD · Apr 3, 2014

Ovechtrick said:
Can you cowitness with the bushnell? I read the specs and didn't see where it states that.

Yes,IIRC it's a .83" mount.

VikingFan65 · Apr 3, 2014

SRD said:
Bushnell TRS25

+2

TxAggie · Apr 3, 2014

Some good reading here on this subject:
http://www.thebangswitch.com/budget-red-dot-sight-comparison-part-1/

Bothe the Bushnell and Primary Arms previously listed did very well and scored at the top of the list.

Ovechtrick · Apr 3, 2014

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll take some time to research these and also read the links posted in this thread.

CATMdude · Apr 3, 2014

I saw this in my email.

http://www.primaryarms.com/Vortex-S...ers+at+Primary+Arms&utm_campaign=April+Shower

Donkey · Apr 3, 2014

Seagrave1963 said:
Vortex Strikefire is fairly decent too - http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...specials/vortex-strikefire-red-green-dot.html

+1

zoostation · Apr 3, 2014

Sun Optics PS30432IR, 4x prismatic sight with a killflash and an illuminated laser-etched reticle.

I deal with imported optics all week long and these are about as good it gets before hitting the $400 and up premium domestic stuff. There are local shops that sell these in the $160 range. Duffy's, Bel Air Gun, The Gun Rack are a few that come to mind.

http://sunopticsusa.com/optics/prismatic-tactical-sights/tactical-precision-prismatic-sights/

bmorewineguy · Apr 3, 2014

Seagrave1963 said:
Vortex Strikefire is fairly decent too - http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...specials/vortex-strikefire-red-green-dot.html

+1 I have one and it works just fine. No complaints.

shocker998md · Apr 3, 2014

bmorewineguy said:
+1 I have one and it works just fine. No complaints.

And vortex has a no BS lifetime warranty. I've had mine for 3 years on a range toy and 0 issues.

Watch PSA for the strike fire and flip up sight combo. Its a good deal.

MDshooters · Apr 4, 2014

I don't own one but the Vortex will be nice and better made than the Primary Arms.

I will say that I own the T1 micro clone that Primary Arms and for $70 bucks I think it was a great buy. I would not trust my life with it, but for training purposes it is an excellent budget optic. I also got a pair of different size of mounts from UTG to test out Absolute Co-Witness VS. Lower 1/3 Co-witness.

The _BEST_ budget optic deal right now???? The 10X40 Bushnell Elite Tactical. ;D

Fox123 · Apr 4, 2014

Primary arms right now has bundle deal, red dot and 3x magnifier for around $130-140 with mounts for both. Add $40 for magnifier flip to side mount.

Pretty good budget friendly deal.

erwos · Apr 4, 2014

MDshooters said:
I don't own one but the Vortex will be nice and better made than the Primary Arms.

Not true, as found in a recent comparison of the optics. Vortex really unfairly rides the reputation of their high end stuff when their low end stuff may as well be a different brand.

pwoolford · Apr 4, 2014

SRD said:
Bushnell TRS25

+3

Recommendations for a budget optic

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