School me on red dots
- Thread starter Mightyox04
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This is what my brother suggested and I asked about distance shooting he said he has sussesfully engaged targets out to 600 meters with one on a M4.
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I am not a great shooter by any means and I can make good hits at 200' easily. First time trying. I was a little off at 300, but didn't spend much time at that distance. I think if you are planning on shooting 600 you should get a scope. You may be able to make hits, but it isn't really the right tool for the job. I just moved my Aimpoint to my AR pistol for shorter distance shooting, and put a 1-4 on my carbine.
I don't shoot over 60 yards in most cases but I want to make it to 300yds max. My brother is talking about shooting people at 600 if Taliban count as people. I'm talking about fun at 300 and hunting out to 100.
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I have an Aimpoint PRO on my heavy use 7.5 in SBR and love it. Not being built for distance at all, I can still get about 60% hits at 275 yds with the combo. It's definitely capable, and with a full length rifle you should have no problems once you acquaint yourself with your setup.
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If you want a serious use optic, go with the Trijicon MRO, if just something to plink around with then a primary arms, Holosun or something like that will be just fine.
I am a huge believer in the “buy once, cry once” philosophy, but that doesn’t always mean that just because a product is outrageously priced that it is the best. The MRO has the same battery life and will do everything the aimpoints will do (and better IMO) for quite a bit less money. Unless you just perfect the look of an aimpoint, I can’t fathom why anyone would choose a T1/T2 over an MRO.
I am a huge believer in the “buy once, cry once” philosophy, but that doesn’t always mean that just because a product is outrageously priced that it is the best. The MRO has the same battery life and will do everything the aimpoints will do (and better IMO) for quite a bit less money. Unless you just perfect the look of an aimpoint, I can’t fathom why anyone would choose a T1/T2 over an MRO.
If you are are betting you and yours life on it Aimpoint T2 ... for a range toy Holosun makes some good stuff (they replaced Primary Arms for my favorite cost effective red dot).
I personally have an Aimpoint T2 that is about 10-11 years old. It rides on my HD carbine and sits ready to go. I have replaced the battery every 3 years because stays on 24/7 and I’m OCD. I also have 2 Primary Arms Micros that we’re $100 or so that have been thru heavy use on my son’s use growing up on his S&W MP 15-22 that are functionally as good as the day I bought them. They are older model and only get maybe a 800-1000 hours of battery life and their finish has rubbed off but they are still working and holding zero just fine. My last red dot was a Holosun which has better battery life than the PA Micros but I have yet to see 2 years of being “ON” 24/7 ... Holosun actually has a “sleep” mode it goes into and is “awakened” by motion when you pick up the rifle. It’s been thru a couple classes and has held up just fine with no shift in zero. What I like is it’s choice of “dot” or circle-dot” reticle so I can make more quick taps at closer distances but still put rounds more precisely at 100 yards or so fairly easy.
I would suggest you try the various styles ... Micro red dots, larger CompM4 styles, EOTech types and see what you like ans works best for you. I personally stick with the smaller micro dots because of size and weight but since they are what I’ve always run I don’t miss the “wide screen” luxury of and EOTech type reticle.
I personally have an Aimpoint T2 that is about 10-11 years old. It rides on my HD carbine and sits ready to go. I have replaced the battery every 3 years because stays on 24/7 and I’m OCD. I also have 2 Primary Arms Micros that we’re $100 or so that have been thru heavy use on my son’s use growing up on his S&W MP 15-22 that are functionally as good as the day I bought them. They are older model and only get maybe a 800-1000 hours of battery life and their finish has rubbed off but they are still working and holding zero just fine. My last red dot was a Holosun which has better battery life than the PA Micros but I have yet to see 2 years of being “ON” 24/7 ... Holosun actually has a “sleep” mode it goes into and is “awakened” by motion when you pick up the rifle. It’s been thru a couple classes and has held up just fine with no shift in zero. What I like is it’s choice of “dot” or circle-dot” reticle so I can make more quick taps at closer distances but still put rounds more precisely at 100 yards or so fairly easy.
I would suggest you try the various styles ... Micro red dots, larger CompM4 styles, EOTech types and see what you like ans works best for you. I personally stick with the smaller micro dots because of size and weight but since they are what I’ve always run I don’t miss the “wide screen” luxury of and EOTech type reticle.
bababoris
Well-Known Member
I own a T2 and 3 Bushnell TRS-25s.
If you are just starting out a $45 TRS is hard to beat. 11 brightens levels, super bright dot if needed. Good battery life. Good customer support as warranty.
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If you are just starting out a $45 TRS is hard to beat. 11 brightens levels, super bright dot if needed. Good battery life. Good customer support as warranty.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
In my experience, for what its worth...
Tier 1: AimPoint is the standard. Expensive, but worth it. Will last longer than you.
Tier 2: Primary Arms, Holosun, Vortex. $100-200 range. Good for casual to moderate use. Wouldn't want to be dropped into a warzone with one, but don't feel unarmed with it either.
Tier 3: Bushnell TRS25: Sub $100. Good for casual use and plinking.
Tier 4: Crap you get at gunshows for $25 bucks...
My personal choice is usually in Tier 2, as I get a lot of bank for my buck. I have nice Primary Arms red dots on 2 of my ARs and 1 Holosun on an AR pistol all for less than an Aimpoint would cost me. Not saying the Aimpoint isn't superior by any means.
Tier 1: AimPoint is the standard. Expensive, but worth it. Will last longer than you.
Tier 2: Primary Arms, Holosun, Vortex. $100-200 range. Good for casual to moderate use. Wouldn't want to be dropped into a warzone with one, but don't feel unarmed with it either.
Tier 3: Bushnell TRS25: Sub $100. Good for casual use and plinking.
Tier 4: Crap you get at gunshows for $25 bucks...
My personal choice is usually in Tier 2, as I get a lot of bank for my buck. I have nice Primary Arms red dots on 2 of my ARs and 1 Holosun on an AR pistol all for less than an Aimpoint would cost me. Not saying the Aimpoint isn't superior by any means.
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Price of Aimpoint PRO's seems to be down in the mid $300's these days.
Another vote for the TRS-25, or PA micro. Unless you plan on falling down mountainsides with your rifle in combat, they will do just fine.
Because I am almost completely clueless...what functionality/quality is increased by going up the tiers?
I looked at them all. Decided for the money value, toughness, and 3 plus years of the red dot continuously on, I would go with the Aimpoint PRO (patrol rifle optic). I hate push button red dots. I want the dial to be easy and clean to increase intensity but I never turn it off and change the battery every three years. Trijicon is nice but I'm not hunting down Jihad warriors. I'm good to 300 yards with the PRO. I have two of these.
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Chuckman
Senior Member
The Aimpoint PRO and Trijicon MRO are the best <$500 red dot sights on the market.
Ima agree with this absolutely. I have a half dozen red dots that cost under $50. Since I ain't goin to the furrin places and be under crazy stress, these work as good as my Aimpoint. FOR MY USE.
Build quality primarily. There was an AimPoint (if I remember the story correctly) that survived a house fire. Rifle melted, safe failed. But the AimPoint still came on when is button was pressed.
Some of the lower end aren't built quite a strong and you may experience blurry dots, dots that don't stay zeroed under use, mounts that loosen over time, and battery life differences. Its kinda like comparing a Rock Island 1911 to a Colt 1911 to a Les Bear. The Rock Island is going to be perfectly fine for almost any use we could come up with, but there is no doubt the Colt and Les Bear have superior materials and manufacturing.
Personally, that's why I have stayed in the 2nd tier (which is just my ranking mind you). Their cost/performance is in line with my personal needs and pocket book.
How are your eyes? If you're young and have good eyesight you have your answer.
If astigmatism is part of the equation then add the Vortex Spitfire or some other etched prism sight to the list.
for about the same money as a mid-range red dot you get:
- excellent image quality
- no starburst/smudge/doubling effect
- black etched reticle is visible even when the unit is off or battery is dead.
- available in 1x, 3x and i think 5x fixed
If astigmatism is part of the equation then add the Vortex Spitfire or some other etched prism sight to the list.
for about the same money as a mid-range red dot you get:
- excellent image quality
- no starburst/smudge/doubling effect
- black etched reticle is visible even when the unit is off or battery is dead.
- available in 1x, 3x and i think 5x fixed
Thanks for that. I have been playing with a TRS-25 that I got as an Amazon deal for $25 just to see if I like the idea more than a scope. Because of range/time limitations I have only been shooting at 25 yards so I can't really judge how well it holds zero, etc. etc.
Until I have expanded range options at my ready disposal, it sounds like I can hold off on upgrading.
Ive gone out to 400 yards with a Primary Arms...not consistent, but I have made contact. In my limited opinion, red dots excel at the ranges up to about 100 yards. Again, not a professional, but I have found them primarily meant for up close social work where precision is "center of mass" not "Center of second button on collar".
Chuckman
Senior Member
We'd call it 'center of pie plate.' Same same.
@Ferrisfan , you will likely run into issues with it keeping a zero; and they are not forgiving with rough handling or foul weather. If these things don't bother you and it works for what you need, go for it.
@Mightyox04 , at the distances you shoot, a RDS if fine. You need to ask yourself, 1) why do you want one (i.e., HD/SD, range toy, hunting, etc.), and 2) what is your price range.
Fun and hunting. Price range is 400.00 max. I really don't want to spend more than two but that's because I'm cheap.
Ikarus1
Avtomat Krishna-kov
Here's a vote for the SIG (made by Holosun) Romeo 5 2MOA dot. PSA is selling them for $129 free shipping. Best deal on a sub-$300 RDS on the market right now. I paid around $135 for mine from Brownells with a coupon, put it on my .300BLK pistol and I'll never run anything else. Comes with an absolute cowitness riser and a flush mount. It's way more quality than what you pay.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/sig-sauer-romeo5-1x20mm-red-dot-sight-black-r52001.html
tabletop review (not mine)
https://palmettostatearmory.com/sig-sauer-romeo5-1x20mm-red-dot-sight-black-r52001.html
tabletop review (not mine)
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Chuckman
Senior Member
For fun and hunting, you don't need to spend $400. I have no experience with SIG, Holosun, or Vortex, but any of those are probably good for what you need. For HD/SD, yeah, spend the money.
Good point on astigmatism ... that can make a difference on how the dot appears to a person. In fact one guy I occasionally shoot with hates my 22/45 with a Vortex Venom ... he says that the dot is oblong and fuzzy and it’s from his astigmatism.
Another vote for Aimpoint.
Hard to beat this. Sub $400
https://www.botach.com/trijicon-mro-miniature-rifle-optic/
$429 with an excellent mount
https://www.botach.com/trijicon-mro-w-american-defense-quick-release-mount/
https://www.botach.com/trijicon-mro-miniature-rifle-optic/
$429 with an excellent mount
https://www.botach.com/trijicon-mro-w-american-defense-quick-release-mount/
Magdump
Well-Known Member
The Sig Romeo 5 is my favorite RDS for less than $200. I had one for about a year now. It's been on several different rifles but found a home on my PS90. It's always held zero. is very clear with a small and well defined dot. It is one of the few RDS that I can see clearly with my astigmatism(no flaring or double dot). Turns on automatically when the sight senses movement.
I got one of these and have been pretty impressed with it:
https://www.amazon.com/Holosun-Paralow-HS503G-Reticle-Function/dp/B01G9ED83G
Its reticle is set up to be a bit more precise if you need it than a plan red dot, but is still just as quick and nimble as a standard dot.
https://www.amazon.com/Holosun-Paralow-HS503G-Reticle-Function/dp/B01G9ED83G
Its reticle is set up to be a bit more precise if you need it than a plan red dot, but is still just as quick and nimble as a standard dot.
The Aimpoint Pro is a good optic, it just doesn't work with my astigmatism. I tried an Eotech a while back and due to the reticle being more than a dot...… it was super fuzzy.
I have the Aimpoint for sale in the BST section by the way....
I have the Aimpoint for sale in the BST section by the way....
Remember MOA!
A red dot that is a 2 MOA means at 100 Yards the red dot will cover a 2" target
@ 400 yards it will cover a 8" target and so on.
I love mine on ranges out to 100 yards.
A red dot that is a 2 MOA means at 100 Yards the red dot will cover a 2" target
@ 400 yards it will cover a 8" target and so on.
I love mine on ranges out to 100 yards.
