Less than expensive red dot for flattop AR?

[mons meg]

Ok, I scored that nice Bushy A3 from SMS and now I want to look at getting a decent red dot scope for it. I don't need to spend "Trijicon" money for it, but I also don't have to keep it "Wal Mart" either. I noticed Bushmaster seels Leatherwood 1x50s on their website, but I thought I'd put a word in here to see what people have experienced with different brands.

Let's say, best red dot/reflex sight for under $150?

[AresV]

Ok, I scored that nice Bushy A3 from SMS and now I want to look at getting a decent red dot scope for it. I don't need to spend "Trijicon" money for it, but I also don't have to keep it "Wal Mart" either. I noticed Bushmaster seels Leatherwood 1x50s on their website, but I thought I'd put a word in here to see what people have experienced with different brands.

Let's say, best red dot/reflex sight for under $150?


Burris has a red dot called the "Speed Dot 135" in that price range -- > Speed Dot 135 (http://www.burrisoptics.com/speeddot.html).

And one on Ebay --> Speed Dot 135 for $150 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Burris-Red-Dot-Speed-135-1x-35mm-3MOA-Matte-NIB_W0QQitemZ7210448316QQcategoryZ66827QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[liliysdad]

The Burris Speed Dot is an up-priced and rebadged SPOT scope, made in South Korea. Look at ARFcom for an extensive torture test.

In that price range, the SPOT, the Hakko Tacpoint, and the Burris are about the only decent games in town.

[blake711]

ok noob reddot question here. Do you have to look through the scope to see the dot? Or will this do like in the movies were you see teh guys with mp5s and all the little red laser dots on them?

[GMThunder]

The Burris Speed Dot is an up-priced and rebadged SPOT scope, made in South Korea. Look at ARFcom for an extensive torture test.

In that price range, the SPOT, the Hakko Tacpoint, and the Burris are about the only decent games in town.

You have a link to that test?

[DrBaker]

ok noob reddot question here. Do you have to look through the scope to see the dot? Or will this do like in the movies were you see teh guys with mp5s and all the little red laser dots on them?


You have to look through it. I'm not sure about that particular model, but some of the others I've looked at mention that you can't see that dot from the "business" end so as to not give away your position.

[SMS]

Check out Bushnell's Holosight....it's a less expensive version of EOTech's government model. I've run an EOTech on a flat-top for duty before and it worked pretty well.

If you get the right mount the reticle will sit level with the front sight. That combined with a flip up rear sight will allow you "co-witness" the red dot and irons if you like...plus if the batteries die at the wrong time, you can still use the irons.

[billpete]

a friend of mine bought a tacpoint after reading all about it on AR15.com

i was impressed--it works well for how much it costs...it isnt anything that i would take with me to Iraq, but for plinking at the range, i think that it works great

hope it helps!

[mons meg]

Tell me more about the Bushnell/EOtech relationship. Are they the same scope? or just really similar? I like what I see in the Bushnell price range.

[mons meg]

mountsplus.com has the South Korean SPOT for $149. I actually like the look of it a little better than the Burris version.

Also, count me as one new to AR15.com...do they make you join as a member to search the damn site? Or am I crazy...

[DrBaker]

Also, count me as one new to AR15.com...do they make you join as a member to search the damn site? Or am I crazy...

It took me a minute to get used to the site. I stumbled around in the dark (black background).

[SMS]

The biggest difference, from what I've seen, is the Bushnell shaves cost by dropping some of the MilSpec standards of the higline EOtech. No Night Vision setting for the reticle, probably not as durable of an outer case etc....the electronics inside are the same.

IIRC, Bushnell and EOtech share a parent/subsidiary relationship.

[mons meg]

Ok, so now I see a new model Bushnell holosight...super low profile. Interesting...

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. Decisions, decisions.


Oh, and I figured out ar15.com once I registered an account. Still think it needs to be a little easier on the eyes, though.

[AresV]

The biggest difference, from what I've seen, is the Bushnell shaves cost by dropping some of the MilSpec standards of the higline EOtech. No Night Vision setting for the reticle, probably not as durable of an outer case etc....the electronics inside are the same.

IIRC, Bushnell and EOtech share a parent/subsidiary relationship.

I know you can get a cheaper EOTech without NV capability for around $300-325. I think one of the big differences between the two is that the EOTech's recticle is not visible from the business end and the Holosight's is (IIRC).

My father has a holosight on one of his rifles and I think it works very nicely. The only reason I'd go with the EOTech is the durability factor. They're made to tougher specs for LE/Military use.

[billpete]

i have an Eotech (non NV one--AA batteries) and i love it

the bottom line with sights is you get what you pay for

i found my Eotech on AR15.com through one of the vendors for a pretty good price--you have to email them to get it...you might be able to pick up a used one for a decent price

[1911Sooner]

I agree that you get what you pay for in optics. I would save up and get the EO Tech. I absolutly love mine.

[billpete]

Nice setup!

did/do you have problems with your front sight post and the dot? i ended up getting a YHM riser to get the dot above my FSP...

got 1000rds from aimsurplus this week and heading to the range tomorrow!

[1911Sooner]

No, the dot sits right on top of the front site perfectly. I didn't want any riser because I like as low of cheek weld as I can get.