I'm really just doing this since I have to search this section every time I want to find something I vaguely remember someone mentioning about decent-quality budget optics, so I'll just post them all in one thread (maybe this will be helpful to others as well).
Please - no NcStar, no Barska, no BSA, no airsoft-clones, etc... Just known decent-quality optics that happen to be slightly less expensive than the big-boys (Aimpoint, EOTech, Trijicon, etc...). That's typically in the $200-ish range or less for the most part since any higher than that and your getting into used Aimpoint territory.
These aren't long-range optics, just red-dots or etched-glass optics that you would see in 3-gun (yes I know some of the die-hard 3-gunners will stretch it out to several hundred yards for a course, but for the most part, you don't see hi-powered optics on a carbine or 3-gun).
Here's what I can drudge up from online reviews and things that have been posted on this site:
Vortex Strikefire
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-strikefire-red-dot-scope-for-ar15
Vortex Sparc
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-sparc-red-dot-scope
IOR/Valdada Edge
http://www.valdada.com/product/81e63ffe-067e-477a-b577-8c2725b2093a.aspx
IOR/Valdada MicroEdge
http://www.valdada.com/product/53881fc9-6a07-4bb8-9d76-ed94e3573593.aspx
(Don't let the MSRP fool you - both of these are cheaper on most retail sites like Optics Planet and SWFA).
Millet DMS-1
Millet Zoom Dot (I don't know if this one is even being made anymore)
Burris XTR Red dot (this one is pretty much priced out of budget-territory in my opinion).
Burris AR 332 Magnified illuminated (priced even higher than the XTR).
Burris 1x FastFire (I know its not a typical primary rifle sight, but its a viable option).
Bushnell Trophy 1x32 Red Dot (acog look-alike)
http://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-bushnell-trophy-1x32-riflescope-730132p.html
Bushnell Holosight (EOTech look-alike)
http://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-bushnell-holosight.html
I'm hesitant to put either of the Bushnell optics on here since both have had issues in online reviews and hardcore testing, but they're worthy of a look at least.
Primary Arms 1-4x32 illuminated (etched-glass) scope - I don't know that this guy has earned the right to be on the same level as Primary Arms Red Dots, but I figured that I'd put it on here just in case.
Primary Arms M3-style Red Dot (there are actually a few variations of this one including multi-reticle)
Primary Arms M4-style Red Dot
Primary Arms Micro Red dot (there are a few different version of this one as well)
I've got a micro and an M3-style and love both of them.
http://primaryarms.com/category.sc?categoryId=169
Lucid HD7
http://mylucidgear.com/reddot.php
Good Reviews: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khc79-Nvieo
http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?2182-Review-of-the-Lucid-HD7-Red-Dot-Sight
I'm putting this on here since I plan on hooking up a setup like it with my AR:
Leupold 1-4x20 VX-I Shotgun / Muzzleloader Scope (with Turkey-plex reticle)
http://swfa.com/Leupold-1-4x20-VX-I-Shotgun-Muzzleloader-Scope-P7481.aspx
*Updated (thanks CAR)*
TNVC's RDP II
http://tnvc.com/items/weapon_optics/rdpII.html
Please feel free to post if I've missed something (or a review if you know of one). I'm in a hurry or I'd post more links and pics for each one right now.
Please - no NcStar, no Barska, no BSA, no airsoft-clones, etc... Just known decent-quality optics that happen to be slightly less expensive than the big-boys (Aimpoint, EOTech, Trijicon, etc...). That's typically in the $200-ish range or less for the most part since any higher than that and your getting into used Aimpoint territory.
These aren't long-range optics, just red-dots or etched-glass optics that you would see in 3-gun (yes I know some of the die-hard 3-gunners will stretch it out to several hundred yards for a course, but for the most part, you don't see hi-powered optics on a carbine or 3-gun).
Here's what I can drudge up from online reviews and things that have been posted on this site:
Vortex Strikefire
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-strikefire-red-dot-scope-for-ar15
Vortex Sparc
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-sparc-red-dot-scope
IOR/Valdada Edge
http://www.valdada.com/product/81e63ffe-067e-477a-b577-8c2725b2093a.aspx
IOR/Valdada MicroEdge
http://www.valdada.com/product/53881fc9-6a07-4bb8-9d76-ed94e3573593.aspx
(Don't let the MSRP fool you - both of these are cheaper on most retail sites like Optics Planet and SWFA).
Millet DMS-1
Millet Zoom Dot (I don't know if this one is even being made anymore)
Burris XTR Red dot (this one is pretty much priced out of budget-territory in my opinion).
Burris AR 332 Magnified illuminated (priced even higher than the XTR).
Burris 1x FastFire (I know its not a typical primary rifle sight, but its a viable option).
Bushnell Trophy 1x32 Red Dot (acog look-alike)
http://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-bushnell-trophy-1x32-riflescope-730132p.html
Bushnell Holosight (EOTech look-alike)
http://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-bushnell-holosight.html
I'm hesitant to put either of the Bushnell optics on here since both have had issues in online reviews and hardcore testing, but they're worthy of a look at least.
Primary Arms 1-4x32 illuminated (etched-glass) scope - I don't know that this guy has earned the right to be on the same level as Primary Arms Red Dots, but I figured that I'd put it on here just in case.
Primary Arms M3-style Red Dot (there are actually a few variations of this one including multi-reticle)
Primary Arms M4-style Red Dot
Primary Arms Micro Red dot (there are a few different version of this one as well)
I've got a micro and an M3-style and love both of them.
http://primaryarms.com/category.sc?categoryId=169
Lucid HD7
http://mylucidgear.com/reddot.php
Good Reviews: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khc79-Nvieo
http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?2182-Review-of-the-Lucid-HD7-Red-Dot-Sight
I'm putting this on here since I plan on hooking up a setup like it with my AR:
Leupold 1-4x20 VX-I Shotgun / Muzzleloader Scope (with Turkey-plex reticle)
http://swfa.com/Leupold-1-4x20-VX-I-Shotgun-Muzzleloader-Scope-P7481.aspx
*Updated (thanks CAR)*
TNVC's RDP II
http://tnvc.com/items/weapon_optics/rdpII.html
Please feel free to post if I've missed something (or a review if you know of one). I'm in a hurry or I'd post more links and pics for each one right now.