The official quality budget AR optics thread

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ez bake

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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.
 

KurtM

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Some folks could break a ball bearing in an empty padded room. The one I have has been just fine, although the on-off switch is too easy to activate when you put it in a case or bump into it on the sling. It's battery life seems to be outstanding!

The main thing you see in 3-gun is a 1X-1.5X on the low end variable scope, like a 1-4X or a 1.5-8X. That is what drives the upper end power more than anything else. Almost all of them will have some form of day light capable illumination, or a big honkin doughnut or horse shoe in the reticle to aid in close range hosing. you almost never see "red dots" although some of the bigger 3-gun matches and OKCGC are now allowing a dot in Limited which used to be for iron sights only.

As for target engagement ranges most all big 3-gun matches will go out to at least 400yards these days with some having targets out to 600, like the recent Rocky Mountain 3-Gun, don't assume that all of them are like the little club match we do at OKCGC. KurtM
 

mike_pinto

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Again, the difference between games and the real world. The SPARC could not withstand everyday use, from such harsh environments as a car trunk and a car front seat.

If I was looking for an optic for the "real world" and was potentially going to bet my life on it working, I would stick to irons. I would never take price into consideration if this was a duty weapon. I would hope nobody else would. If Is was my patrol rifle or something that I used to pay the mortgage, it would be an ACOG without a doubt. I think the poster was looking for something to shoot with recreational, therefore the strikefire from Vortex, which is what I believe KurtM has on one of his toys, Is a fine optic for the money. If you need something that you can shoot distance with, Meopta has a variable power, non red dot line of optics that are great. Vortex also has a 1-4 with illumination for less the $500 retail.

Take it with a grain of salt though, as Kurt and I have only shot about 10K rounds through AR's this year... ;)

M
 

KurtM

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A car trunk is a harsh environment? A car seat is harsh? and here I thought blowing sand and bottomless mud that one has to live and fight in was harsh! Man you do live in a real harsh world. I want you to know that they make car racks and padded gun bags to help protect your carbine, so it doen't have to just bounce all over the trunk or interior.

On a side note do you have a relative that lives in Alaska by any chance?

No I don't use the Votex for "games". Irons, Meopta, or an ACOG TA-11, but all these cost WAY more than the orriginal intent of this topic.
 

liliysdad

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I suppose sarcasm is difficult to convey via the web. No, a trunk and a front seat is not harsh, but the sight broke, regardless. They never survived long enough to subject them to anything remotely resembling a real test.

As for the bags and racks, racks cost money the PD wont spend, and bags slow you down too much.
 

WhiteyMacD

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I suppose sarcasm is difficult to convey via the web. No, a trunk and a front seat is not harsh, but the sight broke, regardless. They never survived long enough to subject them to anything remotely resembling a real test.

As for the bags and racks, racks cost money the PD wont spend, and bags slow you down too much.

That sucks. $200 doesnt seem like too much of an investment per cruiser to keep the rifle from being rattled around.

From EZ's list, I gotta say Im pretty impressed with the PAs. I have dropped my rifle and had it slide off my back seat and hit the floor board and still maintained zero. Now, I havent been in any sand storms, or waded through mud, but it has been subjected to some Gold Fish dust and formula. ;)
 

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