So now that I have my MP15 Sport zero'd in and feeling comfortable with the iron sights, I'm itching for a red dot.

I know you can't go wrong with EOTech or Aimpoint's, but for my purposes I don't have the need to drop that much for an optic.

What are some good budget optics?

How should it be setup with the MBUS flip up still mounted for backup?

Will a riser be necessary?

Thanks for all the great help you all have provided me

A Bushnell TRS-25 with a UTG .83 riser is a great budget red dot set up. You should also look at Primary Arms, as they have good red dots for those on a budget as well.

The best "budget" optic is to stay with your iron sights. Budget optics will just fail eventually. You got a nice rifle (albeit an economy model - some traditional AR features missing, but the ones left off are probably not needed unless you are going to the Middle East, in which case, you will get a "real one" given to you), but just because you got a nice rifle, there is no reason to skimp on accessories. You wouldn't use a ****** magazine and turn your rifle into a "jammamatic," would you? Get a nice optic from Aimpoint. T1 seems a good choice these days. Or, a Comp M4.

have a vortex sparc & a primary arms micro md06. both are awesome red dots that wont brake the bank. highly recommend either 1

I got a primary arms dot and it's not a bad optic. Not top of the line but works for what I need out of it. If all else fails I have the irons

The Aimpoint PRO is about $400 and includes the mount.

The Bushnell TRS-25 seems to work OK and sells for about $100. If was tempted to spend more, I'd save up for the Aimpoint.

I have a Primary Arms red dot on my Sport and it's been great. It's held zero, uses one AA battery (going on two years with it), and has a sold company behind it.

I have a vortex red dot. Can't remember the name of it. Comes with an ar mount and the 2x magnifier

+1 on the Bushnell TRS-25 and UTG riser. Works great.

I'll second the recommendation for the Vortex Sparc! For ~$190 you get the red dot, mount, and a 2x multiplier (which I don't use). It sets up for absolute co-witness, or lower 1/3rd based on which included mount parts you use. Vortex has great glass and a great warranty - hard to go wrong. I picked up a set of Butler Creek flip up caps and a kill flash as well (listed on the same page on Amazon). It's a 2 moa red dot.

Okay, it's not a combat optic like the ACOGs I have on my SCAR's, but will more than get the job done till I can swing another ACOG. Who knows, with use I might decide I don't need the ADOG...

Amazon.com: Vortex SPARC Red Dot Scope: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512d4AImL0L.@@AMEPARAM@@512d4AImL0L

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Audaces Fortuna Juvat

Thanks for the helpful input guys!

Still haven't decided what I am going to do, however I wanted to share that the Bushnell TRS-25 is Amazon.com : Bushnell Trophy Red Dot TRS-25 3 MOA Red Dot Reticle Riflescope, 1x25mm (Matte) : Rifle Scopes : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41aLtjFdxmL.@@AMEPARAM@@41aLtjFdxmL for $69.99 shipped

Check out your local Armslist for optics. I've seen Aimpoint PRO's for as low as $300.

I recently got a Vortex Sparc for $160, on sale. It came with risers and shim for four different heights, the highest of which is 1/3 co-witness with my MBUS. It was easy to mount, easy to zero, and so far, it's worked great. I like the 2 MOA dot.

I have a couple Primary Arms micro dots. No complaints. They do what they are supposed to do.

Primary Arms is an easy outfit to deal with. I look forward to my purchases with them.

I am in the same position. While I would like an Aimpoint I just cant justify the cost for the amount I currently shoot my AR

My understanding is that the Primary Arms micro dots are Aimpoint clones. Not sure if that is true, but I went with the Primary Arms dots due to their cost and all the good reviews on various sites on the internet.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary-.../md-07-utg.htm

I like my PA micro with ADM mount pretty well so far. I also have an Aimpoint ML3, but I am digging how small and light the micro is. The PA micro's are sort of an Aimpoint clone. The size, and controls are similar. The Tango Down micro cover will even work with a little modifying.

Did you guys go with the medium or high risers?
Is there a big difference other than height of the two?
I was thinking about a medium riser as the high one just looks.. too high.

I would have to agree.... if ya go Cheap.. Youll get what ya Pay For....

Love my EoTech 553.... im not really a Red Dot fan... i Like the Halo style Better... easier to acquire the Target for me....

Spend the $$$ youll thank us later

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--Stav--

Riser height is more about how you want your BUS to co-witness than the function of the optic. I would say try and keep the optic as low to the bore as possible though.

Thanks for the info ASTMedic, I'll most likely be going with the EOTech 512 so I don't believe I'll need a riser on my Sport with the standard front sight/mbus rear.

Midway is selling the Bushnell TRS-32 on clearance for $104 right now. I bought one yesterday and I'll get it on tues and try it out weds/thurs and I'll report back with how I like it.


Would I rather have an EoTech or a AimPoint? Sure but I just cant see spending that kind of money on one right now b/c of how little I shoot the AR. Partly b/c I need to join a local range and not just shoot it when I visit at my dads and go to the range up there. I'm not against getting an AimPoint PRO which I what I really wanted to get but perhaps I'll get one at income tax time. If Im not happy with the Bushnell then I'll deff save up for an AimPoint but for now It will get the job done.

Bushnell AR Optics TRS-32 Red Dot Sight 30mm Tube 1x 5 MOA Dot Matte

Look about the same as the primary arms sight. Should work just fine.

I like hearing people's opinions and suggestions when it comes to optics in general. That cheaper bushnell does look like a pretty good buy from Midway. I've read mixed reviews on it which isn't fully comforting but you do get what you pay for. EOTech would be nice but I'm probably not going to take the plunge anytime soon unless I come across a hell of a deal. The cheaper optics seems like a more viable option for me at this point.

SKD Tactical recently had an email sale on Aimpoint Pro's for $349 (and T1's for $535 and H1's for $485). If you keep your eyes open you can get a Pro for the $350 range. I love my Pro.

Dad has a Eotech Exps on his Sig which I actually prefer to my Pro - DVOR has a sale on Eotechs right now - the Exps is $470 which is a great deal if funds permit. Been trying to force myself to not buy one actually - if I hadn't already invested in a LaRue mount for my Pro I'd have one on the way already.

http://www.dvor.com/l-3-eotech-opmod...ed-519367.html

I got the Bushnell TSR-32 today. Looks good on the AR I'll be trying it out on weds.

Looks mean, you should post a couple more pics of it from a few different angles.

I like the crayon thing, tempting to do it to mine!

Do let us know how it sights/shoots.

Here are a few more pics. I'll post back here in this thread with what I think of it. I'll be shooting it weds and sighting it in. This is the first optic Ive bought for an AR and also my first AR so I dont have a lot to base it on but I still know quality or **** when I see it lol. On the color fill I used model paint, came out really well.

Excellent man! My first AR too (Sport) and I literally can't stop spending money on it. Magpul everything with a Troy lever. Got a few more things on the list and then it's optic time.

I think its a great gun. I put some no name chepo sub $50 free floating quad rail on it from off amazon, had it put on for free at work at the Armory and cant tell the difference between it and a $150 one. The optic is the single most expensive mod so far but I also want to get a Troy sight for the rear sight b/c I think the magbus one sucks and I also want a different charge lever and a sling then I think I'll call it good.

I would jump on AR15.com and find someone selling a QRP2 mount for cheap. That way you have the ability to remove the red dot just in case it goes down.

I'm not against cheaper red dots (obviously), but I feel you need a quick disconnect mount in case it dies.

The one I have can be removed w/ a quarter to loosen the mount, why would a QRP2 mount be needed?

I tried out the Bushnell TRS-32 yesterday and I really like it. Out of the box it needed some initial adjustment but after about 2 attempts of shooting and going back to make adjustments I got it zeroed in pretty well. The day went from over cast to sunny so I was able to use the brightness settings to various degrees. For an optic that was $104 I cant complain. Although Ive only had one outing with it my first overall impression is that if you dont want to spend the money on an eotech or a Aimpoint then this is a great site to have. I know a lot of the budget or lower end priced optics are probably junk but there are some out there that offer quality and performance beyond their price.

Hell I was even able to make some decent hits on a target 100 yards away with steel case ammo lol