Want to add a magnifier for my red dot, any suggestions under $100.00?


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For what its worth, I have tried this several times and it simply has not worked for me. YMMV

At $100 no. I cannot recommend one. The Vortex VMX-3T Magnifier with Flip Mount was recently on sale for $138 but is back up to $168 on Amazon.

At the $100 level the glass will be garbage IMHO. Even the Vortex is a huge compromise vs others like Aimpoint and even Eotech.

I personally am not a fan of magnifiers but I under stand that people like them.

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Use should dictate gear!

The range we go to only let's you set up for an AR at 25 yards, and takes breaks every 20 minutes so I want to be able to see my accuracy quicker. That's all.


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I guess I am missing something. At 25 yards I see no need for magnification of any kind. Shooting an AR15 at that range you should be able to see the target and place the dot where you want it to go taking into account what zero you are using and get solid groups.

I am not sure what "I want to be able to see my accuracy quicker. That's all." means? Are you trying to use the flip magnifier as some sort of spotting scope?

I am confused.

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Use should dictate gear!

Save your money put in toward a good spotting scope, and I'm not talking a Sportsman's Guide special. You will have it and use it long after your current AR has been sold.

Get a cheap monocular or binoculars.

If you are determined to strap a sub $100 magnifier on your rifle Primary arms has 3x and 6x in that price range. My guess is that it'll soon get tossed in the AR parts box.

I have the Burris & Vortex 3X magnifiers in the $170- $200 range. They do the job, and I doubt I'll go any higher price wise. Since they do flip out of the way, they're simple to use when wanted. I prefer them at 100 yrds. plus. The Vortex is with an Aimpoint Pro red dot.

Use the red dot as is, or get a scope.

I have a couple of the Primary Arms 3X magnifiers. They seem to work OK but, for me, they have a shortcoming. I have a dot on my AR and my wife has 1-4 scope on hers. I don't really like the scope. One has to be too perfect w/ one's eye position for a scope to work well where it doesn't matter w/ a dot. Just the nature of the equipment. When I add the 3X to the dot, there I am back w/ needing a near perfect eye position. If you try the PA magnifier, get the standard mount and take a wrench w/ you. Their QR mount isn't to sturdy.

Exactly... The red dot + magnifier combo is a compromise solution at best. If you want fast target acquisition, get a red dot. If you want magnification, get a scope.

I bought a previously owned Burris Trippler for a bit more than the $100 limit to pair with a used Burris AR-F3 I already had .

If you don't need NIB then used is the way to go.Keep checking the usual suspects for previously owned.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Most magnifiers don't work for me because there is no adjustable ocular on them. As a result they are out of focus and blurry. (I'm badly farsighted.)

Another issue is that these allow multiple sources of light to hit the primary optics surfaces. By that I mean not only does sunlight hit the red dot's front lens, it also hits the magnifiers front lens. Some red dots have lens shades, but I've never seen one except on a discontinued EOTech 4x unit.

Since this is basically reinventing a 1x-3x illuminated reticle scope, why not get a 1-4x (or 2-7x, etc.) illuminated reticle scope in the first place?

Thanks for all the advice. I apologize if my post has irritated some, by the responses I am apparently an idiot, maybe, but coming to a forum for "help" was I guess not the right thing to do. I didn't read the fine print about only professionals being able to post here and ask stupid questions! I'm sorry I took apace from another who probably had a smarter question to ask. ✌️out!


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Kinda thin skinned, are we? I just re-read the whole thread and don't see single post belittling you. They all add up to the fact that you can't get a decent magnifier for less than $100, you don't need one for precision at 25 yards, a magnifier makes a poor substitute for a scope, and most of us have little use for magnifiers and prefer either a bare red dot or scope.

FWIW, ChattanoogaPhil is a mod on this forum and they do not allow personal attacks on other posters. I hope you stick around. Even those of us that have spent decades with AR's still learn something new on occasion.

PIFFT! this is sophisticated compared to some of the questions I have ask! LOL..


Stick around man..

Relax, no one is insulting anyone. To the contrary, I think folks here have offered some good insight to consider. Most of it is related to the mistakes (learning experiences ) they made themselves or that of others they know.

Folks understand the dizzying array of choices available with the AR platform and that it can be overwhelming. We all been there.

Exactly, some money and aggravation could be saved by following the advice given in this thread.

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Forged From Freedom

I don't own an AR but I shoot every week with a guy that does. I've shot his AR with an Eotech G33 magnifier. My impression is it works but that's a lot of money and gear hanging on an AR. He has more money in his sight than his rifle. For the 1K he put into his sight he could have purchased a top of the line 1-4 power scope. He's now looking at a 2K rifle and he won't be putting a holographic site on it. After seeing the difference in a 1 moa group using my rifle with a telescopic sight he's convinced holographic with a magnifier isn't what he wants for the range.

I understand that holographic is great for target acquisition and works for combat situations but it isn't a precision sight. You want a telescopic sight for that. Snipers don't use holographic sights.

I'm not dissing your choice, just laying out what I've seen when a new shooter gets his information from a sales guy.

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That's just somebody talkin.

I bought a Vortex flip-to-side magnifier, it's a really nice bit of kit, well built and very clear glass, it looks great in my parts box.

Didn't sound like he was dissatisfied with the red dot for shooting purposes but said he wanted something to see the results sooner than waiting for a cold range to walk out and look at the target, and budget friendly. That's why I suggested a monocular rather than mounting a 2nd optic and more hardware on the rifle.

One of the little $10 pocket-size is a solution for 25yds. I've had a cheapo Tasco 10x25 in my range gear bag for so many years I forget. Use it from time to time zeroing a .22 pistol at 25yds on our Bullseye range.

This isn't the best place to ask about AR-15 accessories. From reading the replies here, one could get the impression that magnifiers are of no use, or regulated to the parts bin, for the majority. For opinions, I'd say, this is a very limited scope of AR users, for information. Dedicated AR sites will probably be more useful. Good info here, for pistols, not so much for ARs. I really do use magnifiers in conjunction with red dots, when the target's at 100 yrds. Perhaps even 50. In the meantime, many others, also use magnifiers. Oh, I also use scopes, iron sights.......whatever fits the purpose.

An added not: Suggestions to just get a scope, versus a red dot & magnifier is not in my book of thinking. I prefer using the same rifle for closer targets by flipping the magnifier out of the way. My wife & I, have two higher end ARs that do just that. I have other dedicated ARs with scopes.

Yeah, look at me. I own a $19.99 Fieldsport red dot on my AR-556. They beat me up so bad here that I bought another one just for a spare! I guess I showed them!
Seriously, I do own a Fieldsport red dot and will put it up against ANY $100 red dot out there. Maybe even a higher $$$ one! (Don't make me have to post the "proof is in the pudding" videos!)

If this site is of no use for AR's, then why are you here?

But, in response to your opinion, go watch 3 gun games... take a look at the equipment that the serious competitors run. Multi power scopes with either off set iron sights or small RDS outnumber the RDS with magnifier setups.

Red dots are for quick acquisition. You don't have to be perfectly centered behind the optic, or have a consistent cheek weld to be able to get hits... put the magnifier behind it and those attributes are negated. And many red dots don't have mil dots, or any other marks to estimate range which is another advantage of a scope for distance. And of course, if you are trying to make one ragged hole at a distance, a cross hair on a scope is much more suited for that task.

So, I stand by my opinion that a magnifier is a compromise... jack of all trades, master of none. I think if you want something with similar performance to a red dot with magnifier, you are better served by a 1-4x variable power scope with a reticle similar to one pictured below.

There is use. But I certainly wouldn't want anyone to base a full opinion, just reading what's here. Very limited..

I've seen plenty of 3 gun games. I don't care to be a serious competitor working within the framework of rules in a game.
Nothing against 3 gun though. It certainly requires practice. Just not for me, these days.

I built an AR with a precision trigger, a higher end barrel, and I don't care to limit it with a scope. I prefer quick acquisition to close targets, as well as using this rifle for long range, due to the accuracy of it's components. That means, magnifier part time.

Yep, it's a compromise, in order to accomplish different tasks. I have another dedicated AR with a scope. However, I did stick a Burris II (red dot) on top of the scope, just because it's been sitting around.

I find a scope with a low power setting, provided it has a solid, repeatable cheek weld, to be as fast as good iron sights.

I've also found red dot sights having anything but a single red dot to be slower. Too busy.

Poor quality iron sights are very slow for me, often not usable at all due to my being farsighted.





This is my coyote rifle, an 18" Remington R15. Initially had an EOTech on it, but the 65 MOA ring around the dot was slowing me down. The display was too "busy". Switched to a Leupold Mark AR 3-9x scope. Target acquisition at 3x is much faster for me and more positive than with the EOTech.

Have not tried a 1 MOA dot only EOTech. It may be as fast or faster than the scope without the ring.

They work well for aiding in getting your red dot system sighted in as well as adding some magnification for weak eyes at 100 yards+. I have a nice Burris 3X system for sale in the accessory tab BTW.

To defend the users here, your 2 original posts were not very clear as to what you were trying to accomplish, so please be clearer next time.

But back on topic, I'm not a fan of magnifiers either. I'd much rather have a fixed magnifed optic like a 2.5x or a good 1x4 scope and save myself some weight and bulk. But that's just me. As for checking your accuracy, use a spotting scope or binoculars.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

The OP came here looking for answers about mounting a magnifier to his AR to use it as a spotting scope at 25yds.

Folks have suggested other devices, monocular, binoculars or a dedicated spotting scope rather than strapping a second optic (magnifier) onto the rife to use as a spotting scope at 25yds.

Where would you go to get better advice than that?

I'd appreciate it, if you quoted everything I said. Where were we, 20 replies or so, in which the majority has rather negative views? As I said, the advice was very limited. One would do better, by checking various forums, and not limiting themselves to what was presented here. It's basically the "I don't like magnifiers much", so I'll put in my two cents of reply.

The original post didn't mention 25 yrds. Some opinions had already been made, by the 25 yrd comment. Beyond that, it was why use a magnifier at all? It did not just come down to.........what would I use to spot a target at a 25 yrd indoor range.

If you would prefer to leave part of my reply out, as well as acting as though all replies had to do with 25 yrd spotting, then by all means do so. I have a right to correct you.

Maybe I don't. I see you're the moderator.

You can find forums on the Internet where the fanboys go ga-ga over anything you want. Although we have some mall ninjas that post on this forum, most of us are actual shooters with many differing backgrounds and needs. If the consensus is that an accessory will probably end up in the parts box and better options are available, you can take that advice to the bank.

Back to the original question, a 3x magnifier for under $100....

If you are willing to up your price range to $199 and up, Bushnell makes one with an adjustable ocular eyepiece. Unless you have perfect vision, this is a very important feature, especially for those who are farsighted.

Bushnell - 3x Magnifier

In this case, it really is a limited amount of opinions, and certainly not advise, I'd just automatically want to take to the bank. I'm not trying to be argumentative either. With so many gun enthusiasts out there, there are those who don't care for red dots, and those who like them. Those who use magnifiers along with red dots, and others who don't care for magnifiers. In reality, there are thousands of posting/replies spread throughout the internet on this subject.

As to myself, I equipped my first AR with a scope. For my second, I decided to go with a red dot. I picked a Aimpoint Pro, because I don't care to spend $700 & up. I doubt I'll ever own a $2000 to $4000 scope either.

After a few months I figured I'd throw on a 3x magnifier for the 100 yrd target. I liked the idea. My wife does also. Her eyesight isn't near as good as mine, but she's very accurate with her shots. We built her an AR-15, and installed a red dot/ magnifier combo as well.

For this particular AR, I'm sticking with the red dot. I don't want a scope on this weapon, and I'm certainly not going to go along with a thirty reply thread, that suggests the red dot should end up in the parts box. This isn't a case of some fan boy going ga-ga over some new device, and there are hundreds, most likely thousands out there, who feel the same as I. And just as many or more who'd disagree.

Point is, I enjoy reading a lot of varied opinions on many subjects. I'm basically a speed reader, and can easily take in a lot of information within a short time period. I still say, that this thread is a limited slice of opinions. It's best to go beyond this forum, for many more views on this subject.

For starters, you're welcome to correct or otherwise disagree with moderators on topic-related discussion. Many have and do....

You're right about the general lack of enthusiasm regarding magnifiers for 1x red dots, but that's not unique to this Forum. There's limited appeal. That doesn't mean there's "no use" or necessarily destined to the parts bin. It just means that there's limited appeal comparatively to using a 1x red dot as designed or a scope. That said, don't be surprised if others with magnifiers weigh in that they use and enjoy them. While maybe not a lot of speed readers, there's a lot of diverse and experienced AR owners here.

As far as a lot of magnifiers ending up the parts box... yup. And that's not just forum lore. General reasons that I have seen... Magnifier was bought for gadgetry entertainment/experiment but found 1x red dot was all they needed. Poor eye relief. More weight than worth. More bulk than worth (especially having something hanging off the side of the rifle). Substitute for a scope because a 1x red dot wasn't well suited for the shooting to begin with or other misapplications such as the OP was describing as a spotting scope. Red dot + magnifier inferior optical quality compared to a scope as well as reticle options. Now it's not unusual for guys to try different things on their rifles and find that it doesn't work out real well, but from what I have personally seen and read I think magnifiers are particularly prone to parts box disposition.

You mentioned that you use a magnifier at 50 and 100yds. What type of shooting are you doing at those distances that require a magnifier?

When you were speed read, you must have sped past the posts that use red dots. When I read the posts I see individuals that use red dots but have found a magnifier doesn't work for them and the magnifier ends up in the parts box. Only one poster pulled their red dot.

I have two red dots on AR's and one on a handgun. I also own one AR with a 1.5x5 scope, another with carry handle irons, and one with a rear BUIS and tower front. I find the dots work fine out to 100 yards or more and the scope as far out as I wish to shoot. The carry handle is an older rifle left over from my high power days that shot well out to 600 yards. My health no longer allows me to compete, but it sure is fun to bench carry handle irons at 100 yards and go down range and find groups well under one inch.

The Burris I listed in the for sale section I bought for my wife. It aided greatly in tandem with her Aimpoint Pro for sighting in at 50 yards, as in very accurately. With the trajectory of the .223 round and a zero at 50, this yields about .60" high at 100 and back to zero between 150-175 yards. After sighting in she decided she no longer wanted it on her AR. Said she was good to go, hence the sale. I will say it worked very well, nice mount, one button push to swing out too. Optics were excellent as well as the reviews on it. Personally I think they are great for enhancing your red dot optics at 3X. Big difference. It really all depends on what you are after and want hanging off your AR.

For starters, I never said to limit reading to this thread. There are plenty of website/postings out there, regarding red dots with magnifiers, & being very useful. As for iron sights, I do the same. Two ARs are equipped with them. As to my health, I may not make it to tomorrow. Have used at least eight lives.

Guns are like golf clubs; each setup is only the best for one single purpose, and everything else is a compromise at best. That's why when we can afford it, we own different guns and use them for different purposes.

At this point I think we should agree to disagree and exit this thread like the OP apparently did.

Will agree to disagree. But then I never did care for golfing.

From my post I was trying to say the Vortex VMX-3T is a really quality magnifier, I really have no complaints on its quality or function. I've just found, personally, that the magnifier is more weight and bulk than I'm willing to accept for the return its magnification gives me. Personal perference 100%, given the benefit of hindsight I wouldn't buy a magnifier again but this in no way is a comment on the value of them for others.

Not being an AR shooter someone please explain to me what a 1X holographic sight is good for past 100 yards. For me, it takes the place of irons. I have a military carbine, not an AR, and all it has is iron sights. I can generally do a fair job with it at 100 yards, everything on a pie plate. I shoot with lots of people using AR's and that seems to be about the same level of accuracy from a 1x holographic. Maybe a little better but my eyes are old.

So my question is... are irons not as effective at 100 yards as a red dot? I know, it takes some practice to shoot irons but it's a well known fact that some in the military could use irons effectively out to 500 yards on an 03A3 way back when.

I've always used a telescopic sight for anything past 100 yards. To me, a red dot is just a more convenient faster ghost ring and not much more.

Please correct me if I have lost touch with reality or technology.

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That's just somebody talkin.

A red dot is faster than irons. No need for a perfect cheek weld, no need to align the front and rear sight, no need for a perfect sight picture... If you can see the dot, that is where it is going to hit, no matter where the dot is located in the sight picture.

I feel your pain. I have pretty much stopped using this forum for help due to the "experts" attitudes.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I use a simple 1x red dot on my AR for offhand shooting out to 200yds which is getting close to what the ballistics will accommodate for point and click shooting absent holdover with a 50yd zero. I'm not interested in precision shooting, but rather that I can put lead on target and hear that steel ring.

Unlike irons, the 1x red dot doesn't require the shooter to be aligned with front and rear sights. As long as the shooter can see the red dot it's on target. Fast.

Personally, the biggest advantage of a 1x red dot is that all I have to do is keep focused down range and the red dot will display on target. My aged eyes struggle with irons. If I was 18 again... well... sigh...

A red dot also helps with low light conditions that would make iron sights difficult or impossible to see.


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