Ok, I know this is a hot topic on every forum, but here’s sitchyation!, so hang on for this ride!

I have an AT3 Red Dot on my Kel Tec Sub2K, it’s fine but “seeing” how I have astigmatism, I can only have the brightest up to 3 clicks, after that it becomes fuzzy and oblong! So I purchased a Votatu P3X prism scope for my M&P AR-15. I like this scope, but these old eyes can’t use it passed 25 yards! So I’m looking for a budget scope that has enough magnification to get me to 100 yards. When I say budget, I only paid $107 for the Votatu so I plan on returning it and stay around $100-$125ish

Now, I know some purest here are salivating about jumping all over me for not spending more on something better, but right now I just need a replacement. I only use my AR for plinking and conversation. I’m not a sharpshooter nor am I interested in being one! I just want to hit the target and some have fun! I have other firearms for home and personal defense.

Having said the above, I know a little bit about scopes, but by far I’m not that knowledgeable!
I need to purchase it off Amazon because that will be my exchange Avenue. I have found this scope, listed below. It has 4-12 magnification and I’ve found someone on YouTube who actually did a pretty thorough review on it, putting it through practical testing and benchmarks, and he was surprised at this price that it actually was not bad. The other reason I’m leaning towards it, is because it also come with a red dot on top for close shooting, it also comes with a green laser, which I plan on not using. My experience with cheap lasers is they only work in very low light/night time. I’m also inclined not to co-witness with my A2 front sight, I’m not interested in it at all, this scope comes with a 1” riser to ensure that. I also want to permanently mount it, I like my sights centered on top, no side or canted mounting of optics for me, so the red dot directly on top will come in handy.

As far as inexpensive products go, I feel it’s hard to pass judgment unless you have experience with it or you know someone that has. Any opinions or advice, based on my situation, will be very much appreciated.

Pinty Rifle Scope 4-12x50 with 4MOA Red Dot Sight & Green Laser for 20mm Picatinny or Weaver Rail Long Guns, RG Illuminated Rangefind… https://a.co/d/7HDwCbo

TT

If You're gonna be cheap, You're gonna have to live with it.

As Dave stated, you get what you pay for. Don’t worry, you’ll learn.
Go to one of the big Sport store’s, they have scopes in stock and a special rifle stock that holds the scope you are interested in. You can look across the store or maybe take it outside for a longer or more realistic view. Good luck.

This. Precise shooting at 100 yards, requires about 12x and ao.
If they don't have ao, parallax is usually factory set for 150 yards.
$100-125 doesn't get much of anything, even when you chose a low power scope.

If Amazon sells Vortex look at the Crossfire series. Best scope for the money. Can be had for $119 sometimes. 2-7x32 should work nicely. If you want more magnification 3-9x40, but would obviously be a bulkier scope. Vortex has BEST WARRANTY in the business. Check them out.

I fully "get" what you're saying. I've got rifles and handguns for that matter with optics I didn't break the bank on. But like has been said you're only going to get what you pay for.

You're probably going to have to up the ante a bit to get the kind of clarity you want. Or learn to live with not so great optics.

I actually use Pinty optics on my airguns and rifles that it wouldn't make sense to put something more expensive on, i.e. a Hi-Point carbine. For the price they are functional, and work better than I thought they would, with the one issue I had resolved with a replacement pretty much overnight.

For your AR I would suggest skipping the "decorations" and get the one I linked to. I have around a half dozen of the things with one on a quick release mount that I throw on random things. It was on an AR for a while I was waiting for the optic I ordered for it to get delivered, where to be honest it actually worked better at some things than the Trijicon Credo LVPO that cost about 20x more, especially when shooting at under 100 yards.

It is AO and from my experience with the air rifles can be parallax free down to 30ft, although the markings on it for parallax distances are off a little this close in so you have to look through it, but it's only $60.

The OP clearly stated their goals, objectives, and criteria.

I say, get it!!

I have a similar combo package (illuminated reticle red/green, dot sight in red/green, and laser red/green).
It was a ton of fun to use and I got it to try all three optic options at once.

I have upgraded since then, so the unit isn't currently mounted on any of my firearms.

Nowadays, I loan it out (a lot!) to fellow shooters that haven't used a red dot or laser before.
They mount it on whatever (quick release type mounts on it) and get to see how a red dot works, or a laser.
Now that they've tried each of them (in a single package), they can move ahead knowing that they do/don't like in a particular type of optic.

After that, we can have conversations about preferences and details BEFORE they've spent a dime on anything.

Have fun with it!
And let other folks try it out so they can have fun too!

I paid $129 for this "Chinese line" Vortex 4-12 scope and mount from Palmetto State. Rock solid and more accurate than I can shoot. An option but no "extras. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

do You have a link that I can go to and look at it?

You guys have all great advice, please, keep’em coming, I’m not put off by honest opinions. No one knows enough to be that close minded!

If anyone is remotely interested in an unbiased review of the scope I listed, here is the review. I would really like to know what y’all think of this review!?
Pinty 4-12x50 Tactical Scope Package - YouTube

I’m getting so confused on what to buy!

TT

As a long time spectacle wearer, my first advice is to go see an ophthalmologist or optician and get rid of the astigmatism. It could very well be that a scope is just magnifying the image your eyes are blurring. OTOH, you just might have received an example that QC didn't check or got dinged in shipment. Fix the eyes first, then go from there.

I can imagine few things more useless than a 4-12X scope mounted on a folding 9mm carbine -- but, hey, to each his own. If I HAD to have an optic mounted it would be no more than the smallest available 2X. Other than that, for the intended use of the Sub 2k iron sights'll do.

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Pisgah

Read the OP posts, he says a scope for his AR...

The Vortex 4-12x40 Crossfire is a very good scope that happens to be reasonably priced. One is on a dedicated 20" fixed-stock AR zeroed at 100m. With basic box ammo, it easily groups within the diameter of a quarter consistently (support with bench). The second is a spare. The third is a cheap spotting scope mounted on a camera tripod. If you need to go even cheaper, this too is likely very good for casual civilian use. Never, ever had issue with Bushnell.


The only issue with a full size scope is speed of target acquisition. If speed isn't critical, it takes very little time to adjust to targets under 7m with the scope at 4x. In your spare time just grab the gun and view nearby objects at 4x. Takes very little time to learn. It's good to do this at least 2-3 times a month or so. The first time I had to engage a target close-in with magnification was with a 4x prism. Target just happened to pop up and I honestly believe I squeezed one off (actually 2 rounds) out of nothing more than startled reaction. After that little deal, I began a little practicing with the 4x at targets under 7-10 meters. Good luck.
Gotta get a mount too. When securing mount to the rail, make sure the mount is shoved fully forward within the rail slots. This will prevent any movement when fired. With a large scope, I also use a cantilever mount which gives you plenty of room to access charging handle, etc.