Bushnell Trophy 1x32 MP vs Barska 1x30 IR

idbstyler · #1 02-25-2010, 02:24 AM

Can't decide on which to put on my 15-22. What do you guys think? Pros, cons? There design's are some what similiar. I would like to get a Primary Arms Red Dot but they have been sold out for a while and there is no ETA when they will be back in stock. Pictures if you have these mounted would be great.

Thanks

Bushnell Trophy 1x32 MP
$149-179

Barska 1x30 IR
$90-100

eztarget · #2 02-25-2010, 08:25 AM

i like them both. what i don't understand is why is a scope that is just a red dot and no magnification so bulky?

ChattanoogaPhil · #3 02-25-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idbstyler

Can't decide on which to put on my 15-22. What do you guys think? Pros, cons? There design's are some what similiar. I would like to get a Primary Arms Red Dot but they have been sold out for a while and there is no ETA when they will be back in stock. Pictures if you have these mounted would be great.

Thanks

Bushnell Trophy 1x32 MP
$149-179

Barska 1x30 IR
$90-100

Aside from the performance of the optics, what is the mounted distance from top of rail to center of scope?

hotnanas · #4 02-25-2010, 11:23 AM

1.5" i believe. My Bushnell 1x32 cowitnesses perfectly without the need of a riser. I run it on one of my 223 ARs. I actually prefer the T over my . optics. I like the options between red and green and the 10 different intensity settings.

It is large and bulky, and it mounts over my delta ring since the mount takes up several rail slots.

Ignore the low quality of this blackberry phone photo.

Mounted on my M&P15 ORC:

Through it on my 15-22:

ChattanoogaPhil · #5 02-25-2010, 11:42 AM

Okay.. so the Bushnell = 1.5'' and co-witness fine. I wonder about the Barska cuz the pics appear much taller.

idbstyler · #6 02-25-2010, 01:54 PM

I've been trying to find out more info on them but there websites are not very helpful. They both have very good reviews though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil

Aside from the performance of the optics, what is the mounted distance from top of rail to center of scope?

hotnanas · #7 02-25-2010, 03:00 PM

Truly unlimited eye relief:

3'-4' away with my blackberry:

idbstyler · #8 02-25-2010, 08:29 PM

Do you notice it being very heavy?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotnanas

Truly unlimited eye relief:

3'-4' away with my blackberry:

hotnanas · #9 02-25-2010, 11:41 PM

not at all.

ArcaneFlame · #10 02-26-2010, 02:02 PM

I've got the Bushnell as well and I really like it. I've used a Barska red dot before (not the 1x30 IR you are considering) but I like the T-dot of the Bushnell much better than the plan red dot that my Barska had. I find target acquisition to be faster and easier with it.

I don't find it to be too heavy or large. It cowitnesses well with the Magpul MBUS sights I have. It also feels well built and is very solid.

Here are a few pictures of my 15-22... not the most recent pics but you'll get some additional views of it at least.

CoopScoop · #11 02-26-2010, 04:02 PM

The Bushnell is significantly more expensive (cheapest I've seen is around $130), but Amazon has the Barska for $75.

Amazon.com: BARSKA 1x30 IR M-16 Electro Sight Riflescope: Sports & Outdoors

I've been looking at purchasing the Barska also.

hotnanas · #12 02-26-2010, 04:16 PM

...once upon a time, not long ago, amazon had the bushnell for $80...

CoopScoop · #13 02-26-2010, 04:22 PM

yeah, amazon's prices jump around a lot - sometimes they have great deals.

ChattanoogaPhil · #14 02-26-2010, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idbstyler

I've been trying to find out more info on them but there websites are not very helpful. They both have very good reviews though.

Here's a couple reviews. One guy said it was great and co-witness with his M4 sights just fine (so that explains the height question). The other guy said the scope sucks.

Reviews for Barska 1x30 IR M16 Electro Sight AC10984 Riflescope Rifle scope - View or add your review!

idbstyler · #15 02-26-2010, 08:09 PM

Yea I think I'm going to go with the Bushnell. I've heard nothing but good reviews from it. I like the look of it and I also Like the T with the red dot.

ArcaneFlame · #16 02-26-2010, 10:25 PM

I don't know if the one you were looking at was different but my Bushnell has red and green settings. Not sure if there is perhaps an older model where one of them only has red... but I really dig the option of using green for lower light conditions as I think it works a lot better in those circumstances.

If there are two models you may want to look for the red/green model as it's nice to be able to choose according to the conditions.

akviper · #17 02-27-2010, 05:39 AM

FWIW, I had two of the bushnells. I liked the first so well I bought a second but it had a canted reticle. Apparently this was a problem with some of the early version IIs with the backup sight on top. If you can check to make sure the reticle is straight I would go for the Bushnell. They are a little heavy but for range or hunting it's a nice unit.

chuck s · #18 02-27-2010, 01:18 PM

I'll bite. What purpose/advantage is there with a Green dot? (Just curious.)

-- Chuck

Brett248Vista · #19 02-27-2010, 01:27 PM

Green is for night, but a lot of good a green reticule will do, without Night Vision

I think a green dot, green hairs etc, would be great for dusk, sun is starting to go down, switch to green. During the heat of the day, Green isn't even visible so, red it is!

hotnanas · #20 02-27-2010, 04:01 PM

my only dislike for the sight is that I always leave it on after I play with it. Battery life is now tested to more than 36 hours (3 overnighters at 12 hours a piece...not including any range/practice time) and still going strong.

I am guessing it would be in my best interest to hit up CVS for some backup batteries.

ArcaneFlame · #21 02-27-2010, 09:27 PM

Yep, it's just as Brett said. Green does work a lot better, in my opinion, as it starts to get darker out. I've used it at dusk several times and I really like it. It seems sharper in low light conditions than the red did simply because the red can appear too bright. However red is MUCH better for daylight conditions as you can barely see the green even on its brightest setting.

hotnanas · #22 02-28-2010, 01:51 AM

also, just a thought...

another flaw is the backup sights mounted ontop of the bushnell. They are not adjustable. I honestly haven't shot using them, but they definitely do not line up with what I aim at with my irons or holo.

but in reality...why would I ever need backup-backup sights?

ArcaneFlame · #23 02-28-2010, 01:45 PM

Not only are they non-adjustable... but they are rather thick and blocky. They really obscures whatever you are shooting at so I wouldn't have any great expectation for precision shooting with them. Next time I'm at the range I'm going to throw up a big target and shoot with them to see where it places the bullet. Perhaps they would be good for quick, close quarters shots?

Otherwise yeah, I don't really see the point of them if not for something like that.

cazador505 · #24 05-05-2010, 11:22 PM

Buddy of mine just got the Barska and loves it. He hasn't had any problems so far. Reticle is clear and crisp. Got a great deal at the Cabelas website.