What optic are you using and why? I'm in the market for a new one and thought I'd ask to see what y'all are running.

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Freedom isn't free.

Taking my feedback for what it’s worth as one new to the AR platform; I recently picked up a Holosun 510C-Gr for my Sport 2.
My vision and glasses give me fits using a standard scope, and the red dot I have wasnt much better. In talking with my eye Dr (he understands my issues and is a hunter) we felt a reflex may work well. For what I wanted out of my Sport 2 anyway which for now is range and sporting use.
In searching reviews, vids etc on different sights, this one seemed to keep coming up as being rated high, offering lots of features for the cost, and overall at a price I was willing to pay.
So far just a few mags worth of using it but at 50 yds it has worked quite nicely for me. So in limited use it gets 2 thumbs up.

The optic depends on the mission... CQB/general purpose under 200yds: red dot or red dot/magnifier. LPVO adds versatility out to 200-300 yards, with a slight sacrifice in speed up close. Varmints: higher power magnafied optics for smaller targets.

Of course it does so, what's your mission and what are you using? I'm not asking for you to try to pick something for me, I'm just curious about what people are using and why.

__________________
Freedom isn't free.

I have irons, red dot and scopes on different ARs for different purposes. Just note that if you have astigmatism, a red dot may not appear as a round dot, but a hash mark (or worse), and depending on how bad it is, may limit your precision. Test before you buy.

In a scope, I prefer the traditional duplex reticle, which is designed to draw your eye to the center. With a 300 yard zero, you’re within about 2” above or below line of sight, which is precise enough for me. BDC reticles are just distracting to me.

Along with a plain front sight and an aperture rear sight, a good quality scope with a simple and uncluttered reticle is hard to beat for just about any purpose. Simple, it works, and no batteries are needed. Granted, such a setup lacks the newness of gadgetry that some perceive as "upgrades". These "upgrades" may actually offer less in the way of usefulness.

Just something to consider, and scope magnification is up the the user. High magnification, like a light trigger, is really of benefit only to the expert that can use it effectively. It's not a shortcut that takes the place of skill.

I use hard sights, red dots to include a couple of reflex-types, prism scopes, LPV scope.

Because.

I use red dots, Eotech laser diffraction sights, and 1-4x low powered variable optics on my ARs and AKs.

Folks with astigmatism might need to use prism sights, which have engraved reticles, in lieu of dots or Eotechs due to possible optical blooming.

My own astigmatism still allows me the use of them when wearing glasses.

Everything depends on your intended use for the rifle, but IMO, a good quality true 1-4x, 1-6x, or 1-8x low powered variable optic with a true daylight bright center dot offers the most versatility.

For “fastest” target acquisition at close range I’d recommend an Eotech.

For “fast” acquisition at close range with extraordinary battery life I believe it’s offered by the red dot.

For “reasonably fast” acquisition and the most versatility, I believe a true 1-xx LPVO with true daylight bright center dot illumination offers the best solution by extending the range at which you can accurately identify and shoot at your intended target.

For red dots I run SIG Romeo 5s and they’ve been great, but I won’t buy anymore Chinese optics ever.

For low power variable optics I run a couple of Steiner P4xi and they’re outstanding.

I just used plain old irons for years.

Last year, I went to a Vortex Strikefire II red dot. I’m pretty happy with it.


(mounted / POV … don’t mind the dog biscuit crumbs on the carpet)

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Ran with this for awhile, Trijicon Accupower 1-6x24, Red BDC Segmented Circle. Tough as nails, not really a 1 power on lowest setting, more like 1.25, but worked well at CQB ranges and great at longer ranges. Fast and accurate shots from 5 feet to 300 yards are a breeze. Mated with a good mount it gets a little heavy though.





Run this now, Trijicon ACOG TA31-CH, Red Crosshair Reticle with DO RDS. Best of both worlds, true 1 power RDS and a 4x32 for the range stuff. Bomb proof reliability. After the nuclear apocalypse there will be only roaches and ACOGs left.






Around the homestead/property it's this, Colt M4 with a A1 upper. Simple, light weight, cheaper, works good, lasts a long time.



I did ditch the A1 rear sight for an A2, gives me that 0-2 open sight for close in work. No need for anything beyond 200 meters around the homestead.

I've been a red dot user since the early 1980's. However, at the time of purchase of the latest example, I seriously considered a LPVO in the 1-4/1-6 range. An option of a selective "Fire Dot" (red dot) was interesting but I passed. Ten years later, I'm kinda regretting that.

One of the current issues is availability of a quality simple optic, capped adjustment dials, duplex reticle and available in a scout scope version sized as to not overwhelm the rifle. It'd also be really neat if the price wasn't a budget buster.

Apparently the market is currently aimed at the wants of HSLD wanna be types with disposable incomes, rather than legitimate needs. Maybe a Leupold variable power pistol scope and have the custom shop reset the parallax?