Best red dot for under $50?

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WarpedWheel

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I know there's been a lot of talk about optics lately, so I wanted to get everyone's opinion of the best red dot optics for under $50.
Part numbers and pics are welcome!
 
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Best under 50 bucks is probably subjective. My son uses a cheap Tasco Red Dot found at WalMart (under 40 bucks), it's probably not the best, but considering he hits what he shoots at consistantly, it's apparently a pretty good unit.
 
Try something from BSA. I have one of their older 42mm red dots without that little sun visor thing. It works, and hasn't given me any problems. I wouldn't call the red dot much of a "dot" though. its more of an elliptical smudge. Their 30mm version can be found for around $30. For a few $ over budget my Bushnell trs-25 ($90) beats is hands down. I also hear good things about primary arms red dots ($80).
 
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WarpedWheel said:
For the price would the Primary Arms be better than the Truglo?
Click to expand...

What is better for you?

The Truglo has a 5MOA dot. The PA has a 2MOA dot.

The PA has an integrated riser designed for an AR platform and co-witness. The Truglo has an integrated mount that will require the purchase of a separate generic riser (around $10 or so). Not having an integrated riser will make the Truglow more compatible with other guns you may have.

The PA has attached flip covers. The Truglo comes with caps.

The PA use regular AA batteries. The Truglo uses Type N.

With a riser, the Truglo is probably about 2oz less weight.

As far as durability and such, they will both hold up to a .22 and hold zero just fine.
 
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ChattanoogaPhil said:
What is better for you?

The Truglo has a 5MOA dot. The PA has a 2MOA dot.

The PA has an integrated riser designed for an AR platform and co-witness. The Truglo has an integrated mount that will require the purchase of a separate generic riser (around $10 or so). Not having an integrated riser will make the Truglow more compatible with other guns you may have.

The PA has attached flip covers. The Truglo comes with caps.

The PA use regular AA batteries. The Truglo uses Type N.

With a riser, the Truglo is probably about 2oz less weight.

As far as durability and such, they will both hold up to a .22 and hold zero just fine.
Click to expand...

We have a bunch of targets in the 50 yard range at my brother's place so probably the 2MOA would be better.

The AR platform mount will be fine because I don't plan to swap it to other rifles.

I do like the idea of having the flip covers, though I have not compared flip and cap covers side by side.

Battery type is not a determining factor with me because I will have extras of whatever type I need in my case.

I like the out of the box co-witness of the PA.

2 oz would not be a deciding factor for me.

Thanks for your helpful questions since I am new to the red dot sights.

I think it sounds like the PA might be the one for my needs.
 
im using a BSA R/G/B dot on my 15-22. i bought it for about 30-40 dollars at big 5. so far works great, i have nothing bad to say about it. heres a couple pics of it mounted on the gun. and a review i found on youtube.


IMG_6163.jpg


IMG_6282.jpg


BSA Electronic Red/Green/Blue Dot Scope Review - YouTube
 
You can find the Bushnell TRS25 on Amazon for $69 and it's amazing. I shot it for the first time today and all I can say is, I'm amazed at how well it works. Target acquisition was quick, accuracy was very good, and the dot is very bright and clear, even on low settings (I was using level 2-3 out of 11 levels in the range). Get a $8 .83" riser for co-witness and you'll be happy.
 
Hmm, lots of choices! Those all look nice. I've got my research and reviews cut out for me.
 
My Primary Arms Micro Dot shows up tomorrow.
It will be replacing my Vortex Strikefire.
Will be testing the PA out Saturday morning at a local indoor 25 yard range.
 
Jeremy126 said:
Ok I have to ask what is a kill flash?
Click to expand...

Kill flash is intended to eliminate glint from the front glass of an optic. This prevents Zombies from picking up your location. It's like a micro thin honeycomb. The pic below isn't dead on so the honeycomb appears to be a bit more thick than it really is. The kill flash screws onto the MicroDot. It's a design like Aimpoint for their Micro.








Uploaded with ImageShack.us
 
ChattanoogaPhil said:
Kill flash is intended to eliminate glint from the front glass of an optic. This prevents Zombies from picking up your location. It's like a micro thin honeycomb. The pic below isn't dead on so the honeycomb appears to be a bit more thick than it really is. The kill flash screws onto the MicroDot. It's a design like Aimpoint for their Micro.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clearing that up.
 
crracer_712 said:
Best under 50 bucks is probably subjective. My son uses a cheap Tasco Red Dot found at WalMart (under 40 bucks), it's probably not the best, but considering he hits what he shoots at consistantly, it's apparently a pretty good unit.
Click to expand...

I have that same red dot on my Hi Point 995TS 9mm carbine. I put a .75" riser on it. It works great. Like others have said, you really need a riser so be sure to include that in your price.

I also have a Bushnell TRS25 which is a great sight (needs a riser) and an Aimpoint CompM2 with the factory mount (which doesn't need a riser cuz it is tall).

(No matter what Aimpoint says about being parallax free, I can see the dot move when I shift my head and the rifle is clamped in a stand. The movement, however is much less than the Tasco. Is the movement 10 times less to offset the 10x higher cost? No.)
 
I know I have upped my price a little, but I think after reading/watching reviews and doing some comparisons I have narrowed it down to the PA or the Bushnell TRS 25 and riser. I'm still a little up in the air though. Thanks for all the comments and keep them coming.
 
If I were to get something like the Bushnell, would it fit on the 3 slot riser, or would it be beneficial to get a longer one? Sorry for all the newbie questions.
 
WarpedWheel said:
I know I have upped my price a little, but I think after reading/watching reviews and doing some comparisons I have narrowed it down to the PA or the Bushnell TRS 25 and riser. I'm still a little up in the air though. Thanks for all the comments and keep them coming.
Click to expand...

I cant say for certain about the PA, but it looks to be about the same size as the TRS-25. But with the TRS-25 you would want a .83" riser for absolute co-witnessing, or a 1" riser for lower 1/3 witnessing.
 
I would probably like to go with the absolute co-witness. For the price though it wouldn't be bad to have the option for both ways.
 
WarpedWheel said:
I would probably like to go with the absolute co-witness. For the price though it wouldn't be bad to have the option for both ways.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm doing. I just got a PA Micro Dot and ordered it with the medium riser, but they sent the high riser instead. I'm completely new to the absolute or lower 1/3 debate, so I thought "what the hell" and went ahead with it. I have to say, I'm kind of digging the lower 1/3 setup. I feel more "heads-up." I plan on picking up the UTG medium riser to have the option!
 
After looking at hundreds of reviews I just ordered the Bushnell TRS 25 with the .83 riser. Hopefully I'll get it soon and be able to test it out.
 
Upping your allowance for an optic by just $40 will really open up a ton of better options... Just an observation...errr opinion.
 
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