Clone optics

[Geezer with an AR]

I know most people's responses will be negative,but I've read a lot on you tube and most reviews are good.Talking about the Trijicon Acog,you can find them for around $150,as opposed to $800 to $1500,anybody have one or tried one,let me know,thanks

 

[Rastoff]

Well, I'm not one to disappoint...

You can buy a knock off, but it won't be an ACOG. Yeah, I've heard the reviews, "It's exactly the same as the real thing!" Sorry, but it just ain't so.

There's a reason they cost a pretty penny; they're worth it. Clear glass, easy to use and indestructible. When it comes to optics, anything less than the real thing is a waste of money.

 

[BAM-BAM]

$100-200 "knock off" (read; look-a-likes) are great ........ on your 15/22!!!! For a fun day at the range or shooting with the boys................I like the Bushnell TRS25 and MP.... that I've used on the .22 for years.....lately added the little Vortex viper.......

That said......................

IMHO and that's all it is ..... if you are looking for SHTF preparedness......the $400 Aimpoint PRO is the entry level red dot optic...................

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Budget optics can provide great service.

I've had two Primary Arms Micro (Aimpoint clones) 1x red dots for several years. 100% reliable and maintain zero. I've also got a Bushnell AR223 1-4x that has performed great. There are endless positive reviews on these type of optics. All sub $100.

Under $200.... Vortex, Primary Arms and Bushnell pretty much got all the budget optic bases covered.

 

[Hunter991]

I will say that paying for expensive optics is a good idea if you need that type of optic.. You do get what you pay for, HOWEVER, some of the cheaper optics work just fine.

For many years my hunting buddies with their $1000 rifle scopes were telling me i have to have Leupold, Sworoski (sp) etc... i bought a Burris Fulfield II for my 308 bolt action.. Works like a charm. Every year i sight in my rifle before deer season and its spot on with no adjustments and i take deer just like they do. I paid $200 for it and it is a fantastic scope. I have had a cheap red dot on my 9mm carbine for about 5 years and its never let me down. So it can be done. I like the idea of the Bushnell TRS as a starter that has some quality.

 

[Arik]

There's a reason they're expensive but if you're just going to sit at a bench and try to shoot little groups you probably won't need or see the difference.


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[Kadonny]

Budget optics can provide great service.

I've had two Primary Arms Micro (Aimpoint clones) 1x red dots for several years. 100% reliable and maintain zero. I've also got a Bushnell AR223 1-4x that has performed great. There are endless positive reviews on these type of optics. All sub $100.

Under $200.... Vortex, Primary Arms and Bushnell pretty much got all the budget optic bases covered.

Is he talking about budget optics or more about clones, specifically clone ACOGs.

Seriously, look around the internet at some other "AR" specific sites. They have classified ads that constantly have "used" real ACOGs for sale. You can pick up a slightly used ACOG for half the price of new, maybe even less if you really shop around. Assuming it's not 10 years old or so, even the tritium should still have plenty of life left. So skip the knockoffs and look at used. You won't be sorry.

I've bought a few used optics and have been nothing but happy. A lot of times "used" is not really used, they are almost new anyway.

PS: I love my real ACOG.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Is he talking about budget optics or more about clones, specifically clone ACOGs.

Good point.

The ACOG clones I've seen are no-name slap-a-label varieties and Barska. I would not touch them. Bushnell used to offer a kinda-sorta ACOG clone but I don't remember if it was magnified or not.

For fixed magnified 'compact' scopes, I'd go with the Primary Arms or Vortex prism.

 

[Old_Cop]

There's an urge to equip your SHTF carbine with the best available red dot sight. I have an Eotech on my go to AR (I'm not worried about its sub zero temperature performance). I have a Primary Arms red dot on a .22lr and Vortex on a Saiga. They all work and have not failed. The fact is that I'm on social security and my tier One operator days are long over, if they ever were. The point is that I will not be in harms way unless it comes to me.

Let your financial situation and tactical needs determine your choice in optics.

 

[dusty3030]

If you want magnified optic I'd look at Nikon's AR labeled offerings.
This one would be a fixed 3x which would be similar to using an ACOG and would give you a good warranty and better optical quality than a no name ACOG clone. It has hold over marks calibrated to 55gr ball ammo as well. Street price $150 or so.

P-223 3x32 Matte BDC Carbine from Nikon

For a red dot on a budget I've tried these on several rifles and so far so good. The mount that comes with them is solid and worth getting just for the mount if nothing else. Street price $170 or so.

Vortex Optics - StrikeFire II Red Dot Red/Green<br />Cantilever

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I will say that paying for expensive optics is a good idea if you need that type of optic.. You do get what you pay for, HOWEVER, some of the cheaper optics work just fine.

For many years my hunting buddies with their $1000 rifle scopes were telling me i have to have Leupold, Sworoski (sp) etc... i bought a Burris Fulfield II for my 308 bolt action.. Works like a charm. Every year i sight in my rifle before deer season and its spot on with no adjustments and i take deer just like they do. I paid $200 for it and it is a fantastic scope. I have had a cheap red dot on my 9mm carbine for about 5 years and its never let me down. So it can be done. I like the idea of the Bushnell TRS as a starter that has some quality.

The best scopes have the best glass......Allowing you to hunt earlier and later.......if all you do is hunt in bright sunshine then most any old scope will suffice.......At close range....

 

[Arik]

There's an urge to equip your SHTF carbine with the best available red dot sight. I have an Eotech on my go to AR (I'm not worried about its sub zero temperature performance). I have a Primary Arms red dot on a .22lr and Vortex on a Saiga. They all work and have not failed. The fact is that I'm on social security and my tier One operator days are long over, if they ever were. The point is that I will not be in harms way unless it comes to me.

Let your financial situation and tactical needs determine your choice in optics.

Good point. I always look at it this way. If o can afford a second, third, forth...etc.. gun then I can afford a quality optic.

If harm comes to me I want the best equipment I can afford. If that means owning 3 less guns then that's what it is. Check out AimPoints videos on their damaged optics. In a flood, melted in a fire, bullet holes, shrapnel holes and they all still work. Because if harm comes to me doesn't mean my equipment is immune

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[hdrolling]

I know most people's responses will be negative,but I've read a lot on you tube and most reviews are good.Talking about the Trijicon Acog,you can find them for around $150,as opposed to $800 to $1500,anybody have one or tried one,let me know,thanks

I've never owned or tied one nor would I buy one, but for the $85 and free shipping like the ones on ebay I would suppose it would be fine for a bench shooter.

If it stops working or fogs up you'll know why most want the real deal. I just watched a couple youtube vids as well and most are initial impressions, not a lot of extended use.

I think you would be fine, just treat it like it's cheap and breakable. The real ones you can forget about them being installed because their bomb proof.

PS, a lot have small print that say they are for airsoft only.

 

[BAM-BAM]

There's an urge to equip your SHTF carbine with the best available red dot sight. I have an Eotech on my go to AR (I'm not worried about its sub zero temperature performance).

The fact is that I'm on social security and my tier One operator days are long over, if they ever were. The point is that I will not be in harms way unless it comes to me.

Let your financial situation and tactical needs determine your choice in optics.

Since when.......... IIRC you make twice yearly incursions into enemy territory.......... Browns fans can be brutal if they catch a Steeler fan crossing state lines .....especially after last weekend!!!!! It will take a Tier 1 operator........ to infiltrate the the Bunch Bunker in 10 days.......and make it back to Pa......

If you have a "go to" AR or Mini-14 ......if you can afford the extra hundred or so; get an optic that you can count on......no need to go overboard..... Aimpoint PRO is "good enough" with only 30,000 hours of battery life vs 50,000 on the new gen 4 stuff. Eotch.... not sure I understand the issues well enough to comment...........but I doubt anyone over 50 really "needs" a $1500 night vision ready red dot............. "want" that's enough matter!!!!

 

[StakeOut]

As with camera lenses,shooting glasses and field glasses it's the glass,construction and light gathering ability that commands the higher prices

First look for previously owned quality optics in the used items market places.You may save up to 50% compared to NIB from a retailer.

Does the need equal the task?

 

[Geezer with an AR]

Thanks for input guys,as usual helps a lot to filter out what's out there

 

[hdwhit]

I have had one "knock off" sight that was a complete waste of money. I have also had a $25 "knock off" that has so far been accurate and holds zero. But, those optics are for playing around. I use iron sights most of the time. If I was betting my life on the performance of an optic, I would buy the genuine article.

 

[hdrolling]

Thanks for input guys,as usual helps a lot to filter out what's out there

Any chance your a Military Veteran?

 

[Scotiapilot]

I know most people's responses will be negative,but I've read a lot on you tube and most reviews are good.Talking about the Trijicon Acog,you can find them for around $150,as opposed to $800 to $1500,anybody have one or tried one,let me know,thanks

AIMPOINT PRO used 300-350

good enough for duty cheap enough for civi use.

As for clones, some are actually very good. the problem I saw was that its hard to locate the right cheap clone.

 

[Geezer with an AR]

Hdrolling,yes I am a veteran,barely,was in the Air Force for 4 years in the early 60's.I never saw any combat was a civilian in fatigues.Went to Viet Nam in the late 60's to work on helicopters.My dad was retired from Army after 20 yrs.