Help deciding on red dot for new owner

[cyphertext]

Yep, obviously there are many options, for a sub-100 yard rifle though I would go with the red dot + magnifier (if you even need a magnifier, I only mentioned the VMX-3T because it has a nice solid lock-up for the money), also makes using the iron sights with co-witness easier vs a scope IMO.

Hang around AR shooters for a while... you will find many who have magnifiers in the spare parts box. Kludge solution.

A red dot is for fast target acquisition and making hits on target. If you are wanting to shoot one ragged hole at 100 yards, the red dot is not the proper tool.

 

[crracer_712]

Hang around AR shooters for a while... you will find many who have magnifiers in the spare parts box. Kludge solution.

A red dot is for fast target acquisition and making hits on target. If you are wanting to shoot one ragged hole at 100 yards, the red dot is not the proper tool.

Bought a Magnifier, actually two, for a couple of red dots (one was the Vortex), hated the eye relief so much I just returned both.

 

[cyphertext]

Are the primary arms classic or reflex sight as good as the micro dot ķinds

"As good as" for what? In what regards? The Advanced Micro Dot has a reported battery life of 50k hours... the ones you mention do not have that.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Honestly for over 100 yards I'll recommend a scope, at least for me a red dot is just not practical for distance shooting.

Why?

My red dot is an effective aiming device within the boundaries of its zero. For example, I zero at 50yds so I'm good for point and click shooting from 0-250yds+.

Red dots have an advantage of unlimited eye relief and field of view which translates to fast target acquisition. Particularly useful for offhand shooting. Magnification is of little use for me with offhand shooting, greatly exaggerating movement and typically making me more tentative. A red dot is for quickly acquiring and holding center on the intended target, not to precisely hit 2in below the third button on the bad guys shirt.

For those who use an AR from a rest trying to shoot tiny groups on paper, unlimited eye relief, field of view and fast target acquisition is of little value. The red dot is inferior to a magnified optic at any distance.

I think folks need to better identify the intended use of thier rifle to better understand why they are choosing an optic.

 

[email4eric]

Why?

My red dot is an effective aiming device within the boundaries of its zero. For example, I zero at 50yds so I'm good for point and click shooting from 0-250yds+.

Red dots have an advantage of unlimited eye relief and field of view which translates to fast target acquisition. Particularly useful for offhand shooting. Magnification is of little use for me with offhand shooting, greatly exaggerating movement and typically making me more tentative. A red dot is for quickly acquiring and holding center on the intended target, not to precisely hit 2in below the third button on the bad guys shirt.

For those who use an AR from a rest trying to shoot tiny groups on paper, unlimited eye relief, field of view and fast target acquisition is of little value. The red dot is inferior to a magnified optic at any distance.

I think folks need to better identify the intended use of thier rifle to better understand why they are choosing an optic.

I'm following this thread as I am trying to figure-out what optic to get for my new S&W AR. I think that this is sage advice and will force me to think this out further. I think just going with iron sights and getting a handle on need is in order at this point.

Good post, Phil.

 

[warriorking]

I have the Sightmark Ultra QD which I purchase on Ebay for $85.00..
Works great with my Sport 2...
Granted it has its limits but for my type of shooting its perfect and it will tide me over till my needs progress..

 

[dos10987]

Holosun503C. It's awesome

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Getting your eyes on a variety of AR optics will greatly help in the decision process. At our club all ya do is say.... that's a nice looking optic... and folks are more than happy to tell ya all about it and put it in your hands.

Let's say for example that you've done enough homework on the Net to determine that a 1x red dot best fits the role of your AR15. After you plunk down $700 for that Aimpoint Phil recommends you may find that it looks like a horrible distorted cluster of grapes to your eyes. Or that the EOTech 65MOA ring is just a pixelated distracting mess.... or or or... You may discover that a 1x red dot just doesn't work well for your eyes and that a low power magnified scope is the best compromise. Something like a 1-4x or maybe a fixed 1.5x with a big triangle reticle like Trijicon makes... or or or. The more hands on (eyes on) you can get with a variety of optics the easier it will be to determine what works best.

Happy optics hunting.

 

[A-2]

Since I wanted to start out cheap I got this red dot off Amazon for $20. Will see how it goes then maybe move up. I figured if it didn't last long no big loss.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00457SRBI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00"]Amazon.com : Field Sport Red and Green Reflex Sight with 4 Reticles : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51eDKYv3bZL.@@AMEPARAM@@51eDKYv3bZL[/ame]

 

[rjnear]

I ended up putting a Vortex Strikefire on my Sport II and have been very happy with it.