Good red dot for under $200?

[BISHOP]

Yesterday I took out the M4 to check the Walmart Red Dot I have had on it for a while now.

Took some shots saw that it was off. I turned some screws and took some more shots. I did this couple more times to no avail.
On one shot in particular just after adjusting I watched as the dot dropped. This means that the adjustments are sticking.
THIS SIGHT IS LONGER USABLE!!!!!!!!

So after several years of using this $39 walmart red dot, its time to spend some real money and get something more reliable.

I don't NEED (or need to spend the money for) a $400 or $1200 red dot. If I had the $$ I would. Unfortunately airsoft scopes don't hold up to constant .223 use which it too bad because I can afford those prices.
The Elcan Specter in two tone gold black with QD mount and back up red dot mounted on it is really nice looking.

Anyway. I have kind of narrowed my search to two.

Lucid HD7 Gen 3.
Good pics here.
http://olegvolk.net/blog/2013/06/11/updated-lucid-hd7

And the Bushnell 1X MP 1x32

http://www.natchezss.com/media/catalog/product/B/H/BH730132P.jpg

Both of these are 1X optics.

Anybody have any other ideas for under $200?


BISHOP

[Helen Keller]

same choice. lucid or bushnell. bushnell trophy aint bad either.

[FunkyPertwee]

Why not Primary Arms or Vortex?

Check these out. They both have 50,000 hr battery life.

http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-advanced-micro-dot-with-push-buttons-and-up-to-50k-hour-battery-life/p/kt-md-ads/
http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-advanced-series-red-dot-with-integrated-ar-height-qd-mount-lifetime-warranty/p/kt-pacrs/

[Richard Simmons]

http://palmettostatearmory.com/sights-optics/red-dot-scopes/vortex-optics.html

I've got the Strikefire II on my AR and it serves quite well.

[FunkyPertwee]

Also check out these scopes:

http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-1-6x-scope-with-patented-acss-556-545-308-reticle-advanced-combined-sighting-system-paps1-6x/p/kt-paps1-6x/
http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-25x-compact-ar15-scope-with-cqb-acss-reticle/p/kt-pac2.5x/
http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-5x-prism-scope-with-patented-223556-545x39-308-acss-reticle/p/kt-pac5x/

[ltorlo64]

A few of us have Vortex Strikefires and they seem pretty good. You can get one from OpticsPlanet for about $180 with no shipping (http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-vortex-strikefire-ii-red-dot-4-moa.html)

[jet3534]

I find myself in a sort of similar situation. My Eotech keeps getting dimmer and dimmer - apparently this is common. I can send it off to L3 for repair at an estimated $80 but I have lost confidence in Eotech at this point. I am considering a Primary Arms Red Dot - I have two of their scopes and like them. Just shot a 60 round, 400 yard, six inch group, with one of their $200 scopes.

http://www.amazon.com/Primary-Arms-Advanced-Buttons-Battery/dp/B00OD2L62M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446341355&sr=8-1&keywords=primary+arms+micro+red+dot

[AK-J]

I've got a Vortex Sparc, it serves me well. Holds zero, long battery life, small/compact, and light. Just about everyone that carries them is $199 including shipping.

[Avanarts]

I've been happy with every purchase I have made from Primary Arms. I have some of their red dot sites and love them.

[Schuetzenman]

I have a Vortex Strikefire II Red dot only, not the red / green. 4 MOA dot size, it does the job just fine. $180 bucks. The Sparc I don't have but I would have no reservations about purchasing one after the Striekfire II. IMO, both are better than that bulky Bushnell unit.

http://www.gunsnet.net/photopost/data/500/medium/16_inch_bbl_vs_Pistol.jpg
It is the one on the Pistol. I also have Eotech 512 and an Aimpoint Pro. The total best of the buch is the PRO but then again they are $425. For the $200 buck price Vortex for the win!

[BISHOP]

I once used to like the Aimpoint but every time I see one they look very small.

I currently have a simple red dot like this.

http://cs9323.vk.me/v9323471/532a/d3UBGCBcLVg.jpg

I want to move from this design.
I am starting to think about saving some $$ and go legit.
I already have $200, if I save another $300 and change I could get an EoTech...


BISHOP

[Schuetzenman]

I once used to like the Aimpoint but every time I see one they look very small.

I currently have a simple red dot like this.

http://cs9323.vk.me/v9323471/532a/d3UBGCBcLVg.jpg

I want to move from this design.
I am starting to think about saving some $$ and go legit.
I already have $200, if I save another $300 and change I could get an EoTech...


BISHOP

Let me toss 2 more cents into the discussion. I started with Eotech 512's, I have 2. Yes they are nice but they are not perfect. For one thing I don't like the rubbery buttons for turning it on and off. The PRO has a rotarty knob that is very positive to activate, you feel each tick as it goes to the next set point. Also the PRO has a massive built in base and clamping knob that requires no tools to mount or dismount the sight. The Eotech 512 requires an allen wrench to mount or remove unless you pump a bunch of money into an after market latch release base. The Eotech 512 and other models have about 400 to 500 operation hours on a set of batteries. (They say 1000 hours, I think that's wishful thinking or they are rating it on the lowest energy level that would not be visible in daylight). The PRO has 3 years, (30,000 hours) on a set of batteries if left on full time. The Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Sight sells for about the same money as an Eotech. The 512 is about $429 now, the PRO is $425. The PRO has Night Visison power levels the Eotech 512's do not. You have to go to other units for much more money to get an Eotech that has NV rated power settings. Weight, about the same with batteries in, right around 11 or 12 ozs.

[BISHOP]

THAT is information I can use!!!!!
Thanks Schutzenman.

I already have this QD and riser from A.R.M.S. that I use with my cheep walmart red dot.
Minus the ring.

http://www.mountsplus.com/images-product/22m68ex-copy.jpg

Yup that's right I have a $115. mount for my $39 red dot.


BISHOP

[videodon]

Primary Arms.
I have 3...all 100% GTG!
:)
http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-advanced-micro-dot-with-push-buttons-and-up-to-50k-hour-battery-life/p/kt-md-ads/

[Schuetzenman]

Primary Arms.
I have 3...all 100% GTG!
:)
http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-advanced-micro-dot-with-push-buttons-and-up-to-50k-hour-battery-life/p/kt-md-ads/

That's China's rip-off of the Aimpoint H1 and T1 sights. I wax on and off about trying one. Assuming it is very good I object to helping the Chicoms in purchasing one as it only fosters their blatant pirating of western developed tech.

[Schuetzenman]

THAT is information I can use!!!!!
Thanks Schutzenman.

I already have this QD and riser from A.R.M.S. that I use with my cheep walmart red dot.
Minus the ring.

http://www.mountsplus.com/images-product/22m68ex-copy.jpg

Yup that's right I have a $115. mount for my $39 red dot.


BISHOP

Now that's ... umm... ahhhhh .... strange! :wondering:

[BISHOP]

Anyone what to fund me $2500. For an Elcan Specter DR???

http://image.rakuten.co.jp/trendone/cabinet/03716825/img61896170.jpg


BISHOP

[Schuetzenman]

Anyone what to fund me $2500. For an Elcan Specter DR???

http://image.rakuten.co.jp/trendone/cabinet/03716825/img61896170.jpg


BISHOP

If I hit Mega Millions tonight, maybe. Otherwise NFW!

[Helen Keller]

I'll fund you $25 for an NC Star :D

[BISHOP]

OUCH. Although if I can get 99 more people giving me $25 for an NCstar.........

I could have bought a used Aimpoint ml2 on ebay but I was a tad bit short. It sold for $226. It was battle worn, literally. They are ex-military . There is a guy selling a bunch of them and a couple Elcans. The ones that are rubber covered for less than $300. They are no reserve auctions starting at .99.

I am starting to like the Aimpoints again because of the battery life. I keep killing my other red dots because I keep forgetting to turn them off.


BISHOP

[Schuetzenman]

I am starting to like the Aimpoints again because of the battery life. I keep killing my other red dots because I keep forgetting to turn them off.

BISHOP
Well Eotechs are supposed to auto shut down and I think the Vortex also auto shuts down, but not 100% certain of that.

[skorpion]

Happy with the Lucid HD7 on my A4 clone. It has auto shut-off, uses common AAA battery, and has auto-dim. I'm also happy with my Primary Arms Advanced Micro Dot on my 9mm AR.

[FunkyPertwee]

Check out the abuse this Primary Arms micro dot goes through and survives. They even blow it up with two pounds of tannerite.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox0hgWlYWOg