Red Dot Optics for AR-15

JMB · July 9, 1999, 10:29 PM

I'm thinking about picking up a red dot sight for my 14.5"+AK brake Bushmaster. What I can't decide is whether I should get an Aimpoint or a Trijicon Reflex I or II. What are your experiences with these sighting systems? What are the differences between the Reflex I and the Reflex II? Thanks for any comments you can offer.

JJR · July 9, 1999, 11:16 PM

I've been very happy with my Reflex sights but I've heard equal praise for the Aimpoint. I think you're about to start a Ford vs. Chevy argument

.

The Reflex II has a Triangle instead of a dot allowing for more precision aiming (tip of triangle) or quick point aiming (entire triangle). It also has a rotating filter that allows for different lighting conditions (I havn't been that impressed with that). I think you need to try them both and just see what works best for you. Good luck.

Rob Pincus · July 10, 1999, 12:13 AM

FWIW, I have had very good luck and been very impressed with a Bushnell Holosite on my Preban Colt 16"

It allows an unimpeded full field of view and is very quick to target.

The dot-in-circle reticle allows for multiple ranging points (top of circle, dot, bottom of circle. On my gun it works out to about 20-25 yards top of circle, 50-60 yards on the dot, and 100+ yards, bottom of circle.

motorep · July 10, 1999, 07:47 AM

They're all pretty good, I've got a PDP5 on my 16" Bushmaster I built for short range 3gun courses. The 50mm tube makes for quicker,easier target acquisition and it has the adjustable size dot.I've used Aimpoints on comp guns with good results, totally reliable, in my experience.

Jeff Thomas · July 10, 1999, 11:24 AM

I worry about the battery-powered sights. The Reflex sight doesn't require batteries, right? For those with experience, do you think this matters, or am I overly concerned about this?

Rob Pincus · July 10, 1999, 02:31 PM

I alos have immediate use of the Iron SIghts, should my batteries fail.

Jeff Thomas · July 10, 1999, 07:30 PM

Gentlemen, thank you. I've got mediocre eyes, so the iron sights are certainly good, but losing the optics would still be a bit disconcerting. I'll just have to try them out and decide what my eyes are comfortable with.

Regards from AZ

Douglas in CT · July 11, 1999, 05:59 AM

Simple question:
Not to boast, but I can hit a one inch circle at 100 yds on a fairly consistant basis (prone and seated with elbows resting on a table) using stock sights.

What would I gain with any of the type of sights listed in this thread?

Thanks.

------------------
Regards,
~Douglas in CT

motorep · July 11, 1999, 08:31 AM

Doug, you must be a young guy. My eyes are to the point that I can hit an IPSC target at 100 yards with stock AR iron sights, but not very accurately and not very quickly.200 yards? Forget it. As I posted, my red dot gun is for short range matches- generally 50 yards and under. For 100-200 I have a 20" gun with a 3-9 scope. Given your good eyes, the dot lets you do what you can do with your iron sights, only quicker.

Douglas in CT · July 14, 1999, 07:04 PM

Thank you.
I must have been half asleep when I posted my question.
I have since reread the thread and considered the implications of "faster target acquisition."
I guess speed is a foreign concept to me. I kind of take things slow.

------------------
Regards,
~Douglas in CT

Kodiac · July 15, 1999, 11:57 AM

What is to be gained?
That is a good question.
Here is the answer:
SPEED.

Even if you are quick with the irons - you will be faster with a red dot. Reasons for this are that the eye picks up that glowing red dot very quickly, and lining it up on the target is much much faster that alining two seperate sights and making a sight picture on the target.. Trust me on this I was 11-Bravo with an Expert badge for the rifle...

------------------
Every man Dies.
Not Every Man Truely Lives...
FREEDOM!

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

Theo · July 17, 1999, 12:43 AM

some other advantages are: you can shoot with both eyes open and have greater awareness of what's around you, and (at least with the aimpoint) your eye can be off axis an the dot will still be on target. They also have infinite eye relief and work well in low light

Kodiac · July 17, 1999, 12:34 PM

Very true...
I shoot both eyes open anyways... That is at targets 100 meters or less.
But not every one does.

------------------
Every man Dies.
Not Every Man Truely Lives...
FREEDOM!

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

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July 9, 1999, 10:29 PM	#1
JMB Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Minnesota Posts: 59	I'm thinking about picking up a red dot sight for my 14.5"+AK brake Bushmaster. What I can't decide is whether I should get an Aimpoint or a Trijicon Reflex I or II. What are your experiences with these sighting systems? What are the differences between the Reflex I and the Reflex II? Thanks for any comments you can offer.

July 9, 1999, 11:16 PM	#2
JJR Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 1999 Location: Idaho Posts: 381	I've been very happy with my Reflex sights but I've heard equal praise for the Aimpoint. I think you're about to start a Ford vs. Chevy argument . The Reflex II has a Triangle instead of a dot allowing for more precision aiming (tip of triangle) or quick point aiming (entire triangle). It also has a rotating filter that allows for different lighting conditions (I havn't been that impressed with that). I think you need to try them both and just see what works best for you. Good luck.

July 10, 1999, 12:13 AM	#3
Rob Pincus Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Hotels Posts: 3,668	FWIW, I have had very good luck and been very impressed with a Bushnell Holosite on my Preban Colt 16" It allows an unimpeded full field of view and is very quick to target. The dot-in-circle reticle allows for multiple ranging points (top of circle, dot, bottom of circle. On my gun it works out to about 20-25 yards top of circle, 50-60 yards on the dot, and 100+ yards, bottom of circle.

July 10, 1999, 07:47 AM	#4
motorep Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1998 Location: mid-coast Maine Posts: 546	They're all pretty good, I've got a PDP5 on my 16" Bushmaster I built for short range 3gun courses. The 50mm tube makes for quicker,easier target acquisition and it has the adjustable size dot.I've used Aimpoints on comp guns with good results, totally reliable, in my experience.

July 10, 1999, 11:24 AM	#5
Jeff Thomas Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1998 Location: Texas Posts: 4,753	I worry about the battery-powered sights. The Reflex sight doesn't require batteries, right? For those with experience, do you think this matters, or am I overly concerned about this?

July 10, 1999, 02:31 PM	#6
Rob Pincus Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Hotels Posts: 3,668	I alos have immediate use of the Iron SIghts, should my batteries fail.

July 10, 1999, 07:30 PM	#7
Jeff Thomas Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1998 Location: Texas Posts: 4,753	Gentlemen, thank you. I've got mediocre eyes, so the iron sights are certainly good, but losing the optics would still be a bit disconcerting. I'll just have to try them out and decide what my eyes are comfortable with. Regards from AZ

July 11, 1999, 05:59 AM	#8
Douglas in CT Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: Beautiful Coastal Connecticut, USA Posts: 104	Simple question: Not to boast, but I can hit a one inch circle at 100 yds on a fairly consistant basis (prone and seated with elbows resting on a table) using stock sights. What would I gain with any of the type of sights listed in this thread? Thanks. ------------------ Regards, ~Douglas in CT

July 11, 1999, 08:31 AM	#9
motorep Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1998 Location: mid-coast Maine Posts: 546	Doug, you must be a young guy. My eyes are to the point that I can hit an IPSC target at 100 yards with stock AR iron sights, but not very accurately and not very quickly.200 yards? Forget it. As I posted, my red dot gun is for short range matches- generally 50 yards and under. For 100-200 I have a 20" gun with a 3-9 scope. Given your good eyes, the dot lets you do what you can do with your iron sights, only quicker.

July 14, 1999, 07:04 PM	#10
Douglas in CT Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: Beautiful Coastal Connecticut, USA Posts: 104	Thank you. I must have been half asleep when I posted my question. I have since reread the thread and considered the implications of "faster target acquisition." I guess speed is a foreign concept to me. I kind of take things slow. ------------------ Regards, ~Douglas in CT

July 15, 1999, 11:57 AM	#11
Kodiac Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 1999 Posts: 1,173	What is to be gained? That is a good question. Here is the answer: SPEED. Even if you are quick with the irons - you will be faster with a red dot. Reasons for this are that the eye picks up that glowing red dot very quickly, and lining it up on the target is much much faster that alining two seperate sights and making a sight picture on the target.. Trust me on this I was 11-Bravo with an Expert badge for the rifle... ------------------ Every man Dies. Not Every Man Truely Lives... FREEDOM! RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

July 17, 1999, 12:43 AM	#12
Theo Member Join Date: March 13, 1999 Location: Kingsport,TN,USA Posts: 22	some other advantages are: you can shoot with both eyes open and have greater awareness of what's around you, and (at least with the aimpoint) your eye can be off axis an the dot will still be on target. They also have infinite eye relief and work well in low light

July 17, 1999, 12:34 PM	#13
Kodiac Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 1999 Posts: 1,173	Very true... I shoot both eyes open anyways... That is at targets 100 meters or less. But not every one does. ------------------ Every man Dies. Not Every Man Truely Lives... FREEDOM! RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE