Choosing a AR red dot

mrdaputer · March 19, 2018, 08:53 AM

I just picked up a Ar. After I shoot a few hundred rounds I would like to get a red dot. My eye sight is not as good as it was years ago. My price range is up to $250.00 right now I am looking at the Vortex Optics Sparc AR Red Dot and the Vortex Spitfire 1x-AR Prism Scope. Does anyone have any pros or cons to either one? Is there another one I should take a look at? My distance shooting would be no more than 100 yards.

imashooter · March 19, 2018, 09:38 AM

I like my Sparc AR for its quality and ergonomic features. If you have a possible astigmatism, you might be better served with a prism-style with which you might experience less aberrations. I'm considering the Spitfire AR for a future build. Either one is fine in my opinion.

Mannlicher · March 19, 2018, 09:56 AM

I have been very pleased with the Vortex Strikefire dot sight

GeorgeandSugar · March 19, 2018, 09:57 AM

https://www.at3tactical.com/collecti...hst=collection

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marine6680 · March 19, 2018, 12:41 PM

If you do not have an astigmatism...

If not my suggestion for a red dot is the Primary Arms Advanced red dot. Their newest model uses a rotary dial for brightness rather than push buttons, it has a lifetime warranty, and 50000 hours of battery life. Over 5 years of contstant on use. Great for home defense if you ever decide to use your AR in that role. With thier AR lower 1/3 mount option, it's around $175.

Vortex red dots are nice, but I like the long battery life of the PA option.

If you have an astigmatism, a red dot will look blurry, smeared, or like a starburst.

Then I suggest a prism scope. 1x and possibly up to 2x is good for HD use, but if that isn't a role you care about, 3x and 4x are nice as well.

Several manufacturers have prism scopes. Vortex and Primary arms have good ones. Primary arms does not have a 1x currently, but have one coming soon. I suggest vortex and Primary arms for price and good warranty.

mrdaputer · March 20, 2018, 10:20 AM

Thank you for your help guys. I will be running a few hundred rounds through it first.

JERRYS. · March 20, 2018, 10:42 AM

#3 for the win.

DukeConnor · March 20, 2018, 11:50 AM

I have an aimpoint 450, vortex venom 220 and bought recently bought a trs-25 because i couldn't pass up the price. Around 50 bucks.

I am actually liking the trs-25 the best. Simple controls and has held zero perfectly through about 500 rds from a 45 acp carbine.

The vortex is my least favorite because the controls Are sort of funky.

michaelc246 · March 20, 2018, 05:34 PM

Have a look at the Holosun HS503C... Great battery life, solar power, and a circle dot reticle which I find is easier for my eye to pick up...

I like Holosuns because I own a couple of them and they've never given me any problems. They're right in your price range too.

imashooter · March 20, 2018, 08:45 PM

I have a 503C and it does well. I just find it too busy. The auto-mode is about worthless if the shooter is in lighting condition A and target in Z. I like Holosun quality but keep it simple. Though I was buying the original G-model but screwed up somehow.

Fishbed77 · March 21, 2018, 08:54 AM

If you are willing to up your budget up another $150, you can get an Aimpoint PRO. It is a drastically better red dot than the Vortex options.

I know because I own both.

G.barnes · March 21, 2018, 09:29 AM

You can find used aimpoints in the 300-350 range used.

straightshooterjake · March 21, 2018, 02:53 PM

I will add another recommendation for the Aimpoint PRO. When people tell me their budget for a red dot is up to $300, I tell them to save up a little more and get the Aimpoint PRO. For a bit over $400, you get an optic which I believe is much better than any of the options at $300.

In the $250 price range, it is a bit tougher. The Aimpoint is a bit far off from that price, and I can't say that everyone should go way over budget to get one. I have a Primary Arms sight that is quite satisfactory, and you can get a Primary Arms sight with a solid mount for under $250. I have also heard good things about the Holosun sights that are very similar to the Primary Arms.

doofus47 · March 22, 2018, 10:36 AM

I have a sparc and a Burris fast fire 3. I like both.
I have used my friend's Aimpoint and I liked that as well, but there's a bit more investment $ involved.

TrueBlue711 · March 22, 2018, 10:58 AM

All great choices so far. Vortex, Holosun, Sig, Primary Arms all have great red dots that run under $200. I have a Vortex and Holosun and love them both. I even sold my EoTech. Battery life on the Holosun, Sig and Primary Arms are all comparable at 40K+ hours. I went with the Holosun between those three because it had an FDE model, which matched my AR with FDE furniture.

EMB135Driver · March 22, 2018, 03:48 PM

Keep an eye on specials at Palmetto State Armory.....they recently had 10 PMags, and a Vortex Sparc for $179, with free shipping. Too good to pass up

Skadoosh · March 22, 2018, 04:34 PM

Primary Arms MD-RB-AD.

2 MOA dot. 50K hour "always-on" battery life. Lifetime warranty. With the mount. $150.

You're welcome.

scsov509 · March 22, 2018, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Primary Arms MD-RB-AD.

2 MOA dot. 50K hour "always-on" battery life. Lifetime warranty. With the mount. $150.

+1...Plus they use the same mount as the Aimpoint T1/T2 and Vortex Sparc meaning there are a ton of extremely high quality mount options available should you want to upgrade the mount down the road. They're a lot of bang for buck when you're on a budget.

USMCGrunt · March 22, 2018, 08:19 PM

I just ordered a Holosun 510C for my new Kel-Tec RDB. I can't say I've heard of a bad review on this sight or company yet. I've generally used Aimpoints like the old M68 or their Pro model and I can't complain about them either. I do tend to avoid EOTech like the plague though because of their lack of integrity but also because of their abysmal battery life and thermal drift issues. I have 2, one an N-cell and the other a AA night vision model and the N-cell version has just quit working and the AA model works when I run tin foil through the springs of the battery compartment. No more EO Trash for me here though.

9x19 · March 22, 2018, 09:34 PM

Optics are one of those things that really comes down to personal likes/needs. What I like and need may not work at all for someone else.

I'm too old to run and gun and bang my rifle against the trees as I pass, so the price for the utmost ruggedness is money wasted for me. Itty-bitty dots don't get along well with my older eyes either.

Based on my likes/needs, I sold my Aimpoint PRO and now use Vortex Spitfire, 1x prism sights.

My eyes like the circle/dot reticle much better and who cares about battery life when it works fine in OFFicial mode?

If you do want/need illumination, it offers two colors of that as well. Good luck in figuring out what works best for you. There are only a gazillion choices.

ms6852 · March 22, 2018, 10:21 PM

I have the Vortex Spitfire Prism 3X. The reticle is etched and you can choose to use it without illumination during the day and in low light conditions has a dual color green or red with 5 setting for illumination. I have the bullet drop compensator calibrated to 600 yards with a 200 yard zero, but have only taken it out to 500 yards. I love this red dot.

NorthernBlue · March 28, 2018, 03:51 AM

I have two rifles. One is a Colt 6920 with an AimPoint PRO on it. It is my duty rifle...in Alaska. Great rifle, great optic...but heavy and "old school". I am replacing it with a 14.7 Pencil Build, 10.5" Free Float Rail, with a Sig Romeo 4 Optic. I am currently testing the rifle before I commit it to duty use. The Romeo 4's dot is just a good as the PRO. I see no visible differences. The glass is very clear in the Romeo. The Romeo is smaller and lighter. The PRO is heavier and has longer battery life. The Sig was $200, the PRO was 425.

straightshooterjake · March 28, 2018, 08:24 AM

I do not mean to criticize any other sight, but I don't think you can visually compare other sights to an Aimpoint to make a comparison. A lot of Aimpoint's reputation comes from their long term use on Military and duty rifles. Aimpoints have held up very well when used under very tough conditions. There may be other sights that will do just as well, but it will take some time to tell.

ms6852 · March 30, 2018, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by straightshooterjake

I do not mean to criticize any other sight, but I don't think you can visually compare other sights to an Aimpoint to make a comparison. A lot of Aimpoint's reputation comes from their long term use on Military and duty rifles. Aimpoints have held up very well when used under very tough conditions. There may be other sights that will do just as well, but it will take some time to tell.

Agree with you but his budget is only $250 and you will not find an Aim Pro at that price.

Nathan · March 30, 2018, 09:21 AM

IMO, have basically 3 levels of rds by non-sale price:

$100 and under - mostly junk. Sure, they might work for a bit, but expect challenges with basic stuff like clear sight picture, sighting in and riser height for AR. Bushnell TRS is the only one I might try.

$100-$350 - Vortex, Primary Arms, Sig all compete here. I like the Vortex and PA rds that I have. No complaints. Not sure what else I could want.....maybe a slightly clearer optic and hammer tough durability.

$350+ - EO Tech, Aimpoint, Trijicon. All best quality, all clear, basically hammer tough. I would choose the Aimpoint if buying today because they do it all just a bit better, except they only have 1 dot.

March 19, 2018, 08:53 AM	#1
mrdaputer Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2013 Posts: 493	Choosing a AR red dot I just picked up a Ar. After I shoot a few hundred rounds I would like to get a red dot. My eye sight is not as good as it was years ago. My price range is up to $250.00 right now I am looking at the Vortex Optics Sparc AR Red Dot and the Vortex Spitfire 1x-AR Prism Scope. Does anyone have any pros or cons to either one? Is there another one I should take a look at? My distance shooting would be no more than 100 yards.

March 19, 2018, 12:41 PM	#5
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	If you do not have an astigmatism... If not my suggestion for a red dot is the Primary Arms Advanced red dot. Their newest model uses a rotary dial for brightness rather than push buttons, it has a lifetime warranty, and 50000 hours of battery life. Over 5 years of contstant on use. Great for home defense if you ever decide to use your AR in that role. With thier AR lower 1/3 mount option, it's around $175. Vortex red dots are nice, but I like the long battery life of the PA option. If you have an astigmatism, a red dot will look blurry, smeared, or like a starburst. Then I suggest a prism scope. 1x and possibly up to 2x is good for HD use, but if that isn't a role you care about, 3x and 4x are nice as well. Several manufacturers have prism scopes. Vortex and Primary arms have good ones. Primary arms does not have a 1x currently, but have one coming soon. I suggest vortex and Primary arms for price and good warranty. Last edited by marine6680; March 19, 2018 at 12:54 PM.

March 20, 2018, 05:34 PM	#9
michaelc246 Member Join Date: November 8, 2017 Posts: 18	Have a look at the Holosun HS503C... Great battery life, solar power, and a circle dot reticle which I find is easier for my eye to pick up... I like Holosuns because I own a couple of them and they've never given me any problems. They're right in your price range too. __________________ -Michael C. Si vis pacem para bellum http://reddotshooters.com/

March 21, 2018, 02:53 PM	#13
straightshooterjake Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2016 Posts: 122	I will add another recommendation for the Aimpoint PRO. When people tell me their budget for a red dot is up to $300, I tell them to save up a little more and get the Aimpoint PRO. For a bit over $400, you get an optic which I believe is much better than any of the options at $300. In the $250 price range, it is a bit tougher. The Aimpoint is a bit far off from that price, and I can't say that everyone should go way over budget to get one. I have a Primary Arms sight that is quite satisfactory, and you can get a Primary Arms sight with a solid mount for under $250. I have also heard good things about the Holosun sights that are very similar to the Primary Arms. __________________ My blog: http://straightshooterjake.blogspot.com/

March 22, 2018, 10:36 AM	#14
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	I have a sparc and a Burris fast fire 3. I like both. I have used my friend's Aimpoint and I liked that as well, but there's a bit more investment $ involved. __________________ I'm right about the metric system 3/4 of the time.

March 19, 2018, 09:38 AM	#2
imashooter Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 395	I like my Sparc AR for its quality and ergonomic features. If you have a possible astigmatism, you might be better served with a prism-style with which you might experience less aberrations. I'm considering the Spitfire AR for a future build. Either one is fine in my opinion.

March 19, 2018, 09:56 AM	#3
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	I have been very pleased with the Vortex Strikefire dot sight __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

March 19, 2018, 09:57 AM	#4
GeorgeandSugar Member Join Date: May 20, 2017 Posts: 67	https://www.at3tactical.com/collecti...hst=collection Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

March 20, 2018, 10:20 AM	#6
mrdaputer Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2013 Posts: 493	Thank you for your help guys. I will be running a few hundred rounds through it first.

March 20, 2018, 10:42 AM	#7
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,969	#3 for the win.

March 20, 2018, 11:50 AM	#8
DukeConnor Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2016 Posts: 224	I have an aimpoint 450, vortex venom 220 and bought recently bought a trs-25 because i couldn't pass up the price. Around 50 bucks. I am actually liking the trs-25 the best. Simple controls and has held zero perfectly through about 500 rds from a 45 acp carbine. The vortex is my least favorite because the controls Are sort of funky.

March 20, 2018, 08:45 PM	#10
imashooter Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 395	I have a 503C and it does well. I just find it too busy. The auto-mode is about worthless if the shooter is in lighting condition A and target in Z. I like Holosun quality but keep it simple. Though I was buying the original G-model but screwed up somehow.

March 21, 2018, 08:54 AM	#11
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	If you are willing to up your budget up another $150, you can get an Aimpoint PRO. It is a drastically better red dot than the Vortex options. I know because I own both.

March 21, 2018, 09:29 AM	#12
G.barnes Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2011 Posts: 182	You can find used aimpoints in the 300-350 range used.

March 22, 2018, 10:58 AM	#15
TrueBlue711 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2011 Posts: 489	All great choices so far. Vortex, Holosun, Sig, Primary Arms all have great red dots that run under $200. I have a Vortex and Holosun and love them both. I even sold my EoTech. Battery life on the Holosun, Sig and Primary Arms are all comparable at 40K+ hours. I went with the Holosun between those three because it had an FDE model, which matched my AR with FDE furniture.

March 22, 2018, 03:48 PM	#16
EMB135Driver Member Join Date: November 21, 2005 Posts: 56	Keep an eye on specials at Palmetto State Armory.....they recently had 10 PMags, and a Vortex Sparc for $179, with free shipping. Too good to pass up __________________ HK USPc .40, Beretta 92FS, Glock 19 Bushmaster M4-A3, Mossberg 590A1, Tavor, AR-7, S+W MP Shield 9mm, S+W MP R8, Ruger SR762, S+W MP 40, Kimber 1911, Glock 21 30MM General Electric GAU-8A Avenger Cannon.....you don't want any of this pain :-)

March 22, 2018, 04:34 PM	#17
Skadoosh Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2010 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,016	Primary Arms MD-RB-AD. 2 MOA dot. 50K hour "always-on" battery life. Lifetime warranty. With the mount. $150. You're welcome. __________________ NRA Life Member USN Retired

March 22, 2018, 08:19 PM	#19
USMCGrunt Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2000 Location: Somewhere in 14T NT Posts: 730	I just ordered a Holosun 510C for my new Kel-Tec RDB. I can't say I've heard of a bad review on this sight or company yet. I've generally used Aimpoints like the old M68 or their Pro model and I can't complain about them either. I do tend to avoid EOTech like the plague though because of their lack of integrity but also because of their abysmal battery life and thermal drift issues. I have 2, one an N-cell and the other a AA night vision model and the N-cell version has just quit working and the AA model works when I run tin foil through the springs of the battery compartment. No more EO Trash for me here though.

March 22, 2018, 09:34 PM	#20
9x19 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Sherman, TX USA Posts: 3,750	Optics are one of those things that really comes down to personal likes/needs. What I like and need may not work at all for someone else. I'm too old to run and gun and bang my rifle against the trees as I pass, so the price for the utmost ruggedness is money wasted for me. Itty-bitty dots don't get along well with my older eyes either. Based on my likes/needs, I sold my Aimpoint PRO and now use Vortex Spitfire, 1x prism sights. My eyes like the circle/dot reticle much better and who cares about battery life when it works fine in OFFicial mode? If you do want/need illumination, it offers two colors of that as well. Good luck in figuring out what works best for you. There are only a gazillion choices. __________________ Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!

March 22, 2018, 10:21 PM	#21
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	I have the Vortex Spitfire Prism 3X. The reticle is etched and you can choose to use it without illumination during the day and in low light conditions has a dual color green or red with 5 setting for illumination. I have the bullet drop compensator calibrated to 600 yards with a 200 yard zero, but have only taken it out to 500 yards. I love this red dot. __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

March 28, 2018, 03:51 AM	#22
NorthernBlue Member Join Date: July 29, 2016 Location: Alaska Posts: 56	I have two rifles. One is a Colt 6920 with an AimPoint PRO on it. It is my duty rifle...in Alaska. Great rifle, great optic...but heavy and "old school". I am replacing it with a 14.7 Pencil Build, 10.5" Free Float Rail, with a Sig Romeo 4 Optic. I am currently testing the rifle before I commit it to duty use. The Romeo 4's dot is just a good as the PRO. I see no visible differences. The glass is very clear in the Romeo. The Romeo is smaller and lighter. The PRO is heavier and has longer battery life. The Sig was $200, the PRO was 425.

March 28, 2018, 08:24 AM	#23
straightshooterjake Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2016 Posts: 122	I do not mean to criticize any other sight, but I don't think you can visually compare other sights to an Aimpoint to make a comparison. A lot of Aimpoint's reputation comes from their long term use on Military and duty rifles. Aimpoints have held up very well when used under very tough conditions. There may be other sights that will do just as well, but it will take some time to tell. __________________ My blog: http://straightshooterjake.blogspot.com/

March 30, 2018, 09:21 AM	#25
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	IMO, have basically 3 levels of rds by non-sale price: $100 and under - mostly junk. Sure, they might work for a bit, but expect challenges with basic stuff like clear sight picture, sighting in and riser height for AR. Bushnell TRS is the only one I might try. $100-$350 - Vortex, Primary Arms, Sig all compete here. I like the Vortex and PA rds that I have. No complaints. Not sure what else I could want.....maybe a slightly clearer optic and hammer tough durability. $350+ - EO Tech, Aimpoint, Trijicon. All best quality, all clear, basically hammer tough. I would choose the Aimpoint if buying today because they do it all just a bit better, except they only have 1 dot.