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Looking for Red Dot for my AR

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RJ_Whitlock View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RJ_Whitlock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Looking for Red Dot for my AR
    Posted: July/27/2012 at 13:38
Hello all, I'm new here. I just picked up a AR-15 a few weeks ago, and I'm in desperate need of an optic. The most I want to spend is 200, what is out there?

Thanks!
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supertool73 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2012 at 13:46
vortex makes a couple that are in your price range  http://swfa.com/Vortex-Red-Dot-Sights-C2967.aspx
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

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RJ_Whitlock View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RJ_Whitlock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2012 at 13:49
I've been looking at the vortex line but I just read the thread about the dot not being a dot, so that makes me kind of leary.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2012 at 14:33
Are you looking for a full-size red dot sight or a miniature one?

ILya
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RJ_Whitlock View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RJ_Whitlock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2012 at 14:46
Something that looks like the Strikefire. I'm also looking at reflex sights, I had my eye on one but I have a feeling a lot of people are going to say it's garbage. I have been looking at the CenterPoint Reflex sight. I know that it's 50 dollars, so I'm not sure how the quality and being able to hold zero is going to be.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2012 at 15:25
Under $200, Strikefire is pretty much the only game in town.

A touch over $200, Burris XTS and Fastfire are not bad.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RJ_Whitlock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2012 at 15:51
I like the look of the Burris XTS, what ring height would I need so I can co-witness with my irons?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RotoReuter_DM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2012 at 19:39
Not had any issues with the strikefire. Really good for the price point. Comes with an extra high ring to co-witness.
Old Mil ftw
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Boxerglocker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/30/2012 at 13:21
The Strike fire is a decent optic for the money. I had one and initially it was good out of the box but developed a star burst issue. I sent it in and they replaced it no questions asked backed by the Vortex lifetime warranty. Never had an issue with the second one with continuous use for monthly Tactical rifle matches and practice. Held zero and was very rugged considering the use I put it through. I'm not gentle with my match rifles.
I then came to the realization that my preference is for Aimpoint micro RD's and got a T1 for my match/SD rifle and Primary Arms clones for my backups and range guns.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MSG Jano Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/30/2012 at 13:31
Vortex gave me a SPARC around a year ago, if I had to purchase one I would not hesitate the "dot" is one of the best I've seen (compared to EOTech, Aimpoint, Elcan). The only dislike I have for it is the on/off button, it comes on too easily if it's bumped against. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rainman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/30/2012 at 23:00
I have a Burris Fast Fire II on a Weaver 1:00 rail mount on my SR 556C.  Zeroed at 50 yards it works well in transition from my 1 to 4x primary optic.  Very good for the money and it initially put quite a few rounds down range on my Marlin 1895 SBL .45-70 with no issues.  Dot size works best for ranges out to 100 yards.  I also have a Vortex SPARC, with the same 4 MOA dot size, that I like.  It started life on my Mossberg 12 gauge, held up just fine and is currently on a Colt M4 22 (Umarex/Walther AR clone carbine) mostly shot for cheap practice from various field positions from 15 to 100 yards.  The 2x magnification screw on lens that comes with the SPARC is handy for bench testing new ammo at 50 yards.  Both are decent economy red dots that have been trouble free for me and don't eat batteries.  Good places to start until you figure out exactly what set up you want on the rifle as your use of it evolves.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote smesk403 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/01/2012 at 00:05
Originally posted by MSG Jano MSG Jano wrote:

Vortex gave me a SPARC around a year ago, if I had to purchase one I would not hesitate the "dot" is one of the best I've seen (compared to EOTech, Aimpoint, Elcan). The only dislike I have for it is the on/off button, it comes on too easily if it's bumped against. 

how can I get vortex to give me one? Big Grin

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote apache17 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/21/2012 at 14:07
I have heard mixed reviews about the Vortex Sparcs. I have heard absolutely nothing about most other red dots/reflex sights at all, apart from Aimpoint and EoTech. If you are willing to wait a bit, I would highly recommend in all honesty the Aimpoint brand as a whole. I have seen some pretty horrendous abuse of govt property (unintentional of course, just kinda how it goes with 11B's) and those M68's just kept on rocking. Also, the Eotech's are much loved by those who use them. Believe me, I understand the significance of budget constraints, but if its an option, I would say wait til your right about the $400-$500 range of disposable income range, and then "splurge" on one of those two. I hope this helps, let us know which one you end up going with!
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