Hell I just repost my review, as it's currently in the Archive:
As part of TNRonin's thread about reviews of 'Budget Optics' for those looking for something for fun use only. (Sorry about the spelling errors - I wrote this online in the wee hours with no spell checker).
Optic: BSA RD-30
Weight: 5 oz
Lens: 30mm
Dot Size: 5moa, red with 11 illumination levels
Click Adjustments: 1" @ 100y
Color: Matte Black
Batteries: one CR2032 3v Lithium 'button type' battery
MSRP: $59.95
Waterproof: N/A
Price Paid: $29.95 + tax (@ Walmart)
Mount: Built in Weaver rail mount with two non-captive thumb screws
Accessories: 2 friction fit lens covers.
Optic as mounted on the test rifle - note the TAPCO mount needed to raise the sight so the iron sights would not block most of the view.
Targets Used: Thompson Targets "Yellow Jacket". Each sheet has 5 yellow 'bulls-eyes' of 4" diameter, with an inner 10 ring 1" in diameter. Targets were set up 50 yards from the firing line.
Test Rifle: A Bushmaster with a 20" A2 profile barrel 1:9 twist. Flattop upper with Fobus M44 handguards, C1 stock, ergo pistol grip, Armalite 2 stage match trigger. I also used a $15 TAPCO 1/2" riser mount (2 thumbscrews) to raise the optic so it would co-witness in the lower 25% of the display.
Total Rounds fired for first day of test: 237 ( 20 PMC 55gr .223, 20 45gr Winchester .223, 197 Winchester Q3131A). All 'testing' was done with Q3131A, other rounds were used for plinking or for other people 'trying out' the optic.
Initial Impression: The sight looked good - no tool marks and the paint job had no chips or drips. It looked like a higher quality unit than it's price would leave you to believe. The dot was a perfect circle (no distortion) if it wasn't set too bright. However, if you moved your head around occasionally you would see reddish 'flashes' near the edge of the lens. In a dim room I could see the dot when I was on the muzzle end looking straight into the optic (not good tactically ). While the adjustment covers were aluminum, the battery cover was plastic (with a 'coin slot' to help you unscrew it - as well as serrations on the edge).
Summary: Do NOT trust you life to this optic. This is an inexpensive red dot type optic with performance better than expected for the price paid. There is a slight 'blue' tint when looking through the optic, but it does not distort colors; greens and blues are recognizable. It holds it's zero 'well enough' but there is some drift (especially when hit). It will take several small shocks with minimal loss of zero and damage to the unit. It will not operate in freezing cold tempertures. The sight is not waterproof, and I suspect its not very water resistant either (see testing for details). The zero did occasionally (every 60 rounds or so) drift a click right/down or both).
Testing: Sight was turned on to setting 11 (max) at 12:37 01 August 2004 for battery testing - at 00:18 02 Aug it is still on. Sight will be run till the battery is dead. Sight was set to 11 as it was the only setting that I would use outdoors. Even then it could be dim when shooting against a light background in the full sunlight. Rifle was fired from the 'bench position' to minimize shooter error, support hand was on the magazine/magazine well to minimize interaction with the barrel.
Right side of optic as mounted.
Individual tests are outlined below, these tests included:
'Cold to Hot/Humid Test' - how does the optic handle going from cool to hot/humid envirnment.
'Box Test' - Test the consistancy of the adjustments.
'Parallax Test' - Test for parallax error, what happens when the dot isn't near the center?
'Drop Test' - Will the optic hold up to a few 'knocks'?
'Removal Test' - Test to see if the optic will hold zero if removed.
'Freezing Test' - How does tempertures below 32 effect the sight?
'Battery Test' - How long will the battery power the sight (at setting 11 - the max).