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Posted: 8/11/2010 3:30:57 PM EDT
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I've been in the market for a new optic(s) for my first AR-15 build. I'm a college student with little money so I gotta get the most for my dollar while at the same time not spending a lot. I realize that this part of the forum is stacked full of people who can right now afford the higher-end scopes, but I'm sure there are also quite a few who go with the affordable stuff instead.
My limit would be $200. I'll look at everything you post ....as long as it is at or below $200 shipped 
Suprise me! EDIT: I found that there is a couple other optics thread, but so far as I can see none deal with the discussion of Budget Optics, besides a 3pg. pic thread which doesn't discuss too much. |
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I've been looking at Primary Arms M4 Red Dot (or M3, whichever is nicer) and a High Mount (Cant or Non-Cant?).
For the same price as a Vortex I could also add a Primary Arms 3x Magnifier. How does that compare to to the Vortex as far as product quality/dependability goes? |
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Quoted:
I've been looking at Primary Arms M4 Red Dot (or M3, whichever is nicer) and a High Mount (Cant or Non-Cant?). For the same price as a Vortex I could also add a Primary Arms 3x Magnifier. How does that compare to to the Vortex as far as product quality/dependability goes? Strikefire has a lifetime warranty, the PAs are only one year. I have the Strikefire. Only a few rounds through it but it seems very nice. I would not hesitate to buy anything Vortex has to offer. |
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You did not say if you wanted a red dot type sight or a scope. Of the low cost budget scope I have, Tasco has been a good one. I have a 4-16X40 that has outlasted the rifles it was mounted to.
I also have a couple BSA scopes that have held up to drops and over 2,000 rounds down range. No they are not the best, but they are a budget scope. I have one on my .22, it is the .22 sweet. I was surprised with it. For $40.00 I am happy. Tasco Tasco Varmint BSA Vortex I too would like to have the cash to spend as much on the optics as I did on the rifle. I just do not have the cash for that right now. I can find the cash for a $200.00 scope. Buzz. |
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Quoted:
I've been looking at Primary Arms M4 Red Dot (or M3, whichever is nicer) and a High Mount (Cant or Non-Cant?). For the same price as a Vortex I could also add a Primary Arms 3x Magnifier. How does that compare to to the Vortex as far as product quality/dependability goes? We stock both. The Vortex offers additional features. Electronic controls, auto shutoff, included 2X magifier, lifetime warranty. Both are a great value and have proven relaible and do the job in the under $200 category. Our 1-4X with mount would also be in your price range. Marshall |
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Loving all the input.
I didn't say I wanted a red dot sight or a scope because as of right now I'm still unsure. Although I am leaning very heavily towards a nice red dot w/ magnifier (because of the versatility) but I will not count out a nice scope. I also didn't mention it because I hope that if somebody searches for budget scopes on this site that they dont get just a lot of red dot sights and no scopes. |
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Well after a couple months of looking around I've narrowed my search down to one of the 2 below, which I'll be picking up around December/January (me = broke college student planning ahead, lol)
1. PA Gen 6 Micro-Dot (3 moa) + QD Riser + Deluxe 3x Magnifier w/ QD 2. PA M3 Multi Reticle Red Dot (Aimpoint Clone with a 2 moa dot) + High Cant Mount + Deluxe 3x Magnifier w/ QD I just dont know which to get when it comes to the dot sight. I've never held or used either. The only thing I could think of is that the Micro Dot might be better because of the slight increase in field of view that it allows and the fact that it would also have a QD mount 
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Quoted: You did not say if you wanted a red dot type sight or a scope. Of the low cost budget scope I have, Tasco has been a good one. I have a 4-16X40 that has outlasted the rifles it was mounted to. I also have a couple BSA scopes that have held up to drops and over 2,000 rounds down range. No they are not the best, but they are a budget scope. I have one on my .22, it is the .22 sweet. I was surprised with it. For $40.00 I am happy. Tasco Tasco Varmint BSA Vortex I too would like to have the cash to spend as much on the optics as I did on the rifle. I just do not have the cash for that right now. I can find the cash for a $200.00 scope. Buzz. Just curious as to what type of rifles have worn out before a $60 tasco scope would? And it sounds like it wore out more than one.... |
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I really wouldn't worry so much about field of view on a red dot, since you're likely to be shooting with both eyes open anyways. Get the one that best matches what you want (battery type and life, dot size, whatever) and has the best reputation in your price range.
You don't always get what you pay for, but you never get what you don't pay for. Don't scrape the bottom of the barrel. There are some decent suggestions here. |
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I have a buddy with a Strikefire. It is pretty nice and seems to be a good quality. Comes with a mount and a doubler which is nice for the price. The battery on it doesnt last too long though. You can usually get it for $149 at Sportsmans guide and it is easy to find 10% off coupons for them. When I priced them out last I could have gotten one for $149 shipped via the code.
Someone on here gave a link to the SPOT scope. I heard a lot of good things about that before the Strikefire came out. WIth a little searching you can even find some threads about a torture test someone put it through. In the end they literally broke the upper receiver before the SPOT scope failed. They were throwing the upper with the the scope attached off of a roof and all sorts of crazy things. It never failed. THen all of a sudden the Strikefire hit the market and I think that the SPOT took a backseat. I dont think Ive even read a SPOT scope thread in quite some time, but you see Strikefire ones every other day. I have no experience with Primary Arms, but I recall reading a comparison between them and Strikefire and they were pretty evenly matched. That being said, the Vortex has a killer warranty that cant be beat and I would say that Vortex wins for that fact alone. |
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I've seen Aimpoints (mostly Comp Ms) go for $200.
I've also seen Trijicon Reflexes for $250. Both deals at different gun shows. Show up early, they don't last long.... For a traditional magnified scope, I would go with a Burris. I think that they make good, quality products without bending you over. I'm positive you could find a good scope for LESS than $200, especially if you went the used route. |
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