Hey everyone I'm new to the whole forum thing and this will be my first post so please show mercy. I am in the market for an optic to run on my flat top, but i am stuck on whether i want a red dot w/ magnifier or an illuminated 1-4x scope. What i am looking for, is for you guys to weigh in on which option would be more beneficial ie. weight, speed(acquisition and adjustment), cost, bulkiness, and versatility are my priorities. What ever experience you have with either is greatly appreciated thanks.

Red dot is faster.  If your going to go with a scope consider something that starts out higher magnification like 1.5 or 2 power and has a bigger objective lens.  
42 minimum unless it's a fixed ACOG in something like 3 or 3.5 or 4x.

But what if i want to run a magnifier behind the red dot. then what would you say would be better?

What are your intentions with the rifle?  A red dot like an Aimpoint or Eotech will be faster for close in work.  The 1-4x scopes will give you better glass if you plan to magnification more often than not.  I don't have much experience with variable low powered optics, but I did get the opportunity to compare a 1-4x Burris XTR to my Eotech with 3x magnifier.  I will say that the Burris has much better clarity and a brighter picture, but the Eotech without the magnifier is quicker on target.  Also, a red dot will be easier to shoot while in unconventional positions because of it being paralax free and you don't have to get perfect eye to scope alignment.  

With that being said I would say that if majority of your shooting will be inside of 50 yards or so, and you want to shoot fast and at multiple targets, stick with a red dot.  If you plan to shoot mostly at longer distances and you're looking to get the most accuracy out of your rifle, go with the 1-4x.  You'll be either compromising speed for long distance accuracy, or the other way around.  

While here in Afghanistan, I found that the 3x just isn't enough magnification for our purposes.  It's a heck of a lot better than 1x, but I wish I had more magnification.  Also, the 3x magnifier just doesn't have the clarity to scan the horizon or distant objects.  If I could do it over again, I would have bought myself a 1-6x for this deployment.  Therefore, for my next AR, I plan to run a 1-6x on it, practice with it, and hopefully get good enough to bridge the gap in speed between a true 1x red dot and a 1-6x set on 1x.  It seems like 3-gunners are pretty darn fast at multiple close range targets using low power variable scopes.

I use a Leupold VX-R Patrol 1.25-4x20 with the Firedot SPR reticle. Low compact variable scope with a dot. Works for me for 25m CQB out to 600 yds on Fig 11's...

I've had two 1-4's, and neither of them ever left 4X.

Red dots are great for up close shooting, but I never shoot any distance that makes a red dot a better choice.

I have yet to find my perfect optic. The ACOG is close, but requires a bit too much focus. I want to try a Leupole HAMR for this reason.

I sure like my Burris MTAC.  I paid $320 from Palmetto with free shipping when they had a sale.  As recently as yesterday, Cope's had them on Black Friday special for $299.99 plus free shipping.

My opinion only.  No one single weapon can do it all.  AR with red dot out to 200yds.  AR with magnification 200-600yds.  Bolt rifle and more magnification 600yds and out.

you may like this

You could always go with a reflex and magnified combo setup but like many others have said there is no end all be all do everything rifle out there.  I would decide what I want to do best with the rifle and focus on the optics that will help you be best at whatever will be this rifles main job.  Just because you set up a rifle for CQB or shooting coyotes doesn't mean that the only thing a rifle can do it will just do that main job the best.  I would avoid trying to fill all the different gaps every time I have attempted to do this with a black rifle I end up with something HEAVY that does most everything ok, but nothing extremely well.  YMMV as always and there are no stupid questions just do as much research as you can, shoot all your friends set-ups, make friends at the range, and ask to try out their optics etc.  There are a ton of excellent optics that may not work for you for any number of reasons.

thanks guys for all the feedback, appreciate the options too. I to also have an astigmatism and didn't even think to keep that in consideration so thanks jlow.

If you have an astigmatism, try viewing the red dot through the small aperature of your rear sight.

The only problem with this is you now have an eye box which matches the limitation if a magnified optic. Just another reason why I'm trying to ditch red dots all together.

I like my Burris XTR 1-4x in a Larue mount.