I just bought my AR and want to put a scope on it. I think I am asking for the impossible here so try not to hound me too bad:

What I'm looking for:
Something that resembles a red dot sight (see picture) Not looking for a "hunting" optic; more "tactical" looking
Has a variable zoom from 1x to whatever (2,3,4x) or a fixed 2x or 3x zoom (all I have found is 1x zoom on the red dots)
Large reticle (30mm or so for quick aiming in home defense)
$0-$200 price range

http://images1.opticsplanet.com/365-240-ffffff/opplanet-bushnell-1x25-trs-25-tan-red-dot-scope-731304.jpg


I haven't seen anything like this so far so let me know if you guys can help.

Also, I keep seeing red dot sights with these quick release mounts. I have a flat top AR so I need a higher mount with a quick release; what do you guys recommend?

Doesnt exist.  Try stand-alone magnifiers or a 1-4x scope.

Just curious, why does it not exist?

Because of physics.  A truly parallax free 1x optic like an aimpoint is not an optic...  It is a piece of flat glass you look through.  This is why there are no distortions from a red dot sight and is the only way to get a true 1x red dot without a scope like "window box" you have to look through.

On the flip side any magnification at all requires an optical lens (not a piece a plain glass).  The lens arrangement (concave, and convex of varying thicknesses and geometries) determine the optical zoom, focal length, and focus distance.

A flat piece of glass can never be a lens.

A lens can never give true 1x performance like a piece of glass.

But there is one exception to this bit of physics... prisms.  You can have a prism that is close to optically transparant like a sheet of glass and if flipped in another direction can be convex/concave to act like a lens.  The downfall to this is that a prism of this configuration would be very large, bulky, and heavy.  But it has been done before:

Specter DR (closest thing to what you are looking for).

dyezak, thanks for the info man. Really helped actually.

Since you seem so knowledgeable on the topic, let me ask you something that is probably going to sound noob-ish.

Whats the upside between these three?

http://images1.opticsplanet.com/755-405-ffffff/opplanet-bushnell-1x25-trs-25-tan-red-dot-scope-731304.jpg
http://images1.opticsplanet.com/365-240-ffffff/opplanet-eotech-550-a65-xr500-hws.jpg
http://images1.opticsplanet.com/365-240-ffffff/opplanet-ncstar-red-dot-sight-tactical-red-dot-with-4-different-reticles-black-d4b-main.jpg

Like I said before, I want something that can be used for home defense, but also help at the range. I honestly don't want some BEHEMOTH of a "deer/hunting" scope on the top of my assault rifle just to get 2x or 3x zoom. I want something that has fast acquisition (large recticle) with a touch of zoom, with a red dot type sight.

How about  the Vortex Sparc? It comes with a 2x magnifier that screws into the optic... Similar size to the Bushnell above and has different risers also for around $200.

Link:
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-sparc-red-dot-scope

That'll work! I like that idea! Right at the edge of my price range, but definitely like it. I appreciate it s2kst3v3!

Now, I know you're new to arfcom, but please abstain from using the left's buzz words - because that's all the phrase "assault rifle" is.




ETA the Sparc is probably a good place to start.

Duly noted. How about, "badass piece of engineering marvel" hahaha

You may want to look at the primary arms 3x compact scope. It is about the same size as a red dot and looks "tactical", but it has magnification and a $180 price tag to fit your budget.

3x compact

Vortex strikefire is a wise choice.

OP:

The Bushnell, EoTech, and NC Star you linked too are all the same type of 1x mini red dot sight.  All of them will function the same for you, but the difference is in the build quality and the ruggedness of the optic.  Out of the three you posted the EoTech is a proven rugged optic that can take a licking and keep on ticking.  The NC Star on the other hand is a fragile piece of Chinese junk.  Bushnell has a great reputation, and although they aren't "combat rugged", I do believe they would be rugged enough for most home defense type activities.