User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 2/12/2020 9:13:27 PM EDT
[#1]
Spend $100-120 on the Romeo5 at that price point. That's the range those run on sale.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/12/2020 10:17:25 PM EDT
[#2]
Snag something on the EE, everyone is always upgrading.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/12/2020 10:42:23 PM EDT
[#3]
Sig
Primary Arms Holosun Vortex All produce great quality red dots at ~$100. Find your best combination of features and badda bing. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/12/2020 11:29:55 PM EDT
[#4]
Primary Arms micro and Bushnell TRS-25 are both solid starters and >$100.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/12/2020 11:53:40 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Primary Arms micro and Bushnell TRS-25 are both solid starters and >$100. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/12/2020 11:54:08 PM EDT
[#6]
If you can go a little over that, PSA has the Strikefire II on sale for 129 shipped.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/13/2020 12:29:38 AM EDT
[#7]
Am I the only one that prefers a good set of irons over a $100 optic?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/13/2020 12:46:00 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Am I the only one that prefers a good set of irons over a $100 optic? OP consider going with a detachable carry handle rear sight, and a red dot that mounts the carry handle hole. You'll be able to use the red dot and your irons. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/13/2020 12:58:44 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Am I the only one that prefers a good set of irons over a $100 optic? Watch Ebay, you can probably get a new Romeo5 for right at $100. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/13/2020 6:38:48 AM EDT
[#10]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/13/2020 9:51:16 AM EDT
[#11]
I have currently mounted on various rifles Aimpoint Comp M2, Aimpoint Pro, PA micro, TRS25 and Romeo 5.
In the $100-130 range the Romeo 5 is my favorite - simply for the push button controls, Motac feature and battery life. It lives on a .300 BO pistol and seems to be plenty rugged enough for a truck / ranch / critter gun. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/13/2020 1:32:46 PM EDT
[#12]
Thank you all for the great suggestions on the ~$100 price but nothing in the sub-$100 price. These are all good options and I can afford them. I'm still trying to get experienced-based feedback on the $50, $60, $70, $80, $90, etc., China optics I find on Amazon, eBay, etc.
I can afford more expensive optics. And I know the generic arguments will be "how much is your family worth?" or "you get what you pay for" or "you only have to buy quality once", etc., but still, I have seen some good reviews on cheap optics on youtube. These two examples are actually around 30 dollars but that's purely coincidental to my objective; I'm interested in anything under $100. Ultimately, what I want to learn is do I really need to spend $120, $200, or $400, and if so, why not $800, or $1000?  Failed To Load Title  Failed To Load Title |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/13/2020 1:45:50 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Thank you all for the great suggestions on the ~$100 price but nothing in the sub-$100 price. These are all good options and I can afford them. I'm still trying to get experienced-based feedback on the $50, $60, $70, $80, $90, etc., China optics I find on Amazon, eBay, etc. I can afford more expensive optics. And I know the generic arguments will be "how much is your family worth?" or "you get what you pay for" or "you only have to buy quality once", etc., but still, I have seen some good reviews on cheap optics on youtube. These two examples are actually around 30 dollars but that's purely coincidental to my objective; I'm interested in anything under $100. Ultimately, what I want to learn is do I really need to spend $120, $200, or $400, and if so, why not $800, or $1000?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMbUdG5MfD0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmpJn_7iOnY
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/13/2020 2:20:17 PM EDT
[#14]
Primary Arms is around $130 and is the cheapest that I will buy. I will only use them on "fun guns", never on a self-defense rifle.
Buy a Aimpoint PRO for self-defense. I judge red dot sights based on battery life and Primary Arms latest models are very good in that department. Aimpoints are amazing. There is nothing wrong with going cheap if that's all you can afford at the moment. Once you can upgrade the cheap (Primary Arms) RDS can get moved to a .22 or a shotgun. I purchase firearms and accessories with the knowledge that my life or the life of a loved one may hang in the balance someday. Going cheap doesn't make any sense from that point of view. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/13/2020 2:31:15 PM EDT
[#15]
Tigwelder beat me to it. here are the links to each
https://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-microdot-with-removable-base-gen-2 https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Trophy-TRS-25-Riflescope-1x25mm/dp/B00200E0HM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37TUDE18PWDBG&dchild=1&keywords=bushnell+trs25&qid=1581618491&sprefix=bush%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1 |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/13/2020 3:52:48 PM EDT
[#16]
FWIW, I've killed 2 of the cheap ass China / Fieldsport micros from Amazon. Neither made it past 600 rds of 5.56.
On the flip side, I've run the PA/Bushnell on 12 ga for deer hunting for several years issue free. Eta: new Trs 25s on ebay for $59. That's pretty budget if you ask me...... |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/13/2020 7:13:06 PM EDT
[#17]
You got a lot of good suggestions here and no, your not going to find anyone serious about shooting running a $30 red dot thinking it's going to last or hold zero.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/14/2020 10:06:49 PM EDT
[#18]
Man, there’s a collective shit-ton of experience here. You opened the thread with a legit question and then start to back into BS.
Take the collective, actual hands-on experience with RDS in the $60-$120 buck range or drop $30 bucks on a turd and try ‘em yourself. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/14/2020 10:28:24 PM EDT
[#19]
you can’t even get a decent mount for $50.
What are you smoking tonight? |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/14/2020 11:15:56 PM EDT
[#20]
Get the AT3 RD50. 2moa dot, on Amazon w/ riser for $80-90. Long battery life, visible in bright sunlight on level 8 (and it goes all the way to 11!). Lifetime warranty.
I have one, and a TRS-25. Ordering another dot in a few days (after bills all clear the account) and it will be another RD50. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/15/2020 4:01:10 PM EDT
[#21]
I wouldn't go any lower than the TRS-25 or the PA sight already posted.
I also would recommend stepping up to the Romeo5 or the PA Advanced Micro. I have both. They are worth the difference in price. I don't have any illusions about them being as durable or reliable as my Aimpoint, but they are very close in glass and dot quality. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/15/2020 4:05:54 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
you can’t even get a decent mount for $50. What are you smoking tonight? 
Came out to like $60 during BF. Also the UTG ones are decent enough compared to Holosun oem mounts. ADM lower 1/3 seem to go cheaper as well. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/15/2020 4:06:51 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Get the AT3 RD50. 2moa dot, on Amazon w/ riser for $80-90. Long battery life, visible in bright sunlight on level 8 (and it goes all the way to 11!). Lifetime warranty. I have one, and a TRS-25. Ordering another dot in a few days (after bills all clear the account) and it will be another RD50. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/15/2020 4:10:40 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Primary Arms micro and Bushnell TRS-25 are both solid starters and >$100. Nothing fancy. Completely manual operation with a big round switch. Nothing compares at its price point. Only downside is that it eats batteries if you forget to turn it off, but batteries are the most common coin battery. Be sure to get the version with the riser if you are using it on an AR. I think they call it HiRise. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/18/2020 1:48:52 AM EDT
[#25]
Thanks for the great discussion - a couple smart-alecs aside, there are a lot of helpful posts.
Definitely a couple good options in the sub-100 range. As someone alluded to, they wouldn't use those for self-defense, though. So, back to my question - because my family actually is worth more than $30 to me so I will definitely consider some of those discussed but just how much should I have to spend to get a good optic for self-defense without just throwing money away? |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/18/2020 1:54:57 AM EDT
[#26]
I trust Primary Arms/Holosun no problem.
Sending you a PM
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/18/2020 10:34:03 AM EDT
[#27]
I have no problem trusting the Bushnell TRS-25 or Primary Arms Micro for SD/HD. I doubt that I would use either in combat but around the house they are fine.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/18/2020 6:30:41 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Thanks for the great discussion - a couple smart-alecs aside, there are a lot of helpful posts. Definitely a couple good options in the sub-100 range. As someone alluded to, they wouldn't use those for self-defense, though. So, back to my question - because my family actually is worth more than $30 to me so I will definitely consider some of those discussed but just how much should I have to spend to get a good optic for self-defense without just throwing money away? I've seen $10 optics live (and fail) and I've seen $500 scopes die on gently treated target 22 rigs.... and unless given no choice I wouldn't grab anything I didn't trust in an emergency. If I needed to grab something RIGHT NOW it would be the AR9 PCC, it has fixed irons and the AT3 RD50 dot I mentioned upthread. Should the dot fail the irons work just fine. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/18/2020 10:31:57 PM EDT
[#29]
Quality optics are ~$700.
Budget optics are 1/7 that price. If you think $100 is too high, idk what to tell you. A good budget optic is the best Chinese manufacturing has to offer; not sure why you’d pass on it and go for a lesser Chinese optic. A Bushnell TRS-25 is the absolute least, rock-bottom price for a red dot with a solid reputation. After that, you might as well head to the airsoft section of your local Walmart and be done with it. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/18/2020 10:39:55 PM EDT
[#30]
I would go no cheaper than a PA. Dont eat out 1 time and you have 120 for a sig romeo. Whatever you end up with, just don't be this guy:
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/19/2020 1:44:10 AM EDT
[#31]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/19/2020 8:28:53 AM EDT
[#32]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/19/2020 12:08:13 PM EDT
[#33]
OP I’d use a PA or Sig Romeo red dot for self defense any day. One man’s opinion here but you’ll be fine.
Hell wasn't it Henderson Defense that is STILL using a PA microdot/holosun on their 249? Talk about round count.... |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/19/2020 4:12:05 PM EDT
[#34]
If you are looking for experience, I have a 42mm Tasco (chinese) red dot that survived a lot of .357 mag on a Marlin. I bought it thirteen years ago. It is now mounted on my first AR, a Ruger. The AR with .223 Rem is claimed to recoil less than the 357 Marlin, which my shoulder says is accurate. It works and has survived but do I expect it to live forever? Not likely. But the rifle has irons on it just in case. Which I prefer. But the red dot is pretty darn easy to use. I will leave the Tasco on the AR for my wife to become accustomed to using the AR. Mostly because she is an ace with a Marlin lever action with semi-buckhorn and bead sights but just can't get the hang of a peep sight. Which is the only option it seems for a picatinny rail.
Regardless of the Tasco's survival I would prefer to get something I feel would be more durable at some point. The Sig Romeo looks like a good one but I might be tempted to try the $65-$80 range red dots that were listed above. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/19/2020 4:24:55 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If you are looking for experience, I have a 42mm Tasco (chinese) red dot that survived a lot of .357 mag on a Marlin. I bought it thirteen years ago. It is now mounted on my first AR, a Ruger. The AR with .223 Rem is claimed to recoil less than the 357 Marlin, which my shoulder says is accurate. It works and has survived but do I expect it to live forever? Not likely. But the rifle has irons on it just in case. Which I prefer. But the red dot is pretty darn easy to use. I will leave the Tasco on the AR for my wife to become accustomed to using the AR. Mostly because she is an ace with a Marlin lever action with semi-buckhorn and bead sights but just can't get the hang of a peep sight. Which is the only option it seems for a picatinny rail. Regardless of the Tasco's survival I would prefer to get something I feel would be more durable at some point. The Sig Romeo looks like a good one but I might be tempted to try the $65-$80 range red dots that were listed above. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/19/2020 4:40:01 PM EDT
[#36]
OST
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/19/2020 4:57:05 PM EDT
[#37]
Another vote for the Primary Arms dot sights. Have been using them for 8-10 years or so on a variety of different guns to include AR9, AR15, AK47, They are all still running just fine. No problems of any sort. No hesitation in using them for SD/HD either. IF I WERE IN A WAR ZONE, I would want something like an Acog or other Mil. approved optic. until then my PA's are doing fine.
ETA: I do also have one of the Fieldsport red dots from Amazon that I bought on a whim from a thread here on arfcom. It has been running along just fine for a couple of years on an AR9 with no problems at all. I'm pleased it has lasted as well as it has, but I'm under no illusions that one day it won't turn on. Until then blast away. And then replace it with another PA! |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/19/2020 5:11:18 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: ETA: I do also have one of the Fieldsport red dots from Amazon that I bought on a whim from a thread here on arfcom. It has been running along just fine for a couple of years on an AR9 with no problems at all. I'm pleased it has lasted as well as it has, but I'm under no illusions that one day it won't turn on. Until then blast away. And then replace it with another PA!  Attached File |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
Attached File