Monday, December 26, 2011

Optics Query

I know the big name trusted brands of 'red-dot' optics.  Get a trijicon or an EOTech or an Aimpoint.  These are priced on the high side, of course. 

I know of cheap knockoffs that will disappoint me at a much lower sub-$100 price point that will fail more often than it works. 

Is there a red dot scope model out there that falls in between?  I'm thinking for a 'fun' gun.  Like a 10/22.  Not something I'm going to rely on for so-called serious application.  I want something that will work, or at least not constantly fail and be a source of frustration, and not break the bank.

13 comments:

Bubblehead Les. said...

Look into Bushnell's Trophy Line. I have one the Wife found at a yard sale, and it's on the Mossie 20 Gauge. Think they're running about $150 MSRP, so you could probably find one cheaper. Of course, you'll have to play with the 10/22's mount, because of the different widths, but there are conversions out there.

Secret Squirrel said...

Word on the intertubes is that Primary Arms does a solid red dot in the sub-$100 range ($100-$200 with an AR or AK mount package).

Tam said...

The Vortex Aimpoint-esque red dots seem to be good for range toys. My Bushnell fAKeOG has held up okay so far on my M&P 15-22.

I dunno that I'd chance dipping much below a C-note; some of that low-end Chicom stuff is pretty wretched.

ZerCool said...

There's a $30 BSA green-dot tube on my Hipoint carbine. Holds zero and hasn't failed yet.

Anonymous said...

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/30919541-1.html

New Jovian Thunderbolt said...

No. Not a Tasco, Anon.

JB Miller said...

I have a couple cheap dot scope I picked up for under $40 on CTD. I liked the first one so much I bought a second one.

As long as they are on a low recoil firearm, like a .22lr, they work well. They don't stay put on heavier guns.

http://tinyurl.com/7cwj3he

New Jovian Thunderbolt said...

It is my experience with your CTD $40 scopes that I was looking for something a bit BETTER JB. They have been nothing but frustration for you. I would pay someone $40 NOT to saddle me with some of your scopes.

That Guy said...

Burris Fastfire:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/burris-fastfire-w-picatinny-mount-4-moa-dot-mat-fastfire-sight.html
Bushnell Trophy TRS-25:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-1x25-trophy-series-riflescope-trs-25-red-dot-731303.html
Primary Arms M3:
https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_GEN_2_AA_Battery_Multi_Reticle_Red_Do_p/pam4g2mblem.htm

I have all three of these, and they all work, wont brek the bank, and have great support.

dehakal said...

Ben running a Primary Arms Micro Dot on my AR for the past year. Holds zero and very bright and fast. Reviews claim they hold up to repeated use on .308 rifles so should be excellent for your need.
And price is just over $100.

JB Miller said...

The EOTech 512 I moved to was not that expensive and it performs like a dream.

You are the one that talked me out of buying cheap scopes! Now you want one! Oh the humanity!

Angus McThag said...

I bought the Aimpoint M4s. My friend bought a Center-Point Quick-Aim from Wal Mart.

He paid like $60, I paid $700.

I'm on my first set of lithium AA batts.

He's on his third $7 must-be-ordered-from-the-internet watch/camera battery. I quipped that he might get to $640 on batteries alone before I need to replace my first one.

My wife is kinda in the same boat with her $500 EOTech 552. It eats two or three pairs of AA batteries a year.

Never forget the total cost of ownership! Don't fail to consider availability on the batts.

As far as reliability goes, I have an Aimpoint 1000 I bought in '92 that's still trucking along. It uses a common hearing aid battery.

Jay G said...

T-bolt,

I've got a Barska re/green dot sight on my 10/22 that I picked up at Midway last year for under $40 that I am very happy with. It's good enough to hit a 2.5" steel plate at 25 yards using my old eyes and bulk ammo, so that's my definition of decent.

Battery consumption is a very good point; this scope uses the standard flat button battery (I can't remember which version; it's the one that's about the size and shape of a quarter) and is on it's first set despite seeing pretty significant use in the past year and a half.

I can dig up the specs if you're interested...