View Full Version : any half way good re dots under $100
trlcavscout
01-02-2011, 16:34
I have a friend that's looking for a re dot in the sub 100 range. Nothing fancy just something that will hold zero. Any one try the ones at wal mart or sportsmans wharehouse?
gnihcraes
01-02-2011, 17:18
I'll probably be getting one of the true glow ones at wal mart soon for the kids SR22 and will see how it works. ($39) or whatever it is, but it's cheap. Hopefully someone else will post up some information on it and others.
hurley842002
01-02-2011, 17:20
I've heard really good things about Primary Arms. They do clones of all the high end optics. They are supposed to be the cats meow for a cheaper optic that resembles the "real thing", allegedly hold zero very well. Obviously not an Aimpoint, Eotech etc. but a good representation. Here is the site
http://primaryarms.com/category.sc?categoryId=398
edited to add: Looks like an Aimpoint Comp M3 clone is going for $69, here is a link to reviews over on Arf.com, take them for what they are worth. http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=325&t=173865
DeusExMachina
01-02-2011, 17:51
My Primary Arms is great on my AK.
+1 for Primary Arms. Great customer service and fast shipping.
Yes there is, but one of the best kept secrets out there, is there are tons of good optics out there for under a hundred.
http://www.natchezss.com/optics.cfm?contentId=opticstype&opticsType=8&category=20
What does he want to put it on?
Notice that the BSA and the Bushnell 30mm dot look a like....I have one on my Highpoint, they are good...but mine is not under that name. Also notice that they look like the Nikon, BSA, Simmons, and REF....can you say HMMMMMM?
Also notice the Bushnell 28 and 30 mm dots...that don't look like the BSA (They look like the Burris 1X35).
I woudln't look at the Millets...they are not want you want ("Nothing fancy just something that will hold zero."). They are a GOOD, not a half way good, dot....for under $100 I used to have the $200 dot on my duty AR. It is on par w/an EO Tech.
Here is another website...I don't know which one has the best prices. I have bought from both, and both of em are A-1.
http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseCategories.aspx?tabid=10
Personally, get the millet, you won't wear it out. http://www.natchezss.com/Optics.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=MI&prodID=MIRD00005&prodTitle=Millett%20SP2%20Red%20Dot%20Sight%2030mm %20Tube%205%20MOA%20Dot%20Matte%20Finish
Or, one of the cheap 30mm, like this (BTW, I noticed that they are all out of stock at Natchez http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=535901
Again, I highly recommend the Millett.
trlcavscout
01-02-2011, 20:11
Good suggestions here! He is putting it on an AR, and he wants to co witness. So I dont know what mounts he needs? I seen some red dot/magnifier combos on ebay for like $100 but dont know if they are crap or not.
That one is alright but 5 moa?
http://www.natchezss.com/Optics.cfm?...Matte%20Finish (http://www.natchezss.com/Optics.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=MI&prodID=MIRD00005&prodTitle=Millett%20SP2%20Red%20Dot%20Sight%2030mm %20Tube%205%20MOA%20Dot%20Matte%20Finish)
Ther is a used Burris Speed Dot at Bear Arms used for around $100. He would probably make you a good deal. It has a 3 MOA dot. comes with rings too, or you can buy 34mm rings for it.
If I were to buy a sub $100 red dot my vote would be Primary Arms. I've used their red dots and will be buying their newest micro dot for 10/22 project. I used the Gen2 micro on my AR and it held zero using their mount. Plus the customer service is top notch!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMosefuud0I&feature=youtube_gdata_player
jscwerve
01-03-2011, 04:07
Primary arms FTW......
Scandel said it best; Goodbye to you..
StagLefty
01-03-2011, 09:47
Another vote for Primary Arms GTG-you can get the red dot with a mount for co-witnessing. [Beer]
Good suggestions here! He is putting it on an AR, and he wants to co witness. So I dont know what mounts he needs? I seen some red dot/magnifier combos on ebay for like $100 but dont know if they are crap or not.
That one is alright but 5 moa?
http://www.natchezss.com/Optics.cfm?...Matte%20Finish
I will tell you right now, do not buy one of the cheap magnifiers (under $100). The least expensive I would go is a Sitemark, or a Mako. When my friend and I both ran out of money on our AR's, we each picked up one of the $70 pieces of crap off ebay for the hell of it. Mine took less than 3 mags before the internals shattered. My friends shelled half way through his fourth mag.
This is starting to get depressing. I understand not being able to afford $1200 or even $600 optics, but you really only get what you pay for. BSA .. yeah, sure that's the same as Burris, which is the same or "as good" as Leupold or Night Force or Schmit and Bender.. which is exactly like saying Yugo is just as good as a Porsche.. hey they're cars after all right?
Save another couple of hundred bucks, watch here or BARFCOM, buy up a used AimPoint ML2 or something and for the love of God at least have a reliable optic and if not, learn to run the irons until you can afford something that you're not wasting your money on.
Sad.. sad.. sad...
I would say that Primary Arms RDs are very reliable. They're "weapon" grade not "battle" grade but run very well. No need for an Aimpoint if you're just using it for plinking/fun shooting.
DeusExMachina
01-03-2011, 17:42
This is starting to get depressing. I understand not being able to afford $1200 or even $600 optics, but you really only get what you pay for. BSA .. yeah, sure that's the same as Burris, which is the same or "as good" as Leupold or Night Force or Schmit and Bender.. which is exactly like saying Yugo is just as good as a Porsche.. hey they're cars after all right?
Save another couple of hundred bucks, watch here or BARFCOM, buy up a used AimPoint ML2 or something and for the love of God at least have a reliable optic and if not, learn to run the irons until you can afford something that you're not wasting your money on.
Sad.. sad.. sad...
How's the weather up there?
trlcavscout
01-03-2011, 17:51
This is starting to get depressing. I understand not being able to afford $1200 or even $600 optics, but you really only get what you pay for. BSA .. yeah, sure that's the same as Burris, which is the same or "as good" as Leupold or Night Force or Schmit and Bender.. which is exactly like saying Yugo is just as good as a Porsche.. hey they're cars after all right?
Save another couple of hundred bucks, watch here or BARFCOM, buy up a used AimPoint ML2 or something and for the love of God at least have a reliable optic and if not, learn to run the irons until you can afford something that you're not wasting your money on.
Sad.. sad.. sad...
WOW you should be on Glock talk in the black rifle section or the high road with that attitude. He can use the irons but would like something different and most people cant just drop even a small amount like 3-400. And he really wouldnt use it enough to justify spending that. I suppose you also think that DPMS, Bushmaster etc are junk and that you should just spend a few hundred more and get something better? You buy what you can afford and some people cant afford the "good" stuff. And Porsche and leupold brake just like everything else, hell lambos are in the shop just as often as chevys.
Why spend 100, you can just save a couple hundred more and buy this, but wait why buy that junk you can just save a few hundred more and buy and acog, where does it end for some?
StagLefty
01-03-2011, 18:01
I always bring up Primary Arms for folks who don't carry for a living and aren't using hard core. They were recommended on this site and after I did some research decided they were GTG for my use. Reality is that most of us don't require ACOG's or Aimtech's for our use.I agree wholeheartedly on buying quality but sometimes it's just not in reach financially for a lot of us. JMHO [Beer]
BadShot, what makes you think you can compare BSA with Burris? The XTS135 is a very good red dot. So is the AR332 (3X power) and the FastFireII. Sure I don't particularly care for the reticle of the AR332, but it works quite well. The Fastfire can handle far more recoil and abuse than the Zeiss red dot. I know first hand. The Zeiss wouldn't stand up to a Desert Eagle .50cal, and the Burris is still going strong and cost less than half of the Zeiss. I have an AR332 and like it for what it is. Is it an ACOG? No. Does it perform as well? Yes. Burris atleast has a good reputation, and will stand behind their product.
BuffCyclist
01-03-2011, 19:40
Not sure if I want to jump into this debate or not, but I had a very bad experience with my first order from Primary Arms.
Everything I read, people got their orders in 2-4 days. I got mine in 12 days. I ordered a two M3 red dots (for current rifle and a project) and one of their deluxe magnifiers (and a few other things too). The magnifier came with a fingerprint directly on the lens objective that I had to wipe off. The red dots seemed quality at first, though one of the flip caps didn't fully swing out of the way. I mounted the red dot and took it to the range, got it zeroed in just 2 mags (couldn't quite remember which way to turn the dials to go with direction, haha).
Then, it suddenly broke. After every shot I took, the dot would wobble all around inside the objective. At 25 yards, I couldn't even come close to hitting a 2ft x 4ft target holder. I brought the target in closer and it was several feet off where it should have been. I tried rezeroing but it wouldn't do anything. My best guess was that the laser module broke off inside. I contacted PA about it and Marshall (the CEO) returned all of my money, and paying for shipping it back to him even. He apologized for my experience and wanted to keep my business somehow, even if that meant I wasn't buying PA brand stuff.
I decided to hold off on getting a different red dot right now, though I do really like how fast the red dots are. I'm thinking I'll spend money into my project rifle, buy up as much ammo as I can, and pickup a set of Troy battle sights. But I'm leaning towards picking up an Eotech XPS2 at some point when I decide to venture into the red dot world again. I just had a bad experience with cheap optics and am not willing to give it another shot. If PA can guarantee I won't have problems again, or that I should get a different model that is more robust then perhaps I will.
Oh, and I am the rare situation of one in several hundred or even several thousand that have a bad experience with PA products. Marshall said it's rare, but this sort of thing does happen.
I have a Primary arms M4 style and my brother has the M3 style. I have only had mine for about a year as has my brother. I have used mine at 3 different 3 gun compeitions and it hasn't let me down yet. My brother also has used his and hasn't had any issues. However, he has had an issue with his PA magnifier. It fell apart enternally, but I will say that they replaced it rather quickly. I know a year and a few hundred rounds and 3 comps isn't a full evaluation but it has served its purpose thus far.
BP
This is starting to get depressing. I understand not being able to afford $1200 or even $600 optics, but you really only get what you pay for. BSA .. yeah, sure that's the same as Burris, which is the same or "as good" as Leupold or Night Force or Schmit and Bender.. which is exactly like saying Yugo is just as good as a Porsche.. hey they're cars after all right?
Save another couple of hundred bucks, watch here or BARFCOM, buy up a used AimPoint ML2 or something and for the love of God at least have a reliable optic and if not, learn to run the irons until you can afford something that you're not wasting your money on.
Sad.. sad.. sad...
whats sad..sad..sad... is that there always has to be the token guy who comes in and craps on a thread making the person feel lesser because they don't drop hundreds of more dollars than someone else. its unbelieveable. spending the extra few hundred doesn't make you a better shooter. most of us will never, ever see combat and most of these sights will actually hold up just fine in your basic "firefight". the guy didn't ask what optic should he buy to go over to afghanistan. most here are hobby shooters who enjoy plinking at targets and learning more about firearms. you can make yourself feel as bad ass as you want for buying the most expensive, top end military equipment, but don't project that on to the rest of us. aimpoint's and eotech's are GREAT, i love them, but if you haven't figured out that major manufacturer's can charge a higher price due to reputation and military contracts (as opposed to pure "better product" factors), then you aren't with the ball game. hell, maybe we should all go out and buy knight's equipment which is insanely overpriced, or only buy colt.
if you want to recommend someone save for an aimpoint due to reliability, resale factor, and battery life, then fine, nicely say so. don't come in here and beat your chest about being better than those who are simply looking for a cheaper alternative. its pathetic and really not very kind.
srhcustom
01-16-2011, 16:21
I'll probably get bagged on for this, but I purchased a Barska M16 1X30 for my AR and so far, I'm really happy with it. It zeroed easily and holds zero. So far, I've put about 600 rounds through my AR with it.
Best part..... got it at Big 5 for $89.
Worth looking at for a bargain red dot.
http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5509&d=1294005210
I'll probably get bagged on for this, but I purchased a Barska M16 1X30 for my AR and so far, I'm really happy with it. It zeroed easily and holds zero. So far, I've put about 600 rounds through my AR with it.
Best part..... got it at Big 5 for $89.
Worth looking at for a bargain red dot.
http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5509&d=1294005210
oh my god the horror!!!!!! how dare you! a barska, really? really? but what if the zombie's invade, whatever will you do?!
good for you. if you like it and it works and its within your budget, have at it.
i second the primary arms as a good option. ive seen people beat on them and they work just fine, zero well and hold. or you can try to find a used vortex strikefire, those are decent as well and can be had right around $100
k2peaker
01-26-2011, 10:18
Not to jump into the fray and insist that you always have to pay more. Hey, finding a bargain in any endeavor is a good thing.
I tend to look at it from a relative perspective ($89 vs. $189). You can get a Burris FastFireII in the $200 or under range. This is a good bargain. I have one on my racegun Saiga 12-ga, it's a very good red dot on a pretty abusive platform. Although I have JPoints for secondary optics on ARs, I think the price/performance of the FFII is a better deal. My next one will be a Burris. And, it's a local, CO-based company.
My judgement on equipment is always clouded by the competitive thing, i.e., if I'm putting all of this time/effort/money into a sport I want pretty decent stuff when the clock is running.
i don't really disagree at all, but keep in mind that the closer you get to that used aimpoint range, the more you might as well wait. in this case, when we are talking WELL under the aimpoint range, it seems like a fairly easy decision for the less "tactical" people. when you start getting in the $200 range and slightly over, you need to start debating about trying to find an aimpoint used for just a little more. but, as i said before, lower end isn't necessarily worse than aimpoints, just much more unproven and generally much shorter battery lives.
Not to jump into the fray and insist that you always have to pay more. Hey, finding a bargain in any endeavor is a good thing.
I tend to look at it from a relative perspective ($89 vs. $189). You can get a Burris FastFireII in the $200 or under range. This is a good bargain. I have one on my racegun Saiga 12-ga, it's a very good red dot on a pretty abusive platform. Although I have JPoints for secondary optics on ARs, I think the price/performance of the FFII is a better deal. My next one will be a Burris. And, it's a local, CO-based company.
My judgement on equipment is always clouded by the competitive thing, i.e., if I'm putting all of this time/effort/money into a sport I want pretty decent stuff when the clock is running.
k2peaker
02-15-2011, 15:01
Heck, I don't think I'm a hippocrite. I'm a (reasonably) happy owner of a Barska spotter and a pair of binos. The price/performance of those are quite good and will tide me over until I want/can afford/need something better. I will admit the binos aren't the best for spotting at the LR Raton matches but again, given the $4x price, they've come in handy a number of times.
And FWIW, I'm no fan of Aimpoint either. It just doesn't have the features that I would value in an optic for the competitive scene that I face. I'm no "operator" from the "bet your life on it perspective" either.
I simply think that Burris has a winner with the FastFireII -- from the value for the money standpoint. This coming from a guy that owns five Cmores, two JPoints,...
I have no doubt that some of the sub-$100 red dots are just fine for rec use, plinking, etc. I've been tempted myself.
One thing to keep in mind are the design elements of an optic you're considering. For example, for a straight red dot optic (no magnification, basically a diode projecting a dot onto a viewing lens), that's more straight forward than comparing it to a magnified optic with (dot/reticle) illumination. Just saying that as soon as you add the glass necessary to magnify, more elements are coming into play. I can believe that it would be easier to design and cheaper to build a reasonable straight red dot than adding the tube, glass, illumination system...
thats a good point
Heck, I don't think I'm a hippocrite. I'm a (reasonably) happy owner of a Barska spotter and a pair of binos. The price/performance of those are quite good and will tide me over until I want/can afford/need something better. I will admit the binos aren't the best for spotting at the LR Raton matches but again, given the $4x price, they've come in handy a number of times.
And FWIW, I'm no fan of Aimpoint either. It just doesn't have the features that I would value in an optic for the competitive scene that I face. I'm no "operator" from the "bet your life on it perspective" either.
I simply think that Burris has a winner with the FastFireII -- from the value for the money standpoint. This coming from a guy that owns five Cmores, two JPoints,...
I have no doubt that some of the sub-$100 red dots are just fine for rec use, plinking, etc.. I've been tempted myself.
One thing to keep in mind are the design elements of an optic you're considering. For example, for a straight red dot optic (no magnification, basically a diode projecting a dot onto a viewing lens), that's more straight forward than comparing it to magnified optic with (dot/reticle) illumination. Just saying that as soon as you add the glass necessary to magnify, more elements are coming into play. I can believe that it would be easier to design and cheaper to build a reasonable straight red dot than adding the tube, glass, illumination system...
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