Optics recommendations? Warning: Tactical optics noob.

[Jmetz]

I'm looking to put an optics setup on my new rig. I have zero experience with optics on an AR. I've always used iron sights. I also have zero experience with red dot systems. I'd like a setup that will be capable at the 25 - 50yd range and be able to quickly and accurately move out to 250ish yds. From what I've read aimpoint seems a little more capable of achieving this? Looking to get some real world feedback. What do you use, what do you recommend, and why? Looking to be in the $4-500ish range.

[car-15]

I use an eotech with a flip to the side magnifier, and also have a couple of ar's with the trijicon ta01nsn, both work great for close up to medium range shots. i've never used aimpoint's but you cant go wrong with eotech, aimpoint or trijicon. all high quality optics imho. just make sure you buy the real deal there are alot of crappy knockoff's floating around.

[tmckay2]

I'm looking to put an optics setup on my new rig. I have zero experience with optics on an AR. I've always used iron sights. I also have zero experience with red dot systems. I'd like a setup that will be capable at the 25 - 50yd range and be able to quickly and accurately move out to 250ish yds. From what I've read aimpoint seems a little more capable of achieving this? Looking to get some real world feedback. What do you use, what do you recommend, and why? Looking to be in the $4-500ish range.


for that range, in my opinion, you're looking for a 1-4x magnification. lots of companies make them and many of them are good. i am partial to vortex optics and their new pst 1-4x scope would be right about $500. but others prefer different companies. i believe trijicon makes a decent one and im sure just about any other reputable company

[mutt]

I'm looking to put an optics setup on my new rig. I have zero experience with optics on an AR. I've always used iron sights. I also have zero experience with red dot systems. I'd like a setup that will be capable at the 25 - 50yd range and be able to quickly and accurately move out to 250ish yds. From what I've read aimpoint seems a little more capable of achieving this? Looking to get some real world feedback. What do you use, what do you recommend, and why? Looking to be in the $4-500ish range.

I have both an aimpoint and an eotech and both work fine for the ranges you've listed. I'm partial to the aimpoint because it has crazy long battery life. It's so good that I just leave it on. The aimpoint is ready to go as soon as I pick up the rifle, a huge plus in my book. The eotech requires fiddling with the controls to turn it on and to get the brightness right. For your price point, the eotech fits the bill a bit better. Aimpoints, when you consider the price of a quality mount, are generally outside the $500 mark.

[esaabye]

I like the ACOG, fixed 4 works well for distance and does not get in the way up close. The illuminated reticle allows full both eyes open quick sighting at close distances.

I also happen to have 1 for sale...

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35134


:)

[Jmetz]

I use an eotech with a flip to the side magnifier, and also have a couple of ar's with the trijicon ta01nsn, both work great for close up to medium range shots. i've never used aimpoint's but you cant go wrong with eotech, aimpoint or trijicon. all high quality optics imho. just make sure you buy the real deal there are alot of crappy knockoff's floating around.

Anything distinguishable to separate a knockoff?


for that range, in my opinion, you're looking for a 1-4x magnification. lots of companies make them and many of them are good. i am partial to vortex optics and their new pst 1-4x scope would be right about $500. but others prefer different companies. i believe trijicon makes a decent one and im sure just about any other reputable company

I took a look at that (via internet) and it seems more like a traditional rifle scope, which ime is not generally ideal for closer quarters and quick aquisition. Your experience?


I have both an aimpoint and an eotech and both work fine for the ranges you've listed. I'm partial to the aimpoint because it has crazy long battery life. It's so good that I just leave it on. The aimpoint is ready to go as soon as I pick up the rifle, a huge plus in my book. The eotech requires fiddling with the controls to turn it on and to get the brightness right. For your price point, the eotech fits the bill a bit better. Aimpoints, when you consider the price of a quality mount, are generally outside the $500 mark.

No issue with damaging the optic by leaving it on?



I like the ACOG, fixed 4 works well for distance and does not get in the way up close. The illuminated reticle allows full both eyes open quick sighting at close distances.

I also happen to have 1 for sale...

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35134


:)

I've looked at yours a couple times. I'm leaning towards something a little newer. :)

[mutt]

No issue with damaging the optic by leaving it on?


Nope. An aimpoint's dot is just generated by an LED. Leaving it running doesn't hurt anything.

[tmckay2]

Anything distinguishable to separate a knockoff?



I took a look at that (via internet) and it seems more like a traditional rifle scope, which ime is not generally ideal for closer quarters and quick aquisition. Your experience?



No issue with damaging the optic by leaving it on?




I've looked at yours a couple times. I'm leaning towards something a little newer. :)


so what if its a traditional scope? the eye relief is no different than on an aimpoint or eotech, so you can still shoot open eyes and from way back. in my opinion, if you are shooting THAT close and THAT far, you gotta go with a changing magnifications. 1x like an eotech or aimpoint is too annoying to shoot at 250 yards. it can be done, no doubt, hell, iron sights can be used effectively well out to 300+. but if you are buying a scope might as well have one that can be used easily at different ranges. 25-50 yards is too close for a 4x for me. only reason i would be shooting that close is if im moving in some capacity or shooting multiple targets and i like to have plenty of viewing space to do that. 4x tunnels me in too much at such short distances. shooting at ranges that variable seems like a variable scope all the way. if you like a different manufacturer thats cool, but to me a 1-4x seems like a no brainer. besides, at the very least you will have the flexibility to shoot even farther if needed.

by the way i am not knocking aimpoints, eotechs, or acogs. they are all super nice scopes. i just don't think they fit the bill in this particular situation as much as others.

[Jmetz]

Good info. Thank you. I'll have to go check one out in person. All I have to compare to is my use of a normal scope like a 3x9x40 which is much less then ideal for close quarters with fast aquisition. Also what are your thoughts on an something like an aimpoint with a magnifier?

[car-15]

below are a few links to read up on about fakes.
http://www.trijicon.com/na_en/support/product_authenticity.php
http://www.aimpoint.com/us/products/counterfeitscopies/
http://www.aimpoint.com/us/products/counterfeitscopies/16-tips/
http://www.eotech-inc.com/counterfeit_notice.php
http://www.eotech-inc.com/documents/Recognizing%20counterfeit%20EOTech%20Sights%204-09.pdf

[nathan0259]

Check out the Leatherwood CMR its a great scope for the money a bit heavy but still a very good optic.

[mutt]

Good info. Thank you. I'll have to go check one out in person. All I have to compare to is my use of a normal scope like a 3x9x40 which is much less then ideal for close quarters with fast aquisition. Also what are your thoughts on an something like an aimpoint with a magnifier?

I have a 3x magnifier on my aimpoint setup. Works fine. I recommend getting a flip to side mount if you go that route. A lot more useable than using a fixed screw or qd mount. When I want unmagnified, I just flip it out of the way. When I want magnification, a quick flip puts it back in place.

[jdscott82]

pm sent

[esaabye]

here's a craigslist setup I just spotted, bet you could get them down on price...

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/spo/2222070095.html

[Jmetz]

Thanks again for all the info guys. Thanks esaabye for the heads up. I'm gonna go to the store and check some of the suggestions out and see what I like best. Any recommendations on a store that would have a decent array and not mind some schmuck in there for an hour or two checking them out?