Some basic questions on AR optics/sights for Noob.

[rotab]

I got my first AR and need some sights. I have only shot one AR and it had an ACOG on it. Nice, it had a red dot, compensate as needed, small, cost more than the Colt AR. I think I found some sort of answers here so far but still:
1. I am Left eye dom, and for Appleseed I just taped part of a business card over my left eyeglass lens. Eye gets sort of tired quickly, but it works great. Easier is just fold a card and drape it over glasses frame. So is a red dot easier for me to use than a Nikon BDC like on my bolt actions and 10-22 ? Can I use red dot and keep both eyes open like with a handgun?
2. All this talk about flip up spare sights. If they are flipped up is the view through all scopes then basically the same, little if any distortion or what ? It seems some use just the rear flip up and then use the reticle in the main optic as the front "flip up". Can I use just a rear iron flip up with both types of scopes ?
3. Are decent flip up iron sights fine out to 100-200 yards just to get started, then maybe try out some diff optics before purchasing something?
4. I was thinking in terms of an Aimpoint Pro or the Nikon M-223. Red Dot or the same type optic as on my other rifles. With my info above does one make more sense at this point?
5. Is it odd to go back and forth in one range session from red dot to long glass tube that zooms? I am used to the Nikon BDC system, but not wedded to it.
6. I have Leica binocs, Nikon cameras and glass going back 33 years and I really hate cheap glass/sights/anything cheesy low quality. Not worth buying stuff twice.
thanks for any input you guys can give me.

[275RLTW]

What is the primary use of the weapon?

[rotab]

I think outdoor range, outdoor at a friend's ranch. 50-200 yard stuff. maybe work up to longer ranges just to see if I can. nothing competitive. mostly therapeutic.

[cofi]

50-200 get an aimpoint maybe a 3x magnifier behind it if you need magnification

To answer tour flip up site question.....you leave them flipped down unless your main optic fails(or you feel like shooting irons) there is no reason to use the rear site with red dots

[HoneyBadger]

1. I too am left eye dominant. No problems there.
2. Back-up sights are not intended to work with your primary optics. They are two separate systems.
3. Iron sights are fine out to 200yds, but a red dot for almost the same price is a lot easier to use and more precise than must iron sights.
4. I have a M-223 and love it. I also have an Aimpoint and love that too. For plinking and stress relief, the Aimpoint is much more fun, in my opinion.
5. If you are physically removing optics from your rifle, unless you have some LaRue QD mounts or similar, you will have to re-zero each time.
6. I think you'd be happy with a red dot like an Aimpoint.

hope this helps!