Red Dot for AR

[Randall]

So. I'm in the middle of building my second AR15. What can I say, they're like Legos for men. Anyway, I've got a Stag upper. The front end furniture is standard plastic furniture with no rails. The existing iron sites are a traditional triangular front site, with an MI flip up rear site.

I'd like suggestions for my first red dot site. I know EOTECH has a big segment of the market, but they have a bunch of different sized models with different types of dots. So, if EOTECH is your choice, what model, and dot size and why? If EOTECH is not your choice, I'm all ears. Primary use is likely to be quick plinking out to 200 yards.

Thanks in advance,
Randy

[Steve in Allentown, PA]

There are so many from which to choose that it comes down to personal choice at some point. I really like the Eotech reticle but the Aimpoint has the edge in ruggedness and reliability. I have no need for night vision compatible sights anymore so I prefer the Aimpoint Comp C3. Here's a picture of one on a FAL. They are rated for 50,000 hours before the battery needs to be replaced so, theoretically, you could leave the scope on for five and a half years before putting in a new battery. No other red dot has anywhere near that performance.

[KSGUNRUNNER]

I use a Trijicon Tri-power with an ARMS mount. Outstanding and tough. Tritium, battery and fiber optic to drive the red dot (chevron). Very nice set up but a little on the expensive side.

[black sheep]

I gotta recommend Eotech 512 .......uses AA batteries, has the awesome 65 MOA reticle ......VERY, VERY fast on target and at around 400.00, not super expensive either........

black sheep

[717driver]

I like the Eotech as well. I feel like I get a wider field of view than I do with scopes and Aimpoints. The Aimpoints feel like you are looking through a toilet paper tube in my opinion. The Aimpoints will win in the battery life contest.

[Jaxxas]

EoTech 512 here too! Double A batteries, great field of view, fast target acquisition.

[preston1026]

I have a c-more red dot on mine. Can be had used for $150-200, they hold zero, not big and heavy and co-witness great.

If it's good enough for John Conner then it should work for you.

[feersum dreadnaught]

for the right around $200 price point, check out the Vortex SPARC - comes with all mounting pieces to do co-witness, 1/3 lower co-witness, or low mount.

adjustable brightness or night vision settings, light weight.

[W.E.G.]

I favor something that will take AA batteries.

If you don't mind oddball batteries (and I mind it a LOT!), you can get some really nice sights that are smaller than the ones that run on AA's.

The new Aimpoints will run something like 10 years on one set of batteries.
EOTECH isn't at that point yet, but is now much better than years past.
Definitely spec the battery life of your device before you buy.

I like EOTECH best because of the 65 MOA "donut of death."
A man's chest at 25 yards just happens to be 65 MOA wide.
Don't want to get hit with .223 at 25 yards.

Did I mention that I hate "wafer" batteries, "N" cells, and AAA batteries?

I can tolerate 123 size batteries, since I have flashlights that run on 123's.
Not aware of any red-dots running on 123's.

[armed1]

Ditto on Eotech. Great field of view, no parallax, very tough. Only one I woulnt get is the "c more" type. I had one of these on a kel-tec .223 pistol and very lightly bumped against the doorjam and cracked the glass. Junk made in China.

[cowbilly]

Ditto on the Vortec for me, great price, robust and good adjustments. Only bad thing is you can accidently bumb it on and run down your battery.