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Scorpio64

The Best of the Worst Red Dots

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I've been doing some window shopping for a RDS to mount on my M4ish build.  Obviously we'd all love to have Aimpoints Triijcons and EOtechs but not everyone can afford them.  As a rule of thumb I try to buy in the top of the mid price range of brands I know and base my decision to buy on the reviews.  It is extremely rare for me to buy any type of budget brand product .

 

So here's the thing.  There are brands, pretty much all Chinese, that are notorious for their poor quality.  Flimsy, don't hold zero and fuzzy dots are just some of the common complaints.  They are rated low and honestly I don't understand how anyone would buy a product with one or two stars, but they do.  However, I did see quite a few sights well under $125 that had pretty good reviews, four stars and better.  It got me to thinking, some of the crap brands must have at least one or two models that are not total junk.

 

Here's a list of budget brands that had at least one product with four stars or better and 10 or more reviews.  If you own one of these brands and have found a super bargain, meaning you have had it for a while, put the sight through it's paces and it far exceeded your expectations, tell us about it.

 

Aim Sports

Barska

BSA

Hawke

Leapers UTG

Leatherwood

NCStar

Sightmark

Tasco

Truglo

 

 

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Add to the list:

 

Vortex Strikefire

Vortex SPARC

 

Bushnell TR-25

 

I have the Strikefire and SPARC - both are good.  I prefer the SPARC because of it's small size.

 

I have a NCStar red dot for my Beretta Neos - This one:

http://www.opticsplanet.com/ncstar-red-dot-sight-tactical-red-dot-with-4-different-reticles-silver-d4s.html

 

It works as it has to - pretty visible - it may be kind of hard to see outdoors in bright direct sunlight.  Indoors I haven't had an issue.  Holds zero just fine.  Field of view isn't that large but it's a tiny sight for a .22...

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I am also interested in a new red dot and try to do as much research as I can before buying. One driving factor is where it is made. I make every effort to buy American if possible. If you post up one you have please post where it was made.

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Come to think of it I still have my Sparc. I could sell if you're interested. Shoot me a PM. Pretty much LNIB/excellent condition with all original box and accessories (w/ a magnifier). Kept it around to mount onto my wasr but never happened.

 

$120 shipped

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I've got an Ultradot 25 (1") on my Ruger Mark III pistol.   I like it, works good, battery lasts a long time.

 

http://www.ultradotusa.com

 

I bought it from http://www.ultradotwest.com/

 

It cost about $145 at the time  but prices have gone up in the past few years.   They make a variety of sights, might be something that strikes your fancy.

 

Says they are made in Japan with a lifetime warranty.  I'll have to take a look at mine when I get home.

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Like I said, most of the sights made by the listed companies are pure crap.  But each company had at least one model that had enough good reviews to merit a second look. 

 

Vortex and Bushnell are not exactly in the same class as BSA.  I would consider them in the low end of mid range.  What we are aiming for here is the best of the bottom of the barrel.  For example, Tasco has a 30mm red dot selling for $35, there are 13 reviews that put it at 4.5 stars.  Sightmark has a reflex going for about $50 which 117 people felt deserved 4.1 stars.  This is what I mean by the best of the worst. 

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I have an NC star on one AR and its a decent site. Not the best but I have not had any issues with it. I've shot maybe 200 rounds so far with it mounted and I'm happy with it. I'll eventually get a newer better site, but for now it's serving its purpose....putting holes in paper from a distance

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Love my TRS-25, but on my last trip to the range & the very last mag, it rattled loose. Have shot just over 1k rounds with it. I didn't want to overtighten the mount, but I guess I didn't tighten it enough? Or is this something I should be checking every time?

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Like I said, most of the sights made by the listed companies are pure crap. But each company had at least one model that had enough good reviews to merit a second look.

 

Vortex and Bushnell are not exactly in the same class as BSA. I would consider them in the low end of mid range. What we are aiming for here is the best of the bottom of the barrel. For example, Tasco has a 30mm red dot selling for $35, there are 13 reviews that put it at 4.5 stars. Sightmark has a reflex going for about $50 which 117 people felt deserved 4.1 stars. This is what I mean by the best of the worst.

I think you have it backwards, vortex is leagues above sightmark. Just because people give sightmark good reviews on amazon does not mean much. Thats why you asked here, on a gun board, not amazon. Read thru those sightmark reviews and see how much of them are being used on airsoft guns. I had 2 strikefires and sold them only because i was able to replace them with eotechs

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I have this by both Sightmark and NCStar:

 

http://ncstar.com/product/product-detail.aspx?ModelNo=D4BLQ&GroupNo=0

 

d4blq.jpg

 

They are only about $40. It is not precise enough for an AR IMO, it's for cans out to 50 yards and torsos to 150. I use it on a submachinegun. They start cutting out after about 1000 rounds, but if you take the whole thing apart (including taking the mount off) you get access to the screws on top of the rheostat. After tightening them I've had 2,000 to 5,000 on each without any problems.

 

It is not a good sight. But if you are looking for a C-More Railway style sight, and don't need a lot of precision or a big charge on your debit card, these do hold zero and they will take 10,000 rounds after you tighten the screws on the rheostat.

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Being a retired old fart on a fixed income cost is a factor.  Have owned two Tru-Glows for about five years now and both are still

working great.  Wouldn't hesitate to buy another should the need ever arise.

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