AR optics question

[pjp74]

The other day I was out shooting my DPMS Panther Lite A3, basic plinker rifle, was out shooting with a buddy that had a Bushmaster with an EOtech holographic sight, mine simply using the irons. He took his EOtech off his rifle and put it on mine for me to try, and I fell in love, until he told me the price tag for that jewel.

I simply cannot afford to go drop $450+ on a sight, is there any decent holographics out there that might fall into the $150-225 price range that actually hold up, I know that I have heard a lot of people say the cheaper ones just don't hold up. Plus I can't see putting that much into a sight on a pretty much base rifle.

Any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Hmmm.....I paid less than 400 for my 512 and love it. It goes for even cheaper now. But if you want to spend only 200 or so, look for the Burris Fast-Fire. Great reviews and Burris stuff is top-notch.

Hmmm....little more expensive these days, but still cheap:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/burris-fastfire-w-picatinny-mount-4-moa-dot-mat-fastfire-sight.html

 

[Ridge_Runner_5]

You can buy used EOTechs for around $300. Check www.armslist.com , www.gunbroker.com and also websites like http://www.ar15.com/forums/b/7_Equipment_Exchange.html Which is a for sale board for a website dedicated to AR-15s and AK-47s.

Also look at the Bushnell Trophy, which is built on the same assembly line, but doesn't have some of the mil-spec hardness of the EOTech line.

This guy is selling a AA model EoTech for $300

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_7_163/932838_WTS_EOTech_511_A65.html

 

[Technosavant]

There's a reason the military-quality EOTechs and Aimpoints run $400+. It's because that's pretty much what it costs to make a device of that type that can hold up to that much abuse.

However, there's several budget models that will likely work fine so long as you understand you're trading off battery life and general hardiness. Vortex, Burris, and a few others have some optics in the $200-300 range that work great on plinkers. The $30-50 TruGlo and BSA optics aren't worth even that, but I'd have little trouble going for a Millett, Burris, or similar on a fun gun.

 

[HJ857]

The Vortex Sparc is a good low cost sight. 200 bucks and comes with three mount height options and a lifetime warranty. The left side of the sight seems a little large and I initially thought it could interfere with a both-eyes open view, but after some use I've found it to be an non issue.

 

[pjp74]

Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it, I am going to look into the Vortex Sparc.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Check out the Primary Arms clones. These are highly regarded and have good prices.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_s/586.htm

 

[Uncle Malice]

I really like the Lucid HD7.

There's even a discount code at the end of this video for you to get it for 179.99

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTqJnIGQ7h4&hd=1

 

[Fishbed77]

The Vortex SPARC ($200) or StrikeFire ($150) aren't bad options. You may want to also look at the Bushnell Holosight:

http://www.opticsale.com/bushnell-1...rk=gdfV2656_a_7c772_a_7c6880_a_7c027_d_510023

It is my understanding that internally, it is more or less identical to the Eotech, but the chassis is not built as durable, in order to reach the lower price point.

My personal choice, though, is the Aimpoint PRO. At $410, it doesn't sound cheap, but it is an absolutely fantastic red dot optic with a tremendous battery life (just turn it on and leave it on - nothing to fool with) that comes packaged with a great mount.