Recommend a budget red dot
- Thread starter EXPAT556
- Start date
Bishnell trs25 is the default cheap red dot. Can be had on sale for half your budget.
I've got a vortex crossfire red dot, very similar to the trs25. 2moa dot vs 3moa for the TRS is why I went with the crossfire. It was on sale for a really good price, I would probably get the TRS over the crossfire if the crossfire was more than a few bucks more expensive.
Sig Romeo5 are highly recommended for a bit more money. They've got motion activated illumination, so no need to worry about forgetting to turn it on/off. I haven't tried one yet but it'll likely be the next one I buy, I've seen it recommended too many times not to try one at some point.
I've got a vortex crossfire red dot, very similar to the trs25. 2moa dot vs 3moa for the TRS is why I went with the crossfire. It was on sale for a really good price, I would probably get the TRS over the crossfire if the crossfire was more than a few bucks more expensive.
Sig Romeo5 are highly recommended for a bit more money. They've got motion activated illumination, so no need to worry about forgetting to turn it on/off. I haven't tried one yet but it'll likely be the next one I buy, I've seen it recommended too many times not to try one at some point.
Yes Sig Romeo5 was a safe bet when on sale for ~$200, and I appreciate the MOTAC. But ... I do not own the latest version (Romeo5X) which is on sale every other week at the big box outdoor store. Might be better, might be a step backward?
Budget red dots. Sometimes 2 is better than 1, and 3 is better than 2 ... $200 will buy 3 x 2 MOA Amazon "V30" dots (with MOTAC, variable risers, caps). I am not suggesting these are trustworthy enough for serious use, nor do they compare in build quality to the other brands mentioned, but for rimfire or pcc range-use a collection of interchangeable higher-low-end dots might be an alternative consideration to a single lower-high-end dot? As with all technology it's only good until it isn't, then it's a question of how quick can we replace it.
Budget red dots. Sometimes 2 is better than 1, and 3 is better than 2 ... $200 will buy 3 x 2 MOA Amazon "V30" dots (with MOTAC, variable risers, caps). I am not suggesting these are trustworthy enough for serious use, nor do they compare in build quality to the other brands mentioned, but for rimfire or pcc range-use a collection of interchangeable higher-low-end dots might be an alternative consideration to a single lower-high-end dot? As with all technology it's only good until it isn't, then it's a question of how quick can we replace it.
I'd go with a Holosun or Sig Romeo, I've used both, they've all been good. I've got a bit of astigmatism and they've been the best for my eyes, and seem pretty reliable.
I've been hunting with a 403 on my turkey gun for a few years. Has held up for 3.5" turkey loads and some pretty junky weather so far.
I've been hunting with a 403 on my turkey gun for a few years. Has held up for 3.5" turkey loads and some pretty junky weather so far.
Not knowing your use limits 'guesses'. I have a couple A-zon Reflex lenses on 22LR and .223 that work just fine, for about $50. And A has others that are still 'half' your budget. If you'regoing on higher caliber I'd go for at your budget 'just to be sure'. And 'how accurate' do you want ? Even 2-MOA dots are pretty big if you're shooting targets, while OK for most hunting, except squirrels. YMMV
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Hard to beat a trs25 for price, yes it’s a 3 moa dot but if you turn down the brightness level you can get the dot fairly small and crisp.
redshooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Ontario
It's not a sponsor, but Cabela's has regular sales on Vortex Sparc ll's, and also Sig Romeo5's, $200-$220. Check the site every week for the next month, or two, one of them will be on sale.
I own both the Romeo 5 and 5x.
The 5 used to regularly go on sale for about $200, but seems the 5x has taken its place.
Fanatic red dot, especially for the price and has the shake awake feature which is normally reserved for pricier options. 5x is nice as it uses regular AAA batteries which can be found anywhere
The 5 used to regularly go on sale for about $200, but seems the 5x has taken its place.
Fanatic red dot, especially for the price and has the shake awake feature which is normally reserved for pricier options. 5x is nice as it uses regular AAA batteries which can be found anywhere
I was wanting to get a Romeo5 spare, but paused when the 5X came out. Does it resemble the previous model in all other ways? Similar weight, size, dot clarity, featureset, color and finish? If you had the choice between the two, which would you pick? Thx.
So far all aspects in terms of dot clarity, glass and finish appear the same.
Biggest difference
- AAA battery vs CR
- only one mounting option (high mount)
In some ways I prefect the original Romeo5 due to the flexibility of mounting options, but it depends on your use case.
High mount in the only option on the 5x? Well that sucks.
Looks like the battery compartment is between the rifle and rail now so no way around it.
