AR optic?
- Thread starter Iron Sighted
- Start date
Another recommendation for red dots, and the magnifier is a nice touch down the line when you have a bit more cash in the pocket. Currently I have the Vortex AMG UH-1 with the magnifier on my AR and shot a three gun match this past weekend, and left the magnifier to the side the whole time. Looked cool, but didn't need it. Only time I've actually ever used it for competition was out to 200m and 300m, and I was still competitive with guys using 1-8x scopes.
The UH-1 isn't cheap, but you might be able to pick up an EoTech for cheap on the EE, which is what I used before switching to the Vortex equivalent (the EoTech also works with the Vortex magnifier)
I also have one of the Holosun's that has the same circle dot reticule as an EoTech (seeing a pattern here?) and I like it very much as well. Only downside with the EoTech and UH-1 is battery life. But, another plus for red dots, it's easier to cowitness iron sights with them than it is a 1-6x or 1-8x.
Also I find that the actual reticule on some red dots will look splotchy when you're indoors, but outdoors they look nice and crisp.
The UH-1 isn't cheap, but you might be able to pick up an EoTech for cheap on the EE, which is what I used before switching to the Vortex equivalent (the EoTech also works with the Vortex magnifier)
I also have one of the Holosun's that has the same circle dot reticule as an EoTech (seeing a pattern here?) and I like it very much as well. Only downside with the EoTech and UH-1 is battery life. But, another plus for red dots, it's easier to cowitness iron sights with them than it is a 1-6x or 1-8x.
Also I find that the actual reticule on some red dots will look splotchy when you're indoors, but outdoors they look nice and crisp.
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I don't know about the sparc, but an eotech has a 1moa dot. I have a 2 moa on a pistol and it seems too big for shooting at 200-300 yards with. That said, I like tight groups.
Be honest what your goals are for your AR. I know people on here often don't like to say home defense, but if that's part of the reason why you bought it, in addition to the valid legal reason of target shooting, you're better off with a dot imo. I've gone through a lot of the same questions for myself recently, and I remain convinced that the eotech or rds is still the king of CQB or CQB-type shooting (Competition or the real thing). RDS has advantage that you can leave it on. Eotech, because it uses a laser, which takes a lot more energy than an LED, has to be turned on, but has an awesome reticle.
If you really don't care about that stuff and you want to shoot good groups at a variety of ranges, you can go with a LPVO and it will be better overall. For all the good things that are said about the eye relief of the Vortex Razor HD gen II 1-6x, for instance (the only better LPVOs are the Nightforce ATACR 1-8 and Leupold Mark 6 1-6), it's still not going to be as fast to line up as an eotech for close range stuff. But if you're into 3 gun and have to shoot at a bunch of different ranges, it's probably optimal and is the route competitors are going.
Since I'm going to have multiple AR-15s, I'm going to have one optimized for close quarters competition etc, and another for 3 gun. They'll also have appropriate barrels, triggers and muzzle devices for their intended purpose. Or you could just do two uppers at some point once you have the cash.
Be honest what your goals are for your AR. I know people on here often don't like to say home defense, but if that's part of the reason why you bought it, in addition to the valid legal reason of target shooting, you're better off with a dot imo. I've gone through a lot of the same questions for myself recently, and I remain convinced that the eotech or rds is still the king of CQB or CQB-type shooting (Competition or the real thing). RDS has advantage that you can leave it on. Eotech, because it uses a laser, which takes a lot more energy than an LED, has to be turned on, but has an awesome reticle.
If you really don't care about that stuff and you want to shoot good groups at a variety of ranges, you can go with a LPVO and it will be better overall. For all the good things that are said about the eye relief of the Vortex Razor HD gen II 1-6x, for instance (the only better LPVOs are the Nightforce ATACR 1-8 and Leupold Mark 6 1-6), it's still not going to be as fast to line up as an eotech for close range stuff. But if you're into 3 gun and have to shoot at a bunch of different ranges, it's probably optimal and is the route competitors are going.
Since I'm going to have multiple AR-15s, I'm going to have one optimized for close quarters competition etc, and another for 3 gun. They'll also have appropriate barrels, triggers and muzzle devices for their intended purpose. Or you could just do two uppers at some point once you have the cash.
For competition I would suggest a red dot of your choice, withe the Vortex Sparc and Sig Romeo being my budget conscious recommendations and EOTech EXPS series on the more expensive side. If you are target shooting, I would suggest a 4X optic like a Vortex Spitfire (affordable) up to an Elcan Specter (cost more than your AR), with an etched reticle. With red dots I run BUIS and with etched reticle optic I don't.
Iron Sighted
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Finally made it to my local gun shop today and looked through some optics.....unfortunately I quickly discovered while looking through the Sparc AR that I have astigmatism, moreso in my non-dominant eye, but even to a minor degree in my dominant one, enough that it blurred the reticle to the point I could quickly tell I'd become irritated with it in a short time.
So I had a look through the Spitfire 1x they had there and that reticle appeared nice and crisp so I went with it. Range day planned for Sunday to see if I still like it when I'm actually shooting.
Not sure what it says about my eyes, but I had a tough time seeing much difference in reticle sharpness and clarity when playing with the diopter, but it did already look quite well defined and sharp.
So I had a look through the Spitfire 1x they had there and that reticle appeared nice and crisp so I went with it. Range day planned for Sunday to see if I still like it when I'm actually shooting.
Not sure what it says about my eyes, but I had a tough time seeing much difference in reticle sharpness and clarity when playing with the diopter, but it did already look quite well defined and sharp.
