Clarification and opinions concerning 'Red Dot' optics.

IAMAWILDPARTY

IAMAWILDPARTY

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I have zero experience with any of the optics that project a (usually)red dot, and offer little to no magnification.

What is the difference between:
-The 'tube' style red dots
-Reflex sights
-Holographic sights

Most of what I can find on these is very confusing or about a video game.

What are some of the benefits of one over the other?
What style is better for a 'scout' type mount and why?
I've read a bit about optics that will keep the dot on target regardless of head position, which sounds very appealing.

Just looking for impressions and opinions, and I apologize if I got the terms mixed-up.

I'm thinking about putting one on an sks, and would like to hear folks' opinions on what might be best suited.

Intended use would generally be target shooting, plinking, as well as the occasional deer hunt in areas where long shots are not expected. I was considering going as cheap as possible, but I do want something that won't fail me on a hunt. I don't want to spend more than $300 taxes and shipping included. Obviously cheaper is much better, if possible.

I've heard good things as well as bad about the cheap-as-can-be Tasco red dots. I've had good experiences with tasco rimfire scopes, but then .22's don't recoil very much.

What are some optics you folks would reccomend? Places to buy them?

If this topic has been covered ad nauseum, I apologize.
 
I'll try to answer these as best as I can:

IAMAWILDPARTY said:
I have zero experience with any of the optics that project a (usually)red dot, and offer little to no magnification.

What is the difference between:
-The 'tube' style red dots
-Reflex sights
-Holographic sights

...

What are some of the benefits of one over the other?
What style is better for a 'scout' type mount and why?
I've read a bit about optics that will keep the dot on target regardless of head position, which sounds very appealing.
Click to expand...

The difference between tube style and reflex sights is their construction. Tube style sights are like looking down a scope with zero magnification or eye relief. Reflex sights are a single lens with a reticle projected on them - e.g. C-More, Burris FastFire.

Holographic sights like the EOTech use a laser projected hologram instead of an LED. The advantage of holographic over normal reflex sights is that they do not require a coloured lens. A laser does consume batteries quicker than an LED though.

Whichever you choose depends on your needs and preferences:

Tube sights are adequate and cheap but will reduce your field of view. Usual recommendations are Bushnell TRS-25, Lucid HD7 or Vortex Sparc/StrikeFire on the low end, Aimpoint on the high end.

Reflex sights will run you a little more, but if you need to avoid the tunnel vision of tube sights, may be worth the premium. Usual recommendations are Burris FastFire or C-More.

Holosights... if you wanna be tacticool while you hunt :p No, seriously, EOTechs are very well constructed and will last a good long time.

Just remember, as with all other optics, you get what you pay for.
 
I'm sort of looking primarily at the vortex sparc and strikefire, they seem like good value for the money.

I've read good things about these, does anyone have something bad to say about them?
 
I have a few red dot optics devices. They work well but my only complaint is that it seems all of them display a "dash" as opposed to a "dot". I can't seem to get a sharp dot and therefore causes slightly larger groups than could be achieve with a well focussed dot.
 
Lucid HD7
Purchased at SFRC.
VERY happy with it.
You might have to borrow 20 bucks to make it fit your budget!
 
Vortex StrikeFire owner here shooting .223 at the range: It's pretty fine. The controls could be better and you quickly ratch up the windage and elevation adjustment (they require a coin). Also the flip up caps are terrible and should be replaced. You get what you pay for. No complaints on the image.
 
Strikefire owner for several years, the flip caps are awesome if you know how to use them. Get the red dot only, not red/green as its too dim in bright sunlight. Well worth the money IMO, zero complaints
 
Glad I searched the topic before starting my own thread and asking the exact same questions. Just like the OP, this is my first Red Dot and I want it for my new Scout rifle. Hunting only. My new gun is actually designed for fast target acquisition at short range. Sadly, still not enough for my diminishing eye sight. I have set my eyes on a Eotech 512, mainly for its wider field of view. It seems to meet my hunting condition better than Tube style i.e. dense bush, fast moving prey through the trees..

Let me tell you, I am taken back by the kind of money Eotech and Aim point are demanding for their basic products! Are these seemingly simpler optics (compare to scops of same price) really worth that kind of money? What are we paying for?

Also, from my readings on the internet, Red Dots in general seem to be mostly geared toward tactical use. How useful they actually are for bush hunting? Does anybody know who has the best price on Eotech 512 right now?
 
Home3 said:
Glad I searched the topic before starting my own thread and asking the exact same questions. Just like the OP, this is my first Red Dot and I want it for my new Scout rifle. Hunting only. My new gun is actually designed for fast target acquisition at short range. Sadly, still not enough for my diminishing eye sight. I have set my eyes on a Eotech 512, mainly for its wider field of view. It seems to meet my hunting condition better than Tube style i.e. dense bush, fast moving prey through the trees..

Let me tell you, I am taken back by the kind of money Eotech and Aim point are demanding for their basic products! Are these seemingly simpler optics (compare to scops of same price) really worth that kind of money? What are we paying for?

Also, from my readings on the internet, Red Dots in general seem to be mostly geared toward tactical use. How useful they actually are for bush hunting? Does anybody know who has the best price on Eotech 512 right now?
Click to expand...

It'll be one of the vortex or maybe the lucid hd7 for me, as I'm on a budget. Good quality by all accounts, and I like the ability to add a doubler, though I'm not sure whether it will get hit by spent casings on my setup.
 
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Home3 said:
Glad I searched the topic before starting my own thread and asking the exact same questions. Just like the OP, this is my first Red Dot and I want it for my new Scout rifle. Hunting only. My new gun is actually designed for fast target acquisition at short range. Sadly, still not enough for my diminishing eye sight. I have set my eyes on a Eotech 512, mainly for its wider field of view. It seems to meet my hunting condition better than Tube style i.e. dense bush, fast moving prey through the trees..

Let me tell you, I am taken back by the kind of money Eotech and Aim point are demanding for their basic products! Are these seemingly simpler optics (compare to scops of same price) really worth that kind of money? What are we paying for?

Also, from my readings on the internet, Red Dots in general seem to be mostly geared toward tactical use. How useful they actually are for bush hunting? Does anybody know who has the best price on Eotech 512 right now?
Click to expand...

Okay, let me weigh in a little.

I've got both a aimpoint and a eotech and have used the "less expensive" red dot offerings such as ncstar, vortex sparc and bushnell and tasco.

I recommend that you look through both sights before choosing. if i'm not wearing glasses both can be a little blurry to my eyes.

I like the eotech because the 65 MOA circle "draws" your eye in easier than the 2 MOA dot on the aimpoint (ML3). It also gives basic points of reference when working out possible hold overs or leads.

If you are planning on using co-witness with your irons, I like the aimpoint's "tube and single dot"

don't think that because they are tactical that they aren't practical.

basically, you are paying for : quality (clear glass, sharp dot, good wiring, solid provided mount) durability, battery life, repeatable performance.

I don't regret either sight, and use both equally.
 
I am thinking about the mueller quick shot or a Burris FF II. Mueller are cheaper but bigger but still get good reviews... between the two, which would you folks buy? I am using it it for deer (under 100 yards) and turkey.

Thanks
 
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