Good budget red dot

[GliderBuzz]

Another vote for the Bushnell TRS 25.

 

[mcpiper]

Bushnell TRS 25, I've used on everything from 12 guage to .22's. If you want to spend a little more I'd recommend Vortex Sparc.

 

[Shovel]

Have a TRS 25 coming from Prophet. One day shipping btw. Looked at some more reviews and found it needs a riser to cowitness so ordered one off amazon.

 

[Can-down]

Searched for a bit but didn't find a current post. Looking for a good cheap red dot for a 12g. Bought one off the big river site but it's going back. The dot was a few short lines. Didn't try to zero it. Looking at a tasco pro point the reviews don't look awesome. Looking for under a hundred. Anyone find one they like? I'll browse some of the dealers here

Shovel, have you looked though many red dots? I found out I have mild astigmatism the first time I bought a red dot years ago..... thought it was defective but it turned out I was defective..... The dot's are more of a star burst for me, but it's not to bad, the smaller the dot the better and some look better then others for some reason. Different lighting seems to make a difference as well. Totally usable for my needs.

 

[Shovel]

I have Bushnell illuminated scope. Dot looks fine. I have a couple of cheaper red dots. Dot looks fine but couldn't move the dot sideways to zero on one. Didnt try the other one. Wasted some ammo but it was fun.

 

[Can-down]

Illuminated retilces are different but if you have a couple cheap red dots that are nice and round your probably not dealing with astigmatism,,,,,

 

[SilentKnight]

Vortex Crossfire is my go too budget dot for most guns. I had it on one of my shotguns. Great dot, amazing warranty, buy once cry once.

But it is closer to $200, so may not be what you're after. I got mine on sale for $150

 

[CobraGT]

Another vote for the TRS25. I've never had one let me down. I just wish they had a built-in QD lever as part of their mounting bolt.

 

[Can-down]

Vortex Crossfire is my go too budget dot for most guns. I had it on one of my shotguns. Great dot, amazing warranty, buy once cry once.

But it is closer to $200, so may not be what you're after. I got mine on sale for $150

Used Vortex is the budget move... lifetime fully transferable warranty.

 

[SilentKnight]

Used Vortex is the budget move... lifetime fully transferable warranty.

100%. Smart choice

 

[Shovel]

Shovel, have you looked though many red dots? I found out I have mild astigmatism the first time I bought a red dot years ago..... thought it was defective but it turned out I was defective..... The dot's are more of a star burst for me, but it's not to bad, the smaller the dot the better and some look better then others for some reason. Different lighting seems to make a difference as well. Totally usable for my needs.

Testing the Bushnell and looks like I do have some astigmatism. It's a short diagonal line instead of a dot. Some brightness settings are better. 3 seems best Looked at my other dots they are both set for the circle and x hairs which does look better but not perfect. Booked an eye exam since my vision is getting worse. Used to be able to squint and read not anymore. Probably due for glasses. Thanks for the tip

 

[JeffMan]

TRS-25

I have a half dozen or so of the Feyachi V90. They work well, are clear, and bright.

 

[bWONGER]

I would choose the vortex crossfire red dot over the bushnell trs-25. I found the vortex to be more “day light bright” than the bushnell when shooting outside on sunny days.

 

[johNTO]

Astigmatism or not I don't see red dots crisply.
I've been running a Vortex SparcII RD on my DLASK Tuf22 and when set on the Low the 2MOA dot is pretty clean.
I recently swapped the SparcII for a PA Micro Prism and the etched Chevron is very crisp even when illuminated.
If your budget allows, you should look into one.....

 

[Can-down]

Testing the Bushnell and looks like I do have some astigmatism. It's a short diagonal line instead of a dot. Some brightness settings are better. 3 seems best Looked at my other dots they are both set for the circle and x hairs which does look better but not perfect. Booked an eye exam since my vision is getting worse. Used to be able to squint and read not anymore. Probably due for glasses. Thanks for the tip

The easy/quick test is take a picture of the red dot with a camera and see if it appears round there.

As johNTO says the micro prisms are nice as they have etched reticles and diopters for adjusting to different eyes.... I like Primary Arms but would prefer a circle dot instead of the small chevron's they seem to love putting in most of their optics. I like the chevron's when they are large enough but the smaller ones are less appealing to my eyes.

 

[Can-down]

I just saw a basic votex red dot on the EE for $150 if anyone is looking in that price range.

 

[Shovel]

Astigmatism or not I don't see red dots crisply.
I've been running a Vortex SparcII RD on my DLASK Tuf22 and when set on the Low the 2MOA dot is pretty clean.
I recently swapped the SparcII for a PA Micro Prism and the etched Chevron is very crisp even when illuminated.
If your budget allows, you should look into one.....

Right now the budget won't allow. Looked at it and I'll keep it in mind. For now the Bushnell will have to do. Got some fiber optic flip up sights as well. Waiting for the weather to get better to go out and zero them