Just built my first AR, I'm not a new shooter, but long time plinker. I would like to buy a red dot/holographic type optic for my new build. I love the EO Tech look, but I'm not spending that much!! Why are some optics $800 and some $60? I already know not to shoot the Airsoft version on my real steel, so what should I look for? We're talking maximum 200 yards, basic, but nice looking holographic style optic. Thanks for any advise/tips, and how do I tell if someone's trying to sell me a knockoff or an "Airsoft" or BB gun version? I have an Airsoft EO and I'm sure I could return it in the box of a real EO and no one would know...not that I would do that...how do I keep it from happening to me?
New to optics: Please share your knowledge
- Thread starter Tim249
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BigUglyMan
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We run Aimpoints (Comp M4 if memory serves) at work on ours and qualify out to 100m but I wouldn't hesitate to lean into a shot a bit farther if the situation dictated, though it wouldn't be ideal.
The best way to avoid getting screwed on an optic purchase is to buy from a respected dealer or from a seller with good Feedback on the EE. Don't delve into some dodgy site, Kijiji or any other crap like that. Buy safe, buy smart. Might not be the cheapest but way less likely to take it in the shorts.
The best way to avoid getting screwed on an optic purchase is to buy from a respected dealer or from a seller with good Feedback on the EE. Don't delve into some dodgy site, Kijiji or any other crap like that. Buy safe, buy smart. Might not be the cheapest but way less likely to take it in the shorts.
How are scopes priced? VooDoo 
Quality of the Material, Quality of the Glass and where it is made all factor into the cost.
A one piece tube is more expensive to produce than a two piece (in general) - finely ground glass costs more, lens coating run from cheap to expensive. A Chinese worker makes 200 bucks a month, a Filipino makes 300 a month and a US worker might make 300 bucks a day.
All of those factor into the cost.
Reasonable quality optics (today) for the "average shooter" tend to fall into the 200-300 range.
When I compare my $300 Burris E1 with my $800 Burris Veracity I can absolutely "see" the difference - only the user can decide if "they see" 500 bucks more scope between the two.
And when it comes to the lighted reticle, holo sights (many styles) or red dots the ones on Flea Bay for 40 bucks are ok for your paintball gun, maybe not so much if you are shooting "for real".
I hunt with a couple of reflexive red dots, both in the $100 range and they are sufficient for Turkey @ no more than 50 yards (20 gauge shotgun) and Deer @ no more than 40 yards (Recurve Crossbow).
So if you want a dot, spend a few bucks on it - you will never regret it when you are pulling the trigger - cheap out and you won't enjoy shooting..
Quality of the Material, Quality of the Glass and where it is made all factor into the cost.
A one piece tube is more expensive to produce than a two piece (in general) - finely ground glass costs more, lens coating run from cheap to expensive. A Chinese worker makes 200 bucks a month, a Filipino makes 300 a month and a US worker might make 300 bucks a day.
All of those factor into the cost.
Reasonable quality optics (today) for the "average shooter" tend to fall into the 200-300 range.
When I compare my $300 Burris E1 with my $800 Burris Veracity I can absolutely "see" the difference - only the user can decide if "they see" 500 bucks more scope between the two.
And when it comes to the lighted reticle, holo sights (many styles) or red dots the ones on Flea Bay for 40 bucks are ok for your paintball gun, maybe not so much if you are shooting "for real".
I hunt with a couple of reflexive red dots, both in the $100 range and they are sufficient for Turkey @ no more than 50 yards (20 gauge shotgun) and Deer @ no more than 40 yards (Recurve Crossbow).
So if you want a dot, spend a few bucks on it - you will never regret it when you are pulling the trigger - cheap out and you won't enjoy shooting..
Optics are one thing you don't want to cheap out on. My first red dot was a vortex strike fire. It held zero semi decently but the electronics were an issue. Sold it at a loss and bought an Aimpoint comp ml3, now it bangs steel at 300 yards repeatedly and I trust it'll last me my life time.
Another big thing is resale, you'll pay 200-300 for a cheaper optic and maybe sell it for 100-150 WHEN you replace with something quality. Or you'll buy an aimpoint and probably never need to sell it.
Another big thing is resale, you'll pay 200-300 for a cheaper optic and maybe sell it for 100-150 WHEN you replace with something quality. Or you'll buy an aimpoint and probably never need to sell it.
Thanks for your responses so far guys. It makes sense. I'll be shooting dominion ammo out of a 16.1" 7.62x39 NEA barrel and upper in an ar platform. I'll probably take it to the range and see how accurate it is with iron sights before I spend the money on an optic. I will heed the advice on here and not cheap out though. Thanks again.
I've wasted tons of dough on cheap airsoft optics (hundreds) and while some do work well enough none work very well. Don't buy any optics on EBay. You'll never be sure what you're getting til it arrives.
My choice hands down for value is any holosun. They have dual powered and battery only models. Rugged and reliable for me ($250). I have 2.
My second choice only because it has far less features is a Bushnell TRS-25 ($90).
My vortex sparc is great but it was $300 and not worth the extra money imho. Battery life is short. Dot is precise.
I have a $600 Eotech which has pluses and minuses. Very expensive but has a huge field of view and is also very precise. Battery life is not great if you shoot a lot (weekly).
If your are going to reach out farther than 50-100 yards you'll want 1/4 moa adjustments or you may find precision lacking. Many red dots are only 1/2 moa clicks.
I love my red dots because they are fast and accurate up close. I can reach out farther but not comfortably like I can with glass. I run a Nikon fixed 3x on a 16" AR in 5.56 and a holosun on the 10.5" AR. That's what works for me.
Depends on your purpose.
My choice hands down for value is any holosun. They have dual powered and battery only models. Rugged and reliable for me ($250). I have 2.
My second choice only because it has far less features is a Bushnell TRS-25 ($90).
My vortex sparc is great but it was $300 and not worth the extra money imho. Battery life is short. Dot is precise.
I have a $600 Eotech which has pluses and minuses. Very expensive but has a huge field of view and is also very precise. Battery life is not great if you shoot a lot (weekly).
If your are going to reach out farther than 50-100 yards you'll want 1/4 moa adjustments or you may find precision lacking. Many red dots are only 1/2 moa clicks.
I love my red dots because they are fast and accurate up close. I can reach out farther but not comfortably like I can with glass. I run a Nikon fixed 3x on a 16" AR in 5.56 and a holosun on the 10.5" AR. That's what works for me.
Depends on your purpose.
The thing with optics is that you want them to be selected for the kind of shooting you will be doing.
Red dots are great for close quarter shooting because they enable rapid target acquisition without too much worry about precisely lining up eye, back sight and front post. And they let you shoot with both eyes open, good for situational awareness. Cheaper red dots aren't so good for shooting at ranges because of the size of the dot can be as much as 4-5 MOA, much larger than the accuracy you might aim for. There are 2 MOA red dots, but they're costlier.
I believe scopes are usually better for shooting at 100m and beyond because they let you see the target more closely and aim more precisely at a specific point on it. Which brings in the question of magification, which again depends a lot on your personal preferences. Some shooter like 1-4x or 1-6x because at low power the scope acts somewhat like a red dot and you can use it with both eyes open, others recommend 2-7x or 3-9x as the best all-around magnification ranges. And precision shootists love their 10-40x kind of astronomical instruments to help them make those ragged holes a mile away.
What I'm saying is, I really can't recommend one or the other kind of optics to you: I only suggest you think deeply about which one you'll find the more useful most often.
Red dots are great for close quarter shooting because they enable rapid target acquisition without too much worry about precisely lining up eye, back sight and front post. And they let you shoot with both eyes open, good for situational awareness. Cheaper red dots aren't so good for shooting at ranges because of the size of the dot can be as much as 4-5 MOA, much larger than the accuracy you might aim for. There are 2 MOA red dots, but they're costlier.
I believe scopes are usually better for shooting at 100m and beyond because they let you see the target more closely and aim more precisely at a specific point on it. Which brings in the question of magification, which again depends a lot on your personal preferences. Some shooter like 1-4x or 1-6x because at low power the scope acts somewhat like a red dot and you can use it with both eyes open, others recommend 2-7x or 3-9x as the best all-around magnification ranges. And precision shootists love their 10-40x kind of astronomical instruments to help them make those ragged holes a mile away.
What I'm saying is, I really can't recommend one or the other kind of optics to you: I only suggest you think deeply about which one you'll find the more useful most often.
