Optics for my first AR15

[Deaus]

I also got rid of a Leupold VX6 1-6x Multigun CDS with the CMR2 reticle (horseshoe w/BDC) because it was not bright enough for me. The glass was good but the illumination adjustment was kind of Wonky. Being daylight bright is important to me. I have an Elcan OS4X that I find very good as well as a Nightforce NX8 w/ Mil reticle that will hopefully show up on order shortly.
I prefer FFP for LPVO type glass but if I was looking for a decent optic I would consider going the used route. The Trijicon tr-24 1-4 w/ Triangle Reticle is excellent, and Has super bright reticle with not batteries. I think they can be had with a mount for around a grand used. An Accupower w/ 55gr BDC reticle runs about a grand new. All comes down to what you can spend.

 

[MoMoney]

I can get a Bushnell 1-6.5x SMRS with BRT-2 reticle with a nice QD mount included for under $1200 - should I bite? It's essentially brand new, and is top of my budget but includes the mount which would be real nice. Really thinking on it.

Otherwise it'd be a Vortex Razor II 1-6, but it'd run me closer to $2-2200 with the mount and everything. I don't know what I'd be gaining going with the Vortex for almost 2x the price? I know there's some pros, but is it worth $800 more?

 

[Deaus]

That bushnell is quite decent. Have you thought about going the used route? You could get alot more scope for alot less money. Also if you go with reputable brands that have good warranty you should have nothing to worry about.
A used HD gen II is just under 2k with a mount and the glass is far better and with the new Gen II-E I would think you would see good used HD Gen II for a good price. I would think the Bushnell would compare favorably to the Vortex although I have no time behind the Bushnell. Just my 2 Cents. Just to clarify are you talking about the Viper or Razor HD Gen II?

 

[MoMoney]

That bushnell is quite decent. Have you thought about going the used route? You could get alot more scope for alot less money. Also if you go with reputable brands that have good warranty you should have nothing to worry about.
A used HD gen II is just under 2k with a mount and the glass is far better and with the new Gen II-E I would think you would see good used HD Gen II for a good price. I would think the Bushnell would compare favorably to the Vortex although I have no time behind the Bushnell. Just my 2 Cents. Just to clarify are you talking about the Viper or Razor HD Gen II?

Really appreciate that insight. Bullsye actually seems to have a HD Gen II new for $1500 which is pretty nuts. Still a bit out of my price range though.

There is a used (but brand new, was a collectors item apparently) Bushnell 1-6.5x with a Bobro QD mount & caps. I can get it for a very good price to my door. I'm thinking I'm going to go with this today unless anyone can talk me out of it. Would I be better spending $600-700 or so more going with the Razor HD II? I don't know..

 

[Pariegh]

When dealing with purchasing anything firearms related, check and see how much exactly you can spend, add a couple hundred bucks to that (you'll almost always go over budget), congratulations, you just found your price range!

Take that new found price range, and use things like the powers provided by the overlords at google, and find which items fall into that price range. Using your deductive reasoning, remove from the list of items the ones that are obviously worse than others in terms of features and quality, and the ones you don't like for whatever reason. Now that you've narrowed it down to a few items, do some further research and use the opinions of strangers on the internet, and start to pick them apart, what you like and don't like about each one, with the main goal of finding which one will work best for YOU with what you want to use it for. Handling them in person is best but obviously not always possible.

Once you find which one you think will be best for you, buy it! Hurrah, now you can enjoy your new thing!

Sounds like you more or less have it figured out.
(Not trying to be an a**, just trying to have some fun )

 

[Deaus]

Honestly, I would pony up the extra cash and get the HD Gen II, You will not have buyers remorse for sure. The glass quality is amazing, the reticle has ACTUAL daylight brightness. They are tough and are backed by an excellent warranty. Buy Once, Cry Once. I ended up spending more after settling on the Leupold vx6 1-6 and being dissapointed. After spending the cash on the nightforce I will more than likely have little to no complaints.
That would be my route but only you can make the decision and know what is best for the platform you are putting it on.

 

[Kidd X]

Advice? Master your iron sights. Find a good quality red dot ( trjicon mro, aimpoint, eotech ) and once you mastered the dot, buy a3x magnifier. Wish i new this a while back...

Should we master a muzzle loader before moving up to cased catridge ammunition as well? Irons are great and I agree that everyone should be able to use them. However, mastering them is a long tedious process and is not the most beneficial use of ammo and time. Learn irons, be competent but focus on optics, they are easier, faster, nearly as reliable and are the future.