RDS best value optic for AR-15?

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Ontarioshooter_1911

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Hello everyone!

Good day... I just purchased my first AR-15 from a fellow Gunnut a few weeks ago. I want my first upgrade to be a reliable optic. One that is easy to use and can withstand the test of time. My budget is between $400-$500. I've done my research online and these were the names that kept popping up for the best value optics; Aimpoints, Eotech, Vortex, Leupold, Bushnell and a few other more that I can't remember but I'm still bouncing back and forth to which one is the best fit for my AR rifle. I'm planning to shoot indoors for now since there are not many places to fire .223 ammunition in my area. Eventually in the near future, I'm planning to get my hunting license and hopefully can use the same optic for that as well.

I would appreciate your input and experiences with each brand name mentioned above or open to any suggestions that can help me decide which optic I should buy.

Thanks in advance!
 
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Like all firearms questions of this sort there is no one answer. To me, everything depends on how you intend to use the rifle. For indoors only, you are talking about very short range when it comes to rifles like yours. For static targets at short range, you don't need magnification. In fact your demands on the optic aren't very challenging and just about any budget red dot would likely satisfy you. Even with non magnified units, quality optics start a little higher than your budget. Possibly two of the most popular brands are the Eotechs and the Aimpoints. Think in terms of closer to $600 and you will need a mount with some of them.

Try to get some use of the various types before you buy if that's possible. Be doubly careful if you have vision issues. For example, holographic sights like the Eotech do not work well for people with astigmatism. I sold mine shortly after buying it for that reason. The action games including 3 Gun present different needs that are often addressed by scopes with variable power like 1-4 or 1-6. The 1x settings are used for fast shots at close range and the longer settings at 100 yards and more. The optic will be one of your biggest costs. Try to look forward and to anticipate what your interests will be as you develop your skills. I use my AR-15 for the games and now use a combination of two optics with one lens for short distances and a 4x for longer shots.

I would have no interest in shooting a rifle indoors at short ranges but if I did, I would buy a budget optic until my interests became better known. Or if your rifle has iron sights, stick with those as under the circumstances you describe, they will work just fine for you.
 
hercster said:
Like all firearms questions of this sort there is no one answer. To me, everything depends on how you intend to use the rifle. For indoors only, you are talking about very short range when it comes to rifles like yours. For static targets at short range, you don't need magnification. In fact your demands on the optic aren't very challenging and just about any budget red dot would likely satisfy you. Even with non magnified units, quality optics start a little higher than your budget. Possibly two of the most popular brands are the Eotechs and the Aimpoints. Think in terms of closer to $600 and you will need a mount with some of them.

Try to get some use of the various types before you buy if that's possible. Be doubly careful if you have vision issues. For example, holographic sights like the Eotech do not work well for people with astigmatism. I sold mine shortly after buying it for that reason. The action games including 3 Gun present different needs that are often addressed by scopes with variable power like 1-4 or 1-6. The 1x settings are used for fast shots at close range and the longer settings at 100 yards and more. The optic will be one of your biggest costs. Try to look forward and to anticipate what your interests will be as you develop your skills. I use my AR-15 for the games and now use a combination of two optics with one lens for short distances and a 4x for longer shots.

I would have no interest in shooting a rifle indoors at short ranges but if I did, I would buy a budget optic until my interests became better known. Or if your rifle has iron sights, stick with those as under the circumstances you describe, they will work just fine for you.
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Thanks Hercster for the valuable insight. I was really hesitant to spend high dollar for a scope/optic but considering you get what you pay for I've decided to invest a little more than what I expected to spend in a quality optic. But then your suggestion made a good point. Try out a inexpensive optic and see where my interest will lead to. I was actually pretty interested in some Vortex products like the SPARC II and Strike Fire 2. They both come with a decent mount that's adjustable. They start around the $200-$300 range.
 
Thanks for your input guys! Seems like Aimpoint is a popular optic on this thread. I was looking at the Aimpoint Pro but I like the T1 but the price is over my budget. Maybe I will go with Trinimon's recommendation and look for a used Pro in our forums.
 
One way to "save money" or find "efficiencies" is to drop the BUIS. For a range gun the Amipoint Micro is more than reliable enough. If your AR came with BUIS, maybe sell them to offset some of the cost? The Micro is so versatile for a rifle or shotgun that it's hard no to make the initial investment, and they hold there value down the road. Just my $.02 that's all. Good Luck
 
mildot said:
One way to "save money" or find "efficiencies" is to drop the BUIS. For a range gun the Amipoint Micro is more than reliable enough. If your AR came with BUIS, maybe sell them to offset some of the cost? The Micro is so versatile for a rifle or shotgun that it's hard no to make the initial investment, and they hold there value down the road. Just my $.02 that's all. Good Luck
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I appreciate your input Mildot. Yes, my AR-15 came with a BUIS. I'm not sure what they can sell for? Is there a major difference using an Aimpoint Micro H1 than T1? Which one is better?
 
Ontarioshooter_1911 said:
I appreciate your input Mildot. Yes, my AR-15 came with a BUIS. I'm not sure what they can sell for? Is there a major difference using an Aimpoint Micro H1 than T1? Which one is better?
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The difference is mainly in the Night Vision (NVG) compatibility, the T1 is NVG compatible, while the H1 isn't. I had T1's and when I replaced them I went with the H1 and the 2 MOA dot, just personal preference.

Others may "chime in" about a "difference in build" between the T1 & H1 but IMO it's negligible. The T1 may have some better "waterproofing" ? if your going to do waterborne op's? LOL. Cheers

Depending on the make of BUIS? and the style, HK etc, anywhere between $100-150 for a good quality set. I use Knights Armament KAC and they are "cha-ching"
 
Mildot, I am seriously considering the Aimpoint now. I really appreciate all your valuable info. Going to shop around for a H1, if there's a good deal out there I'll most likely consider buying it. It will stretch the budget just a bit but I would rather buy something I can use for a while and if I decide to sell it I can still get some good $$$ back.
 
Ontarioshooter_1911 said:
Mildot, I am seriously considering the Aimpoint now. I really appreciate all your valuable info. Going to shop around for a H1, if there's a good deal out there I'll most likely consider buying it. It will stretch the budget just a bit but I would rather buy something I can use for a while and if I decide to sell it I can still get some good $$$ back.
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Good stuff, don't get "hung up" on mounts, give the factory a whirl, and if you don't like it try LaRue( I like & use) or ADM.The H1 is really an "investment" and a good one at that. Cheers
 
They come up for sale here from time to time, Rampart International now carries them so it's easy to get one now.
 
Ontarioshooter_1911 said:
Mildot, which do you prefer when it comes to the mount 1/3 co-Witness or Full Co-Witness?
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I haven't really used the "irons" and H1 together, I'm thinking that my mount is 1/3 co witness. To be honest, if I didn't succumb to the KAC BUIS "koolaid" I'd run just the H1, and have more money in my wallet.
I think that the "absolute" may be to much "clutter" for me?
 
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