what kind of optic should I use on my AR?

Doubletap said:
Ha ha - aaaand cued!

Does the T1 have better glass than the TRS?
Undoubtedly.

Is the dot "sharper"?
The T1 I looked at had a "rounder" dot than the TRS - but when I'm using the scope, I'm looking at the my target - and the red dot is just a "suggestion" in my focus.
If it was star shaped, it wouldn't make much difference when my eyes are focused beyond the focal plane the dot is projected on (my vision is 20/10).

I actually have a $100 "Zoom Dot" which projects a 1MOA dot superior to a T1 - though they cheaped on the glass and it has an annoying blue cast to it.

Battery life?
My last TRS battery cost $7 from The Source. Having an extra in my range bag isn't too big a financial hardship - though you're right, it could become a problem 5000 hours into the zombie apocalypse if I can't find a handy Source retailer!

The TRS also doesn't have a NV setting - but I suppose thats probably not going to be a problem for the vast majority of us who don't see much time on a two-way range, hey?

It does come with a picatinny mount, though - and a very solid UTG riser (with choices for co-witness or 1/3 co-witness) can be had for less than $15, while the T1 is going to require a proprietary mount which will set you back half again the cost of the scope.

When everything is considered - is a T1 worth $500 more than a TRS?
Not in my opinion - though others mileage may vary. Just another example of "exclusivity through higher pricing" so prevalent through the industry - though this too, is my opinion.
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well said. Cant add much to what you said cause you pretty much covered everything lol...
But i own a Bushnell TRS and noT been biased or anything, its a realy awsome little red dot. Over 2000 rounds fired in my Windham armory AR and didnt need a zero. Sharp clear picture lens...Battery life is as the T1...
My friend got a T1 for 500$ and indeed his red dot is realy big. Looks like a 4 MOA or 5. For 110$ the TRS is a champion. Look at the reviews on youtube...
I have as well a Bushnel Trophy green/red Tdot on my VZ and that thing is as good as the TRS. But the Tdot is twice the money at 175$.
If you can get past the made in china, the TRS is a clear winner. Just thuink you can use that 500$ saved to buy yourself a .40 Jericho pistol.
If your going to a firefight in afghanistan, well get the T1 or the aimpoint by all means.
 
Rabihz24 said:
well said. Cant add much to what you said cause you pretty much covered everything lol...
But i own a Bushnell TRS and noT been biased or anything, its a realy awsome little red dot. Over 2000 rounds fired in my Windham armory AR and didnt need a zero. Sharp clear picture lens...Battery life is as the T1...
My friend got a T1 for 500$ and indeed his red dot is realy big. Looks like a 4 MOA or 5. For 110$ the TRS is a champion. Look at the reviews on youtube...
I have as well a Bushnel Trophy green/red Tdot on my VZ and that thing is as good as the TRS. But the Tdot is twice the money at 175$.
If you can get past the made in china, the TRS is a clear winner. Just thuink you can use that 500$ saved to buy yourself a .40 Jericho pistol.
If your going to a firefight in afghanistan, well get the T1 or the aimpoint by all means.
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just for you I will take some pics of the two.....the TRS is a fine RDS for the money better then a micro.....no sorry but keep thinking that
 
Maybe I value things differently than you guys but I would have to agree with Jamie... considering the amount I spent on the rifle itself there's nothing more worth it than good glass...
 
condomboy said:
I beleive that if you buy a quality item you shouldn't need warranty as it shouldn't break. but I guess if you buy cheap it's good to know you've got a great warranty. I'd rather have a great product.
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I had to send an EoTech in for warranty within the first month.. Although a Tasco "red dot" $39 has withstood the abuse for over a year. There's lemons on every assembly line.


I have a few holo's / red dots. In my honest opinion, it really comes down to what your intentions and expectations of the rifle are. If you plan to go to the range and shoot a couple hundred rounds on paper once or twice a month then I see no issue with a budget optic such as one of the following ( these are the only non magnified budget optics I would ever suggest to a fellow cgn'r )

Vortex Strikefire $175
bushnell gen2 holosight $200
bushnell TRS25 $125
Sightmark ultrashot $100
tasco "red dot" $40

However, if you plan to get serous about shooting in competition or intend to put your rifle through any sort of "abuse" I would highly suggest purchasing a quality optic such as an EoTech or Aimpoint.

Also, look into the Bushnell Holosight ( made by L3 - same company as Eotech ) they were essentially the first generation Eotech prior to Eo having their own production capabilities. At around $200 ( max ) it performs just as good as an Eotech less the rugged qualities, as it does not come with a protective "hood"


FWIW I have owned: ( top being the latest and bottom being the first )
Eotech
Buschnell
Vortex
Tasco


Based on your first post, and the idea of your shooting expectations I would suggest either the vortex for a tubular red dot or the bushnell for a holographic . Unless I misread your expectations and intentions, in which case I would suggest picking up a used Eotech for around $350


Just my .02

Here is another thread with a bit of info that pertains to budget red dots. http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?891238-Red-dot-sight-opinions

best of luck !
 
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Save for the good optic. I have seen guys at the range knock their rifle off their rest and land on the optic and break. At 3 gun matches a number of guys were Running cheap optics that they couldn't get to turn on when needed or lost zero after being dumped during a transition. A higher quality optic is generall going to last through the abuse. Some are going to work out, some are not...you are taking your chances with a cheapo.
 
I am in the same boat as the original poster looking for an optic. Took me over a year to save up for my 12.5" NEA now I want to shoot! Came across this on the Bass Pro site. New optic from Redfield. Looks comparable to the Strikefire but has a laser. Brand new so only videos from the Shot Show on it.

Looks OK for what I need and right now, Bass Pro has the "Pay in 6 equal payments" gimmick.....

http://www.basspro.com/Redfield-CounterStrike-Tactical-Riflescope/product/13020605562420/
 
If you buy a decent optic you will have a decent optic for decades. I fully expect to get 20+ years of service from my Comp M4. $800 spread over 20 years is only $40 a year.
Barrels and triggers wear out but a good optic should last.
 
Gunnerlove said:
If you buy a decent optic you will have a decent optic for decades. I fully expect to get 20+ years of service from my Comp M4. $800 spread over 20 years is only $40 a year.
Barrels and triggers wear out but a good optic should last.
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I sold my first CompM4s, something I greatly regretted doing. I left it on for over a year with the original battery, and sold it that way. Wonderful optic, get that dot to the right brightness and it is so comfortable.
 
Get used to irons and move onto what ever optic you can afford once you have the fundementals down, your screwing yourself if you don't. My 2c
 
Hard to beat the Aimpoint PRO shown here (front one), when you do have a bit more money to spend.

6795_547718881945128_1030209083_n.jpg
 
Akronym said:
Get used to irons and move onto what ever optic you can afford once you have the fundementals down, your screwing yourself if you don't. My 2c
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Used to be the thinking. its better to learn the fundamentals with an optic and then switch to irons. Just because something is harder it does not make it better.

Technology is not an enemy.

Any aimpoint is very very hard to beat.
 
Haven't seen anyone mention the Bushnell T-Dot yet. May as well throw it in the consideration pile just to add to the confusion and multiple choices!


http://www.cabelas.ca/product/717/bushnell-trophy-1x32mm-t-dot-reticle-scope


Price-wise it's in the same neighbourhood as the aforementioned goodies, though admittedly at the higher end of the sub-$200 optics category...or in your case, $150. :p

bushnell gen2 holosight $200
Bushnell T-Dot $200
Vortex Strikefire $175
bushnell TRS25 $125
Sightmark ultrashot $100
tasco "red dot" $40
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Rearranged the order by price and OCD.

I have had one of the cheap Tasco red dots on several platforms (12ga, .223, .22, 7.62 etc.) over the past couple years, and it still works just fine. I bought it to hold me over until I got something more higher-end, but it has proven to be great bang for the buck! I recently picked up a Bushnell T-Dot too, and I love it so far. It has only seen a few trips to the range as of yet, so I'll let you know how much I like it in a years time.
 
I would look into IOR optics seems to be awesome for the money and a long history of working with glass.... i have not had a chance to buy one yet, but I do intend on giving them a go in the near future...
 
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