Can someone please explain what I get for my money on red dots?

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Raden1942

Raden1942

Member
Feb 15, 2018
1,757
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California, United States
I've recently started using red dots on my daughter's new airgun and we went with the 30 dollar pinty. It's perfect for her. It holds zero and works. When I went looking for one for my airforce I quickly became aware of the huge difference in the price between them. Roughly speaking what do you get when you go from low to mid-range in price and then to high end? I understand about scopes and usually get info from cyclops Joe's channel but do you guys know a reputable channel for red dots? What do you guys think. I need a 2 moa dot and clear glass. Can I get that with a vortex crossfire 2 or similar 130 dollar deal? Is high end just buying you shake awake, battery life and durability for wartime use or is there optical advantages to buying a trijicon or aimpoint? Ty 
 
A big difference when you see the price jump is that the cheaper sights are usually just red dot reflector sights whereas the more expensive sights are holographic. Other features add to the price difference too but usually expensive = holographic, inexpensive = reflector. Do a search for Holosight or Eotech and you should get a write up on the exact differences but generally a holographic sight has a reticle sandwiched between the glass that is lit up while a reflector type red dot has a floating dot. Either should work for your needs I would think. Dot size is preference and usually determined by the distance you’re shooting.



Stoti
 
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2 MOA Dot. Sign up for discount first.

Always free shipping.

Hurry LAST ONE!!! ON SALE FOR $19.95

https://extreemtactical.com/ncstar-ddab-compact-tactical-red-dot-reflex-sight-weaver-base-black/

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☝ they just raised the price $10.00 more AFTER THEY SOLD THEIR LAST $19.95 ONE!!! 
 
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I've owned both Sig, Primary Arms and Holosun red dots. Not sure about PA, but the other two brands have good warranty programs. I like Holosun's "shake awake" feature and their solar panel on many of their models. I spent big bucks to put a Trijicon RMR on a Sig P365XL, but for an air gun, You can probably find a agood one for a $100 or less. I don't know if those type of sight can hold up to a springer, tho. But Mr. Odoyle probably knows
 
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For what it's worth...I've bought high and low end red dots, and had good and bad experience with both!

Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. However, in red dot scopes, I've had sub $20 scopes that shot dead on and never failed. Then I bought a $120 red dot that changed "zero" more often than I change my Depends!!!

I avoid them nowadays and stick to the UTG Bugbuster series scopes if I want small, light and accurate.

Just my experience...your mileage may vary, it usually does.



Kindly 'Ol Uncle Hoot
 
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Hello Over the last 19 years I have had the good fortune to play with a lot of red dot optics and have zeroed in may as well for either work or friends and this is how I would classify them is either killing grade or range grade. I you want something you will bet your life on look at Aimpoint, or new Eotech (old ones had some problems), Trijicon mro are nice but for me the way they angle the lense I get double vision. As for range grade, put on a gun ,put in a case and take into the field I would only look at Vortex or Burris(life time warrantee used it several times) . I have a 15 year old Aimpoint thats beat to hell and still works as new. Used both Aimpoints and Eotechs on 50 Bmgs with no issue or loss of zero, would not try it with other red dots. As for some to stay way from Crimson Trace- To dim , Holosun- poor quality control ( have not used on made in the last 4 months so if they improved I haven't seen it) Bsa- not very clear. As for some that are or but for the price, why not buy Vortex or Burris, you have Bushnell, Primary arms, Sig, and Truglo. Hope this helps Eric.
 
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I know holosun makes the sig saur Romeo as well as the PA. I don't have any issues with Chinese optics as long as they have a warranty and work. I guess I'm just wondering if it's any clearer of a lense or if the dot is more precise if you spend bigger money. I am really interested in the romeo5 at that price it's worth it to me. I just don't think clarity is that much of an issue with red dots. I looked through a 500 dollar optic and it had a blue tint. I guess what I'm saying is how much would you guys spend for a high value red dot. I don't need wrol durability here but I could see my daughter dropping the gun in the dirt once or twice and it would be nice if it survived the fall. With scopes I can really understand where my money is going not so much with the red dots. Thanks for all your help dudes. What's your guys go to red dot for hunting airguns? 
 
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These red dots are very durable. I’ve had both the Vortex Venom and Viper and liked the Venom better even though it was $169 and the Viper was $249 when I bought them. All of these red dots have improved so much in the last 2-3 years, I really don’t think you can go wrong. Even the cheaply made versions I wouldn’t have considered a couple of years ago are now well made, durable and inexpensive. Go with the one that you want deep down in your heart. Just do it and you won’t have any regrets or wish, down the road that you would have bought it. Let us know what you decide and be sure to share some pictures!

Happy New Year! Stoti
 
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Hello On the higher end optics the dots are more precise and a little clearer , if shooting 0-50 yds any dot should do, but pushing it out to a 100yds its nice to have that very clear dot. As for my hunting guns I use either an Aimpoint or Eotech because I also run a magnifier and nv. For my plinking guns I use a Burris and some of my pb have Vortex on then. As for the Sig romeo I have zeroed a few of them for people at work and they seemed ok but for the same price point I think Vortex is a better buy. Hope this helps Eric.
 
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I know holosun makes the sig saur Romeo as well as the PA. I don't have any issues with Chinese optics as long as they have a warranty and work. I guess I'm just wondering if it's any clearer of a lense or if the dot is more precise if you spend bigger money. I am really interested in the romeo5 at that price it's worth it to me. I just don't think clarity is that much of an issue with red dots. I looked through a 500 dollar optic and it had a blue tint. I guess what I'm saying is how much would you guys spend for a high value red dot. I don't need wrol durability here but I could see my daughter dropping the gun in the dirt once or twice and it would be nice if it survived the fall. With scopes I can really understand where my money is going not so much with the red dots. Thanks for all your help dudes. What's your guys go to red dot for hunting airguns?
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You are going to get better glass, a more precise dot, better components, better durability and made in the USA or Japan when you get into the upper end red dots. Is it worth it? If it’s going on a duty rifle then absolutely. In the case of your daughter’s air rifle, I couldn’t justify it. I wouldn’t spend that much on any air rifle for a red dot. Now scopes are a different story as you will really notice the difference with a scope, but you aren’t getting much return on investment with a red dot with what you are looking to do with it. I think the Romeo is a very good buy, however in your case I would get a Vortex. My only reason is the warranty. Sig is 5 years and Vortex is lifetime with no receipt required and no stipulations. You can stomp on it, throw it off a cliff, burn it or use it for target practice and they will replace it for the lifetime of the red dot. The Sig is well built and durable for the price point but accidents do happen and with Vortex you won’t have to buy a replacement no matter how long you own it.
 
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I will throw in my .002 cents. Its probably what it's worth. I have had Ultradots on Ruger MK pistols. When I started playing with the Air Pistols I tried this out, then a Burris Fastfire. They both work good for me. I bought two Fastfires a small dot 4 MOA and a larger dot. 8 MOA I really can't decide which I like best. Believe it or not I can shoot a pretty good score at ten meter pistol with the big dot. I wanted a chepo dot one day and ordered a Bushnell TRS25 off Amazon for like 69 bucks, its a 2 MOA and has been a good sight, nice clear and round dot and the battery life is good. I have left it on a few times. I like each of those, the Ultradot is heaviest out of those but has multiple dots to chose from I have had them 10 + years. The Burris would be the most fragile it seems but works fine but the glasswork seems to get dusty and need blowed off more than the others in the same use. I am surprised with the Bushnell and have wanted an excuse to buy another. But have been shooting rifles more than the pistols. Once I did take out the 1720 with the TRS25 sight on it and slayed some pigeons for a friend. I took some 35 yard shots. The reason I shared that is I wouldn't mind using that for a pest rig with a stock for 50 and under.
 
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