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12 Best Red Dot Sights [Hands-On]: Rifle, Pistol, & All Budgets

There's lots of red dots. Learn the different types, why they rock, and our top picks based on real-world use with a tons of guns and thousands of rounds.

There’s a lot of red dots out there.  And probably even more GUIDES to finding the perfect red dot.

What sets this guide apart?

We have everything in-hand and tested them across tons of rifles, shotguns, and pistols.

A Couple AR-15 Optics
A Couple AR-15 Scopes & Red Dots

By the end you’ll know the best red dot for your specific firearm AND budget.  Plus some of the great reasons to even use a red dot in the first place.

Closeup of Destroyed Sig Sauer Romeo 8
Closeup of Torture Tested Optics

Summary of Our Top Picks

  1. Editor's Pick

    Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic (PRO)

    30K hours, bombproof, NV-enabled, and team proven.

  2. Best Bang-For-The-Buck

    Sig Sauer Romeo5

    40K hours, crisp dot, comes with a high-riser, shake-awake, and proven.

  3. Best Budget Red Dot

    Sig Sauer Romeo MSR

    20K hours and decent glass/dot help this red dot punch above its price tag.

  4. QD Mount Included

    STNGR Axiom II Red Dot + QD Mount Bundle

    Super crisp dot, 50K hours, and comes with a quick-detach mount.

  5. Also Great High-End Red Dot

    Trijicon MRO

    Smaller profile and larger view compared to the Aimpoint PRO.

  6. Gold Standard Red Dot

    Aimpoint Micro T-2 Red Dot

    When nothing but the best will do...go Aimpoint T-2.

  7. Gold Standard Pistol Red Dot

    Trijicon RMR Type 2

    The gold standard of pistol red dots.

  8. Budget Pistol Red Dot

    Vortex Venom 3 MOA

    A pistol red dot for the rest of us.

  9. Editor's Pick Pistol Red Dot

    Holosun 507C X2 Pistol Red Dot Sight - ACSS Vulcan Reticle

    Our favorite reticle with 20K hours and shake-awake.

  10. Editor's Pick Holographic Sight

    EOTech EXPS 2-0

    Our go-to holographic sight.

  11. Best Bang-For-The-Buck Holographic

    Holosun 510c

    Love the EOTech circle and dot reticle? Get it in a red dot format.

  12. Editor's Pick Micro Pistol Red Dot

    Holosun HS507K X2

    Our go-to micro pistol red dot for concealed carry guns.

Best Red Dot Sights For Your Gun

1. Aimpoint PRO

The Aimpoint PRO is our Editor’s Pick if you want the very best red dot that can handle everything from range plinking to all-out war.

Aimpoint PRO Testing
Aimpoint PRO Testing

Literally bomb-proof with 30K hours of continuous use…you can just leave it on and forget it.  And then change out the batteries every few years.

Aimpoint PRO, 3x Brighter Dot
Aimpoint PRO, 3x Brighter Dot

Plus it has a crisp 2 MOA dot (dot will cover 2 inches at 100 yards), is night vision compatible, waterproof up to 150 feet, and has an operating range of -49 to 160 degrees F.

If you need more than that…then I don’t know what to tell you!

We now have a YouTube review of it as well after 3+ years of testing and thousands of rounds.

And check out our full-on written review of it where we bash it real good with a hammer.  It kept zero and didn’t even hiccup.

The "Goldilocks" Red Dot
482
at Optics Planet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

2. Sig Sauer Romeo5

The Sig Sauer Romeo5 takes our current Editor’s Pick for Best-Bang-For-the-Buck red dot at under $200. And nowadays we’re setting it for around $120.

We’ve been testing several units for 4+ years and so far none have failed.

Sig Sauer Romeo5 Red Dot
Sig Sauer Romeo5 Red Dot

Clear and crisp 2 MOA dot, 8 daylight settings and 2 night vision modes, and motion on/off.

The daylight settings are enough for our desert days and you get 40,000+ hours of batter life at the medium setting.

There’s a slight green hue but it doesn’t bother me at all. When indoors you can see how crisp the dot is.

Button adjustment is easy on the top and you can set up shake-awake as well which really helps the battery life.

Once set it will turn off with 2 minutes of inactivity and turn on with any movement. A great feature that was previously only present in higher-end red dots.

Plus it comes with a high riser that is perfect for AR-15 platforms.

Sig Romeo5 at Range
Sig Romeo5 at Range

We’ve put thousands of rounds through several units and you can check out the full Romeo5 review here.

Romeo5 on MP5K and AR-15
Romeo5 on MP5K and AR-15
Best Bang-For-The-Buck
109
at EuroOptic

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

What do you think of the Sig Romeo5?

Readers' Ratings

4.98/5 (2405)

Your Rating?

3. Sig Sauer Romeo MSR

The Sig Sauer Romeo MSR red dot takes over as our best budget red dot that we’d still put on a defensive gun.

Sig Sauer MPX K Shooting
Sig Sauer MPX K with MSR Red Dot

We understand not everyone has $400 (or even $120) to spend on a red dot. If you’re thinking of going even cheaper…don’t!

The MSR is our go-to for something around $80 and it overtakes the older-tech Bushnell TRS-25 that we’ve been recommending for a few years. The TRS-25 is only rated for a few thousand hours and has no night vision settings.

Bushnell TRS-25
Bushnell TRS-25

And while the Romeo MSR has a slightly smaller view-through compared to others, the glass and dot are still crisp.

Sig Sauer MPX K mag
Sig Sauer MPX K mag

Turrets are exposed but I don’t see them changing zero unless something weird happens.

Brightness adjustment is via a pretty stiff dial at the top and gives you 10 daylight settings and 2 night vision settings. I usually keep mine at 7 for bump-in-the-night use.

Sig Sauer MPX K Shooting
Sig Sauer MPX K Shooting

Note…the MSR uses a weirder/smaller CR1632 battery and is rated at 20,000 hours. However, I left mine on at the 7 setting for 9 months before it ran out of juice.

So I’d recommend swapping out batteries every 6-months in case (or use a lower setting).

Otherwise build and dot quality is quite good and great at the ~$80 price range. Green dot versions are also only about $10 more.

Best Budget Red Dot
79
at Optics Planet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

4. STNGR Axiom II

The Axiom II built upon the initial success of the original as an affordable, durable, and no frills red dot.

It’s our recommendation if you want a reliable optic with a quick-detach mount, the crispest dot in its class, and 50K hours of run time.

STNGR Axiom II
STNGR Axiom II

The Axiom II is shock tested, IPX7 waterproof rated, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

In addition, the unit has 11 brightness settings and it’s 2 MOA red dot is very visible even in bright daylight.

Running on a single CR2032 battery, the Axiom II provides up to 50,000 hours on an average setting.

Included in the bundle, you even get a 1/3 co-witness riser that’s perfect for AR platforms and a quick detach mount.

Also be sure to use the code PEWPEW-10 to bring it down to around the $105 mark.

QD Mount Included
114
at STNGR USA

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

5. Trijicon MRO

Another favorite is the Trijicon MRO which sits in the same price range as the Aimpoint PRO at around $400.

Trijicon MRO Midwest QD Mount
Trijicon MRO Midwest QD Mount

However, it comes in a smaller profile AND a larger field of view.

Beefy and now an often chosen duty optic…the MRO gives you 6 daylight settings and 2 night vision with 5 years of battery life at a medium setting.

Trijicon MRO Red Reflex Sight in Desert on Steel
Trijicon MRO Red Reflex Sight in Desert on Steel

It survived a lot of punishment in our High-End Optics Torture Test…from water immersion to drop test, heat/cold cycling, and being shot with a variety of loads.

Trijicon MRO 12ga Birdshot
Trijicon MRO 12ga Birdshot

And it took them like a champ with only a slight shift in POA with the drop test.

Want a place where we sum it ALL UP? Check the full Trijicon MRO review plus video:

Also Great High-End Red Dot
419
at Optics Planet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

6. Aimpoint Micro T-2

How about the gold standard in rifle red dots when price is no object?

Then it’s got to be the Aimpoint Micro T-2.

Aimpoint T2 on Unity Tactical FAST Mount
Aimpoint T2 on Unity Tactical FAST Mount

This lightweight (3 oz) red dot has a 50,000 hour battery life, is fully waterproof, and comes with 8 daytime and 4 night-vision brightness adjustments.

And of course…the incredible pedigree that is Aimpoint.

Aimpoint T2 Top
Aimpoint T2 Top

I like pairing mine with a Unity FAST mount which comes with its own irons.

Unity FAST Mount & Aimpoint T2
Unity FAST Mount & Aimpoint T2
Unity FAST Mount Viewthrough
Unity FAST Mount Viewthrough

Plus the height makes it great for reduced neck strain and easier acquisition with night vision goggles.

Gold Standard Red Dot
870
at Optics Planet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons
181
at Optics Planet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

7. Trijicon RMR Type 2

Now we’re entering the realm of micro red dots…or red dots that fit on your pistol.

We’ll start with the Gold Standard…the Trijicon RMR Type 2.

RMR Type 2 on Polymer80 Glock
RMR Type 2 on Polymer80 Glock

If you’re serious about a red dot enabled fighting/competition pistol…you go with an RMR.

RMR Type 2 with Suppressor Height Irons
RMR Type 2 with Suppressor Height Irons

Trusted by professionals and has the most widespread “cut” for pistol slides so if you’re upgrading your slide it will likely be RMR cut.

RMR Type 2 Sealing Plate and Milled Slide
RMR Type 2 Sealing Plate and Milled Slide

4 years of battery life (always keep it on) plus night vision compatible.

Gold Standard Pistol Red Dot
476
at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

Find out more about the RMR Type 2 in our Best Pistol Red Dots article.

8. Vortex Venom

Now how about a pistol red dot for the rest of us?  Enter the Vortex Venom.

Vortex Venom Mounted on Buckmark
Vortex Venom Mounted on Buckmark

It’s the lowest and smallest of the bunch that we tested.  Plus it comes with a Picatinny rail mount for other pistols and even rifles.

Tested Pistol Red Dots
Tested Pistol Red Dots

We like the Venom over Vortex’s older Viper because it comes in two dot sizes (3 MOA or 6 MOA) and has slightly better reviews.  Check out our video on both:

If that helped, please subscribe to our YouTube channel since we’re adding new videos every week!

It’s “cut” is not as widespread as the RMR but there’s adapters for out-of-the-box optic-ready slides such as the Glock MOS and M&P Core.

Or you can always get a Outer Impact dovetail mount.

Vortex Venom on Outer Impact Mount
Vortex Venom on Outer Impact Mount

Check out the install in our video:

Learn more about the Venom and the other pistol red dots in our Best Pistol Red Dots article.

Budget Pistol Red Dot
249
at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

9. Holosun 507C X2 ACSS Vulcan

Looking for the new hotness in pistol red dots with an innovative reticle? We’re digging the Holosun 507C X2 ACSS Vulcan that’s a collaboration between Holosun and Primary Arms.

Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan
Holosun 507C X2 ACSS Vulcan

It has all the nice things like 20,000 hours battery life with a solar backup, shake awake, night vision compatibility, and extreme durability.

But what really does it for us is its reticle.

Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan Reticle
Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan Reticle

A nice crisp chevron that has some built in dropoff indicators…and a large ring on the outside that helps you realize you’re off center and quickly correct.

Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan Reticle
Holosun 507C X2 Primary Arms Vulcan Reticle

Super useful especially when you’re learning the switch from irons to red dots and you tend to aim too low in the beginning. And once you get the hang of it…you can choose to turn it off to save some battery life.

We’ve done an in-depth review of the 507C right here.

Available Coupons

As well as a video review:

10. EOTech EXPS-2

This one is technically a “holographic” sight.  The technology of showing the reticle in front of your eyes may be different…but it still does the same thing as a red dot.

The EOTech EXPS-2 is my go-to for a serious rifle.  As it is for a lot of our military.

EOTech EXPS2-0
EOTech EXPS2-0

EOTech pioneered the reticle that has become synonymous with other holographic sights.  The large 68 MOA circle and small 1 MOA center that gives you both quick acquisition and precise targeting.

Battery life is less for holographics overall.  The EXPS2-0 has 600 hours…but you get a much larger view window and the great reticle.

We took an EXPS model and also subjected it to untold horrors in the High-End Optics Torture Test.

EOTech EXPS 3 .22 LR Killshot
EOTech EXPS 3 .22 LR Killshot

It survived everything (with no POI shift in the cold/heat cycling) until the .22LR Mini-Mag which took down all but one optic.

But due to the holographic technology which doesn’t need the rear glass…it still technically worked.

Learn more in our Best EOTech Holographic Sights.

Three EOTechs, Back
Three EOTechs, Back
Best Holographic Sight
669
at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

11. Holosun 510C

And you know I wouldn’t leave you hanging without a more affordable holographic option…

Holosun’s 510C combines the typical holographic reticle with red dot technology.  Now you get tons of hours, a great view window, and the ability for quick snap or more precise shots.

Holosun 510C Reticle
Holosun 510C Reticle

Plus…it even has a solar panel to not use up battery power during the day.  Not that you have much to worry about…it’s rated for 50K hours.

Best Bang-For-The-Buck Holographic
309
at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

Check out more pics and videos of the 510C in Best Holographic Sights.

12. Holosun HS507K

Ok…we do kind of love our Holosuns.

And with the extreme popularity of micro compact 9mm handguns that hold 10+ rounds…there’s a whole new category of micro pistol red dots to accompany them.

Bunch of Micro Guns and Red Dots
Bunch of Micro Guns and Red Dots

But our favorite is the Holosun HS507K X2.

Holosun HS507K X2 Shooting
Holosun HS507K X2 Shooting

A quick comparison of the larger HS507C vs the micro HS507K.

Holosun HS507C (L) vs HS507K (R)
Holosun HS507C (L) vs HS507K (R)

It’s got the same things you expect like its big bro…50,000 hours, night vision compatibility, great build quality, and a nice reticle.

HS507K X2 Reticle
HS507K X2 Reticle

The dot and circle is one of our favorites and makes it almost cheating to shoot with the HS507K. Get the reticle on target and you’ll hit it.

See it in action here:

There’s a lot more micro pistol red dots and we go over all our favorites in our giant Best Pistol Red Dots article. But our go-to for price and performance has to be the HS507K.

Best Micro Pistol Red Dot
295
at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

Why Do You Want a Red Dot?

Now that we’ve gotten our favorite picks out of the way…why would you even want a red dot?  Haven’t iron sights worked for hundreds of years?

Well…there’s always room for improvement!

PWS MK116 Mod 2-M with Goodies
PWS MK116 Mod 2-M with Goodies

1. Eye Relief

This means you don’t need to have a set distance of your eyeballs from the sight.  More apparent for scopes…but it’s also a thing you deal with on iron sights.

2. Parallax Free

This means when you move your head around…the red dot still stays on target.  This combined with eye relief gives you a lot more freedom in position.

3. Co-Witness

You always want a backup since electronics can fail…even if you go with the gold standards.

Red dots let you either absolute co-witness or lower 1/3 co-witness with your existing iron sights.

Co-Witness, Absolute vs Lower Third
Co-Witness, Absolute vs Lower Third

I prefer the lower 1/3 so you don’t always see the front post in your face until you drop a little lower and WANT to see it.

You can select the specific co-witness height based on models and riser heights.  Don’t worry…we cover everything in the in-depth articles!

4. Both Eyes Open

Lastly…you can keep both eyes open with red dots which opens up your entire field of view.  No more squinting behind your irons and ignoring potential threats on the side.

Conclusion

There you have it…our picks of the best red dot (and holographic) sights for all types of guns.  Here are the specific articles we referenced if you want to see more in-depth reviews.

How did we do…anything else you’d add to our list?  If you’re looking for something with a little more magnification…check out our Best AR-15 Scopes & Optics or more general Best Rifle Scopes post.

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64 Leave a Reply

  • Commenter Avatar
    Brian Collins

    Dear Eric,

    What would be the best "DOT" for me to use on my .454 Alaskan w/2.5 inch barrel? Am concerned about aiming quickly (bear defense) and the recoil possibly "readjusting" the setting.

    November 22, 2022 7:44 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    James Kelly

    What about the strickfire2 red green dot under 200$ Really works great

    October 16, 2022 4:07 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Marco

    I am not sure why the MRO was 5 and the Aimpoint Pro was 1 when the MRO is the same price, smaller profile, and larger field of view. Don't get me wrong, I have the Pro and love it, but it is big relative to the MRO. But given your rankings, I would assume if you could only grab one red dot to put on your rifle you would go with the Pro?

    June 27, 2022 12:17 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Jake M.

      Because the MRO had an awful launch and has issues that persist to this day.
      Fisheye, poor light transmission and mediocre NVG compatibility being a good start. The pricing is okay but you consider an Aimpoint at similar price and the choice is easy.

      The MRO is very aesthetic and I would love for it to not suck but... Such is life.

      July 24, 2022 3:21 am
      • Commenter Avatar
        Marco

        Thanks that is good to know! I was considering getting another rifle red dot and was thinking about either a Holosun 515, Aimpoint Pro ( I have both the 515 and Pro), or the MRO but you are not the first person to mention issues with the MRO so will focus on either the Holosun or the Aimpoint Pro

        July 24, 2022 11:10 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    Brent

    Watch out for fake Sig Sauer Romeo 5's. Buy one from an authorized seller. YouTube has videos on how to spot a fake. I got a fake one on eBay.

    June 26, 2022 6:31 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Steve

    The Romeo 5 is a terrific red dot. Every bit as good as ones that are three or four hundred bucks. There is a video where the guy shot the Romeo 5 with a shotgun (birdshot) from ten feet away, and after the red dot still worked perfectly! Fantastic product.

    June 26, 2022 5:31 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Fred Sasse

    AT3 RD-50 Pro comes with an option for either absolute co-witness, or lower 1/3 co-witness (your choice). Also includes a rubber removable armor jacket for weatherproofing and shock absorption.
    If you can't decide between how to co-witness, you can order the other mounting option separately, and see what works best for you.

    June 26, 2022 3:10 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Rilian

      Second the RD50; paired with the AT3 3x magnifier, it's a decent combo that is inexpensive (often one or both components on sale), feels rugged and gives a crisp fov. Great bang for the buck..

      June 26, 2022 3:18 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Derek Jaco

    Arguably the best Pew Pew article ever researched for the consumer....nicely accompanied with videos. Really appreciate the knowledge compiled to make a viable "read it again a few times" article. Thanks for the energy boost.

    May 23, 2022 6:44 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    Steve

    The open reflex sights, like the Sig Sauer Romeo 3, are a hundred times better than looking through a skinny little tube. Trijicon is similar. If you’re on a tight budget get a Romeo 5.

    February 10, 2022 6:10 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Bemused Berserker

    I run the Vortex Venom 3 MOA on my .300 AAC SBR 10". It performs flawlessly. I run it on its proprietary QR mount and it Absolute Co-Witnesses with Magpul MBUS BU Sights.

    I'm looking at the SIG Romeo as an Alternate for my other AR (currently sporting a 4 - 12 X 40 Barska I picked up at a yard sale for $15 still in its box. surprisingly, the Barska works pretty good. It keeps its zero, hasn't fogged up, and its only issue is it's a battery hog, even when turned off the battery discharges. MSRP on this scope was $199 though it probably sold in the $70 to $100 range new at the stores. The mil dot reticle works with out without a battery so I keep it empty when stored. It works well from 100 to 300 yards, but I'd like a Red Dot for 25 to 100 yards CLARENCE, which the Romeo looks to fit the bill without maxing my CC out.

    Thanks for a good review

    January 9, 2022 7:01 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Zach

    Anyone have experience with micro dots like the RMR for use on rifles?

    August 19, 2021 9:10 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    Mike Rohwedder

    I have the Bushnell TRS-25 and love it. It didn't break the bank either. It's mounted atop my SW 22 Victory serving target practice. I am more accurate and can deliver more lead on target with this Red Dot. Not for concealed carry but you know that already anyway.

    December 3, 2020 6:31 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Jonathan E Bartel

    No love for the PA SLx MD-25? I've been running it for a while and I love it. HUGE field of view, 2 night vision settings, great battery life, and a nice price. I'd recommend it for sure. And yeah, good call on the Bushnell TRS 25. That was my first red dot and I've had it on a bunch of guns in 5.56 and 7.62 ... holds zero like a champ.

    November 14, 2020 8:48 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Bemused Berserker

      I've been looking at that Optic too, but couldn't find a lot of reviews for it. Thanks for speaking up. I'm already set on the SIG, but I've 2 more builds I need to optic up.
      Beings retiree of limited means, under "$200 is something that gets my attention.

      January 9, 2022 7:07 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    jc

    Probably just me, but while I have optics on my AR and Tvor; just not that impressed with handgun optics. Inside 15m the dot moving in the figure-8 is distracting. Shot just as well with irons; outside 15m absolutely. One single advantage of irons is they won't die on you; with tritium IMHO you can shoot equally accurately in no-light/low light conditions.
    Yeah, Im in the minority.

    September 15, 2020 6:26 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Rick

    Sig sauer Romeo 8T

    August 23, 2020 4:33 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    MAF

    Hi, I really like the information on the Bushnell TRS-25 for the economy and the testimony of the quality. Can this red dot be mounted on a Weaver rail?

    August 21, 2020 11:10 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      David, PPT Editor

      Yes! It should have no problem mounting to Weaver or Picatinny

      August 21, 2020 11:14 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Easton Schlabaugh

      I have a trs 25 I would suggest u don’t get I have it on a Ruger 10/22 it doesn’t hold it’s zero very well and now brightness stopped working with a brand new battery in it I’ll have it on highest setting and u can barely see it

      September 1, 2020 9:20 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    MK

    hi, really great article, thanks!!
    I'm very new to guns and trying to learn more.
    In the section of why one might want a red dot one of the pros is that you can keep both eyes open.
    Does that mean that one should keep one eye closed when shooting with iron sights?
    thanks
    p.s. I read all of your articles and find them very informative so thanks!

    August 20, 2020 9:50 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Doug

    I may be way off, but that backyard photo sure reminds me of the San Gabriel Valley

    June 18, 2020 6:19 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Jeff

    I'm getting into rifle target shooting 22lr at 100-200 yards. Is a scope better than a red dot for that? Excuse my lack of knowledge.
    Thank you.

    May 10, 2020 5:21 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      David, PPT Editor

      I would highly recommend a scope for that! 200 yards is considered long range for .22 LR and having the magnification will help a lot with calling your shots.

      May 10, 2020 6:33 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Curtis

      At those ranges, consider high-velocity ammo as well.

      November 9, 2020 9:59 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Alan Ley

    Great and informative article. Thxs.

    March 28, 2020 3:55 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Mike Hunt

    eeeYehehehes

    March 21, 2020 4:14 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    John

    I don't wish to appear overtly vitriolic in my self-criticism but after reading this and a few other articles on this site I feel rather like an "Idiot"!! I just purchased a Nikon P-Tactical Superdot and placed it upon a Ruger AR556 MPR thinking I really had something nice. For me the combination worked fantastically well albeit I am new to these types of products. Now I feel like I should toss them in a river as junk since to the best of my knowledge none of these items have ever been mentioned by experts like yourselves. My question is have I made an egregious mistake and if so what shall I do? Thanks for your assistance.

    March 5, 2020 8:54 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      David, PPT Editor

      Nikon isn't bad at all, I don't think you've made an error of any kind. The issue with Nikon is that they got a bit lazy over the years and stopped trying to push their optics design. As the market got more crowded, Nikon was content to rest on their laurels. Over the years, the rest of the market simply left Nikon behind in price and quality.

      That isn't to say Nikon scopes are bad, they aren't generally. But you can normally get better for cheaper. However, that is kind of changed right now because Nikon scopes are all on firesale prices. Nikon recently announced that they would be stopping their scope lines and exiting the market. The Nikon scopes that are being sold right now will be the last ones on the market. As such, every retailer is having huge sales on them.

      At the firesale prices you can find a Nikon, it's a solid deal. Good glass for a really good price! The downside is that if something breaks and you need to warranty it, no one knows what Nikon will do. They have said that they will be honoring warranties still, but you never know with a big company and since they want to get out of the market -- they don't really have much motivation to honor their word in the long run.

      tl;dr -- Nikon is good, just not competitive at MSRP. If you can get one on a steep discount, they are a solid buy generally. However, there is some risk involved with that now.

      March 6, 2020 3:40 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    Kevin Coats

    I am surprised the Sig Romeo 5 or any of their red dot optics was not on the list. 10 times better than the Bushnell.

    February 17, 2020 8:40 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Eric Hung

      Yup, we've subbed in the Romeo5 for the Holosun in the $100-$200 category! Bushnell we still like for sub-$100.

      February 29, 2020 2:43 pm
      • Commenter Avatar
        Shock

        Isn't the Romeo 5 contracted through Holosun?

        March 13, 2020 3:06 pm
        • Commenter Avatar
          David, PPT Editor

          No, it is not. I asked Sig Sauer about that rumor several months ago and they stated that it was completely false.

          March 13, 2020 5:57 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Frank T Mayes

    What would you recommend to put on a Ruger Super Redhawk 44 magnum for hunting?

    September 14, 2019 8:03 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Chiff

    Clueless noob here - What warrants the MASSIVE price difference between these and airsoft replicas when both seem to do the same thing? Is it just sheer ruggedness?

    September 1, 2019 6:56 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      David, PPT Editor

      More or less, yes. Airsoft optics will not survive on a real firearm. The recoil and shock will ruin their electronics very quickly, depending on the gun and the optic - 10 shots or less isn't surprising. The outside housing is also much more robust on real firearm optics since many of these are used for self-defense where your life literally depends on them working. Lastly, real firearm optics need to hold zero. Airsoft can walk a little and it doesn't matter too much since they aren't very accurate to start with. A real firearm optic needs to hold a zero at fairly long ranges while also enduring much more force and shock.

      September 1, 2019 7:22 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    ninja95

    Where is the sig romeo5?

    July 20, 2019 1:39 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Marcelino

    I went red dot on a G-19 RMR Trijicon (holding up) Type 1. Slow at IDPA but accurate. On the PCC went with reflex Sighmark Ultra 79.99 at Midway; because of red/green choice. I favor green. Fast and accurate with PCC on steel. Learning curve is huge but I like them. And thanks for article Eric very enlightening. P.S. Be careful with the clones.

    March 4, 2019 7:50 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    B .

    what saith thou... Holosun good to take to battle?

    August 6, 2018 1:09 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    Andrew

    I vote for the SPARC-AR from Vortex. First off they have their lifetime warranty and second it is a nice crisp 2moa red dot. I have one on a Ruger 10/22 and one on a SBR.

    July 27, 2018 6:53 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    dennis Bechtel

    a steiner 536 is pretty great also 529 bucks and am Burris 536 is good and has an 6 minute reticle and focuses well its a 5 x good to 200 yards

    July 26, 2018 4:43 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    MarkE

    Just picked up an Aimpoint Pro for $378, including expedited shipping, from Sportsman's Guide.. Discounts included membership (-$43.80) and current code SK1760 (-$40). Current code takes $40 off anything over $250, so this could be used for other products...

    July 24, 2018 8:41 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Notalima

    Aimpoint PROs 'can' be picked up as low as $350-$360 if you are patient and get the right sale. They used to happen more often, but not so much lately. Watch for a LAPG discount code; PSA occasionally drops them into the $360 range as well.

    Get the right coupon at Sportsman's Guide and you can pick up a XPS2-0 or XPS2-2 for right at $399 after discount (Buyer's Double Discount code for 20% off) plus about $15 shipping.

    Sig's Romeo5 and Primary Arms 50K hour RDS are also both 'bang for your buck' solutions, the Romeo5 around $129 shipped at a few places right now, and the Primary Arms ~$150 every day. The PA dot is Holosun sourced and the Sig is believed to be Holosun sourced.

    July 24, 2018 4:34 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    dennis Bechtel

    just got a Burris 536 a 5 power 36mm objective and a focusable eye piece ,took 3 rounds to shoot in absolute Co witness on a sig 716 .7.62 x 51 dmr ,shoots about an inch at two hundred yards bi pod and butt rest ,I have 4 acogs for some pretty nice fn heavy and light sca r rifles the Burris was a present from my gf who shoots with me .this Burris 536 is just as clear an my acogs and its reticle is pretty well set up for up to 600 yard hold overs .im surprised at the build quality I think this was manufactured in Japan because the glass is excellent ,came with non reflector filter and a sun shade ,I have seen them go for 499 ,mine came with a leupold delta point on the top rail ,I really like this set up ass its as nice as an acog and my gf who works at Amazon got it for me cause she loves me and I give her a magic injection almost every night .

    July 24, 2018 4:29 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Charlie

    How does the Romeo1 show up if the weapon light is on in a nighttime condition?

    June 5, 2018 8:32 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    Kbdizzke

    Do you recommend co-witnessing on a pistol with Red dot?

    March 8, 2018 9:08 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Eric Hung

      I personally don't since my red dot pistols are more for competition or fun. If you're using one for duty it might make sense.

      March 9, 2018 11:29 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    Todd

    What is easier to aquire with, a smaller red dot sight or larger one, I use on a 10/22 for speed steel shooting?

    October 9, 2017 2:32 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Eric Hung

      Hey Todd, a larger red dot (in terms of the size of the dot) will be easier to acquire. You can check out 6 MOA sizes.

      October 17, 2017 3:23 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    William

    I'm new to the AR "scene" and just finished building my 3rd. My first 2 have flip up "open" sights but, my 3rd, I put a Vortex Sparc AR on it and plan to install a set of back-up open sights. I have two questions; 1) In "zeroing" in my Red Dot, does the dot have to be centered when setting it up? I've zeroed in scopes but Red Dots are new to me. 2) When co-witnessing open sights with a Red Dot, is there a simple process for setting it up at 1/3? Sorry for the dumb questions, I've been a handgun guy most of my life.

    August 2, 2017 5:41 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Eric Hung

      The dot does not have to be centered when you are zeroing.

      And for having absolute or 1/3 cowitness will depend on your red dot height. When setting it up you have either the optic or the irons zeroed, and then move the other to match it up.

      August 6, 2017 2:14 pm
      • Commenter Avatar
        dennis Bechtel

        or a bore laser/

        July 24, 2018 4:31 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Robert OBrien

    Eric I have a sig 320 9mm with a romeo1 red dot. when looking at red dot I see a clustered group of red all around the dot which is hard to find the single red dot. its like red clouds all around the window
    ,

    July 24, 2017 12:46 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Eric Hung

      Not sure if its the sight or your own eyesight...do you have astigmatism?

      August 6, 2017 1:58 pm
      • Commenter Avatar
        Larry

        The red dot is round, astigmatism causes this. Sight through your glasses.

        November 8, 2017 7:45 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Rick

    Great help, good article - thanks for the info! I think I'll get me an ACOG

    July 3, 2017 3:31 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Eric Hung

      You're welcome Rick!

      July 4, 2017 10:50 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    Peter

    Loved the article! I enjoy using these sights on a few of my rifles and handguns, but I learned some new info. Thanks!

    March 25, 2017 3:08 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Eric Hung

      You're so welcome, Peter!

      April 5, 2017 4:26 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    dave

    Great background, thanks. I would like to know more about trajectory and distance using a red dot. Can't seem to find much about that.

    August 20, 2016 5:14 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      ehung

      Hi Dave, thanks for the suggestion! I'll be adding in that soon. I would personally use it up to 100 yards but I've seen people in competitions outshoot me easily up to 400 yards with a red dot while I'm using a 6x scope. Just depends on your eyes and if you know your holdovers.

      August 22, 2016 9:35 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    P.Shields

    Thanks for commenting on the different types. I'm (now) a civilian shooter, and this technology is new to me. I am researching to understand, and your explanations help.

    August 11, 2016 11:19 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      ehung

      Thanks so much...glad I could help!

      August 11, 2016 11:23 am
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