Optic Choices for AR

[xzebra]

Looking for a good short to midrange optics for my AR. I currently have a cheaper Vortex AR Sparc II from a few years back but looking to upgrade.

I understand the cry once, buy once statement, however I have do not have access to many optics and my local gun shops do not have all the options to review, so I cannot try before you buy. So I am asking for help so I do not cray multiple times (within a budget).

I want something battle proven, reliable, fast targeting on both CBQ - 200 yrds if possible. Would prefer to hear feedback from those in service, that abuse the shit out of their guns, although I know my budget at roughly $450 is small (willing to save for more if necessary).

Current Optics I am Looking at:

Eotech EXPS2 - Love it, but expensive. Company reputation??

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 - Newer with no track recorded...Looks like a single wide.

Aimpoint Pro -Looking for a Holographic, but would be my go to Red Dot

Trijicon MRO - Possible next best red dot in the small budget???

Any suggestions/tips would be greatly appreciated.

[JediGuy]

If the SPARC II works fine, why change to another RDS optic?

I’ve never used an Eotech, and have a Vortex UH-1 in the mail, so can’t speak to the holographic sights.

IMHO between the PRO and MRO, they’re about equal; the Aimpoint gives reputation/reliability and the MRO is a little easier to look through (for me), lighter, and seemingly durable. About the same $$.

I’m not the expert. I’ve just gotten into the optics side of things and am now experimenting with LPVO. Figured I’d share my limited experience.

[jsbhike]

If you were looking for a first time purchase I would go with one of the dots you are mulling, but I think the biggest plus you will actually see with the PRO/MRO would be increased battery life. I assume the 4 have better water resistance, but not sure if you would ever benefit from that. Durability is probably a wash since your Sparc has ran for awhile.

I have a PRO and like it. Liked the MRO I handled, but not enough to switch....yet at least....size and watch battery are very nice. I did not like an Eotech I got to shoot, but obviously plenty who do.

If you are wanting to try something new, I would vote on looking at an LPVO considering you mentioned midrange distance. The magnification is a plus on small targets for me at least.

[everready73]

If you were looking for a first time purchase I would go with one of the dots you are mulling, but I think the biggest plus you will actually see with the PRO/MRO would be increased battery life. I assume the 4 have better water resistance, but not sure if you would ever benefit from that. Durability is probably a wash since your Sparc has ran for awhile.

I have a PRO and like it. Liked the MRO I handled, but not enough to switch....yet at least....size and watch battery are very nice. I did not like an Eotech I got to shoot, but obviously plenty who do.

If you are wanting to try something new, I would vote on looking at an LPVO considering you mentioned midrange distance. The magnification is a plus on small targets for me at least.

Agree with this. I would go with the PRO out of those options

If you could up your budget just a bit and wanted to look into a LPVO:

Steiner P4Xi 1x4. Great value and is durable. Dot is red dot bright and good up close and 4x for the longer shots/identification would be nice.

Vortex PST 2 1x6- another good optiona nd it has come down in price to around $599

Burris XTR 2- The prices on the 1x4 and others are under $500 for some at Natchez. Very good optic for the price

If you wanted to go less than $400

Burris RT6- these get really good feedback and many consider best option on the lower end

Primary Arms 1x6 FFP Raptor- I usually dont like FFP in a LPVO but this is a well thought out reticle. Garandthumb has a good video on this optic

[maximus83]

^Those are solid LPVO options, but I understood from OP examples and "CQB within 200 yards" to mean he wants non-magnified and lightweight.

OP all the ones you list are solid and would work. Personally I value toughness, clarity, a great sight picture, and battery life--which usually leads to an Aimpoint. One issue with Eotechs and the Vortex is that battery life is far less than the Aimpoints. I've been running one Aimpoint for 6 years and the battery is still going. However something I don't like about the Aimpoints T1/T2 I have run is the red dots are not as crisp as they could be (T2 is marginally better), and they get worse if you have any astigmatism at all.

I'll suggest one other option besides Aimpoint in your budget range: Primary Arms Cyclops. Read up on that sight, I just got one and pretty impressed so far. Actually moving away from Aimpoint T1/T2 on HD rifles, selling the T1 + AD mount shortly due to my astigmatism, and this PA *might* be my replacement. Glass etched reticle so you have built-in backup when your battery goes TU. Adj diopter to fit your correction. Weighs about 9oz. Awesome reticle with ballistic holdovers. 3000h est battery life on med settings. Obviously not as 'combat proven' as the Aimpoint, what else really is with this type of sight, but the PA has been run through some serious torture testing.

[voiceofreason]

Really need to figure out what your priority is.

Close range/non-magnified or scoped with magnification?

If you don't mind the weight and expect primary usage to be outdoors, I'd rec magnification with 1x-

If primarily indooors/under 100 yards, then stick with non magnified. Aimpoint has the rep they do for a reason. I'd stick with Aimpoint for serious usage.

I prefer the Micro over the PRO, currently own both. PRO and QRP mount is just too damn heavy for an unmagnified optic.

red dot light & fast

magnified for extended range (doesn't work as well at shorter ranges unless cheek weld is pretty good)

[xzebra]

^Those are solid LPVO options, but I understood from OP examples and "CQB within 200 yards" to mean he wants non-magnified and lightweight.

OP all the ones you list are solid and would work. Personally I value toughness, clarity, a great sight picture, and battery life--which usually leads to an Aimpoint. One issue with Eotechs and the Vortex is that battery life is far less than the Aimpoints. I've been running one Aimpoint for 6 years and the battery is still going. However something I don't like about the Aimpoints T1/T2 I have run is the red dots are not as crisp as they could be (T2 is marginally better), and they get worse if you have any astigmatism at all.

I'll suggest one other option besides Aimpoint in your budget range: Primary Arms Cyclops. Read up on that sight, I just got one and pretty impressed so far. Actually moving away from Aimpoint T1/T2 on HD rifles, selling the T1 + AD mount shortly due to my astigmatism, and this PA *might* be my replacement. Glass etched reticle so you have built-in backup when your battery goes TU. Adj diopter to fit your correction. Weighs about 9oz. Awesome reticle with ballistic holdovers. 3000h est battery life on med settings. Obviously not as 'combat proven' as the Aimpoint, what else really is with this type of sight, but the PA has been run through some serious torture testing.

Thanks for all the help - I am looking just for Holographic or Red Dot leaning towards Eotech at the time. I had a PA 1-6, but hated it and sold it and want to go to a solid short to midrange optic which is why I am looking at those mentioned.

[Chameleox]

Depending on what your standard for accuracy is, a red dot with a magnifier might get you there. It depends on what is most important to you, where you think you can compromise, and how much you're willing to spend.

[RKB Armory]

Situations like this are exactly why we buy and sell used quality optics. Nearly everyone ends up changing their optics over time. For many, such as the OP, there is not an easy way to try out various optics options. Therefore, you end up buying it just to try it.

To the OP's original question. I like the Trijicon MRO, rather than a holographic sight, because of battery life and size.

[AndyLate]

Situations like this are exactly why we buy and sell used quality optics. Nearly everyone ends up changing their optics over time. For many, such as the OP, there is not an easy way to try out various optics options. Therefore, you end up buying it just to try it.

To the OP's original question. I like the Trijicon MRO, rather than a holographic sight, because of battery life and size.

FWIW, I have purchased 4 used optics on the EE here and all have been as described or better.

I have a PRO and an MRO - prefer the MRO for the weight and the standard battery that can be found anywhere.

Andy

[daddyusmaximus]

I used an EOTech (AA battery version) on my last two deployments. That was over 13 years ago, but I credit that sight with saving my bacon on the last one, twice. Any red dot probably would have done it, but I had the EOTech, so it gets the save. However, once I got home I needed cash, and I sold it. It did get the shit beat out of it, and lasted while I was in country.

I have an Aimpoint Comp M4s now, but just because by the time I could afford it, EOTech was having the reliability problems, and I got it in trade. The M4s is built like a tank, and has been turned on now for close to 10 years except for battery changes. (I'm on the third battery.) It's bulky and heavy compared to some, but it's the one I trust.

That said, I also have two Sig Romeo 5 sights on guns as well, and they have both been 100% reliable. They have received some rough handling, but haven't been beat up like the EOTech I had in Iraq, or like what the M4s has been through.

My next sight will be a Primary Arms (still debating the 1x or 3x), but that's because I love the ACSS reticle. I love and trust the Aimpoint, but I miss the big doughnut of the EOTech, and the ACSS also allows for ranging, plus is etched in case the battery/electronics fail.

[jpmuscle]

I used an EOTech (AA battery version) on my last two deployments. That was over 13 years ago, but I credit that sight with saving my bacon on the last one, twice. Any red dot probably would have done it, but I had the EOTech, so it gets the save. However, once I got home I needed cash, and I sold it. It did get the shit beat out of it, and lasted while I was in country.

I have an Aimpoint Comp M4s now, but just because by the time I could afford it, EOTech was having the reliability problems, and I got it in trade. The M4s is built like a tank, and has been turned on now for close to 10 years except for battery changes. (I'm on the third battery.) It's bulky and heavy compared to some, but it's the one I trust.

That said, I also have two Sig Romeo 5 sights on guns as well, and they have both been 100% reliable. They have received some rough handling, but haven't been beat up like the EOTech I had in Iraq, or like what the M4s has been through.

My next sight will be a Primary Arms (still debating the 1x or 3x), but that's because I love the ACSS reticle. I love and trust the Aimpoint, but I miss the big doughnut of the EOTech, and the ACSS also allows for ranging, plus is etched in case the battery/electronics fail.

I came into my first comp m4 not all that long ago and for being outdated it’s still impressive as hell. Plus they can be had for cheap now.


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