OPTICS RECOMANDATION-BEST VALUE ???

[philinmedford]

What's better, one Aimpoint C3 in mount for $450 or twice the cost in the piece of crap SPOTs that you have to buy over and over again?

I have yet to see a SPOT make it past the zeroing phase of a rifle class or a single stage at a match, so maybe I just lack the experience with them I should have.

There is a difference in buying inexpensive quality gear, like the C3, and buying a piece of crap simply because it's cheap. No, not everyone needs a $800 Aimpoint M4s in a Larue mount, but everyone should at least want a functional optic and mount. I would think.

Something I learned from my father, he used to joke "I'm a Consumer Reports man", he used to check all the reviews about a particular item he was interested in. So as regards the cheaper red dots for example, I put in the keywords for the product and also the word reviews. I figure one review is more than likely a "shill" for the product, perhaps by the owner of a site. However, when there are multiple reviews with people reporting good results with a product then are they all disingenuous? Here is an example with a Millett product at $100.

"David Mcadams of Fort fairfield, ME
Date Posted: 7/10/2008 I have had one of these sights mounted on a Ruger 44 mag for the last three years. It has worked perfectly in all kinds of weather. Rain, snow, -30 below, this site has never failed in any way. I shoot nothing but heavy bullets, (300 grains and up) and the sight has remained zeroed without any readjustment since day one. Even when I dropped it from my four wheeler at 20 MPH! It also remains zeroed while switching between dot sizes. Battery life has been great. I make it a point to try and change it every year but I have yet to have one go bad. If your thinking of a red dot sight for your gun. I would get the adjustable dot size over the non adjustable. The ability to use smaller dots at greater ranges really helps accuracy a lot. "

[rob_s]

Most people go looking for reviews with preconceived notions. A guy that knows that he only wants to spend $100 on an optic is going to seek out and naturally gravitate towards reviews that fulfill his preconceived notion.

By all means, have at it with the SPOT and the Millet, and other less-than-ideal $100 junk optics. As you say, if you're just plinking at the range they'll probably do you just fine.

This site is, in theory, geared towards folks that are going to seek out training and put their gear to the test. Oftentimes those of us that are regulars assume that new posters understand that and come here asking for advice relative to that use. If someone has a use other than that in mind, it's probably a good idea to clarify that up front to avoid confusion.

I don't care what anyone buys. My own experience has taught me that "as good as" or "good enough" rarely are. YMMV

[philinmedford]

Most people go looking for reviews with preconceived notions. A guy that knows that he only wants to spend $100 on an optic is going to seek out and naturally gravitate towards reviews that fulfill his preconceived notion.

By all means, have at it with the SPOT and the Millet, and other less-than-ideal $100 junk optics. As you say, if you're just plinking at the range they'll probably do you just fine.

This site is, in theory, geared towards folks that are going to seek out training and put their gear to the test. Oftentimes those of us that are regulars assume that new posters understand that and come here asking for advice relative to that use. If someone has a use other than that in mind, it's probably a good idea to clarify that up front to avoid confusion.

I don't care what anyone buys. My own experience has taught me that "as good as" or "good enough" rarely are. YMMV

Duly noted Rob, I only happened upon this site because I did a search for an AR-15 rifle and found G&R's ad which prompted me to purchase from him. I understand what you are saying though and now realize the scope (no pun intended) of the site and will act accordingly.

[hefeone]

From the feedback in this post I am starting to lean toward the Trijicon ACOG. I was hoping that I could get a consensus on a good less expensive optic but it is looking quite grim. Thanks for the opinions.

[FJB]

With the greatest respect for our troops and LEO's, I think you are comparing apples and oranges. I would imagine that the poster isn't suggesting that those aforementioned people would put anything less than battle proven equipment on their equipment. For example, if I were to use a vehicle in the sandbox I'd want a Humvee not a KIA 4x4. However, if I want to do a little 4x4ing on the weekend I don't need a Hummer and I may look at the KIA. I see by your screen name that you are a industry professional, many here are not professionals, the AR is one complement in our collection. I was pricing the red dot/magnifiers for example and the magnifier ALONE runs $650. That's close to the price - in fact within $10 of the price I paid for the AR-15 I purchased. Personally I'm not trying to imitate a warrior, I like the red dot and with my old eyes I need a little magnification.

I think the question always has to be asked: "Best value for what use?"

I understand what you are saying, however I am actually trying to save the person asking the original question and anyone else who might be reading this thread both money and time with my answer. Point is that buying cheap invariably means buying twice. If some one is going to post an opinion regarding that something is best value then they need to be prepared to back up their comment. Nothing personal against the person posting their opinion, just professional courtesy to the person asking the question.

Just because one person has a good experience with an XYZ CHICOM red dot sight on his .44mag shooting maybe 100 rounds per year is not indicative of what multiple samples that same XYZ sight seen by those of use who have been there and done that have seen them fail during three day 1500-2700 rnd carbine classes. FYI. The hardest weapon platform in the US inventory on optics is the M4 Carbine, per testing done by NSWC Crane. Thus, a sight that may work reliably on Uncle Buck's deer rifle firing only 20 rounds/year isn't going to last one day on the one way square range, let alone on the two way 360 degree range. Thus, is it really best value?

So even if all he wants it to do is shoot jack rabbits in the desert, the reality is that he should still consider a low cost quality sight made by a reputable company.
As my father likes to say, "Trying to save a dime you'll spend a dollar." I have come to the conclusion that the reason many people who are well off got that way because they were smart enough to only spend their money once on quality products. I unfortunately am not that smart, but am willing to share my experiences (that I stupidly paid for) so that others won't throw their money away.

S/F

[buccamachine]

Has anyone had any experience with the Vortex 1x30 StrikeFire Red Dot or the Millet 1-4X24 DESIGNATED MARKSMAN SCOPE ???