Best value entry-level red dot for AR platform

[JSnover]

Hey.

A buddy of mine just bought an AR and wants to try a red dot sight. The only two I own are an old Bushnell Holo-Site and a Micro-Lux.
For a new shooter with an AR-platform rifle for casual use (not competition or tactical purposes), what are your thoughts? He'd like a dot with 2x or 4x magnification without trading an arm and a leg for it.

[Charlie in Co]

Look at Primary Arms

[mcdaniel.mac]

For a tube-style (aimpoint-esque) primary arms is the way to go, same for the Bushnell TRS25. Starts around $79 and goes up. For open-top red dots, either Burris or C-more.

Don't be afraid to stalk the equipment exchanges on arfcom and similar cesspools, I got my Aimpoint Comp M2 for $200 that way with mount.

[Dryball]

get the Holosun. They are the ones who make the sight for Primary Arms. It's cheaper and different/better features

[imashooter2]

The Burris AR332 is a good magnified red dot made for the AR platform.

[JSnover]

Thanks! I hadn't heard of Primary Arms until now.

[jmort]

A step above entry level, The Vortex Sparc 2. Uses AAA batteries. I can find no fault in it and in fact it continues to impress. I have two which cost under $200 each.

[Sasquatch-1]

I have used this one here on a Desert Eagle in 44. Haven't had any problem since they step me up to this form a lower model. No magnification, but for $119.00 it's a good buy.

https://www.amazon.com/Sightmark-Ultra-Shot-Spec-Sight/dp/B004TDPPR2/ref=sr_1_4?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1482323708&sr=1-4&keywords=sightmark

[GhostHawk]

I have a Truglo that has a 2 x built in, I'm pretty happy with it, it is currently sitting on my SKS.
Price around 60$

[dverna]

A step above entry level, The Vortex Sparc 2. Uses AAA batteries. I can find no fault in it and in fact it continues to impress. I have two which cost under $200 each.

Just ordered one this AM $169 from Primary Arms. Love Votex products and they have a lifetime warranty

Don Verna

[JSnover]

Thanks.

[jmort]

Don, you will love your Sparc or I will buy it off you if you do not.
John

[dverna]

Don, you will love your Sparc or I will buy it off you if you do not.
John

John,
I got it for a new AR for the girlfriend. The EoTech is a bit heavy and she is a little lady so keeping weight down is a factor. Of course it will be my job to get it sighted in, and after that "chore" I probably will not be using it much. It is great having a lady who wants to shoot.

I nearly nearly bought two at the price.

I have a few Vortex products, with the 5-20 Razor HD being the most expensive toy. They are great products, so I doubt the Sparc will disappoint.

But I appreciate your kind offer to bail me out...LOL

Don

[JSnover]

Wow. That Vortex looks nice!

[W.R.Buchanan]

Hey.

A buddy of mine just bought an AR and wants to try a red dot sight. The only two I own are an old Bushnell Holo-Site and a Micro-Lux.
For a new shooter with an AR-platform rifle for casual use (not competition or tactical purposes), what are your thoughts? He'd like a dot with 2x or 4x magnification without trading an arm and a leg for it.

Once again I will recommend a Bushnell TRS 25 Red Dot Sight. For and AR you get the one with the Riser. This sight is the best bang for your buck out there and generally with the riser they are about $110-120. This particular sight is worth well more than Bushnell sells it for. I have 6!

With these sights on the AR Platform you really don't need magnification. You will be able to hit a man sized target out to 200 or 300 yards easily. That is considered the normal effective range for the .223 cartridge.

Randy

[ole 5 hole group]

Are there any 2X or 4X micro/reflex red dots on the market? I've seen a separate magnifier that will boost the red dot but that's 2 separate mounted devices. Most have no magnification - or at least all that I know of.

Myself, I went with the Aimpoint T1 micro, but I purchased it wholesale, but that is still quite a bit more expensive that most others on the market. On most red dots you'll probably still need to purchase a riser, which can be expensive.

Myself, I wouldn't recommend a reflex dot over 2moa, unless you go to something like the Leupold Deltapoint, which is 7.5 moa, but by using the delta tip as your aim point, it's like a 1/2moa dot.

[Lloyd Smale]

my favorite in the bang for the buck category are then votex sparc and strikefire. They hold up well. They may not be the sight an aimpoint is but for a 1/3 the price there a bargain.

[winelover]

I bought one of these, last year, when they had them on sale for $69, with the high rise mount. I didn't need the high rise spacer for the 45LC BH. Dollars, well spent. IMO

https://www.natchezss.com/bushnell-ar-optics-first-strike-hirise-5-moa-red-dot-sight.html

Haven't shot enough Ruger Only Loads to determine if it will hold up. Also, have one of the Bushnell TRS-25, but I prefer this one. I don't like fiddling with manually adjusting rheostats or on/off switches. I would prefer a smaller dot, than 5 minutes, for longer range accuracy.


Winelover


(https://www.natchezss.com/bushnell-ar-optics-first-strike-hirise-5-moa-red-dot-sight.html)

[JSnover]

Thanks again, I'll pass all of this along.

[wiljen]

I would warn against the Bushnell TRS-25 that others have recommended. And before I catch hell for it, there is a reason. On the latest batch of them they moved the emitter from the 4 o'clock position to the 6 and it ruined the sight. With the move, it makes it impossible to see the reticle from all angles which is supposed to be an advantage of dot sights and it washes out in bright sunlight. I have 2 of the old model and like them and if you can check it first and be sure the emitter is not at the bottom of the tube then get one. If you cant tell before buying it - don't buy it. The last one I got was a 6 o'clock as I didn't realize they had changed them and it went back as quickly as I found the problems with it.

[Lloyd Smale]

my problem is batterys. Grandkids and yes even me have been known to leave the two I have on and its seems like every time I grab one its dead. 12 hour shut off like vortex would be nice but then I guess they wouldn't sell for 70 bucks.
I would warn against the Bushnell TRS-25 that others have recommended. And before I catch hell for it, there is a reason. On the latest batch of them they moved the emitter from the 4 o'clock position to the 6 and it ruined the sight. With the move, it makes it impossible to see the reticle from all angles which is supposed to be an advantage of dot sights and it washes out in bright sunlight. I have 2 of the old model and like them and if you can check it first and be sure the emitter is not at the bottom of the tube then get one. If you cant tell before buying it - don't buy it. The last one I got was a 6 o'clock as I didn't realize they had changed them and it went back as quickly as I found the problems with it.

[Artful]

my problem is batterys. Grandkids and yes even me have been known to leave the two I have on and its seems like every time I grab one its dead. 12 hour shut off like vortex would be nice but then I guess they wouldn't sell for 70 bucks.

If you willing to spend more than 70 bucks, look at the holosun - solar charging cells with auto shutoff and motion sensing turn on. http://holosun.com/

[Sasquatch-1]

I don't know that I have ever seen a magnified reflex sight. I have seen a tube that had a magnifier you placed behind the tube.

I would suggest once you figure out what you want to buy go to Amazon and look it up(if they carry it). Read the reviews, if any. I have found that nothing is held back when people buy something they don't like on Amazon.

[Smoke4320]

Also keep in mind the size of the dot and your intended uses.. he a 5 moa dot covers 5" at 100 yds not real good for precision shooting at 100-200 but great for close quarters quick shots

[Shingle]

Go with the TRS-25 I have 4 and they all have suffered alot of abuse and are still working fine.

[cwheel]

Palmetto Armory just ran a sale on the TRS-25 with the riser for $70 or so, I bought one, see how it works out.
Chris

[Lloyd Smale]

they look interesting. do you have any first hand experience with them?
If you willing to spend more than 70 bucks, look at the holosun - solar charging cells with auto shutoff and motion sensing turn on. http://holosun.com/

[JSnover]

I never warmed up to Amazon for some reason, although it is a good place to read reviews. OpticsPlanet seems to have virtually every optic under the sun (imagine that), I usually buy from them.

[JSnover]

Myself, I wouldn't recommend a reflex dot over 2moa, unless you go to something like the Leupold Deltapoint, which is 7.5 moa, but by using the delta tip as your aim point, it's like a 1/2moa dot.
In the early days it was hard to find or very expensive to buy a dot sight with 2 or 4x, now there are plenty to choose from and you're right about the dot size. A 4 minute dot isn't much good beyond 100 yards on a fixed power sight.

[ole 5 hole group]

Batteries you say? Ya, I've left my micro T-1 on for a couple weeks, more than once, so I've tried testing Aimpoint's claim of 5-year battery life when the sight is left on full time.;) That's one of the advantages with an Aimpoint.

I really don't see any downside to a 4 or 5 moa dot while hunting big game - it covers up a lot of area at 200 yards but centering that dot puts the bullet either on or real close to your intended mark. For group shooting at targets, it's not worth a hoot unless you use the 6 O'clock picture on the bull. With my 2moa dot, I shoot terrible groups at 200 yards unless I hold 6 O'clock. On prairie dogs out there aways - you need both eyes open to center the dot on those critters, as a 2moa dot usually completely covers them - not real consistent anyway much beyond 200/250 yards with that 223 with the red dot, but if nothing else I educated them a bit.:-D

Purchasing 2nd hand/used is usually a good deal, there's a few sites that have them listed at decent prices, such as Sniper's Hide - but most of those boys are on the high-end of things.

[Lloyd Smale]

ive got couple comp 2 aimpoints on ars. ONe is my home defense rifle and I once left the thing turned on low for 3 years which is three times the quoted battery life. It was starting to get dim but one more click on the intensity dial had it just as bright as with new batterys and id bet it would have lasted a couple more years. Probably throwing away money but what I do now with all my electronic sights is change the batterys out whether they need it or not on new years of years with even numbers so every other year even if they have been sitting turned off. To me the aimpoints shine for a home defense gun. Last thing I want to have to do when something goes bump in the night is to fumble around trying to turn on a sight. With an aimpoint they can be just left on. That's one of the things along with being built as strong as a brick is why they cost so much.
Batteries you say? Ya, I've left my micro T-1 on for a couple weeks, more than once, so I've tried testing Aimpoint's claim of 5-year battery life when the sight is left on full time.;) That's one of the advantages with an Aimpoint.

I really don't see any downside to a 4 or 5 moa dot while hunting big game - it covers up a lot of area at 200 yards but centering that dot puts the bullet either on or real close to your intended mark. For group shooting at targets, it's not worth a hoot unless you use the 6 O'clock picture on the bull. With my 2moa dot, I shoot terrible groups at 200 yards unless I hold 6 O'clock. On prairie dogs out there aways - you need both eyes open to center the dot on those critters, as a 2moa dot usually completely covers them - not real consistent anyway much beyond 200/250 yards with that 223 with the red dot, but if nothing else I educated them a bit.:-D

Purchasing 2nd hand/used is usually a good deal, there's a few sites that have them listed at decent prices, such as Sniper's Hide - but most of those boys are on the high-end of things.

[Sasquatch-1]

Check the warranty carefully on cheaper dots. I was going to use a Tru Glo on my Desert Eagle. I called and told them the application and was told that would void their warranty. When I called Sight Mark they told me, "No problem. We test all our sights on 50 BMG's." So no matter who's sight you buy call them and ask in depth about their warranty and what voids it.

[winelover]

To me the aimpoints shine for a home defense gun. Last thing I want to have to do when something goes bump in the night is to fumble around trying to turn on a sight. With an aimpoint they can be just left on. That's one of the things along with being built as strong as a brick is why they cost so much.


I agree, however, for about the same money and no batteries...I choose Trijicon.

Winelover

[garym1a2]

I have Holosum Red Dot and my brother has one. The 65 moa circle with the red dot inside works pretty well and is very fast. They are supposed to last 5 years on a battery.I am not a big fan of the solar function as it changes brightness with the sun. This is good at night or bright sun. But if shooting from under cover into bright sun the dot appears dim. Also if shoot prone in the sun you have to bright a dot and have to use manuel mode to dim it. I rather get one of their other models with manuel only operation and the circle with the dot. Still for action shooting events its much better than my TRS-25.


they look interesting. do you have any first hand experience with them?

[W.R.Buchanan]

ive got couple comp 2 aimpoints on ars. ONe is my home defense rifle and I once left the thing turned on low for 3 years which is three times the quoted battery life. It was starting to get dim but one more click on the intensity dial had it just as bright as with new batterys and id bet it would have lasted a couple more years. Probably throwing away money but what I do now with all my electronic sights is change the batterys out whether they need it or not on new years of years with even numbers so every other year even if they have been sitting turned off. To me the aimpoints shine for a home defense gun. Last thing I want to have to do when something goes bump in the night is to fumble around trying to turn on a sight. With an aimpoint they can be just left on. That's one of the things along with being built as strong as a brick is why they cost so much.

The main reason why Aimpoints cost so much is because their main customer is the US Govt. The cost of the Certs required to market that sight to them are astronomical. If that sight was strictly a civilian market thing it would probably be <$300. They are definitely the best out there, but they are 5X more than my Bushnell's and I can't justify putting a $600 sight on 6 different guns.

On the other sights that you have to actually turn off when not in use, a big white paint line on the dial will catch your attention so you remember to turn it off.(got that from Nut n Fancy!) I did this to all mine and it does make a difference. I also have a spare battery stored on the guns in a little Vortex Spare Battery container that mounts on the Pic Rail. It's right in front of the sight on the AR and right behind the light on the KT.

I only forgot once, but I had the back up nearby.

Randy

[mac1911]

I cant tell you what entry level value is although a buyer of cheap stuff myself there is not much under 200$ I can really call a "value". That said my new to ARs friend ended up with one of these
burris AR 332 and I can say its pretty nice plus you can get a free burris fastfire 3 with promotion. You only have a few days left though.
There are several Burris fans at both the clubs I go to. My frinds AR332 red dot feels nice and seems well made. its a 3x optic.


shop around for best price
https://www.amazon.com/Burris-300208-AR-332-Prism-Sight/dp/B002QEUPEE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482784394&sr=8-1&keywords=burris+332+ar+scope

mail in rebate for promotion
http://www.burrisoptics.com/promotions

I have a few discount red dots for the pellet guns and milk jug plinkers....

my one and only long lasting red dot is the Gen1 tasco pro point its fricken old and keeps on rocking.... typical of (not cheap at the time) lower level "dot" sights its more of a solar flare than a dot. works though. Holds zero and has taken good use. No idea if the current manufactured ones are as good.

http://www.tasco.com/products/index.aspx?ClassID=13&FamilyID=163&ProductID=670

Vortex has a great warrenty except on the red dots and electronics.

[JSnover]

I have had good luck with other Burris products. I don't own anything by Tasco but my old HoloSight will probably find its way onto one of my rim fires pretty soon.
I did warn my pal that $200 might be low-end price wise and he seemed ok with that.

[mac1911]

Some cheap stuff herehttps://www.amazon.com/s/ref=is_pn_1?me=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&rh=n%3A1267877011%2Ck%3Arifle+scope&page=2&keywords=rifle+scope&ie=UTF8&qid=1482806989

I have scored some nice deals on over stock.com also

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive got a couple acogs but there twice the price of a comp 2 aimpoint. but will say this. If I could afford ANY sight for all of my ars it would be an acog hands down. Almost as fast as a dot sight and 4x for the long range stuff, built like a tank and no batterys. No brainer to me but the wife wouldn't stand for me buying 1200 dollar optics every time I get a 800 dollar gun.
I agree, however, for about the same money and no batteries...I choose Trijicon.

Winelover

[mac1911]

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=me%3DA2L77EE7U53NWQ&field-keywords=rifle+scopes

link didnt work in previous post. If you like to gamble amazon has some discounted items here. Just double check as there discount price is 60% off of MSRP which sometimes is more than sale items!

[nagantguy]

I have a Truglo that has a 2 x built in, I'm pretty happy with it, it is currently sitting on my SKS.
Price around 60$
Have that same sight on a ar build and another on a 10/22, can find no fault with them for around 60 bucks, even seem able to with stand the rigors of a long winter coyote hunting!

[Lloyd Smale]

wonder if those under a 100 bucks sights will hold up for the long run. Can the do this? http://www.recoilweb.com/vortex-sparc-ii-the-dot-that-would-not-die-67267.html

[W.R.Buchanan]

Lloyd: from what I have heard on the web the Bushnell TRS-25 can take a lot of abuse from heavy recoiling guns. I can't vouch for the other brands that get recommended all the time here. They have been mounted on Marlin 1895 Carbines in .45-70 and 12ga Riot Guns and lived thru that. None of the ones on any of my guns have ever moved zero and function perfectly every time I turn them on. And I am looking at mounting one on my Mossberg 500 as I could benefit from the faster Target Acquisition. I don't see any reason why it shouldn't last and if it does cack, I'll send it back to Bushnell and they'll replace it.

I think they are too big to run on the slide of a Glock or other auto pistol but I do have a Burris Fast Fire ($250) on my G35 and it lives fine. Also all the poly pistol makers are offering their guns with these type sights included.

Also I watch a lot of the hunting shows on the outdoor channel and has seen numerous Burris type optics of large Double rifles and magazine rifles as well. The fast target acquisition provided by the Red Dot sight picture is the fastest way out there.

Have you seen any of these sights on the Trap or Skeet fields near you?

Randy

[Lloyd Smale]

I don't get into the shotgun sports so I haven't really seen how they work on shotguns. I do have two of the busnell trs-25s but both are on 22s so they don't get much of a test. I guess bottom line is if you don't have more then a 100 bucks to spend on a red dot there the one you should be looking at. Hands down better then the cheap imports. Do I think they compete with a vortex strike fire or sparc. NO but those two sights cost 2-3 times as much and should be better. Kind of like comparing a vortex to an aimpoint. the vortex's are good but there not aimpoint good and shouldn't be at a 1/3 the price.

[mcdaniel.mac]

Lloyd: from what I have heard on the web the Bushnell TRS-25 can take a lot of abuse from heavy recoiling guns. I can't vouch for the other brands that get recommended all the time here. They have been mounted on Marlin 1895 Carbines in .45-70 and 12ga Riot Guns and lived thru that. None of the ones on any of my guns have ever moved zero and function perfectly every time I turn them on. And I am looking at mounting one on my Mossberg 500 as I could benefit from the faster Target Acquisition. I don't see any reason why it shouldn't last and if it does cack, I'll send it back to Bushnell and they'll replace it.

I think they are too big to run on the slide of a Glock or other auto pistol but I do have a Burris Fast Fire ($250) on my G35 and it lives fine. Also all the poly pistol makers are offering their guns with these type sights included.

Also I watch a lot of the hunting shows on the outdoor channel and has seen numerous Burris type optics of large Double rifles and magazine rifles as well. The fast target acquisition provided by the Red Dot sight picture is the fastest way out there.

Have you seen any of these sights on the Trap or Skeet fields near you?

Randy
There's another option for autopistols that I've been watching. ALG, the company run by Mr. Geissele's (well noted for high-end triggers and AR parts) wife to made mid-grade and entry-priced AR parts now makes the Six Second mount, which allows a red dot to sit so low over the slide you have to remove the sight to install the mount. Handy for running something like a PA Micro on a gun that isn't milled for an RDS. I have an acquaintance who reviewed them for RECOIL magazine and spoke very highly of it.

I have a spare TRS 25 now, and a Blackhawk should be coming my way here soon, so I may be testing it out on a Weigand no-drill mini mount here soon. I have used it previously on a Keltec SU16 with no problems, but it wasn't a gun I abused all too much either.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I have them on my SU16CA, Mini14, AR, Sub2000, Ruger GSR, and my Ruger 10/22... None of these guns are really beating the sight all that much. I have seen them on several Marlin Guide Guns that have lasted without failure. on a Revolver Like an SBH I could see them living.

Mounted to a cycling slide of an auto pistol,,, maybe not?

I have a Burris Fast Fire mounted on my Glock 35 and so far it has not moved. It is mounted using the Burris Mounting System that replaces the rear sight.

There is a learning curve with using the Red Dot System on a Defensive Pistol. That learning curve is all about finding the dot each time the gun is presented from the holster. Once you get that engrained and the dot is there everytime when you bring the gun into the line of sight you'll be fine. Prior to that you will experience a little time lag in your first shot time as it takes a few tenths to find the dot if it isn't there.

More Practice is the simple answer to this.

Randy

[commando223]

I recently picked up a used Holosun on another forum its looks good but I haven't had a chance to take it out and sight in.

[GlockGuy]

Great suggestions -- helps me out with my search

[Lloyd Smale]

its not turning them off that concerns me its turning them on. I have an AR by the bed for home defense. Last thing I want to do under the pressure of a home invasion in the dark is fumble around trying to turn an optic on. Ive got a couple comp2s. They claim battery life of a year on that model left on constantly. the one by my bed has been on for 3 years on the same battery and is still functioning fine. This year I was going to replace the battery because it seemed a bit dimmer but it was turned down so low that all it took was bumping the rheostat up one notch and it was as good as new. Battery life is not all your buying. I once saw a video where two men had them mounted on ars. They were in a cement parking lot. THey each took off there sight bounced it 30 yards across the parking lot. grabbed them and skipped them back again. they put them back on the at and shot a group at 50 yards and both still shot exactly to point of aim. They also took them and dropped them on concreted for a 3rd floor window on to concrete and rechecked them again and the sight and mount still held zero. I doubt if a 70 dollar sight would take that kind of abuse. Sure a guy isn't going to get in the habbit of skipping his sight across a parking lot but its peace of mind knowing that if I knock my rifle over onto a hard surface that the sight is going to take a beating. All that said there a bit expensive for me too. I'm retired now and on a fixed income and aimpoints and acogs aren't on the menu anymore. I have had great luck with vortex strikefires and sparcs too. They are what I have come to buy. I do have one bushnell tr25 on a ruger 22 pistol. It has held up for a couple years but just doesn't inspire the confidence that the vortex and aimpoints and trijicons do. For me anyway the best bang for the buck out there right now are the vortex dots. Ive haven't left a vortex on to test actual battery life though. Its pretty tough because theres one thing I don't like about them. that's the automatic shut off. Id like to see them sell one that doesn't have that feature.
The main reason why Aimpoints cost so much is because their main customer is the US Govt. The cost of the Certs required to market that sight to them are astronomical. If that sight was strictly a civilian market thing it would probably be <$300. They are definitely the best out there, but they are 5X more than my Bushnell's and I can't justify putting a $600 sight on 6 different guns.

On the other sights that you have to actually turn off when not in use, a big white paint line on the dial will catch your attention so you remember to turn it off.(got that from Nut n Fancy!) I did this to all mine and it does make a difference. I also have a spare battery stored on the guns in a little Vortex Spare Battery container that mounts on the Pic Rail. It's right in front of the sight on the AR and right behind the light on the KT.

I only forgot once, but I had the back up nearby.

Randy

[winelover]

I have a older Vortex SPARC. Battery life isn't that great, even when off. Manual even states to remove battery if not used, often. I didn't and left it in for over a year. Next time I used it, it would turn on but wouldn't turn it off.:???:

Made a call to Vortex Customer Service. They told me it was common and to just replace the battery. That solved the reoccurring issue.:-x Not what I call.... well designed.

Winelover

[725]

Trs-25

[W.R.Buchanan]

Yeah Lloyd; You would have to think about giving the knob a half turn as you pic up the gun, but that's just part of the deal.

I really want one of the Trijicon Sights for my upcoming G23 project, but the best price I have seen was $491 at Optics Planet. so moving my Burris Fast Fire to that gun is probably what is going to happen. Even that one has to be turned off if stored for a long time, but the batteries are supposed to last for along time (1 year?) but I wouldn't count on it. I'd always have a spare with me.

Nope, there is a trade off here and unless you are using the gun in a real live combat scenario, the less expensive sights can really pay for themselves, and I personally feel they are all that is needed. Believe me if I thought I was going to be getting shot at regularly I'd spring for the Aimpoint too. Until that day comes to pass my TRS-25's will have to suffice.

Randy

[Lloyd Smale]

that's odd. I have a strike fire on my smith ar22 and a sparc on one of my ar15s and both have had the same batterys in them for 3 years and I just went and checked and both are just as bright on the same setting as they were when I put them in it. Granted they don't get hundreds of hours of use each year but I have taken both out a number of times in the last 3 years. One thing I have learned with all of these electronic sights is don't buy cheap batterys. Duracells are about all I will use in them. Some of the cheaper batterys will go bad just sitting over time and if your getting them on line is hard to say how old they are when you get them new. One other thing I do with all of my ars is put a trapdoor grip on them and stick an extra battery in there and when I change out batterys after a few years toss that one when I toss the one I'm replacing and replace both with fresh batterys. But I have to say that ive had real good battery life out of both my strikefire and sparc. I'm about to pull the plug on another sparc and am looking at the one that uses AAA batterys. I guess they have a bit less battery life then the coin batterys but if shtf batterys would be easy to find anywhere for it. If yours is eating batterys just sitting Id consider boxing it up an sending it in. Don't ask first. that's my rule with all returns. If you ask they try to say its ok. If you send it in they have it there and have to ship it back anyway so they ususaly fix or repair it so you don't send it in again. Vortex customer service is one of the best in the industry and id bet they take care of you.
I have a older Vortex SPARC. Battery life isn't that great, even when off. Manual even states to remove battery if not used, often. I didn't and left it in for over a year. Next time I used it, it would turn on but wouldn't turn it off.:???:

Made a call to Vortex Customer Service. They told me it was common and to just replace the battery. That solved the reoccurring issue.:-x Not what I call.... well designed.

Winelover

[winelover]

Lloyd....the battery in question was the one supplied with the optic. I don't recall the brand but it wasn't Duracell. And yes I buy my batteries on line and in quantity. However, the same brand and size, are used in six other CT laser grips with years of acceptable service behind them. They are never turned off.

I quit buying the Chinese junk Duracell brand, a few years ago after they leaked, in a couple of expensive Maglite's. I only purchase Lithium batteries nowadays, because they are less prone to leak.....so I would be leery of using common AA or AAA batteries in optics.

Winelover

[Lloyd Smale]

leakage is a good point and something I never thought of when considering the new aaa unit. Ive ruined flashlights with leaking batteries and it would :::: a guy off to ruin a 200 dollar sight.
Lloyd....the battery in question was the one supplied with the optic. I don't recall the brand but it wasn't Duracell. And yes I buy my batteries on line and in quantity. However, the same brand and size, are used in six other CT laser grips with years of acceptable service behind them. They are never turned off.

I quit buying the Chinese junk Duracell brand, a few years ago after they leaked, in a couple of expensive Maglite's. I only purchase Lithium batteries nowadays, because they are less prone to leak.....so I would be leery of using common AA or AAA batteries in optics.

Winelover

[jmort]

Both my SPARCs are AAA
To me, battery quality has improved greatly and if you get a name brand battery you are unlikely to have leakage. That takes a long time with batteries rated to perform to spec for many year in storage.
The Hazzard is small compared to the availability of AAA batteries. Never have liked button batteries.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I have had so many thing ruined by leaking batteries It really pisses me off when it happens. Duracells are some of the worst offenders, but no brand is exempt.

Now I look for NiCds or Lithiums and generally they can be recharged. Even the HF brands of Nicads and Lithiums last for a long time and don't leak. You just got to remember to recharge them and not throw them away when they die.

I have one of those Goal Zero Solar Chargers that charges 4 AA or AAA batteries in about 5 hours.

We have lots of Flashlights laying around in our house and we go thru a lot of batteries. The Duracell 3 packs of flashlights from Costco look nice but they kill batteries in about a month just sitting around. I guess the LED Circuitry uses power all the time. It is too big a pITB to recharge Nicads for those lights so we just use the Costco brand of batteries which seem to last as long as the Duracells that cost twice as much.

Be cool if flashlights were Tritium Powered ! They could do that ,,, right?

Are the Atomic Beam Flash Lights seen on TV,,,, Nuclear Powered?

Randy

[ole 5 hole group]

Fresh batteries are sometimes hard to find - sometimes impossible. If your batteries were manufacturer 2 years ago - sometimes they will only have 50% life left, sometimes less.

On a semi-auto with a milled slide, there is no learning curve for a low profile reflex red dot - at least for a Leupold deltapoint. When you bring the pistol up and your eye looks for that rear sight - the large red dot will be there - every time. I've run a Leupold Deltapoint with the 7.5 MOA delta on my 1911 now for several years - holds zero for target and full-on 45 ACP loads and has done so for thousands of rounds. I know on a revolver, there is a rather large learning curve - a learning curve is a lot of practice - A LOT.;)

[Lloyd Smale]

Whats odd to me is one of those coin batterys has more life then a AAA. At least that's what vortex claims. The coin sparc has better battery life then the AAA one does.
Both my SPARCs are AAA
To me, battery quality has improved greatly and if you get a name brand battery you are unlikely to have leakage. That takes a long time with batteries rated to perform to spec for many year in storage.
The Hazzard is small compared to the availability of AAA batteries. Never have liked button batteries.

[W.R.Buchanan]

The tendency on pistol Red Dots when you present the gun is to be muzzle high. I am looking for the Front Sight and not the back so when the front sight is visible thru the optic I am high and bring the gun down til the dot is visible.

The big thrust at the show was sets of sights that were high enough so that they co-witnessed with the dot. Virtually everyone who sold pistols with slide cutouts had them. That way if your battery cacks you have instant back up. Trijicon has a sight that is tritium/ sunlight powered and needs no batteries. Cheapest price I've seen on that sight is $491 at Optics Planet. other versions of the same basic sight are as much as $650!

This is all being driven by the new "Carry Optics" classes in IDPA and other shooting sports, and there was a significant number of them at the SHOT show.

There was also a bunch of AR's with 9MM lowers and even a conversion kit that made your existing lower 9MM compatible. This is all about the new "Pistol Caliber Carbine" Classes in USPSA and others , which is a good thing since now I have a use for my KT S2K.

These sights are the wave of the future and the main reason is the speed of target acquisition. Once you get acclimated to the system you'll never go back.

Randy