Top Rated Red Dot & Best Selling Reflex Tactical Sights
Red Dot Sights are popular AR sights. It’s a matter of semantics, but a reflex sight is technically a red dot sight. Both project a reticle onto an objective lens. If you’re looking for a fast, accurate AR-15 sight, a red dot sight provides a lot of versatility.
When people talk about red dot vs reflex sights, they really are talking about tubed vs non-tubed red dot sights – there really are no technical differences, merely mechanical. While most red dot or reflex sights are of 1x magnification, many manufacturers of reflex like Aimpoint, EOTech, and Vortex have their own matching magnifiers for their red dot sight models. Non-tubed reflex sights are popular because many models are smaller in size, which makes them a popular add-on for pistols, and magnified, long range rifle scopes, which allows for both long range and close-up target acquisition. In addition, eye relief is not as much of an issue.
The benefit of a reflex sight is that it allows for target acquisition with both eyes open, and does not require eye-to-weapon alignment. This retains a full field of view and peripheral vision. Red dot or reflex sights do not contain lasers.
There are three primary sources of illumination for a reflex sight. They are LED, ambient light gathered through an optic tube (ie, Trijicon ACOG models,) or a tritium powered beta lamp; the latter two are typically mated together so the sight performs in low-light scenarios. Models like the Trijicon ACOG can be extremely pricey.
For the purposes of this quick guide, we’ll talk about the best red dot or reflex sights for the money.
Best Red Dot Sight Under $100
Bushnell Trophy Red Dot TRS-25 3 MOA Red Dot Reticle Riflescope, 1x25mm...
- Trophy red dot 1 x 25mm
- Easy target acquisition
- 3 MOA, Dot-reticle
- Amber-Bright high contrast lens coating (front lens is tinted amber)
- TILTED front lens reflects LED light to create red dot; Colors on the lettering May vary
- Trophy red dot 1 x 25mm
- Easy target acquisition
- 3 MOA, Dot-reticle
- Amber-Bright high contrast lens coating (front lens is tinted amber)
- TILTED front lens reflects LED light to create red dot; Colors on the lettering May vary
- Red dot LED light source secured inside the scope with adhesive (by design, partially obstructs field of view)
- Red dot may appear blurry or misshapen if the dot intensity is set too high for the ambient light conditions (most likely to occur indoors with artificial light)
- Caution: An illumination setting that is too high for ambient light conditions will result in a dot that appears distorted and non-concentric.Kindly refer the user manual attached below for troubleshooting steps and instructions.
- The device is more affordable as compared with high-end scopes available on the market
- Features significant capabilities and function
- Features excellent design and construction
- Durable and hardwearing; perfect for hunting and target practice
- Shooters can modify the sight’s brightness depending on the location’s light settings
- The sight includes a mount
- Shooters would need to remember to switch off the scope when not in use to maintain battery life
- The device’s brightness knob is too rigid
Verdict
It’s hard to find anything as reliable as the Bushnell TRS-25 at this price point. There are other red dot sights that are cheaper, but we’d only use those for plinkers at the range. While we’d go with the Vortex SPARC II if we had the cash, nobody can fault you for saving some bucks and buying this model. Read our full review.It will require a riser for co-witnessing with iron sights on an AR platform, so we recommend UTG’s .83” riser.
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Best Red Dot Sight Under $200
Vortex Optics Sparc 2 Red Dot MOA (SPC-402) Scope (High Mount), Black
- Fully Multi-Coated: Multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces increase light transmission
- Bright Red Dot: Display is highly visible in daylight & Single-Piece Chassis maximizes strength and water proofness
- Fully Multi-Coated: Multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces increase light transmission
- Bright Red Dot: Display is highly visible in daylight & Single-Piece Chassis maximizes strength and water proofness
- 12-hour auto-shutdown feature maximizes battery life
- Typical battery life is 300 hours at maximum brightness and 5,000 hours at minimum brightness setting
- Waterproof: O-ring seals prevent moisture dust and debris from penetrating
- Tough
- Good battery life
- Extremely affordable
- Comes with variable mounting kit
- Not as compact as the SPARC AR or similar Aimpoint
- A little bulky
Verdict
This is one helluva scope. For the money, it’s hard to beat. See what kind of abuse it can take in our full review.The Vortex VMX-3T Magnifier with Flip Mount is the most popular accessory for this tactical sight.
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Best Price-Is-No-Object Tactical Red Dot and Reflex Sight
Aimpoint Micro H-2 2MOA Dot 200185
- Micro H-2 (2 MOA with standard mount)
- Micro H-2 (2 MOA with standard mount)
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