First off I would like to say hello to everyone, and thankyou for letting me into the community.
I did a quick search and couldnt find the topic. I currently have bushmasters m4a3 law enforcement carbine. i am looking for a hologrpahic/red dot site (not the tube design). I am looking to spend only $100 or less. In the future i plan on buying an eotech but cant afford one at the moment. Does anyone have a suggestion for the most rugged/water resistant/shock resistant model in that price range. ive seen a couple of truglo models in the $60-$70 range. truglo.com and the model is 8360b.
any thought, suggestions. thanks again. sorry for the noob question.
If such an animal existed for that price, everyone would be using it and no one would pay the price that Aimpoint and L3 charge.
If you are just getting a toy to play with at the range, that is something different. But the way you phrased your question leads me to believe you are trying to find something “just as good as”.
I understand money issues, but what you’re trying to do is pointless.
Unless you’re a very skilled shooter…no disrespect intended but I can already tell you’re not…then YOU are the limiting factor, not the sighting system on your rifle.
What you should do is take the 100 dollars you’re planning to spend on an interim solution and save it. With $100 you’re nearly 1/3 of the way toward a high quality optic. Why throw it away and have to start saving all over again?
In the mean time, keep training with your iron sights. Irons will force you to focus on the fundamentals. You may be surprised at how good you’ll get with standard iron sights.
Once you can can afford a proper optic, you’ll be able to hit the ground running and use it to its full potential.
Ive been shooting for over 10 years, and im 25 now. It has been mostly bolt action and pistol shooting. I am quite proficient with iron. Sights on my rifle, I was just asking more for the novelty of it at the range. I am new on the ar platform, so I was curious. It relates to my job so I practice with it more often.
Keep an eye on the Equipment Exchange. You will often see used Aimpoints that are still in 100% working condition being let go for cheap. Not quite $100 cheap, but nothing unattainable either. If you’re in a financial position where you can spend $100 for a “novelty” on the range, then I think you could probably wait a few more weeks and save $350. When that $100 optic you want breaks down on you, what are you going to do? Why not wait a while longer and get something that will last as long as the rifle? I think you’ll find this to be the more economical long term decision.
Youre not gonna get any positive feedback here running a $100 optic.
Firearms as you know are not cheap, its not a cheap hobby or lifestyle. You have been shooting bolt guns for 10 years? What did you spend on your optic if you dont mind me asking?
Youre talking about something that saves lives and protects you.
You could afford a rifle, why are you looking to skimp on ONE of the most important parts?
You can most definately find an optic for under a hundred dollars, but its NOT going to be shock resistant, or tough for that matter, or hold a zero, or water resistant, or good.
Save your money and stick with irons or buy an Eotech.
I think the cheapest “Decent” optic is the Vortex SPARC for $200, and alot of people like the Primary Arms red dots which are a little cheaper.
I dont have experiance with either, but those are the 2 I have heard are “OK”
If it was me and I really couldnt afford $400-$550 for aimpoint or eotech I would get the SPARC.
The Primary Arms still seem like all the other $75 Chinese optics to me
I would shop around the forum for a used Aimpoint or Eotech. In the meantime save money when you can to go towards your scope purchase. Buy once, cry once.
You should make sure your carbine is up to the task of training (if that’s what you plan to do with it) LONG before you ever buy an optic. Chances are, there are some unstaked/improperly staked items and a few other things you’ll need to look into by reading the stickies around the forum. Read. Think. Post. Welcome.
I went with the sparc for now until I can afford either an aimpoint or the trijicon srs next year. Its a decent optic and has held up well even through a couple classes. you said you don’t like the tube effect and neither did I at first but you get used to it. As for an optic under $100… I have yet to see one last more than a couple rounds before either losing zero, broken electronucs, or having the glass blown out. Buy cheap buy twice.