Red dot budget

[Nugg]

I got a budget red dot to try before spending big money. It works but the glass isn't as clear and adjustments are rough. Is an expensive red dot really that much better or is cheap good enough?

 

[Native_Tarheel]

Nugg, your experience with the "cheap" red dot seems to answer your question I paid $109 for a "high end" Bushnell red dot (multiple brightness settings, multiple dot sizes and mutiple reticles) back in 2007 and mounted it to my Ruger Mark III 22lr 6 7/8" barrel target pistol. Sighting it in was a no brainer, and it helped make the pistol the proverbial tack driver. However, it did take multple trips to the range for me to adapt to quickly "finding the dot" in my field of view after being use to the original sights. About the only issue I've experienced is that, even tho' the optic automatically turns "off" when the pistol lies flat for a minute or two, something will consume the battery in less than 48 hours, if left in place. Simple enough to just remove the battery before putting the pistol away. Been using the same battery now for at least five years.

 

[Daze]

Buying super expensive gear didn’t make me a better shot, it just made it nicer when I shoot for a long time.

 

[thegunnut]

I am too poor to buy cheap stuff. One of my life philosophies.

 

[Blackbeard]

Like most things, people think they can buy equipment to make them better. Nicer shoes will make them a faster runner, or more expensive cooking utensils will make them a better baker. Yes, quality matters, but the ability and practice still holds true.

Red dots are quite useful, but if you're unable to have great trigger control, then it really doesn't matter. I did not go for a red dot on most of my firearms.

 

[PapaGeorgio]

I got a budget red dot to try before spending big money. It works but the glass isn't as clear and adjustments are rough. Is an expensive red dot really that much better or is cheap good enough?

The quality of a red dot is just like a scope. More expensive usually = better quality. Some offer better bang for the buck. You wouldn’t judge all scopes by looking through a Tasco.

 

[LimaCharlie]

Unfortunately, in optics the old sage of "you get what you pay for" is true in the extreme.
Many times, depending on your intended usage you can get by with something in a mid-range price point and be fine with it. And having 'information overload' at our fingertips makes researching and seeing reviews on a product a much simpler than it's ever been.

 

[IN10SS]

Any of the Vortex, or Holosun or even Primary Arms will serve you well quality wise. Those can be had reasonably cheap depending on features. Of course special needs or desired options add up even on mid priced brands.