Scorpio64 5,156 Posted March 24, 2015 I've been doing some window shopping for a RDS to mount on my M4ish build. Obviously we'd all love to have Aimpoints Triijcons and EOtechs but not everyone can afford them. As a rule of thumb I try to buy in the top of the mid price range of brands I know and base my decision to buy on the reviews. It is extremely rare for me to buy any type of budget brand product . So here's the thing. There are brands, pretty much all Chinese, that are notorious for their poor quality. Flimsy, don't hold zero and fuzzy dots are just some of the common complaints. They are rated low and honestly I don't understand how anyone would buy a product with one or two stars, but they do. However, I did see quite a few sights well under $125 that had pretty good reviews, four stars and better. It got me to thinking, some of the crap brands must have at least one or two models that are not total junk. Here's a list of budget brands that had at least one product with four stars or better and 10 or more reviews. If you own one of these brands and have found a super bargain, meaning you have had it for a while, put the sight through it's paces and it far exceeded your expectations, tell us about it. Aim Sports Barska BSA Hawke Leapers UTG Leatherwood NCStar Sightmark Tasco Truglo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,877 Posted March 24, 2015 Add to the list: Vortex Strikefire Vortex SPARC Bushnell TR-25 I have the Strikefire and SPARC - both are good. I prefer the SPARC because of it's small size. I have a NCStar red dot for my Beretta Neos - This one: http://www.opticsplanet.com/ncstar-red-dot-sight-tactical-red-dot-with-4-different-reticles-silver-d4s.html It works as it has to - pretty visible - it may be kind of hard to see outdoors in bright direct sunlight. Indoors I haven't had an issue. Holds zero just fine. Field of view isn't that large but it's a tiny sight for a .22... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pizza Bob 1,488 Posted March 24, 2015 Add to that: Lucid Lucid and Vortex are available from Amazon Adios, Pizza Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MidwestPX 172 Posted March 24, 2015 I've heard good things about the Vortex offerings and even bought my FIL a Strikefire for Xmas. Primary Arms are supposed to be okay too. That being said, I'm an Aimpoint/Trijicon snob and that's all that graces MY guns Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bdhszy1 18 Posted March 24, 2015 I am also interested in a new red dot and try to do as much research as I can before buying. One driving factor is where it is made. I make every effort to buy American if possible. If you post up one you have please post where it was made. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatty 241 Posted March 24, 2015 Primary arms is also a good option. I've had great luck with the Bushnell Trs-25 as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatty 241 Posted March 24, 2015 Come to think of it I still have my Sparc. I could sell if you're interested. Shoot me a PM. Pretty much LNIB/excellent condition with all original box and accessories (w/ a magnifier). Kept it around to mount onto my wasr but never happened. $120 shipped Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark_anthony_78 0 Posted March 24, 2015 I've got an Ultradot 25 (1") on my Ruger Mark III pistol. I like it, works good, battery lasts a long time. http://www.ultradotusa.com I bought it from http://www.ultradotwest.com/ It cost about $145 at the time but prices have gone up in the past few years. They make a variety of sights, might be something that strikes your fancy. Says they are made in Japan with a lifetime warranty. I'll have to take a look at mine when I get home. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bhunted 887 Posted March 24, 2015 Good thread! Should be pinned..... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Njbanshee 9 Posted March 24, 2015 Sightmark is absolute trash. I have one that never even made it on a rifle. It's terrible! I love my vortex! Great products! Great thread! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scorpio64 5,156 Posted March 24, 2015 Like I said, most of the sights made by the listed companies are pure crap. But each company had at least one model that had enough good reviews to merit a second look. Vortex and Bushnell are not exactly in the same class as BSA. I would consider them in the low end of mid range. What we are aiming for here is the best of the bottom of the barrel. For example, Tasco has a 30mm red dot selling for $35, there are 13 reviews that put it at 4.5 stars. Sightmark has a reflex going for about $50 which 117 people felt deserved 4.1 stars. This is what I mean by the best of the worst. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silverado427 10,731 Posted March 24, 2015 Just get a primary Arms red dot, you will need a riser. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djg0770 481 Posted March 24, 2015 I have a TruGlo on my slug gun. It has no problem holding zero with the recoil of a 12 ga. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrfly3006 42 Posted March 24, 2015 Another +1 for the Bushnell TRS-25..3 years of moderate use..still holds zero..great battery life and under $100... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oleg 8 Posted March 24, 2015 PrimaryArms MD-ADS and UltraDot user here. Both are great with caveat that I used both only on .22lr guns. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Njbanshee 9 Posted March 24, 2015 I have the sight mark reflex... It's terrible. I wouldn't put vortex in the bottom of the barrel category. I feel they are more deserving of the best deal of the best sight category. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jm1827 284 Posted March 24, 2015 Just get a primary Arms red dot, you will need a riser. I have their micro-red dot and no complaints. Was around $90 and free shipping from Joe-Bobs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SJG 253 Posted March 24, 2015 A vote for TRS-25, the others i like are Vortex, Lucid and Spark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJSigfan 218 Posted March 24, 2015 I have an NC star on one AR and its a decent site. Not the best but I have not had any issues with it. I've shot maybe 200 rounds so far with it mounted and I'm happy with it. I'll eventually get a newer better site, but for now it's serving its purpose....putting holes in paper from a distance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RU_27 0 Posted March 25, 2015 This is a great read. Thanks everyone. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
checko 180 Posted March 25, 2015 When I look for budget optics I look at vortex and primary arms. I've had very good experiences with Both and they seem to have a very good rep around the Web. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeerSlayer 241 Posted March 25, 2015 Redfield makes a half way decent red dot for the price. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheLugNutZ 21 Posted March 25, 2015 another +1 for Vortex SPARC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlad G 345 Posted March 25, 2015 With Primary Arms and Vortex around there is ZERO sense in buying any of the trash brands, PA and Vortex are not much more money, really work, really hold up and in the rare case were they don't the companies stand behind the product. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeL 3 Posted March 25, 2015 Love my TRS-25, but on my last trip to the range & the very last mag, it rattled loose. Have shot just over 1k rounds with it. I didn't want to overtighten the mount, but I guess I didn't tighten it enough? Or is this something I should be checking every time? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MartyZ 696 Posted March 25, 2015 Like I said, most of the sights made by the listed companies are pure crap. But each company had at least one model that had enough good reviews to merit a second look. Vortex and Bushnell are not exactly in the same class as BSA. I would consider them in the low end of mid range. What we are aiming for here is the best of the bottom of the barrel. For example, Tasco has a 30mm red dot selling for $35, there are 13 reviews that put it at 4.5 stars. Sightmark has a reflex going for about $50 which 117 people felt deserved 4.1 stars. This is what I mean by the best of the worst. I think you have it backwards, vortex is leagues above sightmark. Just because people give sightmark good reviews on amazon does not mean much. Thats why you asked here, on a gun board, not amazon. Read thru those sightmark reviews and see how much of them are being used on airsoft guns. I had 2 strikefires and sold them only because i was able to replace them with eotechs Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mipafox 438 Posted March 25, 2015 I have this by both Sightmark and NCStar: http://ncstar.com/product/product-detail.aspx?ModelNo=D4BLQ&GroupNo=0 They are only about $40. It is not precise enough for an AR IMO, it's for cans out to 50 yards and torsos to 150. I use it on a submachinegun. They start cutting out after about 1000 rounds, but if you take the whole thing apart (including taking the mount off) you get access to the screws on top of the rheostat. After tightening them I've had 2,000 to 5,000 on each without any problems. It is not a good sight. But if you are looking for a C-More Railway style sight, and don't need a lot of precision or a big charge on your debit card, these do hold zero and they will take 10,000 rounds after you tighten the screws on the rheostat. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
9thMarines 44 Posted March 26, 2015 Being a retired old fart on a fixed income cost is a factor. Have owned two Tru-Glows for about five years now and both are still working great. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another should the need ever arise. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
raz-0 1,259 Posted March 27, 2015 Primary arms is pretty affordable and pretty good. If that's still out of your range, I'd wait for a clearance sale on bushnell or Simmons. That can get you down to about $60-70. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites