Inexpensive optic options for AR builds?

[TacticalSpeed]

I've got a few builds in the pipeline. All just range toys to dropping gobs of $ on optics for each one is not something I am willing to do.

These are AR pistol builds with the exception of the .308 rifle & 22LR rifle. The 308 (Whenever I do build it) will get a quality optic. The 22LR may just get a Monstrum prism scope or similar.

I would like to put magnified prism scopes on the pistol builds, but not Monstrum & not expensive stuff for hundreds of dollars each either.

I've moved away from red dots due to my sight & the astigmatism. That's what is really causing the issue. Otherwise, I'd just slap a 403B or Romeo5 on each & call it a day. However, I have read that putting a magnifier behind a red dot like those gets rid of the starburst look for those of us with an astigmatism. Is this true? If so, then that would save me plenty of time & money. Can anyone with an astigmatism chime in to confirm?

I'd also love the Primary Arms 1x micro prism, but not at $250 each for these 2 builds. Plus I really want something magnified if I am dropping money like that if I can help it.

Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions?

 

[BigBL87]

By the time you buy a decent budget red dot and a magnifier, you're going to be in the price range of a Primary Arms or Athlon (the two budget options I'd look hardest at) prism scope, so for what you want I think you'd be better off biting the bullet and paying a little extra for the prism scopes. Not to mention, that's adding some unnecessary weight just to make a red dot usable for you. At that point, you might as well just get a scope.

As far as prisms, this one from Primary Arms is a little cheaper than the $250 one you're looking at. If you happen to be a first responder and register with them, you can get it cheaper too (it lists at $179 for me).

https://www.primaryarms.com/primary...-scope-with-patented-cqb-acss-reticle-pac2-5x

There are 1-4x scopes under $200 that I think would work well, but it doesn't sound like you're looking for a LPVO.

 

[TacticalSpeed]

By the time you buy a decent budget red dot and a magnifier, you're going to be in the price range of a Primary Arms or Athlon (the two budget options I'd look hardest at) prism scope, so for what you want I think you'd be better off biting the bullet and paying a little extra for the prism scopes. Not to mention, that's adding some unnecessary weight just to make a red dot usable for you. At that point, you might as well just get a scope.

As far as prisms, this one from Primary Arms is a little cheaper than the $250 one you're looking at. If you happen to be a first responder and register with them, you can get it cheaper too (it lists at $179 for me).

https://www.primaryarms.com/primary...-scope-with-patented-cqb-acss-reticle-pac2-5x

There are 1-4x scopes under $200 that I think would work well, but it doesn't sound like you're looking for a LPVO.

I actually have their SLx 2.5x prism scope on 2 of my other builds & the GLx 2x on order for my main rifle. Love em. Was just hoping I had other options.

The other thing is, can't really fire them as a pistol with a prism scope. Wasn't planning on irons on anything.

 

[greyling22]

swampfox makes 2 prisms, the 1x blade and the 3x trihawk, that look really slick. but they're $250 or so after the 20% coupons. you could also check out the used optics forum on ar15.com. there are deals to be had there. I put leupold 1-4x scopes one some of my AR builds. add them to a utg scope mount, and they are around $250.

 

[BigBL87]

I actually have their SLx 2.5x prism scope on 2 of my other builds & the GLx 2x on order for my main rifle. Love em. Was just hoping I had other options.

The other thing is, can't really fire them as a pistol with a prism scope. Wasn't planning on irons on anything.

Gotcha. Well, if that's the case a magnifier won't really work either as I understand it. You will run into the same eye relief issues that you would with a prism scope.

If you were wanting to fire them as a pistol (I'm assuming you mean with your arm extended, one handed) your best bet would probably be long eye relief or pistol scopes.

If you wanted to be able to shoot both shouldered and extended, astigmatism issues with the red dot be damned, then I suppose the red dot/magnifier could make sense.

A Primary Arms Advanced Micro Dot and 3x magnifier (the only one they have in stock ATM) with the proper risers and mounts would run you around $265. That would probably one of the more cost effective options. If you went with the Classic red dot (which doesn't have the 50,000 hour battery life), you could drop that down to $225 or so.

That kind of setup would give you a dot (albeit probably more of a starburst with your astigmatism) with the magnifier flipped when extended, and when you shouldered it with the magnifier you'd have a crisp dot at 3x magnification.

 

[12Bravo20]

swampfox makes 2 prisms, the 1x blade and the 3x trihawk, that look really slick. but they're $250 or so after the 20% coupons. you could also check out the used optics forum on ar15.com. there are deals to be had there. I put leupold 1-4x scopes one some of my AR builds. add them to a utg scope mount, and they are around $250.

For those that qualify for the MIL/LEO discount, you get 30% off if you buy directly from Swampfox. I have the Blade 1X and like it. It is on a carbine though. With any prism sight, you have about the same eye box as regular scopes.

 

[Tirod]

There are quality low cost dots out there, like Bushnell. If astigmatism is the issue, it will move your choices up. Since more than one build is the issue, pick the one that will use the better optic on it, then devolve the others. Iron sights always work and take extreme punishment - which is what is on my AR pistol. Since its not a 200m gun, no optic.

Once you assess what you will specifically do with that particular gun then assess what optic costs you really need.

 

[TacticalSpeed]

There are quality low cost dots out there, like Bushnell. If astigmatism is the issue, it will move your choices up. Since more than one build is the issue, pick the one that will use the better optic on it, then devolve the others. Iron sights always work and take extreme punishment - which is what is on my AR pistol. Since its not a 200m gun, no optic.

Once you assess what you will specifically do with that particular gun then assess what optic costs you really need.

I don't enjoy shooting without magnification anymore & I stated red dots = no go.
So just irons would make me never shoot whatever only had irons

 

[Buzznrose]

Due to my eye issues, basically age related, I’m a fan of LPVO’s on most of my long guns.

I’ve heard a lot of good things for the Cabelas AR series optics.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-ar-rifle-scope

 

[12Bravo20]

I have also found that using a green reticle helps with my astigmatism. I get less bloom with green than I do with red.

 

[Zerodefect]

Cause it's dimmer.

We can't all have astigmatism. I can set my Aimpoint to where it's squidy, and pass it around, it's squidy for everyone.

 

[Jonesy814]

Europtic has the vortex spitfire, 1 x prism sight on close out
https://www.eurooptic.com/vortex-spitfire-1x-prism-scope-with-drt-reticle-moa-spr-1301.aspx

 

[TacticalSpeed]

Europtic has the vortex spitfire, 1 x prism sight on close out
https://www.eurooptic.com/vortex-spitfire-1x-prism-scope-with-drt-reticle-moa-spr-1301.aspx

While not magnified, it is tempting due to price. I'll have to look into it. However, the Primary Arms 2.5 magnified (That I have 3 of already) is only $25 more on sale. Hmm...

Thanks

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

I just posted about this “optic” in a different thread, but the See-All open sight might fit your needs. It can be found for less than $100 (much less for the older gen 2 and gen 1 models and especially the non-tritium versions), and I’ve read it’s helpful for people who have a hard time with red dots and scopes due to eye issues like astigmatism. It’s basically a magnified crosshairs with a high-vis background which you align just below your intended target.

 

[TacticalSpeed]

I just posted about this “optic” in a different thread, but the See-All open sight might fit your needs. It can be found for less than $100 (much less for the older gen 2 and gen 1 models and especially the non-tritium versions), and I’ve read it’s helpful for people who have a hard time with red dots and scopes due to eye issues like astigmatism. It’s basically a magnified crosshairs with a high-vis background which you align just below your intended target.

For $200, I'll stick with the PA magnified prism scopes...just bought 3 more of the SLx 2.5x for $175 ea on sale.

$200 is insane for these IMO. They do look interesting, though

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

For $200, I'll stick with the PA magnified prism scopes...just bought 3 more of the SLx 2.5x for $175 ea on sale.

$200 is insane for these IMO. They do look interesting, though

I had to look on amazon to see if it was true. You’re right, the new one is over $200 and even the older tritium lit model I have is still $150. I could have swore I paid a bit less but maybe I’m wrong or maybe that’s the crazy gun market at work again. Anyway there is the unlit Gen .1 for $80 available but I’m not sure if I would bite for that price either if it was just something to try out. I like mine a lot so far but admittedly I haven’t done very much shooting with it yet. Time will tell if there’s something there but at least the low profile and lack of batteries is pretty nice.