Which red dot?

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KansasSasquatch

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I'm trying to decide on a decent but budget friendly red dot for an AR pistol. I've pretty much narrowed my choices down to a Holosun Micro w/ shake awake, Primary Arms Advanced, Sig Sauer Romeo 5, and a Vortex Sparc. I just built this pistol (PSA kit) and plan to SBR it sometime in the next year. It'll primarily be used as a range toy but possibly as a defensive weapon if necessary. So I dont want something "cheap" but probably don't need top shelf either. And I have MBUS sights if the red dot ever fails. So which one is the best considering they can all ve had for roughly the same money?
 
I don’t have experience with all of the above but I’ve been satisfied with my Vortex RDS on several previous rifles. What I don’t care for is the latest iteration, the SPARC AR. Power button is gone, takes holding one button to turn on or off, and buttons feel stiffer as if they may not be depressed at all. It was still a bargain as bundled from PSA but it isn’t all it could have been.

BCA0A9A4-77A2-4716-B8A7-0F4E973B87F9.jpeg
 
I'm kind of leaning towards the Holosun just because it has the "shake awake" feature. I think not having to deal with an extra button in a defensive situation is a good idea.
 
The Sig Romeo5 has the "shake-awake", also. I have one on my defensive carbine, and love it. The Holosun and Romeo5 may or may not be the same sight with different packaging, depending on which internet lore you believe. Sig's warranty seemed to be easier to deal with than Holosun, which is why I went with the Sig.
 
badkarmamib said:
The Holosun and Romeo5 may or may not be the same sight with different packaging, depending on which internet lore you believe.
Click to expand...

What I believe is the housing is likely produced by the same facility but specs on products could be wildly different. IIRC there are only 3 producers of LCD screens in the world. Everything from iPhones to computers to televisions starts with parts from one of those few sources but resolution, size, hardware, and software are spec’d by the customer (Apple/Sony/Samsung/ViewSonic/etc.).

I feel confident in Vortex’s warranty, I own binos and 3 red dots; StrikeFire, SPARC, and SPARC AR. I’m very interested in trying the Sig and likely will in short order, and Holosun is garnering some interest but their price point for a relatively unknown brand is keeping me away. I’ll add an honorable mention for the Bushnell TRS-25 which offers an inexpensive option that works well too. Wouldn’t mind a field report whichever direction you go.
 
I have a Vortex Sparc 2 with about 1000 rounds on it. It came loose in a rifle class & got beat up by recoil. It would go off every other shoot. Thank God for my iron sights. That said the Vortex customer service was outstanding. They fixed a look connection. I just got it back & I'm going to range test it soon. I’m also thinking about a Holosun, but I’m happy with my Sparc 2 also.
 
Armored farmer said:
View attachment 811427
I have a milspec sightmark on my AR.
After ,.....what 4 years? I have no complaints.
I would buy it again
Click to expand...

I had been looking at some Sightmarks. They're definitely budget friendly but I've never heard of the brand. Maybe I'll give one a try eventually.

brunowbe said:
Save a bit longer and get a Trijicon MRO. These can be found for under $400 quite frequently.
Click to expand...
I know Trijicon makes good products, just not sure if $400 is in my budget for this. Between the Anderson stripped lower, PSA build kit (complete upper and parts to finish lower), Seekins bolt catch upgrade, and Magpul K2+ grip, I'm only into this pistol for $370. But on the rifle I'll be building next week $400 is surely acceptable. I'm planning on a red dot and magnifier for it.
 
KansasSasquatch said:
I had been looking at some Sightmarks. They're definitely budget friendly but I've never heard of the brand. Maybe I'll give one a try eventually.


I know Trijicon makes good products, just not sure if $400 is in my budget for this. Between the Anderson stripped lower, PSA build kit (complete upper and parts to finish lower), Seekins bolt catch upgrade, and Magpul K2+ grip, I'm only into this pistol for $370. But on the rifle I'll be building next week $400 is surely acceptable. I'm planning on a red dot and magnifier for it.
Click to expand...
I have Sightmarks. They work fine indoors. My only complaint was them not being bright enough in full sun when I am wearing sunglasses. Kind of like trying to read an e-book on the beach. I don’t have that problem with Burris, Vortex or Bushnell.
 
The Sig Romeo 5 might be one of the best deals going right now. $139 on Amazon. It has the shake awake feature, battery life is years, and Sig has a good warranty. I've heard that several state police departments as well as some Federal departments use some variation of the Sig Romeo.
 
You really have to look at them yourself. Spending money will get you durability, but which look best to the eye depends on the eye. The more expensive models happen to not look best to my eyes.
 
I decided to go with the Romeo5. PSA had it for $200, which is a little high but it included 10 PMags, which I need more of anyway, plus free shipping. So I figure at that price its basically 5 free mags. And I wanted some other parts anyways. PSA has been getting way too much of my money lately, but all good products and fast shipping so far.
 
KansasSasquatch said:
I decided to go with the Romeo5. PSA had it for $200, which is a little high but it included 10 PMags, which I need more of anyway, plus free shipping. So I figure at that price its basically 5 free mags. And I wanted some other parts anyways. PSA has been getting way too much of my money lately, but all good products and fast shipping so far.
Click to expand...

What is a PMag?
 
I've been really happy with my Romeo 5. I've had it for about a year, and it's been running great. The shake awake feature also works very fast on it. With some of my of my other red dots, the shake awake won't kick on unless I smack the side of the rifle, but the Romeo 5 turns on as soon as I pick up my rifle.
 
brunowbe said:
Save a bit longer and get a Trijicon MRO. These can be found for under $400 quite frequently.
Click to expand...
I have 2 and they are pretty great.
They do not work very well with magnifiers, however.

Beside the MRO's I have a Vortex UH1 holographic (with a magnifier behind it) that is pretty sweet. It looks like an old school television set on there, but the optic works quite well.

For the money you spend, I have been quite impressed with Holosun dots as well. They even pair with magnifiers.

ETA Pic:
hUuv9DDBj0EfqnEG3XXl8VrDkjhq54fQfXaAk8d0nmwHCdhQ4VdBFDasH22wMuq5qDmhy9HU9jbe-7gJi0=w1008-h755-no.jpg
 
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