Red dots are non-magnifying optics that are alternatives to iron sights. In exchange for more weight and worrying about battery life (which is in the weeks or months for most modern ones), you get much quicker target acquisition times, less tunnel vision when aiming, and superior aiming in odd positions and low light. A cheap one that isn't total shit will cost you about ~150 USD (as of July 2017) or more. You'll probably want one of these on your raifuru unless you're all "Nyet! rifle is fine" or you have a magnifying optic on it. While pretty standard on long guns, they are currently a luxury (and generally requires permanent gunsmithing work to install) on handguns, but with improving technology and the US military's new M17 pistol having an optics mount as standard this is likely to change.
Cheap (and not so cheap) red dots to consider. Unless otherwise noted all are 2 MoA dots.
Vortex Strikefire II[]
Pros:[]
- Cheap
- Green dot option for certain environments/vision problems
- Includes mount
- Vortex warranty
Cons:[]
- 4 MOA (less precise)
- Made in China
- Relatively uncommon battery (CR2)
Vortex SPARC II[]
Pros:
- Cheap
- Small
- Mount included
- Vortex warranty
Cons:
- Made in China
- Relatively uncommon battery (CR 2032)
- Lower right portion of view is obstructed
Vortex SPARC AR[]
Pros:
- Cheap
- Small
- Integral mount
- Very common battery (AAA)
- Vortex Warranty
Cons:
- Made in China
- Integral mount limits the height setup and limits it to the AR-15 platform (plus a few other MSRs). Also prevents use of a cantilever mount if you wanted to do that.
- Lower right portion of view is obstructed
Aimpoint ACO[]
Pros:
- 1 year battery life
- Made in USA...
- By the current red dot contractor for the US Armed Forces
- Includes mount
Cons:
- Relatively expensive for a "budget" red dot
- Not that much cheaper than Aimpoint's superior and similar PRO model despite sacrificing quite a bit
- Relatively uncommon battery (CR2032)
- Aimpoint's warranty is only 2 years for professional/competition use and 10 years for personal use.