Red dot sights under $200
Red dot sights have been a great addition to the rifle scope optics world because they make shooting easy and fast. These red dot sights however can get expensive especially if you go for the ones with the most advanced features.
The good news is that we have some budget options on the market that strike a perfect balance between performance and price
This article looks at the red dot sights that are priced under $200 and will guarantee you superior performance despite their cheap price.
Best Red Dot Sights Under $200
1. Bushnell TRS-25 Trophy Series Red Dot Sight
A very highly rated red dot sight because it matches up to the performance and durability of other highly-priced models.
Among the many useful features is a bright red dot that can be used in both bright and low-light conditions. The dot is a 3 MOA with 11 levels of brightness.
Next, it exhibits a well-built housing that is shockproof and uses high-quality seals to keep water out. Nitrogen purging has also been performed inside the lens to prevent fogging in humid conditions.
The red dot was not designed for any specific firearm, but it will work perfectly on any firearm that can accept a Picatinny mount. This includes pistols and rifles based on the AR platform, such as the AR15.
Specifications
- Magnification: 1 x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 35 mm
- Reticle: 3 MOA
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.5 in at 100 yds
- Battery Life: 5,000+ hours
- Weight: 4oz.
Pros
- Easily matches the high-end dots
- Durable design and construction
2. Vortex Crossfire II 1x22mm 2 MOA Reflex Red Dot Sight
This red dot sight is well under $200 without any of its additional accessories. To say the least, it shines when it comes to optical clarity, which is a Vortex reputation
The glass is of high quality, and the manufacturer has covered it with high-quality coatings that reduce glare while allowing the maximum amount of light to pass through. The high-quality glass is paired with a 2 MOA dot that is also sharp and provides pinpoint accuracy for both short-range and long-range targets.
You are able to enjoy all these characteristics, over a 50,000-hour period which Is the life of the battery. The other good news is that this red dot is compatible with night vision, for a shooter who prefers operating in the dark.
Specifications
- Magnification: 1 x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 22 mm
- Brightness Settings: 11
- Adjustment Click Value: 1 MOA
- Dimensions: 2.5 x 1.1 x 1.1 in
- Battery Life: 50,000 hours
- Weight: 5.2 oz
Pros
- Exceptional clarity
- Long battery life
- Vortex lifetime warranty
3. SIG SAUER ROMEO5 1x20mm Red Dot Sight
The Sig-Sauer Romeo 5 has been praised because of its high accuracy because the manufacturer has virtually eliminated any amount of parallax so you can be assured that what you see through the lens is the actual point of impact.
The accuracy has been verified by many professional shooters who have used this red dot extensively. It’s also easy to mount using the Integrated M1913 Picatinny interface.
Another likable characteristic is motion-activated illumination, the 2 MOA dot, with 8 levels of brightness, automatically switches on when it senses motion. This plays a huge part in conserving the battery, which is rated to have a lifespan of 40,000+ hours
The red dot is robust and has an Ipx-7 rating which allows it to be dipped in water up to 1 meter deep.
Specifications
- Magnification: 1 x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 20 mm
- Reticle: 2 MOA Red Dot
- Adjustment Click Value: 1 MOA
- Battery Life: 40,000 hours
- Water Resistance Level: IPX-7
- Length: 47 x 1.5 x 1.52 in
- Weight: 5.1 oz
Pros
- IPx-7 waterproof rating
- Non-existent parallax
- Decent battery life
4. Holosun HS403R 2 MOA Red Dot Sight
Holosun has done exceptionally well in the world of red dots, and this one, in particular, has received rave reviews from both professional and casual users. This means it’s a fantastic option, to say the least, and it’s also reasonably priced at under $200.
This is the red dot with the longest battery life because it’s been rated for 100,000 hours. Not only that, the 2 MOA dot is sharp and has 12 levels of brightness, making it highly visible in all lighting conditions.
Another great feature is that this red dot was designed with usability in mind. This entails incorporating simple controls for faster operation and accuracy even in challenging situations. It’s also relatively lightweight, so it’s very comfortable even on a handgun.
Finally, despite the red dot sight’s low price, the glass provides a respectable image quality. This is made possible by a multi-layer coating that enables the greatest amount of light transmission.
Specifications
- Magnification: 1 x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 20 mm
- Reticle: 2 MOA Dot
- Battery Life: 100,000 hours
- Water Resistance Level: IP67
- Dimensions: 2.75 x 1.43 x 1.62 in
- Weight: 3.53 oz
Pros
- Excellent battery life
- Lightweight
- Decent glass quality
5. Feyachi Reflex Sight, Multiple Reticle System
Although fairly unknown this is the dark horse when it comes to red dot sights under $200 that will give a shooter the best value. Get a hold of it and you will quickly understand what we are talking about.
It comes with an array of unique features, one of them being 4 different selectable red dot reticles. This makes it easily adaptable to a shooter with different preferences.
other great characteristics are a height-adjustable feature and a parallax-corrected lens that guarantee the shooter’s accuracy in all conditions.
Finally, you can be confident that this is a dependable red dot sight, thanks to the long battery life. It has also been built with durable and high-quality aluminum, which, while the build quality may appear flimsy at first, really holds well when put to the test.
Specifications
- Magnification: 1 x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 40 mm
- Reticle: 4 different designs
- Battery Life: 60,000 hours
- Weight: 5.04 oz
Pros
- Different reticle choices
- Decent battery life
- value for money
6. Vortex SPARC AR II 1x22mm Reflex Red Dot Sights
Another great product from the vortex brand this one is lightweight and compact to make it more comfortable for the shooter to use while mounted on a firearm.
It comes with a 2 MOA dot that has 8 levels of brightness with easily accessible controls. Moreover, the two lowest brightness settings are compatible with night vision.
Don’t forget that this red dot brings the vortex reputation in terms of optical quality, as well as durability, due to the fact that this sight is well built with rugged aluminum material. Furthermore, it is waterproof and fog-resistant, allowing you to maintain admirable accuracy.
Overall, this is a fantastic option that comes with a lifetime warranty to give the user peace of mind. It has an excellent build quality, high-quality glass, and fits easily on a weaver or Picatinny base.
Specifications
- Magnification: 1 x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 22 mm
- Reticle: 2 MOA Dot
- Dimensions: 3.1 x 1.09 x 1.08 in
- Weight: 5.9 oz
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Easy to use
- Covered under lifetime warranty
7. Primary Arms CLxZ Gen 2 Micro Dot Sight
A tiny red dot, but not incompetent. If you need something portable and light, this is a great option. Furthermore, in terms of performance, it is on par with most standard-sized, higher-priced red dot sights.
Let’s start with the disadvantages of this sight, one of which is the battery life, which is only 1000 hours. However, it is correct to say that in most cases, this will suffice, especially considering that the sight cost under $100.
The glass is of reasonable quality, nothing remarkable, but the accuracy is. The manufacturer has used some ingenious methods to ensure that this is one of the most accurate red dot sights under $200.
Specifications
- Magnification: 1 x
- Reticle: 2 MOA Dot
- Brightness Settings: 12
- Battery Life: 1000 hours
- Weight: 4.2 oz
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Bright red dot
- Accurate
Buying the best red dot sights under $200
Let’s look at the characteristics to consider when shopping for a red dot sight priced under $200
Battery life
The red dot on a sight is courtesy of an LED that’s powered by a battery. The dependability of the red dot will greatly depend on how long the battery will last, without it requiring replacement. Most manufacturers give a rough figure estimating the life in hours. The best red dot sights should have a life of at least a few thousand hours.
Accessing the battery compartment should also be easy to facilitate the quick replacement of the battery
Glass
When purchasing a red dot sight, one of the most important features that most people overlook is the optical quality through the glass. A clear lens can make a significant difference in the accuracy of your shots. A good quality glass extends the timeframe in which the scope can be used, as a shooter can spot a target even at dusk.
Compatibility
This describes the type of mounting used on the red dot sight. is it compatible with your rifle scope? Proper mounting on a firearm improves accuracy and also makes the sight secure to prevent accidental dislodging when in use.
Weight
This is relative to a particular shooter but adding extra weight to an already heavy rifle, is a concern for a lot of shooters. Many shooters opt for the micro red dot sights which are typically lightweight and portable without compromising on accuracy.
Dot Size
This is the diameter of the LED dot used to aim at a target. Dot size is measured in minutes of angle (MOA), with 1 MOA equaling 1 inch at 100 yards. Smaller dots are better for accuracy over longer distances, while larger dots are better for close-range shooting.
Red vs green dot
The color of the dot does not have to be red, and we have some sights that have a green dot but are still referred to as red dot sights. Opting for a green dot over a red dot is largely determined by personal preference. Some shooters admit that the green dot is better visible during the day
CONCLUSION
This is a detailed review of the best red dot sights priced under $200. The sights we have included on our list are not only cheap but also guarantee value to a shooter through performance, durability and dependability. We as reviewers recommend the Bushnell TRS-25 Trophy, as the best overall in terms of build quality and performance. but the Feyachi Reflex Sight takes it when it comes to value.
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