Red dot optics make for a faster target acquisition and they are widely used by just about everyone. Most of the red dots under $250 are ChiCom made of poor to average quality. Some of the name brands are better than others, Bushnell, Burris etc. for example.

The "good stuff", Aimpoint, EOTech and ACOG are going to cost you $300+ but you get what you pay for.

SWFA.com, in the red dot section, can give you a good idea of the differences in price and quality.

Keep in mind that if you are looking for real SHTF gear you will need to get a "backup iron site" (BUIS) to co-witness or keep flipped down in case your optic fails. Long story short, if you don't have the cash to properly top off your AR with quality gear just invest in a set of day-glow/tritium iron site pins for your original sites, they cost about $85 a set for the rear peep and front pin. You can go minute-of-bad-guy at 150 yards with iron sites pretty easily.

For the record I have a Vortex StrikeFire ($150) for my RRA Entry Tac but it's still ChiCom junk when you compare to quality optics. I run it without 95% of the time and for the ultimate blasphemy I prefer my AK anyway

Alright Wolf now you have gone and done it … opened up the flood gates --- mechwarrior what??? I am no expert but have played about with a number of optics on my AR's and I have settled on the Eotech 512  for now – I really like it.   I do agree you get what you pay for.  I added a 3x aimpoint “clone” magnifier on a flip mount to it and at 200 yards (the longest distance around here I have found to shoot) you can zing clay pigeons or soda cans all day.

For BUIS a couple weeks ago I upgraded to a set of GG&G tactical low profile folding sights and I love them.  I added a KNS cross hair hooded front sight post and I was impressed with how it performed on the range (almost feels like you are looking thru a scope).  Here are the links

http://www.gggaz.com/index.php?id=198&parents=38,40

http://www.gggaz.com/index.php?id=65&parents=38,41

http://www.knsprecisioninc.com/SIGHTS%20AR-15%20AR-10%20M-16%20SR-25.htm

I have just ordered a Burris AR 332 3x prism optic… it is back ordered and expected in Oct – so I can give you a report on it once I put it on and try it out.  (I really wanted a Trijicon ACOG but at over a $1000 I couldn't swing).

http://www.burrisoptics.com/ar332.html

A guy at the range a few weeks back had a Burris XTR-14 1x4 mounted on his AR15. I fired about a dozen rounds using it and have to say it was a very nice setup.  I liked it so much that I am putting in an order for the Burris XTR- 1.5x-6x-40 to put on my 308AR-10.  My AR10 has killed two Bushnell scopes (banner 4x12 and trophy 4x12; broken cross hair in both cases after a few hundred rnds) so I am going to the etched glass reticle now (plus it has the lifetime warranty).

http://www.burrisoptics.com/xtrtactical1.html

I have sighted all my optics for the AR15 and AR10 at 50 yards.  Based on the ballistics I have run the 50 yard zero gives the best compromised for flat shooting out to 300 yards (pretty much know you are in a 2” radius spot all the way out).  For my irons I did the 25yard zero so the ranging thing on them works. The free ballistics program I have used and tested against loads (it is pretty good) can be downloaded at:

http://www.ballisticsimulator.com/

It is fun to play with and gives you a good idea of what to expect before hitting the range.

Hey Guys - what would you suggest on combo bright day/nite sights for a Springfield XD9.  I want to go with something fairly fast and there are a lot of things out there with fiber optics/tritium combo etc.  The XS big dot system caught my eye… but the dot almost looks like it might be too big if one is using it on the range with targets out at 20 yards and beyond....

http://www.xssights.com/store/handgun.html

ooooooo Starfury...Ive got a CX4 myself.....I love it...which did ya get?? and do ya have the matching pistol??? Im looking at getting a can for mine...well see I wish there was an easy way to upload and share pics here...but im computer illiterate..:-(

thanks for the replys, good stuff. So I want to add some accuracy to my shooting in the 200-300 yrd range. I was looking at a trijicon scope the other day at Sheel's (TA-31 series).  A bit pricey, but very nice.

Minute of beer can.

Yup, thats my mug in my Avatar taken earlier this year.

Now I am still considering the Trijicon, but now I have the idea of co-witness red dot/iron site in my head. I will have to go check some what they have at my local gun store.

well, thanks for the help. I have decided on the Trijicon. I have it set up on a carrying handle, so I can look through iron sites below and the trjicon above.

I've been considering the XS big dot system vor my XD9 - it is suppose to be a very good system for carry weapons (based on al lthe reviews etc.)...  don't know anyone who has used them yet

http://www.xssights.com/store/handgun.html