Getting the Best Rifle Sights for Your Money: EOTech, Burris, and Vortex Make the List

Given that the AR-15 is one of the most versatile weapons on the market right now, it is no wonder that there is an abundance of options available on the market for accessories, such as sights. I feel that this is the most important upgrade that you could/should make to your AR-15. The reasoning for this is that having quality optics on your rail will help you put the rounds where they matter. The right optic is different for everyone, but once you get your sights set in, one thing is certain. A quality sight will allow you to increase your effectiveness, accuracy, speed, and your range. Not every shooter has the same budget, so I will go through the best optics across many different price ranges.

The first thing that I have to state is that you are going to get what you pay for 100% of the time when you are looking at optics. This does not mean that you cannot get a good deal on a product, but rather this means that the more you are willing to pay, the better materials you will see, and the more features you will have on your sight. For the purposes of this article I will not even mention the 100 and under category because I have not found anything that can substantially fill that need. You will most likely be able to find an okay TruGlo by getting the Tru-Brite, but I couldn't see myself paying more than $50 for it. I would rather save an extra hundred and start exploring some better technology and longevity. I would gladly save an extra bit of cash so that I could save myself the headache of getting a sight that won't be able to hold its zero through time. Ammo adds up.

If you are looking for something that will withstand the test of time and is built to last, then I would recommend taking a look at the Burris Fast Fire III. The battery life of the CR 2032 was a lot longer than I had initially thought, so that was a pleasant surprise. It has an all metal housing to assure that it lasts for some time to come and it features an on/off switch. You will not get a reticle with this sight, but rather the optics are only fitted with a red dot. For some that may be just what they are looking for. For the clarity, and the materials used, I think that you will be hard pressed to find a better sight in this range.

If you are looking for something that is slightly a step down from the Leupolds, the Trijicons, the Aimpoints, and the EOTech Sights then your next best bet is taking a look at the Vortex Spitfire. This scope features both red and green dot illumination options to suit almost any shooters needs. It was designed specifically for the AR platform so you know that its anodized aluminum housing can hold zero and take a beating. Since you have a slightly larger price tag this sight becomes better suited for medium to long range use.

This is where the real features start coming into play. If you are looking for something that our US soldiers use, then look no further. The EOTech EXPS3 is the preferred optic of the USSOCOM and it was chosen for good reason. EOTech Sighs are known for the "true 2 eyes open" shooting that enables the shooter to obtain faster target acquisition. It features a 7mm raised base for iron sight access with night vision capability. It is built to last and is night vision compatible. This is my choice for the best holographic sight on the market. Just remember that if you drop a cheaper sight down a flight of stairs or it gets banged around a bit, then there is a good chance that it will stop functioning properly. The more you spend, the better chance that you will have of the sight lasting you a good while.