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- Alfred Mendoza
- June 1, 2023
Around this time last year, my friend purchased a reflex sight for his hunting rifle. However, after a few months of enjoying his reflex sight, he came to me and whined about his new tool, saying it was a waste of money. So, to help him get out of his misery, my team and I decided to find the best reflex sight under 200 dollars that is a worthy investment for his hunting sprees.
- Has two power systems
- The battery lasts for 50,000 hours.
- Two-eyes open shooting capable.
- Parallax-free and unlimited eye relief
- Auto adjustment of red dot intensity
- Cast magnesium alloy housing with a protective shield
- Ideal for long-range accuracy
- Low power consumption
- Digital switch controls
- Interlok internal locking system
- It has two dot color options.
- The battery lasts up to 6,000 hours.
- Ten illumination settings
- O-ring seals for protection
- Rugged construction
Table of Contents
Top 10 Reflex Optics Under $200
1. HOLOSUN HS403C
HOLOSUN HS403C is one of the best reflex optical sights that features two power systems. Its primary power system is a solar power system, which makes this sight active in the daytime and automatically adjusts its red dot’s intensity to available light. But during the dark, it switches to its second power source, a CR123 battery that can last up to 50,000 hours.
Like the Holosun HS510C, this micro red dot sight also features 12 brightness settings, including two night vision modes, giving the shooter maximum target acquisition capability. It also features 2 MOA size, 20mm objective lens, and a parallax-free design. This red dot is also rated IP67 and fully waterproof and is constructed from high-strength and military-grade aluminum.
PROS
- Has two power systems
- The battery lasts for 50,000 hours.
- Two-eyes open shooting capable.
- Parallax-free and unlimited eye relief
- Auto adjustment of red dot intensity
CONS
- Has slightly angled front lens
2. Sightmark SM26005
Sightmark SM26005 is one of the best reflex sights under 200, featuring a digital switch control with six variable brightness levels for both daytime and night vision modes. This red dot is built from magnesium alloy housing providing exceptional durability to withstand harsh environmental conditions.
This sight also features a protective hood that shields it from impact and gives it a shockproof frame for up to .50 caliber recoil. SIghtmark SM26005 is rated IP68, equipped with dual-pane glass, and features a parallax-corrected lens system that allows shooters to sight accurately from 10 yards to infinity. This sight also features illuminated reticle patterns of 65 MOA Circle Dot Crosshair w/ 5 MOA subtension, 2 MOA central dot.
PROS
- Cast magnesium alloy housing with a protective shield
- Ideal for long-range accuracy
- Low power consumption
- Digital switch controls
- Interlok internal locking system
CONS
- Limited adjustments
- The quick-release is bulky.
3. Vortex Optics Strikefire II
The Vortex Optics Strikefire II is also one of the best reflex sights under 200 that features 4 MOA Red/Green dot and fully multi-coated lenses providing a clean and bright, unobscured point of view. This rugged optic also features unlimited eye relief, 100 MOA maximum elevation adjustment, and maximum windage adjustment, allowing rapid target acquisition.
The Vortex Optics Strikefire II allows the shooter to operate between its red and green dots. This compact and lightweight sight runs off a CR2 battery and comes with ten illumination settings to adjust easily for changing conditions.
With its O-ring seal and nitrogen-purged body, this optic can withstand recoil and impact, ensuring a fog proof and waterproof performance, much like the Vortex PST Gen 2.
PROS
- It has two dot color options.
- The battery lasts up to 6,000 hours.
- Ten illumination settings
- O-ring seals for protection
- Rugged construction
CONS
- The mount is a bit loose.
- The reticle is small.
4.Bushnell Trophy TRS-25
The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is a reflex red dot sight that features an adjustable 11 illumination settings illuminating 3 MOA dot reticle patterns for better target acquisition. It also features waterproof construction, an O-ring seal, and nitrogen-purged fog-proofing, that are similar to Bushnell Engage.
The TRS-25 comes in robust and precision-engineered housing perfectly suited for the rough-and-tumble, bumps, bangs, and drops in the field’s environment. This TRS-25 sight also comes with an amber-bright contrast coating and a light transmission of 91%. This multi-coated scope features a parallax-free design, unlimited field of view, generous eye relief, and its battery lasts up to 3,000 hours.
PROS
- Amber-bright contrast coating
- Light transmission 91%
- 3 MOA dot
- Multi-coated scope
- 11 red dot setting
CONS
- The viewing angle is a bit small for the handgun mount.
- There is a red glare in its upper left.
5. Holosun HS403B
The Holosun HS403B is a reflex red dot sight that features 2 MOA red dot along with an AR Riser, well-built from high-strength aluminum. It also features an ergonomic design that provides stability and durability. It also has a motion-awake sensor that features an auto-shutoff within 8 hours of usage. Its battery can last up to 50,000 hours, giving you the possibility of running your red dot for more than five years of continuous use.
Like the Holosun HS507C-X2, this micro red dot sight also sports a parallax-free construction, allowing a faster target acquisition. It also provides a high-quality lens and crisp, bright red dot, ideal for hunting. This red dot is made of high-strength aluminum with an MAO finish, giving its glass an ideal angle so it won’t flush with the bezel.
PROS
- Long-lasting battery life
- Auto-shutoff system
- Parallax-free
- It comes with two mounts.
- Has low and co-witness mounts
CONS
- The battery tray has low-quality screws.
- There is a starburst while on lower settings.
6. Burris Optics FastFire 2
The Burris Optics FastFire 2 is another reflex red dot sight under 200 that is perfectly mountable to shotguns, handguns, hunting, or tactical AR-15 rifles that provides greater accuracy and faster target acquisition. This reflex provides eye dominance or finding your target using its parallax-free design and 1x magnification.
As one of the best red dot sights, this scope also provides 4 MOA bright red dots for rapid target locking, a battery that can last up to 20,000 hours, and waterproof and proof performance. It also offers an automatic illumination sensor that automatically adjusts lighting conditions depending on the environment’s ambient light available. It also has windage and elevation adjustments for easy adjustment and universal mounting capabilities, making it mountable to almost any kind of mounting system like the Picatinny mount.
PROS
- Provides a bright-red dot
- Has illumination sensor
- Lightweight and compact
- 4-Moa dot
- Versatile and easy to use
CONS
- Reportedly not bright enough indoors.
- The mounting hardware is reportedly sloppy.
7. Sightmark Ultra Shot Pro Spec
The Sightmark Ultra Shot Pro Spec is a reflex sight under 200 that features four crosshair patterns, allowing maximum customization and precision accuracy for day or nighttime use. It also features a double-pane glass lens system that eliminates parallax and retains accuracy when shot from the lens’s periphery.
This red dot can also be mounted in front of a night vision monocular to create a co-witnessed riflescope set up during low light conditions. Similar to the Sightmark Ultra Shot M-Spec, it also has a quick-detach mount, an interlock internal locking system that holds zero extremely well and ensures windage and elevation adjustments remain zeroed during recoil.
The interlok adjustment system also removes a locking screw’s need, making adjustments easier and less hassle.
PROS
- Side-mounted laser
- Interlok adjustment system
- Night vision compatible
- Low power consumption
- Parallax corrected
CONS
- Somewhat bit heavy
- Others claim that it keeps shutting off when their rifles recoil.
8. Bushnell Tactical First Strike 5
Bushnell Tactical First Strike 5 is also one of the best reflex sights under 200 optimized for close-quarter shootings, providing an accurate sight for low light conditions. This Bushnell sight features an unlimited field of view, 1x magnification, and crisp, clear multi-coated optics.
This red dot is also equipped with an automated illumination system that ensures the 5 MOA dot is always visible without distracting against any background. It also has an integrated mounting system, making it mountable to a majority of weapons systems. The First Strike red dot boasts fast target acquisition capability and is also fog proof, waterproof, and shockproof, well-built to withstand all recoil types.
PROS
- Ideal for close quarter and medium-range shooting
- 5 MOA red dot
- A self-regulating illumination system
- Unlimited field of view
- It has an integrated mount.
CONS
- It doesn’t switch on in full darkness.
- Somewhat small
9. AimShot HGPRO-B-G
The AimShot HGPRO-B-G is a reflex sight under 200 that features a green illuminated crosshair pattern built to military specs, high quality 6061 T6 Aircraft aluminum, and anodized with a durable matte black finish that can withstand years of abuse. This red dot is also waterproof and is submersible up to 30m. It has an integrated rail mount that features a quick-release lever for easy installation and removal on any Picatinny mount system.
This red dot sight is available in Red or Green reticle color. It also provides full windage and elevation adjustments, nine brightness level adjustments, including a night vision setting. It is equipped with a large 34mm coated lens and a parallax-free design, allowing rapid target acquisitions. This red dot reflex sight is also LED powered by a single CR123 that runs up to 6,000 hours.
PROS
- Green illuminated crosshair reticle
- Long battery life
- Easy to install
- 9 step brightness controls
- LED powered
CONS
- The mount is reportedly a little loose.
- Blurry reticle, according to some.
10. Sightmark Ultra Shot R-Spec
The Sightmark Ultra Shot R-Spec is a reflex sight that features an ultra-fast target acquisition and long battery life that lasts from 200 up to 2,000 hours on a single CR123A. This red dot sight also features a premium wide-angle lens system equipped with scratch-resistant and anti-reflective red coatings.
The Ultra Shot R-Spec has four illuminated red or green reticle patterns, ten brightness settings, parallax correction beyond 25 yards, and unlimited eye relief. It is built tough, shockproof, and is rated IP55 weather-resistant. It is also recoil rated up to .50 BMG and constructed of a rugged, lightweight 6061-T6 aluminum hood and protective shield.
PROS
- Rugged 6061-T6 aluminum body and protective shield
- Advanced optical coatings
- Scratch-resistant lens System
- 4 Red and green reticle options with ten brightness settings
- Low battery indicator
CONS
- Somewhat bulky
- It’s hard to hold zero when you change reticles.
Things to Consider
Budget
One thing to consider when buying a reflex sight for your rifle or guns is the budget. It is imperative to set aside a spending limit for your desired sighting tool to avoid overspending.
Although budget-friendly red dot sights are all over the market, it shouldn’t stop you from looking for the ideal sighting devices that provide the best features.
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Battery Life
It is also a great idea to consider the power system of the sight you intend to buy. It would be a hassle to go out hunting only to stop because it suddenly ran out of battery. Remember, the longer the battery life, the better.
Some red dot sights are dual-powered for day and night hunting purposes. So, we suggest that purchasing a solar-powered sight with a back-up battery is a wise move.
Durability
You also need to consider the durability of the sight you intend to buy. It would be a waste to buy a sighting tool that would only last you a few months of use.
The sights must be waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof for full protection. We also suggest that you buy a red dot made of aircraft aluminum like the 6061-T6 alloy.
Aluminum in its purest form is too soft and reactive to be of structural use. However, its alloys, such as 6061-T6 alloy, make it structurally stronger and more useful in manufacturing durable products. [1]
Practicality
Aside from looking for the best budget red dot, you must also consider its practicality and functionality. It shouldn’t be enough to buy a sighting tool for only a specific gun or weapon for target shooting. It is still better to buy something that can be used for various weapons, rifles, purposes, and ranges when shooting. It must be mountable to standard mounting systems like the Picatinny rail mount.
Brightness
It is also great to consider the brightness level settings of the reflex sight. Determine whether the sighting device has various brightness levels that would suit your shooting preferences when target shooting. We also suggest that you choose a red dot that performs well even during nighttime or low light conditions. Some sights are also night vision compatible.
And Our #1 Reflex Sight Below $200 is...
Based on comprehensive research, our number one reflex sight below $200 is the HOLOSUN HS403C because it features two power systems, which makes its battery life last longer than other sights. Aside from being solar powered, it also features an automatic red dot adjustment depending on the environment’s available light. It uses its second power source during nighttime, a CR123 battery that lasts up to 50,000 hours.
This red dot also features 12 brightness settings, including two night vision modes for maximum faster target acquisition. It also features 2 MOA size, a parallax-free design, rated IP67, fully waterproof, and is constructed from high-quality and military-grade aluminum.
Our #1 Recommendation
HOLOSUN HS403C
- Has two power systems
- Long battery life
- Easy to install
- Auto adjustment of red dot intensity
