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10 Best Red Dots Under $200

Last updated on March 17, 2021 By JF Martin

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A red dot sight is a type of reflex sight which is used by the users of firearms to display an illuminated red dot as an aiming point which helps in shooting with great accuracy. It has the variations of a tubed red dot, full-sized red dots, micro red dot, dependable red dot, unmagnified red dot, sturdy red dot and lightweight red dot sights. If you are looking for the best red dots under $200 you have reached the right place as this article lists the 10 best red dot sights. This article lists the best 10 best red dots for you to choose from.

10 Best Red Dots Under $200 Reviewed

Starting with

1 – Sig Sauer SOR52001 – Best Budget Red Dot Sight

Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 1x20mm Compact 2 Moa Red Dot...

2 MOA Red-Dot provides 10 illumination settings (8 daylight...
MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) powers up when it...
Integrated M1913 Picatinny interface provides...
Dependable waterproof (IPX-7 rated for complete water...

This amazing MOA red dot features MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) which means that when a system is not in use it shuts down which increases the battery life. It also activates the system when it senses a slight vibration or movement. Sig Sauer ROME 05 red dot sight is compact and effective.

Technical Specs

Its 2 MOA Red Dot provides 10 illumination settings which includes 8 daylight and 2 night vision for clear visibility in all light conditions. MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) powers down when not is use. Its battery life is 40,000+ hour. It has a motion sensing technology through which it activates. It has the magnification power of 1x. It has a clear objective aperture of 20 mm with unlimited eye relief and elevation adjustment range of +/- 40 MOA, windage adjustment range: +/- 40 MOA and adjustment increments of 0.5 MOA.

Design

Its dimensions are 4.7 x 3 x 0.8 inches and it weighs only 5.1 ounces.

Features

It is dependable waterproof with the capacity of complete water immersion of up to 1 meter. It is also fog proof. It features 2 MOA and MOTAC. It is highly efficient and has an ultra wide broadband. It also has anti reflection a lens coating which helps to reduce surface reflections to an extremely low level across the whole visible spectrum thus providing you with superior light transmission.

Performance

It performs very well. It has good ratings and is mostly liked by the users with 86% five stars. Its elevation and windage are easily adjusted and its lens are crystal clear. The red dot is clear and bright. It is one of the efficient and compact red dot optics.

What’s in the box

It comes with one lithium metal batteries, riser mount, low profile mount, lens cloth, lens covers, adjustment and mounting tool. It also includes a user manual.

Pros

The Elevation and Windage are extremely easy to adjust
The lenses are crystal slear and the dot is bright and round

Cons

At times, it starburst at higher settings indoors
For some user, this red dot is not upto the mark.

Verdict

With excellent 4.7 out of 5 ratings on Amazon this is one of the best red dot sights.its lens are clean and clear and it’s efficient.

2 – Aimpoint CompM4 Red Dot Reflex Sight under 200

Aimpoint CompM4 Red Dot Reflex Sight No Mount - 2 MOA -...

Features advanced lens system for better light transmission...
Professional quality components fully tested to meet or...
Up to 80,000 hours (over 8 years) of daytime operation using...
Includes anti-reflective device and black rubber lens covers

It uses professional quality components which are widely tested to meet all US military specifications. It has an anti reflective device and magnification of 1x. This is a professional quality red dot sight, used in extreme harsh conditions.

Technical Specs

It has 7 night vision settings and 9 daylight settings which includes one extra bright setting for use in bright daylight. It can operate for 80,000 hours (over 8 years) of continuous use during daytime using one AA battery and 500,000 hours of use on night vision device (NVD) settings with a single AA battery. It has an optical magnification of 1x. Its aiming dot size is 2 MOA. The intensity of the dot is such that it is visible against a background luminance of 0.1 to 55,000 1x and have the wavelength of 655 +/- 15 nm.

Design

Its dimensions are 4 x 3 x 6 inches and weighs 13.1 ounces. It has a black rubber lens cover.

Features

It has multi layer and anti reflex coatings with unlimited eye relief. It is submersible in water for up to 45 m/ 150 ft. It has a mechanical switch for speed and reliability.

Performance

This sight ought to perform well as it is used in extreme harsh conditions.

What’s in the box

Inside the box you will only find compM4 sight only. Unfortunately it doesn’t come with a mount or batteries.

Pros

It is electronically regulated to allow the use of any AA siza battery available worldwide
It is compatible with all generations of night vision devices

Cons

It doesn’t come with a mount

Verdict

As most sights come with mounts, batteries and other accessories this one unfortunately doesn’t. However, the batteries required are used commonly worldwide and you also have option of buying separate mount. Although if you want a complete package you can consider buying any other red dot optics mentioned in this article.

3 – Nikon P-Tactical Superdot Black

Nikon P-Tactical Superdot Black

10 levels of brightness for virtually any light Condition
1x magnification for both-eyes-open rapid engagement
True color proprietary coating that minimizes the bluish...
Waterproof (IPX7)

It has TRUECOLOR lens and coating technology which provides a lifelike view with an amazing both-eyes open sighting. It has multiple layers of anti-reflective coating on all of its air to glass surfaces which helps maximize the light transmission, brightness and contrast.

Technical Specs

It has 10 levels of brightness for clear visibility in any light conditions. It has the magnification power of 1x with both eye open rapid engagement. It is also compatible with night vision. Its first two brightness settings are compatible with the night vision. Its battery life is 14,000 hours.

Design

Its dimensions are 2.8 x 1.7 x 1.7 inches and weighs only 4.2 ounces. It is constructed using aluminum. It is designed to fit picatinny rail.

Features

It has multiple anti-reflective coatings, maximizing the light transmission. It is also waterproof and shockproof. It is powered by a single CR2032 battery.

Performance

Its aircraft-grade aluminum housing provides for a lifetime reliable performance.

What’s in the box

It comes with one lithium metal batteries.

Pros

The colour through the glass does not distort
The controls are easily changed even while wearing gloves
It has a very natural view

Cons

A user complained that the red dot was a red squiggle instead.
Another use also complained that his red dot didn’t work straight out of the box

Verdict

I don’t know what exactly it is about some products that they just wouldn’t function for some. Probably the reason is their poor quality control. If a product reaches your door step, it might not be what it looked like when you saw it with someone else.

4 – Bushnell Optics TRS-25 – Red Dot Riflescope with Riser Block

Sale

Bushnell Optics TRS-25 Hirise 1x25mm Red Dot Riflescope...

Beautiful design and durability built to last
Black with 3 MOA Dot reticle
High-Rise mount
Waterproof Construction - O-ring sealed optics stay dry...

This stylish red dot prolongs the battery life by self-regulating the brightness based on the available light. It has 11 brightness settings and an impressive 3 MOA red dot which is visible in all light conditions.

Technical Specs

Its 11 brightness settings provide for regular illumination in all light conditions. It has unlimited eye relief which means it can be used with both eyes open.

Design

It has a beautiful design with the dimensions of 6 x 3 x 6 inches and it weighs only 6.4 ounces.

Features

It is lightweight and durable. It is built in a way to withstand bumps, bangs, drops and the harsh weather conditions. This high-performance red dot is O ring sealed which helps the sight to stay dry on the inside even when it is completely immersed in water. It is also fog proof. Built to Nitrogen inside the scope ensures interior optical surfaces won’t fog due to humidity or rapid temperature change.

Performance

It performs very well as it has a durable body to resist water and fog.

What’s in the box

It comes with integral mount, 1 CR2 battery and protective lens cover.

Pros

It has crystal clear optics
It is durable as it survives the harsh weather condition

Cons

The mount is too high
Some users were found to have a problem with its bad working conditions

Verdict

This is a good product which comes at a good price. It also includes a mount and lens cover, thus, it is a complete package. It is one of the popular red dots.

5 – Vortex Optics VMX-3T Magnifier with Built-in Flip Mount

Vortex Optics VMX-3T 3X Red Dot Sight Magnifier with...

The VMX-3T Magnifier and Flip Mount combo adds a 3x...
The lens are fully multi-coated maximizing resolution, light...
The VMX-3T does not require any special sight-in. The dot...
The magnifier is nitrogen purged for reliable waterproof and...

This popular red dot is simple fast and effective. It has an excellent magnification of up to 3x. Its allows the magnifier to lock in at the desired position. Its push button design engages and disengages.

Technical Specs

It has an eye relief of 2.2 inches. Its lens is completely multi coated which helps maximize the resolution, light gathering capability and color fidelity.

Design

Its dimensions are 10.2 x 8.4 x 6.8 inches and it weighs only 11.8 ounces.

Features

It is waterproof and fog proof. It is light weight and tough which assures its durability. It also has field of view of 38.2 feet/100 yards. This VMX-3T does not require any special sight in. It allows for lower 1/3 or co witness mounting heights which makes it ideal for shooters.

Performance

It performs very well as it is simple, fast and effective. It is also a good quality product which makes it durable.

What’s in the box

It comes with a mount.

Pros/Cons

Pros

This is the best budget red dot sight of high quality
It is simple to use

Cons

Some users complained that the mounting hardware was loose or difficult to use.

Verdict

This inexpensive red dot is good on your pocket as you get a high quality product in failry low price. Besides it also it also has the magnification of up to 3 times, which is quite more than other products mentioned above. It is one of the top red dots. So if your priority is both, a good red dot sight and high magnification power then this will prove to be yoir best choice.

6 – Tacticon Armament Predator V1 Red Dot Sight

Tacticon Armament | Predator V1 Adjustable Red and...

✔ TACTICON IS A COMBAT VETERAN OWNED COMPANY ✔ STURDIEST...
✔ RED OR GREEN DOT ADJUSTABLE BRIGHTNESS - Whether you are...
✔ CO-WITNESSES BEAUTIFULLY - This red/green dot scope was...
✔ WATERPROOF AND FOG PROOF - Sealed with O-rings to...

This sight comes with red or green dots. Its brightness is also adjustable with 5 different brightness levels to give you the best results during any time of the day or night. It has a life time warranty which means that your product can be replaced or repaired by the company in case of damage. Besides that this product is also refundable. The elevation and windage are easily adjustable.

Technical Specs

It has 5 different brightness settings, 4 reticle patterns, 4 MOA and an eye relief of 2.5 inches. It has adjustable elevation and windage. It can zoom up to 1 times.

Design

Its design is such that it is compatible with any hunting or tactical rifle including Winchester, Remington, Colt, etc. It can also fit any rifle platform and all picatinny rail and weaver rail sections. It weighs only 15.2 ounces.

Features

It is waterproof and fog proof. It is sealed with O rings to prevent moisture and dust to get inside and nitrogen purged to prevent fogging inside the glass optic.

Performance

It performs quite well. Besides it is easy to use as it has a hand tightening rail mount to easily mount the red dot sight. It is one of the best red dots.

What’s in the box

It comes with one lithium ion battery and one extra battery.

Pros/Cons

Pros

You don’t need tools to tighten it. It can be done by hands
It has life time warranty

Cons

Users complained that it needed a flat edge screw driver to turn the knob

Verdict

Whether you need a screw driver to turn the knob or not, although, as advertised it should perform as it says but I personally don’t think it be a great problem. What is rather worth considering is its life time warranty. You can purchase a product and always be able to replace, repair or refund it. Isn’t it awesome?

7 – Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight Gen II- 2 MOA Dot (CF-RD2), Black

Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight Gen II - 2 MOA...

The updated Crossfire is a no-nonsense sight for near any...
With up to a 50, 000 hour battery life and night-vision...
The 2 MOA dot is quick to acquire in close-quarters, while...
Increased light transmission with multiple anti-reflective...

This is a simple and updated crossfire red dot sight. It has a battery life of up to 50,000 hours. This is a new red dot. It is a versatile red dot which proves to the best red dot sight for shotgun, best red dot sight for Rifle and a best red dot sight for pistol. It has elevation and windage dials.

Technical Specs

It has a 2 MOA dot which corresponds to one inch at 100 yards, 1/2 inch at 50 yards, 1/4 inch at 25 yards and so on. It has 11 brightness settings to work efficiently in all light conditions. Its battery life is up to 50, 000 hours. It allows the shooter to change the dot intensity. It has night vision compatibility at the lowest two settings.

Design

Its dimensions are 4.7 x 5.6 x 2.7 inches.

Features

It gives an unlimited eye relief, for use with both eyes and target acquisition, has multiple layers of anti-reflective coatings on all its air to glass surfaces and comes with O-ring seals which prevents moisture, dust and debris from penetrating into the sight.

Performance

With its 11 illumination settings the sight will keep working in a variety of light conditions and with its long lasting battery it performs very well.

What’s in the box

It comes with one lithium metal battery.

Pros/Cons

Pros

It is well built and durable
It can be easily installed

Cons

For some, the brightness knob is difficult to turn.

Verdict

If you are looking for the best affordable red dot sights you should definitely consider buying this sight. Personally I think the product of Vortex are great and they also come at an afforable price.

Being a hunter, you must carry one of the Best Rangefinders for Money

8 – HOLOSUN HS403C Solar Power Micro Red Dot Sight, Black

HOLOSUN - HS403C Black Solar Power Micro Red Dot Sight...

SHAKE AWAKE TECHNOLOGY: Holosun’s Shake Awake technology...
SOLAR FAILSAFE TECHNOLOGY: Solar Failsafe allows the red dot...
INNOVATIVE OPTIC: Holosun maintains a commitment to creating...
WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING: Customers love the red dots. The...

It has two power systems, primarily solar powered. Its red dot brightness auto adjusts according to available light. Its battery life is 50,000 hours. It is a military grade optic but it does not come with the military grade price. It has a life time warranty.

Technical Specs

It has 2 MOA dot size. It has 12 brightness settings which includes 10 Daytime and 2 night vision.

Design

Its dimensions are 2.4 x 1.6 x 3 inches and it weighs only 4.2 ounces.

Features

It is completely waterproof. It has high quality clear lens with crisp red dot.

Performance

With its 12 brightness setting and crisp dot it performs very well.

What’s in the box

It comes with 1 Lithium Metal battery.

Pros/Cons

Pros

It has life time warranty
It is accurate and strong built

Cons

A use complained that it was rugged red dot

Verdict

I personally like products with warranty because you can always replace or repair. This lightweight red dot sight especially comes with a warranty for life. Besides, it is also strongly built.

9 – Sig Sauer SOR31002 Romeo 3 Miniature Reflex Sight with Riser 1x25mm 3 MOA Red Dot Reticle Graphite

Sig Sauer SOR31002 Romeo 3 Miniature Reflex Sight with...

Activated through motion sensing technology, MOTAC...
Highly efficient, ultra-wide broadband, anti-reflection lens...
Electro-Optics industrial design inspired by our legendary...
3 MOA Red Dot

It is activated through motion sensing technology. In order to prolong the battery life MOTAC immediately powers up illumination when it senses motion and powers down when it does not.

Technical Specs

It has a 3 MOA red dot. It has elevation/windage adjustments. Its magnification power is 1x and has an unlimited eye relief, for use with both eyes. It has an objective clear apparatus of 25 mm. It has 11 brightness settings which include 9 daytime and 2 night vision.

Design

Its dimensions are 2.4 x 1.1 x 2 inches and weighs only 1.44 ounces.

Features

It has anti-reflection lens coatings which helps reduce surface reflections to extremely low levels across the whole visible spectrum providing superior light transmission.

Performance

It has a MOTAC technology which proves helpful in its efficient performance.

What’s in the box

Within the box you will find Sig Sauer SOR31002 Romeo 3 miniature red dot sight.

Pros/Cons

Pros

It is a solid and durable
The red dot is bright and highly

Cons

A user complained that he could not see the dot in low light.

Verdict

It has MOTAC which helps prolong the battery life and great 3 MOA dot.

HunterWiki’s Choice

The favourite red dot of HunterWiki is the Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 1x20mm Compact 2 Moa Red Dot Sight which has the amazing MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) technology. It means that when a system is not in use it shuts down which increases the battery life. It also activates the system when it senses a slight vibration or movement. It consists of 2 MOA and 10 brightness settings. It is lightweight and compact, thus it is also light on your product. It has a clear objective aperture of 20 mm with unlimited eye relief and elevation adjustment range of +/- 40 MOA, windage adjustment range: +/- 40 MOA and adjustment increments of 0.5 MOA. It comes with one lithium metal batteries, riser mount, low profile mount, lens cloth, lens covers, adjustment and mounting tool. It also includes a user manual.

Do you hunt at Night? Here we have brought the Best Thermal Scopes of the Market

Overall it is a great product at an affordable price. This article includes budget red dot sights with variations of lightweight red dot sights, full-sized red dots, micro red dot and dependable red dot unmagnified red dot, sturdy red dot which gives you a lot of options to choose from. One thing that is worth mentioning is the condition of astigmatism. We human beings usually jump to conclusions. We usually try to find fault in others. You may have this condition and might not know of it. So if in case you see the red dot blurred there can be a problem with the red dot sight but it is also very problem that it is because of your own eyes.

Love turkey and love the Red dots Scopes we have literally reviewed for you

Some red dots come with more magnification power than others. Usually, you will have to buy a separate magnifier for it. The products mentioned in this article have the maximum magnification of 3 times which is not bad. At least you would not have to buy a separate magnifier. One other thing you will be looking for in the red dot sight is that it should be waterproof, shock proof and fog proof because you never know what kind of situation you will have to face when in field. you can find the cheapest red dots of great quality.

If you are looking for a red dot that is light on the pocket then you should definitely choose one from the article which consists of the best red dots under 200 dollars.

You might be using ARs, here is the guide for the AR Scopes of the Year.

WHY SHOULD I USE A RED DOT?

Technology

The typical construction of a red dot sight is its tilted spherical mirror reflector with a red light-emitting diode (LED). The mirror has a partially silver multilayer dielectric dichroic coating which is designed to reflect the red spectrum and allows it to pass through most of the other light. Mostly the LED used is deep red 670 nanometer wavelength because they are very bright and high contrast against a green scene. Purchasing a red dot sight because of its great technology is irresistible. When you are out for hunting or shooting this technology of a red dot comes quite in handy.

Eye relief

Eye relief is the distance between the eyepiece of the red dot sight and what your eyes see in the field of view. Red dot sights can be mounted easily on a shot gun or rifles. How you should be using it is you should locate your target first. Next bring your firearm to a shooting position while keeping your both eyes open. Next make the reticle and your target lined to each other. After that you can shoot. Aiming a red dot is very simple and fast. The reticle does its job as it corrects itself with the target.

Dot and Clarity of the Glass

A red dot sight is used to display a red dot aiming at your target. The last thing you would want your red dot to do is display a blur dot, it would be worthless and useless. You would want the red dot to be bright and clear that too in all light conditions for precise aiming. Besides that the glass or lens should also be crystal clear without any marks or dirt on it otherwise you will not be able to see the red dot clearly and it will be worthless. Your red dot sight should be able to prove itself in the field.

Ease in Shooting

When in field a red dot should prove to be an asset rather than a headache. Suppose you take a red dot for your help in shooting or hunting but all it does is frustrate you and make you angry because it doesn’t work properly. A red dot sight should make hunting and shooting easy for you as it displays a red dot on your target for accurate aiming. It also has a magnification of 1 to 3 times which further helps in precise aiming. It should be simple and easy to use. You should also be able to mount it easily.

Astigmatism

It is a condition which causes blurred vision. The main reason for it is that the cornea is irregularly shaped or at times because of the curvature of lens inside the eye. Sometimes you might think that the red dot is blurry but maybe it’s your condition which makes it so. Thus before reaching to quick conclusions check if you have astigmatism. If incase you have this condition you can have a surgery, use contact lens glasses or contact lenses. Some find the green dot to be less distorting than the red ones. You can always go for the green one.

7 Best Thermal Scopes for the Money (Buying Guide 2021)

Last updated on March 17, 2021 By JF Martin

Hunters Wiki may receive some form of compensation from the links on this page, at no extra charge to you. Learn more.

If you’re looking to go out on a night-time hunting adventure, thermal scopes are perfectly suited to your purpose. Also known as thermal imagery sights, these units use infrared light, invisible to humans, to pick up heat signatures. For example, in a snow-covered area, hunters can easily detect prey lurking in the dark on the basis of heat imaging.

They can easily be used in pitch-black conditions as they do not depend on light, like night-vision scopes. Instead, they focus on temperature difference in the environment, alone.

Inside a thermal imaging scope, a thermographic camera is installed which uses heat—like a normal camera uses light—to create images. These images facilitate the hunter. Most hunters use thermal scopes for coyote hunting while some use thermal scopes for hog hunting.

Thermal scopes do not come cheap. We have sorted through a number of thermal scopes to bring you the 7 best thermal scopes for the money.

Best Thermal Scopes On The Market

Starting with

1. ATN ThOR HD 384 – Smart Thermal Riflescope

ATN ThOR-HD 384 4.5-18x, 384x288, 50 mm, Thermal Rifle...

Excellent Image Performance with 384x288 Sensor - it is the...
Ballistic Calculator - the system allows you to calculate...
Build-in Smart Rangefinder - will make your life easier than...
Smooth Zoom - lets you magnify to target without losing...

ATN is a smart optics company that has been around for more than 2 decades. They have a variety of products for different uses. The ATN ThOR-HD 384 1.25-5x is the thermal rifle scope that we’ll review.

Technical Specs

Picatinny mount with quick detach. 1.25-5x magnification. Objective lens is 19 mm. Proprietary system. HD display. Multiple patterns and colour options. Video resolution is 1280×960 at 30 fps. Microphone. WiFi streaming (Android and iOS). Bluetooth 4.1. 4 to 64 GB MicroSD card supported. 4 AA batteries required (8 hours battery life).

Design

It comes in black. Weighs 1.7 lbs. Overall length is 6.8 inches, width is 3.1 inches and height is 3.1 inches. Ergonomically well built for easy use.

Features

Quick detach makes it easy to mount on any firearm. It has many company-trademark features. A Ballistic Calculator is present, which tells you the point of impact after calculation based on different variables that matter, to give the best possible shot for hunting. Recoil Activated Video (RAV), which automatically records all your activity before, during, and after the animal is shot. Profile Manager, to create different data profiles for different firearms, which makes it very easy to switch between them without having the need to calibrate every time. Smooth Zoom helps you zoom in without letting your target out of your sight. Other features include HD recording, barometer, compass and gyroscope. IT comes under the category of some of the best thermal scopes with GPS.

Performance

The ThOR-HD 384 is a good performer for hunting. Image quality is great up to 100 yards. Rangefinder is quite accurate. User interface is quite minimalistic and easy to learn for starters.

What’s in the box

It comes with a help card, quick star guide, Facebook group and ATN forum card, firmware update card, nylon case, manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros

RangeFinder
Shot Calculator
Recording
Live Streaming

Cons

Small annoyances in almost everything keep it from being a favourite among users

Verdict

The scope is quite good for beginners but that’s just it. Works well for its price, as it gives value for money. It has many features but still has room for improvement in many departments. However, for the price, it’s one of the best thermal scopes for its price.

2. Armasight by FLIR Zeus 336 – Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope

No products found.

FLIR Systems is a company that has been giving sensing solutions for decades. They have a wide range of applications, from military, to government, to personal. The Armasight products are a range of thermal imaging scopes for different purposes. We’ll review the Armasight by FLIR Zeus 336 3-12×50.

Technical Specs

It has a Picatinny/Weaver mount with quick detach. 3x magnification is available. Objective lens is 50 mm. Proprietary system. 800×600 AMOLED display. Multiple patterns and colour options. Video resolution is 768×574 pixels (PAL) and 640×480 pixels (NTSC). Two CR123A 3V batteries or CR123 rechargeable batteries (battery life up to 4 hours at 20°C).

Design

It comes in black. Weighs 1.5 lbs. Overall length is 10.2 inches, width is 2.9 inches and height is 3.3 inches. Compact design.

Features

Its quick-detach technology makes it easy to mount on any firearm. Many company trademark features are included. Active Contrast Enhancement (ACE): a digital contrast correction feature. Digital Detail Enhancement (DDE): a digital sharpness correction feature. Smart Scene Optimization (SSO) for correcting thermal colours to separate them from the background. Automatic Gain Control (AGC): a feature that adjusts the gain of the imaging signal.

Performance

The Armasight performs perfect up to about 200 yards and works quite well till about 500 yards. It may sense further, but it’s hard to recognize due to the quality. Display and image quality are quite well as it is an AMOLED.

What’s in the box

It comes with a battery cassette, video cable, wireless remote control, quick start guide, carrying case, lens cloth.

Pros/Cons

Pros

Simple in use which can be used for tracking as well as hunting. Different imaging options are optimized for use and work well

Cons

3-year limited warranty, doesn’t offer much for its price

Verdict

The Aramsight is an average performer as compared with its price. It also lacks several features that other thermal scopes offer at a much lesser cost. Addition of these features would require buying other products from the company.

3. ATN ThOR-HD 640 – High Res Thermal Rifle Scope

No products found.

The second ATN product on our list. The ATN ThOR-HD 640 5-50x is basically a bumped-up version of the ThOR-HD 384 and is the highest end product in the ThOR-HD series.

Technical Specs

Picatinny mount with quick detach. 5-50x magnification. Objective lens is 100 mm. Proprietary system. HD display. Multiple patterns and colour options. Video resolution is 1280×960 at 30 fps. Microphone. WiFi streaming (Android and iOS). Bluetooth 4.1. 4 to 64 GB MicroSD card supported. 4 AA batteries required (8 hours battery life).

Design

It comes in black. Weighs 2.75 lbs. Overall length is 10.6 inches, width is 3.9 inches and height is 3.4 inches. Ergonomically well built for easy use.

Features

Quick detach makes it easy to mount on any firearm. Same trademark features of ATN thermal scopes. Ballistic Calculator, which tells you the point of impact after calculation based on different variables that matter, to give the best possible shot for hunting. Recoil Activated Video (RAV), which automatically records all your activity before, during, and after the animal is hunted. Profile Manager, to create different data profiles for different firearms, which makes it very easy to switch between them without having the need to calibrate every time. Smooth Zoom helps you zoom in without letting your target out of your sight. Other features include HD recording, barometer, compass and gyroscope.

Performance

The ThOR-HD 640 performs great for hunting. Like the ThOR-HD 384, it has a great rangefinder and image quality. The 640 sensor changes a lot in the scope, making it perform even better.

What’s in the box

It comes with a help card, quick star guide, Facebook group and ATN forum card, firmware update card, nylon case, manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros

Fixes most of the issues of the 384 because of the upgraded hardware

Cons

3-year limited warranty. Price may be an issue for some

Verdict

The ThOR-HD 640 is the best available thermal imaging scope in its price. It upgrades in an amazing way, making all the good even better, and finishing the bad with it. Highly recommended. It is one of the best thermal scope under 5000.

4. Pulsar Trail XP38

Pulsar Thermion XP38 1.5-12x32 Thermal Riflescope,...

1,475 yd detection range with 640x480 resolution, 17um pixel...
8x digital zoom - continuous zoom and 2x, 4x, 8x stepped...
Picture in picture digital zoom with a Stream Vision app...
Built-in Recording with recoil activation

Pulsar is an optics company known for its award-wining products. They make versatile products that can be used for many purposes. The Pulsar Trail XP38 1.2-9.6×32 Thermal Riflescope is one of their law enforcement range scopes. Price starting from

Technical Specs

Picatinny/Weaver mount with quick detach. 1.2-9.6x magnification. Objective lens is 32 mm. Proprietary system. 640×480 AMOLED display. Multiple patterns and colour options. Video recording (8 GB internal storage). WiFi streaming (Stream Vision app). B-Pack batteries (8 hours battery life).

Design

It comes in black. Weighs 1.3 lbs. Overall length is 11.2 inches, width is 2.8 inches and height is 2.9 inches.

Features

Detection range is 1,475 yards. IPX7 certification. Picture-in-picture for zooming in on the target. 3 rifle profiles with 5 zero saves. Updateable software. Integrated high definition video and sound recorder. Multi-functional remote control. IRIS technology increased recognition and detection software. White-hot/black-hot viewing model. Wi-Fi for wireless video monitoring, streaming and transfers makes it a contender among thermal scopes with Wi-Fi. Stadiametric rangefinder.

Performance

The Trail XP38 works well with lots of different firearms. It is built for resisting shock, helping it hold zero. The refresh rate of 50 Hz keeps the image quite smooth and clear.

What’s in the box

It comes with a battery pack charging unit, USB cable, wireless remote control, cleaning cloth, carrying case, hex wrench, user manual, warranty card.

Pros/Cons

Pros

Range Detection
Midranger Modern Thermal Scope
Versatile

Cons

Outdated than current generation

Verdict

A versatile thermal scope that cannot be a starter only, but can also be trusted as a backup sight for many situations. Gives all basic features in lower specs and lower price than others.

Product is available at the Amazon Store: Pulsar Trail XP38 1.2-9.6×32

5. ATN X-Sight II Scope Smart HD Optics Gen 3-14 x 50mm

ATN X-Sight II HD 5-20 Smart Day/Night Rifle Scope...

Use Day & Night in HD resolution - our HD technology gives...
Zero range: 100 yard. Day & Night Vision in Millions of...
Ballistic Calculator - shifts Point of Impact on the fly...
Smart Range Finder - identifies the range to your target...

The ATN X-Sight II HD 3-14X is our third ATN product, but differs majorly in functionality. It is a day/night scope, which means it only has night vision built in. The technology of thermal imaging is completely different and advanced than this.

Technical Specs

Picatinny mount with quick detach. 3-14x magnification. Objective lens is 50 mm. Proprietary system. HD display. Multiple patterns and colour options. Video resolution is 1080p at 30 fps. Microphone. WiFi streaming (Android and iOS). Bluetooth 4.1. 4 to 64 GB MicroSD card supported. 4 AA batteries required (8-12 hours battery life).

Design

It comes in black. Weighs 2.1 lbs. Overall length is 11.5 inches, width is 3.1 inches and height is 3.4 inches. Ergonomically built on the trademark ATN scope design.

Features

Quick detach makes it easy to mount on any firearm. Same ATN trademark features as thermal scopes but in accordance with night vision capabilities. Ballistic Calculator, which tells you the point of impact after calculation based on different variables that matter, to give the best possible shot for hunting. Recoil Activated Video (RAV), which automatically records all your activity before, during, and after the animal is hunted. Profile Manager, to create different data profiles for different firearms, which makes it very easy to switch between them without having the need to calibrate every time. Smooth Zoom helps you zoom in without letting your target out of your sight. Other features include HD recording, barometer, compass and gyroscope.

Performance

The X-Sight II HD 3-14X is one of the best-selling scopes from ATN. All functions are known to work really well. It is durable and quality is exceptional for a night vision scope. Customer reviews have shown great response towards it due to its functionality. Known to be completely accurate. Comes with ATN IR850, an 850 mW infra-red illuminator.

What’s in the box

It comes with a quick start guide, nylon case, 2 CR123A batteries for the illuminator, warranty card, manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros

Well-Performing Night Vision
Inexpensive
Great Thermal Scope for its price

Cons

No Thermal Imaging
2-year warranty
Larger Size
Illuminator makes it bulky

Verdict

An exceptional starter for night hunting and viewing. It is universally regarded as the best night vision scopes for its price.

6. ATN OTS-HD 640 – Top Thermal Scope

ATN OTS-HD, Thermal Viewer with Full HD Video rec,...

Thermal Sensor with 640*480 pixel HD resolution - the...
Smart Rangefinder - thermal monocular accurately measures...
3D Gyroscope and E-compass - gyroscopic image stabilization...
E-Zoom - this enables the device to focus on distant objects...

Yet again another ATN product, ATN OTS-HD 640 1-10x, which is a monocular and serves only the purpose of viewing and as a backup for hunting. It lacks ATN’s hunting-assisting features.

Technical Specs

1.1-10x magnification. Objective lens is 19 mm. Proprietary system. HD display. Video resolution is 1280×960 at 30 fps. Microphone. WiFi streaming (Android and iOS). Bluetooth 4.1. 4 to 64 GB MicroSD card supported. 4 AA batteries required (8 hours battery life). GPS capabilities.

Design

It comes in black. Weighs 1.5 lbs. Overall length is 6.8 inches, width is 3.1 inches and height is 3.1 inches. Built on trademark ATN design with focus on the viewing function of the monocular.

Features

Lacks several features that are found on ATN scopes as it as a monocular. Trademarks features include: Smooth Zoom helps you zoom in without letting your target out of your sight. Smart Rangefinder which helps find the point of impact. Other features include HD recording, barometer, compass, GPS capabilities (elevation, geotagging etc.) and gyroscope.

The ATN OTS-HD 640 offers Smart HD Monoculars/Viewers w/ High Res Video, Geotagging, Rangefinder, WiFi, E-Compass, E-Zoom, 3D Gyroscope, IOS & Android Apps

Performance

The OTS-HD 640 1-10x is a great monocular with regard to its performance. Image quality is excellent up to 1000 yards but works great for farther distances, as it is built for this function only. Rangefinder is quite accurate. User interface is quite minimalistic and easy to learn for starters.

What’s in the box

It comes with a quick start guide, nylon case, manual, warranty card.

Pros/Cons

Pros

Monocular in design
Exceptional Performance for a Monocular

Cons

Expensive
3-year warranty
Expensive for a monocular

Verdict

Amazing thermal imaging but too pricey for just a monocular. Limited in applications. Getting an ATN scope in a similar price but with more functionality would be a better option.

7. Armasight by FLIR Predator 336

No products found.

The second Armasight product on our list. It is the Armasight by FLIR Predator 336 2-8×25 (60 Hz). It also comes in a 50 Hz variant.

Technical Specs

Picatinny/Weaver mount with quick detach. 1.6x magnification. Objective lens is 45 mm. Proprietary system. LED VGA display. Multiple patterns and colour options. Video resolution is 640×480 pixels (PAL/NTSC). Two CR123A 3V batteries or CR123 rechargeable batteries (battery life up to 4 hours at 20°C).

Design

It comes in black. Weighs 1.5 lbs. Overall length is 10.2 inches, width is 2.9 inches and height is 3.3 inches. Compact design.

Features

Quick detach makes it easy to mount on any firearm. 60 Hz refresh rate for good image quality. Digital zoom tracking while maintaining boresight. Various colour modes for thermal images (option for custom as well). Wireless remote control. Water and fog resistant.

Performance

The Predator 336 has a good display due to the 60 Hz refresh rate. Range detection is good. Colour modes for the thermal images are really good for a low-spec thermal scope.

What’s in the box

It comes with a battery cassette, video cable, 2 CR123A batteries, wireless remote control, quick start guide, carrying case, lens cloth.

Pros/Cons

Pros

Provides basic features of a starter Thermal Scope
For the FULL THERMAL SCOPE, customers get standard features

Cons

Overpriced
2-year limited warranty

Verdict

Just like the other Armasight product on our list, the Predator 336 is just a basic thermal scope with nothing special, while costing a lot more than its competitors. People should go for lower-priced models that offer a lot more features.

ALSO SEE: Best Rangefinders for Deer Hunting

How Does a Thermal Scope Work?

As the name suggests, thermal scopes work on thermal or heat signatures. More specifically, they work with infrared radiation. IR is of three types: Near IR (0.75–1.4 μm); Mid IR (3–8 μm) and; thermal IR ( 3-30 μm). Thermal radiation is electromagnetic radiation that has longer wavelengths than visible light and is generally invisible to humans. However, humans, along with other objects that have non-zero body temperatures, emit infrared radiation.

Thermal scopes use thermal- infrared radiation that dissipates off of objects to create images. Thermal IR has the longest wavelength and occupies the largest part of the infrared radiation spectrum.

The lens of the scope detects and focuses on radiation that dissipates off of objects in an environment. Depending on the intensity of the radiation emitted, the heat signature is focused on by a phased array of infrared detectors built inside the scope. The phased array enables the detector units to catch radiation without having to actually physically steer in its direction. The data is picked up from thousands of different points in the field of view of the detectors and takes less than a second to collect. The process is a quick one, making most modern thermal scopes highly efficient and fast.

Do you hunt at Night? We have got you coverred. Just click on the —> Best Thermal Scopes

After the detectors have collected the radiation available, a very detailed thermal image or temperature pattern is drawn. This is known as a “thermogram”. Next, the thermogram is converted into electrical impulses, internally. The electrical impulses are fed to a signal processing unit. This unit shapes the electrical impulses into data that can be seen through the naked eye. This information is displayed onto a screen in the shape of pixelated images. In this case, that screen is the field of view of the hunter, visible through the eyepiece.

Thermal scopes work on the unit of hertz, i.e. frames per second. a 30 hertz scope, for example, would refresh the image 30 times in a second. As you move the scope from side to side, you will be able to see the image at that speed. The data from the radiation emissions can be seen as a continuous stream, working on the principal of frames per second. Some of the best thermal scopes use a higher hertz value, along with higher resolution to increase image quality.

A thermal scope uses a thermographic camera to capture images. In principle, it works like an ordinary camera that utilizes visible light to capture still photos and videos. However, a thermographic camera has no need of visible light to create clear images. It can work in dark to pitch black conditions and thus offers an advantage over other scopes.

Thermal Scope vs Night Vision and which one to choose!

While the two terms are sometimes confused and used interchangeably, there are some major differences between a thermal scope and a night vision scope. In terms of purpose, both scopes are useful additions to a hunter’s night time gear. They assist hunters in detecting and targeting game, at night, because they illuminate the field of view. Animals that are frequently abound in the late hours can easily be hunted using thermal scopes or night vision sights. However, the difference comes in the principles used to make both types of scopes work.

A night vision scope uses light—though it does not need a lot—to highlight possible targets in a field. Usually night vision scopes make use of passive light, like moon light, to detect animals. The light bounces off of objects and is caught by the built-in detectors. It is processed into data and is shown in the form of moving images in the hunter’s field of view.

A thermal scope, on the other hand, does not need visible light. It operates through detecting differences in temperature. Any non-zero temperature object (which refers to almost all objects) radiate heat which is caught by the phased array detectors in thermal scopes. The data is collected from the field of view and displayed onto the screen, which can be seen through the eye piece. Thermal scopes use thermographic cameras to achieve this.

In comparison, night vision scopes have some limitations that thermal scopes do not. For instance, if the animal is hidden or camouflaged, a night vision scope would not be able to detect it. It would be out of sight and the barrier in front of it would block the light from reflecting. Thermal scopes experience no such difficulty. As they pick up on heat signatures, camouflage cannot block the signals. A night vision scope can also not be used in broad day light as the intensity of visible light would fry the intensifier tubes. Thermal scopes can be used easily in daylight. If no visible light is present, night visions cannot work. Thermals on the other hand, do not need light or any other assistance from the surroundings. They capture the object’s own body heat.

Thermal scopes also have limitations. They are unreliable in extremely cold temperatures. Night visions are also more detailed and natural than thermals.

When making a decision about whether you should buy a night vision scope or a thermal scope, you need to keep certain things in consideration. If you are more likely to hunt in the dark, high quality thermal scopes are your best bet. Our product reviews list some of the best thermal scopes for coyote hunting, thermal scopes for hog hunting, thermal scopes for .22 rifle shooters and more. If you are looking for more of a beginner unit, which comes under a lower budget, night vision might be the way to go as they are cheaper than thermals.

Both options have their capabilities and limitations. In the end, it depends on the hunter’s purpose, budget and preference.

Points to Consider While Buying the Best Thermal Scope

Magnification

Magnification is that feature of an optic unit, due to which users can see a distant object up close. Just how close can an object get depends on the magnification offered, whether the scope has fixed or variable magnification and—in some cases—whether a digital zoom is available.

Higher magnification is best if you are shooting at long distances. With variable magnification, the result might be a little blurred. If you routinely shoot at small ranges, there is no need to get a thermal scope that offers high magnification. The choice depends on your purpose.

Color modes

While some scopes come with coloured heat map option, others offer a black and white heat map. A coloured heat map shows heat signatures using different colours, making it a good choice at foggy nights. On the other hand, black and white is just as efficient showing the heat signature with a darker grey or black shade. While hunters often prefer a coloured heat map, scopes with black and white heat maps cost less.

Are you tight on your budget? Look we have found Red dots under $200

Resolution

The resolution of your scope determines how clear an image you see in your field of view. It refers to the number of pixels there are in a space. More the pixels, clearer the image. While it is always better to get high-resolution scopes, they might overstep your budget. A good resolution for value thermal scopes is 640×480, many of which range from $4000 to $8000, approximately. If you have the budget, go for a high-resolution scope like 1024×768. In hunting activities, the sharper the image is, the better and cleaner your shot would be.

Range

The range is how far you can successfully detect objects with your thermal scope. This depends on the quality of your scope. Range usually depends on the type of firearm you are using and is different for different units. For example, a thermal scope for .22 rifle will find its long-range at about 50 yards. For others, long-range might be defined as 100, 150 or even 300 yards.

If your hunting activities are limited to, say, 40 yards, getting a thermal scope with a range of 50 yards will be ideal. It will cover your hunting range and give you some extra room.

Durability

Thermal scopes are sensitive equipment. But when you are outdoors, your gear puts up with a lot of environmental factors. In rushed situations, you might also treat it a bit roughly than is best. Keeping in account these factors, always make sure that you get a product with high durability. Today, top performance thermal scopes come with a strong build that keeps them in mint condition through repetitive use.

It is also always better to get a product with warranty. If you are buying secondhand, give it a test run before making the final purchase. Though not ideal, it will give you some idea of the scope’s durability.

Reticle Patterns

Reticles offer an aiming point or an aiming range for hunters. They are built-in illuminated dots or circles that are used to zero-in on your target. They help you pick the perfect spot to shoot and make a clean kill shot. While there is a whole range of different styles of reticles, you only ever need one (according to one situation). Some scopes pack in changeable reticles as an extra feature.

Your need for a specific reticle depends largely on your shooter skill and situation. A 4 MOA dot reticle would be good for a beginner aiming at a still object. While for hunters aiming at a grouped target in a cluttered space, a crosshair reticle might be ideal.

Refresh Rate

The refresh rate of a scope is calculated in Hertz. It refers to the amount of times a picture refresh in a second. Refresh rate can be as low as 8 Hertz and as high as 100+ Hertz and even more. What this means is that when you scout the field with your scope by moving it, the image keeps on refreshing to the new image. If the refresh rate is low, the movement will be slow.

Budget thermal scopes usually provide you with a mid-range refresh rate, say, 30-50 Hertz. But it is better to go higher.

Battery Life

An early concern with thermal scopes used to the fact that they needed to be charged. However, today both the top thermal scopes and the budget thermal scopes offer long battery life. Most items on our list range from an 8-hour battery life to a 12-hour battery life. For higher prices, you can get even higher battery time. Some of the best value thermal scopes run on CR123 batteries, four of which can run up to 5 hours with constant use. 4 AA lithium batteries average 8 hours.

Gun safes are of equal importance, find the Top 10 Gunsafes here

Top Thermal Scope Brands

When you’re making a purchase for your first or next thermal scope, you need to make sure that your investment pays off in product value. For that, certain points are kept in mind, such as your purpose for needing optic gear, your experience level and your budget. But still, one of the most important decisions one has to make when making such a purchase is the authenticity and reputation of the brand you are buying.

We have listed products from some of the top brands, renowned for making the best type of thermal scopes. They range from high quality special thermal scopes to the best budget thermal scopes.

Starring on our list 4 times is the top brand for thermal scopes, ATN. Established in 1995, ATN is a front-of-the-line tech optics brands, dominating the industry. It specializes in optic units assisting users in day and night operations. They manufacture “4K Resolution Digital Smart Optics for Day and Night” and “Smart Thermal Imaging optics” to be used by “hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, military and law enforcement”. It’s thermal scopes such as the ATN ThOR HD 384 Smart Thermal Riflescope and the ATN ThOR-HD 640, 640×480, 19 mm, Thermal Rifle Scope have great features. Both are thermal scopes with rangefinders.

ATN offer all the standard features, plus extra features such as a ballistic calculator. They also offer WiFi streaming. ATN has professional customer support and delivers quality products to a market where competition is tough. While there are concerns about some of its products, most customer reviews are positive. They update their technology regularly. In 2018, they launched their 4^th generation line of products, starring the new Obsidian 4 core with Dual Processor.

Another trusted name in the tech optics industry is Pulsar. Pulsar has been around for little more than a decade but has already created a reputation as a front contender in the market. They define themselves as “an industry pioneer that designs cutting-edge products for hunting, law enforcement, personal security, and search and recue operations”. Our list discusses their product, Pulsar Trail XP38 1.2-9.6×32, which has exceptional features. With IPX7 certification, updateable software, integrated high definition video and sound recorder, multi-functional remote control. And IRIS technology, it makes the list of any experienced hunter who need the best equipment. It’s Wi-Fi and rangefinder features push it into the modern market of thermal scopes with rangefinders and thermal scope with wifi.

Final Verdict from The Hunters’ Wiki

On the market, you will find an overwhelming number of thermal scopes to purchase but really, you only need one or two depending on your preference and change in the situation. As you advance, your preference might change but at any given moment only a small number of scopes will perfectly fit your hunting needs. The best scope that which fulfils all your requirements while giving you a good deal on the money. Our list narrows down your option and gives you the best budget thermal scopes as well as the top smart thermal riflescopes.

Before making your choice, we suggest that you read through this article and determine what specifications you require for your hunting purposes. Secondly, buying from renowned companies and under warranty should always be your priority. From our list, our top picks include the ATN ThOR-HD 640 and the Pulsar Trail XP38 1.2-9.6×32.

10 Best Red Dot Scopes for Turkey Hunting (Buying Guide 2021)

Last updated on March 17, 2021 By JF Martin

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Scopes – short for telescopic sights – are optical devices used to facilitate aiming activities. Their main usage is found in firearms such as ARs and shotguns. A scope has a tube design. On one end, the objective lens collects light from the surroundings. On the other end, the eyepiece facilitates the path of light into the pupil. Scopes work on the principle of refracting planes and are equipped with a superimposed reticle that helps users aim accurately.

AR scopes or sights are useful when targeting small game moving at a quick speed on the ground. Shotgun scopes come in handy while hunting bigger game like turkey. The best shotgun sights for turkey hunting are red dot sights. These sights use LED light to project a crisp red dot at the center of the user’s field of vision. Clear red dot sights help reduce parallax and improve accuracy.

In this article, we will discuss in detail some of the best red dot sights. We will weigh their merits and demerits, and compare them to decide the best out of the lot.

Best Red Dot Scopes for Turkey Hunting

Starting with:

1-Vortex Optics Venom – Red Dot Sight

Sale

Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sight - 3 MOA Dot

The Venom Red Dot Sight-3 MOA promotes rapid target...
High quality, fully multi-coated lenses offer a clean, wide...
The Venom also has an auto-brightness mode that uses an...
1 MOA wind age and elevation adjustments are super sleek and...

Vortex Optics is a name that is trusted by many. Their Venom series makes for a nice option for ARs, pistols and even shotguns. The scope has two variants: 3 MOA and 6 MOA.

Technical Specs

Weaver or Picatinny mount. 1x magnification. Bright Red dot colour. Unlimited eye relief. 1 MOA adjustment graduation. 130 MOA max elevation adjustment. 100 MOA max windage adjustment. Parallax free.

Design

Black, aluminum housing weighing 1.1 oz, making it a lightweight Red Dot sight. Overall length is 1.9 inches. Overall width is 1.1 inches. Windage dial on the left side of sight; elevation dial on top. It can be mounted on a variety of firearms.

Features

Easy to install. Anti-reflective multi-coating to increase light transmission. 10 manual levels of brightness, or automatic brightness which works with an ambient light sensor. Unlimited eye relief for easier and quicker target acquiring. Parallax free. Battery life ranges from up to 150 hours on the highest setting, to up to 30,000 hours on lower settings.

Performance

Vortex offers exceptional performance. This scope is great for different firearms– ARs, pistols and shotguns. Waterproof and shockproof design make it ideal for turkey hunting and other outdoor sports.

What’s in the box

It comes with a Weaver or Picatinny mount, T-15 Torx wrench, rain cover, lens cloth, mounting screws, CR1632 battery and screwdriver.

Pros

Value for Price
Lifetime warranty
Rugged for Outdoor Activities
Great Performance
Versatile

Cons

Low quality of battery cover
Difficult process of changing battery
Dot gets blurry

Verdict

All in all, the best vortex red dot for turkey hunting. Easy to install, versatile, comes with a lifetime warranty and great in performance.

2- Feyachi RS-30 Reflex Sight

Sale

Feyachi RS-30 Reflex Sight, Multiple Reticle System Red...

Tubeless design with 40mm reflex lens aperture provides...
4 Selectable reticles and 5 brightness settings. Low power...
Integrated mount for standard 20mm Picatinny or Weaver rails...
Parallax corrected & unlimited eye-relief. Fully adjustable...

Feyachi is a comparatively newer name among firearm optics. Most inexpensive option in turkey hunting red dot sights. It has Multiple Reticle System, Red Dot Sight with Picatinny Rail Mount, Absolute Co-Witness with Iron Sight and more.

Technical Specs

20mm Weaver or Picatinny mount. 1x magnification. Red reticle colour. 4 reticle options. Unlimited eye relief.

Design

Black, aluminum alloy construction weighing 5.4 oz. Overall length is 3.74 inches. Overall width is about 1.4 inches. 40mm reflex lens.

Features

20mm mount makes it versatile for many ARs and shotguns. Large viewfinder for better shots. 5 levels of brightness. Unlimited eye relief for easier and quicker target acquiring. Parallax-corrected. Fully adjustable height, windage and elevation by screws on the side and top.

Performance

The Feyachi RS-30 is a budget red dot. It is great to pair with inexpensive guns, especially shotguns. Performance is known to be quite accurate up to 50 yards. Zero is held after long periods of usage.

What’s in the box

It comes with 3 LR44 (AG13) batteries, 2 Allen wrenches and 1 lens cleaning cloth.

Pros

Inexpensive with great performance
Works best for shotguns and ARs
Wider field of view

Cons

Quality may be an issue for some of the hunters

Verdict

One of the best budget Red Dot Scopes for Turkey Hunting. Can be used on shotguns and ARs, which are essentials to turkey hunting.

3- Sig Sauer Romeo5 Compact 2 Moa Red Sight

Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 1x20mm Compact 2 Moa Red Dot...

2 MOA Red-Dot provides 10 illumination settings (8 daylight...
MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) powers up when it...
Integrated M1913 Picatinny interface provides...
Dependable waterproof (IPX-7 rated for complete water...

Being a renowned manufacturer, Sig Sauer makes amazing firearm accessories. The ROMEO5 red dot sight is a perfect example.

Technical Specs

Integrated M1913 Picatinny. 1x magnification. 2 MOA red dot. Unlimited eye relief. 1 MOA adjustment increment. 100 MOA total elevation travel. 100 MOA total windage travel. Ultra-low parallax.

Design

It comes in black. Made from aircraft-grade aluminum and weighs 5.1 oz. Overall length is 2.46 inches. Overall width is 1.5 inches. Windage adjustment on right side of sight; elevation adjustment on top. Brightness adjustment buttons available.

Features

Easy to install. Picatinny mount makes it a versatile red dot for various guns. 10 brightness settings (8 for daylight, 2 for night vision). Signature features include MOTAC™ (Motion Activated Illumination): turns off sight when not in use and turns on when it senses movement; Spectracaot™: their version of anti-reflective coating and; Stealth ID™. It also comes with IPX-7 waterproof certification.

Performance

The ROMEO5 is the most versatile red dot reflex sight on our list that works with all types of firearms. Optimal for enthusiasts and professionals. It is also considered a tactical red dot sight. The sight holds zero amazingly and is known for its durability.

What’s in the box

It comes with a low profile M1913 Torx mount, 1.41” co-witness riser Torx mount, lens cover, Torx installation tool, lens cloth, CR2032 battery.

Pros

Versatile
Lifetime Sig Sauer Guarantee
5-year limited warranty

Cons

Questionable quality
Replacement of said dead product get difficult sometimes

Verdict

A good alternative for more expensive red dots. Quality could be an issue but otherwise it is a crisp red dot scope that comes from a company trusted for its quality firearms.

4-TRUGLO GOBBLE-STOPPER 30mm Turkey Hunting Dual-Color Dot Sight

best under 100 red dot sight for hunting

TRUGLO Red-Dot Sight 30mm Gobble-Dot Dual-Color Black

Specially designed reticle for turkey hunting; Two choices...
Detachable, extended sunshade eliminates glare from the...
Includes 3V-CR2032 batteries (main and spare); Spare battery...
Lightweight and easy to mount; Integrated weaver-style...

TruGlo is another new name in the firearm optics industry but has made a good name in the market. The company offers a wide range of red dot sights for turkey hunting, among other products. Their Gobble-Stopper™ 30mm Dual Color is the first specialized turkey hunting red dot sight on our list.

Technical Specs

Integrated Weaver mount. 1x magnification. 2 reticle colour options (red/green). Unlimited eye relief. 3 MOA reticle. Adjustable windage and elevation.

Design

It comes in black with a camouflage finish. Aircraft-grade aluminum and weighs 8.1 oz. Overall length is 5.83 inches. Overall width is 2 inches. Windage dial on left side of sight; elevation dial on top. Scope is bigger than other red dots; made specifically for turkey hunting.

Features

Easy to install. Illuminated viewfinder. Rheostat controlled brightness adjustment. Unlimited eye relief. Detachable, extended sunshade to eliminate glare for use in different hunting situations. Flip-up lens cap. Spare battery storage compartment on top of sight. Waterproof. Shockproof.

Performance

The TruGlo Gobble-Stopper™ series is more than a decade old, with a good reputation in the market. The sight is one of the best red dot scopes on a shotgun for turkey hunting. The scope holds zero after a lot of use. Battery life is very good.

What’s in the box

It comes with a Weaver mount, riser mounts (if ordered) and 2 CR2032 batteries (main and spare).

Pros

Camouflage finishing
Well-optimized for better performance

Cons

Quality of Lens Cap is criticized
Problematic adjustments

Verdict

A red dot sight with a catchy name that does what it says. Good value for money in the price. Comes with limited lifetime warranty.

5- Cycvis Best Red Dot Scope – Micro Rifle Gun Sights

Red Dot Sight - Cycvis Riflescope Micro Rifle Gun...

⌖【High Image Clarity】 - Mini red dot sights with...
⌖【Precise Target】 - CYCVIS red dot scope with 3-4 MOA...
⌖【Durable & High-Quality Constrction】 - 100%...
⌖【Unrestricted Eye Relief】 - For most optic sights, it...

Cycvis is a budget-friendly optics company that has a wide range of products for both adults and kids. The LPX20, 1×25 red dot is a great budget option that can not only be used for hunting but for general purposes too.

Technical Specs

1x magnification. Unlimited eye relief. 3 MOA red dot. 1 MOA windage and elevation adjustment. Parallax free.

Design

Black, aluminum, nitrogen-filled housing and weighs 4 oz. Overall length is 2.8 inches. Overall width is 1.5 inches. Windage dial on right side of sight; elevation dial on top. Looks a bit different due to the large brightness adjustment dial.

Features

Easy to install. Multi-coated optics for clarity. 11 manual levels of brightness. Unlimited eye relief. Parallax free. Waterproof, shockproof and fog-proof.

Performance

The Cycvis is a budget hunting red dot sight that has exceptional performance in the price. Versatile use for rifles, shotguns and pistols. Quite sturdy in use and holds zero on any gun it is used on.

What’s in the box

It comes with a lens cover, CR2032 battery, cleaning cloth, user manual.

Pros

Budget friendly
Unique look because of diagonal brightness adjustment dial
Compact Size

Cons

Riser mount has to be bought separately
Small field of view

Verdict

The underdog Nitrogen gas filled red dot scope that got its fame in a short period of time.

6- Bushnell Red Dot Sight

Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope,...

Matte black featuring a 3 MOA Dot reticle with 11 brightness...
Waterproof construction: O ring sealed optics stay dry...
Shockproof construction: Built to withstand bumps, bangs,...
Nitrogen purged fog proofing: Nitrogen inside the scope...

No list related to optics is complete without Bushnell as it’s one of the most famous optics company in the world. They have a variety of scopes for different purposes. The Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight is a bestseller for shotguns, rifles and pistols. There is a high-rise variant too.

Technical Specs

Picatinny mount. 1x magnification. 3 MOA red colour dot. Unlimited eye relief. 1 MOA adjustment graduation. Parallax free.

Design

Black, metal housing weighing 4 oz. Overall length is 2.4 inches. Overall width is 1.5 inches. Windage dial on right side of sight; elevation dial on top. Has a design similar to the Cycvis LPX20.

Features

Easy to install. Mounts on both Picatinny and Weaver rails. Multi-coated optics for clarity. 11 manual levels of brightness. Unlimited eye relief. Waterproof, shockproof and fog-proof. Extended battery life.

Performance

A great Red Dot Turkey Scope option. Holds zero even after a few thousand rounds. Red dot is known to be completely accurate. Made to be sturdy and durable for all kinds of outdoor activities. Battery life is a lot better compared to older models.

What’s in the box

It comes with a Picatinny mount, Allen wrench, lens cloth, lens cover.

Pros

Good performance
Interesting design

Cons

Non-versatile
low-rise mount (only works on shotguns and pistols)
Separate high-rise mounts are needed for ARs

Verdict

A durable and long-lasting shotgun sight for turkey hunting but stays restricted to that. If one needs it only for hunting, it’s a great product for the price. 1-year limited warranty is lesser than competitors on the market, putting off some consumers.

7-HOLOSUN HS510C – Red Dot Sight

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HOLOSUN - HS510C Reflex Red Dot Sight (2 MOA Dot, 65...

SOLAR FAILSAFE: Holosun's Solar Power Failsafe Technology...
AUTOMATIC BRIGHTNESS ADJUSTMENT: With the Solar Failsafe...
SHAKE AWAKE: With Holosun's Shake Awake Technology, the...
MULTI-RETICLE SYSTEM: With this feature, you can turn toggle...

Holosun is a fairly recent name in the optics industry but has left its mark with its technology-filled products. It has a wide range of optics for different prices. The product we’re reviewing is the Holosun HS510C, our first reflex sight on the list.

Technical Specs

Weaver or Picatinny mount. 1x magnification. Red reticle. 2 MOA dot and 65 MOA ring (dot only, ring only, or combination of both). Unlimited eye relief. 0.5 MOA adjustment graduation. Parallax free.

Design

Black, aluminum body with titanium hood, weighing 8.3 oz. Overall length is 3.3 inches. Overall width is 1.6 inches. LED for viewfinder.

Features

Easy to install. Comes with QD mount. 12 brightness settings (10 for daylight, 2 for night vision). Up to 50,000 hours of operation on one CR2032 battery. IP67 certification. Holosun trademarks such as Solar Failsafe™ (switching of power between solar and battery) and Shake Awake™ (which turns off sight when not in use and turns on when it senses movement) similar to the Sig Sauer ROMEO5 red dot.

Performance

The sight is famous for its great performance. Holds zero after long periods of time. The LED helps keep it parallax-free after reticle switching. The focused reticle makes it a clear red dot sight due to the projection by LED. Company trademarks make it a feature-filled sight. Amazing performance shows that it can also be used for other purposes along with turkey hunting.

What’s in the box

It comes with an Allen wrench, spare CR2032 battery, extra battery tray, screwdriver.

Pros

Highly rated reflex sight
Appreciated customer service
QD mount is perfect for switching to different firearm

Cons

Faulty products are found in the store
Expensive

Verdict

The HS510 is a great red dot sight for turkey hunting with things that no one else offers. It may not fall in the price range of some people but if a person can buy it, this is definitely the sight to get.

8 – Vortex Optics Viper Red Dot Sight – 6 MOA Dot

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Vortex Optics Viper Red Dot Sight - 6 MOA Dot

The Viper Red Dot Sight has a super low-profile making it...
The Viper's low height allows it to co-witness with iron...
The fully multi-coated, ultra-clear lens offers a wide,...
Hard anodized finish- highly durable low-glare matte finish....

The second Vortex Red Dot on our list, the Viper Red Dot Sight. This belongs to the higher end family of optics from the company.

Technical Specs

Weaver or Picatinny mount. 1x magnification. Bright Red dot colour. 6 MOA dot. Unlimited eye relief. 1 MOA adjustment graduation. 120 MOA max elevation adjustment. 120 MOA max windage adjustment. Parallax-free.

Design

Black, aluminum housing weighing 1.03 oz. Overall length is 1.8 inches. Overall width is 1.06 inches. Windage dial on left side of sight; elevation dial on top.

Features

Easy to install. Anti-reflective multi-coating to increase light transmission. Manual brightness adjustment. Unlimited eye relief for easier and quicker target acquiring. Parallax free. Battery life ranges from up to 150 hours on highest setting, to up to 30,000 hours on lower settings.

Performance

The Viper is a bit on the higher end of red dot sights but works like a charm. The low-profile design makes it an amazing option for co-witnessing it with another sight for better shooting. Waterproof and shockproof design makes it ideal for outdoor activities.

What’s in the box

It comes with a Weaver or Picatinny mount, T-10 Torx wrench, lens cloth, flathead wrench, CR2032 battery, protective cover.

Pros

Well-performing sight
Good for pistols due to low profile

Cons

Issue lies in its design
Riser mount required for making it mountable for ARs
Wrench is required for windage and elevation adjustment

Verdict

This lightweight Red Dot sight is the best for pistols but is not recommended as a red dot sight for turkey hunting because it exceeds the sight cost for a riser mount.

9 – Sightmark Ultra Shot Multi Red & Green Plus Reflex Sight

Sightmark Ultra Shot Multi Red & Green Plus Reflex...

Up to 1,000 hours of battery life
Adjustable quick-detach weaver mount
Cast aluminum alloy housing with protective shield
Red and green reticle illumination and multiple reticles

Sightmark is known for having quite a number of sights in their range. Known for listening to their customers, they made the Ultra Shot Plus as an improvement on their old model. It’s the second reflex sight on our list.

Technical Specs

Weaver or Picatinny mount. 1x magnification. Red or green reticle colour. 4 reticle patterns. Unlimited eye relief. 1 MOA adjustment graduation. 120 MOA elevation adjustment range. 120 MOA windage adjustment range. Parallax corrected.

Design

It comes in black and a “Dark Earth” finish. It has aluminum alloy housing and weighs 9.2 oz. Overall length is 4.4 inches. Overall width is 2.3 inches. Windage dial on right side of sight; elevation dial on top. Reticle pattern adjustment at the front.

Features

Easy to install. Quick detach for mounts. LED for reticle projection. 5 levels of brightness. Unlimited eye relief. IPX-4 certification. Battery life is about 1,000 hours (80 on low, 2,000 on high) with continuous use. Uses a CR123A battery.

Performance

The reflex sight is a good performer in different conditions. Holds zero well and is quite sturdy for use on different firearms. The different reticle patterns are a nice option for turkey hunting and other outdoor activities. Brightness is very good. Reticle is seen to be clear enough for different light situations. IPX-4 rating and shockproof design are also helpful.

What’s in the box

It comes with a neoprene cover, adjustment tools, CR123A battery, user manual.

Pros

Durable
Great brightness level
Quick detachment

Cons

Limited warranty
Quality of LED and sight is disliked

Verdict

The Ultra Shot Plus is a nice alternative to reflex sights that cost more but doesn’t hit the mark properly. Quality issues show that it might be an improvement over the older model but still isn’t a perfect red dot sight for turkey hunting.

10 – Trijicon MRO-C-2200019

Trijicon MRO Patrol 2.0 MOA 1x25 Adjustable Red Dot...

LARGE VIEWING AREA: Allows faster target acquisition and...
ADJUSTABLE BRIGHTNESS SETTINGS: Eight brightness settings...
SUPERIOR QUALITY GLASS LENSES: Multi-coated lenses provide...
AIRCRAFT-GRADE ALUMINUM HOUSING: Forged 7075 housing and...

Trijicon is a high-end optics company that is widely trusted for delivering amazing performance in their products. Trijicon MRO® Patrol 1×25 Red Dot Sight is the product under review. It has 1x25mm Patrol Riflescope with Miniature Rifle Optic (Mro), 2.0 MOA Adjustable Red Dot Reticle with Full Co-Witness Quick Release Mount, Blk and more.

Technical Specs

Full co-witness quick-release mount. 1x magnification. Red reticle. 2 MOA dot. Unlimited eye relief. 1/2 MOA adjustment graduation. 70 MOA elevation adjustment range. 70 MOA windage adjustment range.

Design

It comes in black. 7075-T6 forged aluminum housing and 5.1 oz weight. Overall length is 2.6 inches. Overall width is 1.7 inches. Windage dial on right side of sight; elevation dial on top. Ambidextrous brightness adjustment dial.

Features

Easy to install. Quick-release mount. Multi-coated lens. 8 brightness levels. Unlimited eye relief. Large viewing area. Parallax free. Cap less design for helping maintain zero. Battery life on one battery is 5 years of continuous use at day setting “3” (setting 5 of 8) at 70°F (21°C).

Performance

Trijicon is known for its excellent performance and this sight is another example of it. The design is made specially to maintain zero even after thousands of rounds. The durable, waterproof and rugged design makes it suitable for outdoor activities. Perfect for use on ARs and shotguns.

What’s in the box

It comes with a Trijicon Logo Sticker (PR15), lens cloth, manual, warranty card, MRO mount guide.

Pros

Excellent choice
Perfect performance

Cons

Expensive
Lifetime warranty

Verdict

One of the best red dots you can get if you’re looking for a high-end product. Excellent performer with Trijicon nailing it in every department. Highly recommended for using it as a turkey hunting red dot sight.

Are you tight on your budget!!! Here we have the Best Red Dots under $200.

Types of Red Dot Sights?

In general, “red dot sights” is an umbrella term which refers to any aiming device that uses an LED to project an illuminated dot for the user to aim at. Under the category of red dot sights comes various types of scopes used for different purposes or offering different specifications.

Do you need scope for your Shotgun? Have a look at our suggestion regarding the Best Shotgun Scopes of the Market

A prism red dot sight is a small, minimal magnification sight that processes light through a prism from the objective lens to the user’s eye. It’s illuminated aiming point earns it the name of a red dot.

Another type is the reflex type, which is probably the most common type of all red dots. It opts for a small window-like design that projects a red dot from the rear. In some cases, the gear houses two lenses, in a tube-like design.

A holographic sight is a non-magnifying red dot, similar to an exposed reflex sight. It is owned by EOTech. It differs in the sense that the reticle image is superimposed in between two glass optical windows. The image is illuminated by a laser diode.

FAQS

What does a red dot scope do?

A red dot scope uses a superimposed LED dot image that places the target and the reticle on the same optical plane, making the scope almost parallax-free. It provides the user with an accurate aiming point by placing the red dot at the center of the user’s field of vision, at infinity.

Are red dot scopes good for hunting?

Red dots are optimal for a fast hunt, targeting dangerous game on the ground. In fact, a number of the above-listed products are some of the best red dot sights for shotgun turkey hunting. The case made against reflex sights is that they do not generally offer magnification. However, most game shot with a red dot is no more than 250 miles away, in most cases. At such a distance, magnification becomes unnecessary. They are also a great option for hunters as they provide a full field of vision (no need to close one eye to focus on the target)

What does MOA on a red dot mean?

An MOA—minutes of angles—is a unit for the angular measurement of a circle. On reflex sights, it is used to determine the size of the red dot at the center of the FOV. A 2 MOA red dot covers approximately 2 inches of the target at 100 yards. A larger MOA such as a 4 MOA or 6 MOA means that the dot would be larger. Larger dots are easier to spot and aim but take up more space and can become an obstacle in taking a clear shot. Smaller MOA means the dot would be more precise but harder to spot.

How far are red dot scopes accurate?

The accuracy of a red dot scope depends on a number of factors. User’s experience and skill, weather, MOA size and gear quality to name a few. However, speaking in general terms, a red dot scope is best used within 100 yards for perfect accuracy. This is because red dot scopes are more suited for fast-target acquisition and do not incorporate a magnification feature. To stay parallax-free and always hit the bullseye, staying in the 50- 70 yards range is considered best.

Are you fond of hunting at Night? Here is the guide for Best Thermal Scopes for the Money

How to Shoot with a Red Dot Sight

After mounting the scope on top of your gun and adjusting the brightness of the scope, aim your firearm at your target. On an iron sight, you would have to align the two sights to shoot but in a red dot, the illuminated LED will move onto your target as you move your firearm. Keep both eyes open. Because of unlimited eye relief and being parallax free, you should be able to see the red dot on your target from all possible angles. When the red dot is at the spot where you want to hit, pull the trigger.

Do you keep both eyes open when using a red dot?

Yes. A user should keep both eyes open when using a reflex sight because there is no need to close one. This is because red dots are free of parallax. Parallax is a concept according to which the position of an object differs when it is viewed from different angles through a lens. In such a case, users need to align their sight just right with their pupil to achieve an accurate shot. But red dots are built for fast and accurate acquisition and because they don’t require you to keep at a particular angle, you are free to keep both eyes open, providing a complete FOV.

You may want to know about the Best Scopes for AR-15 to Buy

Suggestions from Hunter’s Wiki:

Although, all of the above-mentioned products are Best Red Dot Scopes for Turkey Hunting, the Trijicon MRO-C-2200019 and Vortex Optics Venom Best Red Dot Sights are our top favorites. Their features live up to their price point and they offer great value to customers. User reviews on most of these products have been positive. Both products come from well-known and trustworthy manufacturers.

In general, the list above encompasses 10 of the best red dot scopes for the money. You can find options in all price ranges and qualities, specified to your firearm needs. The list has great variety and offers something for everyone—for beginners to veterans.

Do you like to hunt a Deer but not sure how far it is? Go through Best Rangefinders for Deer Hunting

Best Shotgun Scopes on the Market in 2021

Last updated on March 17, 2021 By JF Martin

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Shotguns are one of the most commonly used firearms, especially during hunting season. They are used to fire both shots and slugs while keeping the gun at the shoulder. Shotguns are mostly used for smaller target, moving fast. They have low penetration and can only shoot at targets within a small range but on the other hand, have great stopping power. Adding a best shotgun scope will definitely be beneficial for many reasons. It helps improve the accuracy of the shot, even if the target is medium-range. Furthermore, the magnification of the scope gives the hunter a clearer view of the oft-moving target, making it easy to take it down.

As, shotguns are usually used to shoot birds. However, they can also be used for hunting larger game, like deer or turkey hunting due to their versatility of shooting larger projectiles such as slugs.

7 Best Shotgun Scopes to Buy

Even though using a scope with a shotgun is not a necessity and in most cases, one can do without it, it is still worthwhile to look at some of the best shotgun scopes. This article helps you decide which scope is best for your shotgun and will befit you most for hunting season by listing top 7 picks of the year. From fixed shotgun scopes to variable shotgun scopes.

1-Simmons 517793 Prodiamond – Best Shotgun Scope

Simmons 517793 Prodiamond Shotgun Prohunter Riflescope...

Multi-coated optics and high-quality optical glass provide...
Exclusive truezero windage and elevation adjustment system...
Raised tab on power change ring provides an easier grip and...
Shotgun riflescope with 4x magnification and 32mm objective...

The Simmons Prodiamond Riflescope is one of the popular shotgun scopes for beginners and has some outstanding qualities.

Design:

The Simmons scope has finger adjustable turrets with a sleek design. It weighs about 8.6 ounces which is pretty lightweight for scopes in general and comes in the colour matte black. It has an 8mm exit pupil with 4 inches of eye relief and a 32mm objective lens. All lenses are made with the finest quality glass and are mutli-coated for a clearer image. Its field of view is 23.6 feet @ 100 yards with an adjustment range of 70 inches @ 100 yards. It comes with a 4x magnification.

Features:

The scope provides truezero windage with elevation adjustment so the scope stays locked in even at hard recoil. It also comes with the coveted Quick Target Acquisition (QTA) feature and is water/fog proof. The recticle is the classic Prodiamond recticle that many customers favour.

Performance:

Overall, Simmons Prodiamond Shotgun has great performance. It is easy to handle for beginners and a positively surprising found for seasoned hunters. Its lightweight construction is a favorite among most buyers.

Pros/Cons:

The 4-inch recoil takes it home for the Simmons Prodiamond. Other than that, it’s excellent for shooting at 75-100 yards and performs well in low-lighting Other than that, its lightweight.

For some customers, however, the scope could not handle hard recoil. It failed to accomplish 30 rounds of 3030s, for example and also had a less clear image than other scopes. These cases, however, are usually exceptions and the customers are sent a replacement or are fully refunded in such a case.

Verdict:

If you’re a beginner, this is a great scope to get for your shotgun due to its various ease-giving features. Also recommended for seasoned shotgun hunters.

2-Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope, 1x25mm, Black

Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope,...

Matte black featuring a 3 MOA Dot reticle with 11 brightness...
Waterproof construction: O ring sealed optics stay dry...
Shockproof construction: Built to withstand bumps, bangs,...
Nitrogen purged fog proofing: Nitrogen inside the scope...

The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is a calling for the hunter looking for a variable shotgun scope. It works well with a wide range of firearms and delivers its best with each.

Design:

Standing at just 2.4 inches with a weight of 3.7 ounces approximately, Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is a low profile, small scope perfect for small range target acquisition. It comes in black with a matte finish. It provides unlimited eye relief and field of view with a 70 in @ 100 yards adjustment range. The minimalistic design makes it undetectable unlike some other scopes. The lenses are multi-coated and made with high quality glass. The design is parallax free.

Features:

The scope comes with a 3 MOA red dot reticle which helps in quick target acquisition and is responsible for the unlimited eye relief. It is constructed with Amber-Bright optics and is water proof, shock proof and fog proof. It features a dry-nitrogen-filled housing, and a CR2032 battery which can be changed.

Performance:

The scope is great to be used in low-light conditions. The red-dot frees the hunter from worrying about eye relief. The red dot however, needs to be adjusted according to the lighting or else it’ll be blurry. It does not consume a lot of power and can hold zero.

Pros/Cons:

Most customers found the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 to be a great optic for the medium range price it demanded. It also holds zero and can withstand hard recoil.

The only major concern with the Bushnell is that the new version with white lettering has a red dot which blurs from the sides of the field of view. It also shifts from the centre for certain movements. For some users, the scope was too low-profile and they needed to purchase an extra riser with the set to be able to adjust the scope to their level.

Verdict:

The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is certainly one of the newest generations of scopes that provide durability, accuracy and clarity. It is also a variable shotgun scope so its use isn’t restricted to your shotgun only. For its price point, it provides excellent specs, which is as good as it gets. Great for training and target shooting.

3-TRUGLO 4x32mm Compact Rimfire and Shotgun Scope Series

TRUGLO 4x32mm Compact Rimfire and Shotgun Scope Series,...

Fully-coated lenses provide maximum brightness, clarity, and...
Rubber eye guard; Durable, scratch-resistant, non-reflective...
Duplex reticle model includes 3/8" scope mounting rings...
Diamond reticle models include weaver-style scope mounting...

TRUGLO is a renowned name in the firearms optics industry. Their Compact Rimfire and Shotgun Series has two outstanding scopes. The price point is a bit startling and might make the purchaser doubtful but the scope packs in heaps of amazing features.

Design:

TRUGLO Compact Rimfire comes in 2 models; the 8504BR includes 3/8″ rings for rimfire and air rifles, while the TG8504BD/CD includes weaver-style rings. It comes in “black” and “realtree Xtra”, the latter of which is a camouflage style scope. The scope lens has a rubber guard and pre-installed rimfire rings. With a 4-inch eye relief and 32 mm objective lens, TRUGLO’s Compact Rimfire is a standard scope for shotguns. Furthermore, the lens is fully coated providing great clarity. It is made from aircraft quality aluminum and has a diamond as well as a duplex reticle.

Features:

It has finger-tip elevation adjustment and can hold zero on hard recoil. It features durable leaf spring for windage and elevation adjustments. Its water proof, shock proof and fog proof.

Performance:

The scope is perfect for hunting bigger ground game such as deer or turkey. It gathers enough light to hunt in low-light conditions, such as dawn and dusk.

Pros/Cons:

For its price, TRUGLO Rimfire is an excellent optic. The crosshairs on the reticle are nice and sharp and the scope stays zeroed in even after hard recoil. Customers found it easy to install and adjust.

To others, however, the quality of the glass was sub-par and the tightening design seemed a bit defective.

Verdict:

If you’re looking to spend some money on an inexpensive shotgun scope for turkey hunting season than the TRUGLO Rimfire might just be it.

An answer to a commonly asked question: What Scope Do I Need for 300 Yards?

4-Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sights

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Vortex Optics Viper Red Dot Sight - 6 MOA Dot

The Viper Red Dot Sight has a super low-profile making it...
The Viper's low height allows it to co-witness with iron...
The fully multi-coated, ultra-clear lens offers a wide,...
Hard anodized finish- highly durable low-glare matte finish....

Another low profile scope like the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25, Vortex’s Venom Red Dot sights are a standard, high-performance scopes. They come with two different red dots, 3 MOA and 6 MOA.

Design:

The optic has a length of about 1.9 inches and weighs 1.1 ounces. It has 1 MOA windage and elevation adjustments. The red dots are sleek and visible. It has an auto-brightness mode through which the red dot intensity automatically changes according to lighting conditions. There are 10 brightness levels to manually choose the power and dot intensity from. This can be done by using the controls on the left side of the scope. It also houses a CR1632 battery. The lens glass is high-quality and lenses are fully multi-coated, providing the ultimate clarity of image. It has adjustable elevation and windage dials with 1 MOA clicks. It has unlimited eye relief.

Features:

The scope comes with a Picatinny mount. It allows up to 150 hours of use at highest setting and up to 30,000 hours on lower settings. It is considered parallax free and has edge-to-edge resolution with is wide-field lens. It’s compact and lightweight. Its shock and water proof and comes with mounting screws.

Performance:

The scope has a crisp red dot and works great for shooting game with its 1x magnification. It can be used with a wide range of firearms such as rifles, handguns, shot guns, glocks etc.

Also check out the red dot sights for turkey hunting!

Pros/Cons:

The Vortex Venom is highly accurate and withstands hard recoil easily. Even though, it’s an expensive shotgun scope, the product is worth the investment.

However, some customers complained about the quality of the battery cover and a consequent need for replacement. Due to the low –profile some hunters may require a riser.

Verdict:

Vortex is one of the best companies out there for firearm optics. After the suspension of the Viper Red Dot, the new Venom is perfect for short-range hunting expeditions.

Find out How Far Should a Scope be From Your Eye while using it!

5-CVLIFE 1X22X33 – Shotgun Scope with Reflex Sight

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CVLIFE 1X22X33 Red Green Dot Gun Sight Riflescope...

Tubeless design with 33mm reflex lens aperture provides a...
Dual illuminated ( red and green);4 reticle shapes in one...
Parallax corrected & unlimited eye-relief, improving the...
The red dot sight is precision machined from high grade...

CVLIFE is a new company that’s known for its low-priced shooting accessories. Their product is cheaper than other shotgun scopes, but some user reviews show build quality issue.

Design:

It has a minimalistic design and comes in black. It’s made of aluminum alloy with anodized finish and weighs 130 g. The overall length is 82 mm while the screen size is 22 mm x 33 mm. The scope fits 20 mm Picatinny and Weaver rail mounts. It also has a 0.15 inch metal lock bar that works only on Picatinny and Weaver rails.

Features:

It has 4 options for reticles (Circle Dot, Cross, 10 MOA & 3 MOA) that can be quickly selected by the help of a knob. These options in turn have 2 colours: red and green. There is 5 level illumination control. There are Allen adjustment screws for windage and elevation. An Allen wrench and battery come out of the box.

Performance:

The CVLIFE reflex sight is an inexpensive scope that works well for its price, but doesn’t come to par with the scopes that come in the higher price range. Customer reviews show that holding zero would be an issue for this scope because of its build quality.

Pros/Cons:

It’s an inexpensive option with normal quality. Build quality is the biggest con for this scope. Another issue is that it would only fit Picatinny and Weaver rails; doesn’t work with any other rail. Some people have used it and said it’s good enough for a pistol only, and any firearm with more recoil than a pistol would end up making it lose zero.

Verdict:

Inexpensive option for a scope, but cheap build quality spoils its potential.

6-Vortex Optics Crossfire – 2 MOA Shotgun Scope

Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight Gen II - 2 MOA...

The updated Crossfire is a no-nonsense sight for near any...
With up to a 50, 000 hour battery life and night-vision...
The 2 MOA dot is quick to acquire in close-quarters, while...
Increased light transmission with multiple anti-reflective...

Vortex Optics is a name we can always trust for gen accessories. Their Crossfire Red Dot is no exception. It has a 2 MOA dot, precise for targets that are at a distance.

Design:

It has a standard tube design. The scope comes in black with orange or blue options. It is made from hard anodized finish and weighs 147 g. the overall length is 2.5 inches. Skeletonized mount offers two height options (Low and Lower 1/3 Co-Witness). There are 11 level brightness adjustment on right side. Windage and elevation adjustments are in the form of knobs.

Features:

The build quality of the Vortex Crossfire is its biggest feature. 11 levels of brightness help adjust brightness according to need. The 2 MOA dot gives top tier precision. The scope is parallax free. It also has unlimited eye relief. It comes with T10 Torx wrench, battery and lens covers in the box.

Performance:

Known for its quality, Vortex has made quite a well-received scope. The two height adjustments allow it to be mounted to any AR-15, shotgun, or pistol, making it a nice accessory if you have different firearms. It holds zero even after quite some rounds. The only issue observed by users is in the brightness levels.

Pros/Cons:

Quality is loved by customers – Vortex lives up to its name. It’s a good option for the price. It has adjustable knobs for windage and elevation. Holds zero easily after quite a number of rounds.

Brightness adjusting knob, which also holds the battery, could be better.

Verdict:

A worthy inclusion in scope rankings with its build quality, 2 MOA dot, precision, and option to mount on different types of firearms. Fits its price by giving many features.

7-Ozark Armament Rhino – Shotgun Scope with Red Dot Sight

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OZARK ARMAMENT Rhino Rifle Red Dot Sight - 4MOA Reflex...

CO-WITNESS CAPABILITY OUT OF THE BOX: Designed to co-witness...
Reflex lens aperture provides a wide field of view, suitable...
Dual illuminated (red and green) red dit sight provides...
Parallax corrected & unlimited eye-relief, improving the...

The Ozark Armament Rhino is one of those scopes that seem too good to be true due to the price their being offered for. Moreover, it comes with a Picatinny mount in the box.

Design:

The scope body has a telescopic design with two lens covers on either side to prevent the lens from getting dusty or injured. It weighs about 9.7 ounces. It’s made from aluminum and comes in the colour black. The scope offers a reticle with 4 MOA Red/Green dot and has 5 brightness levels that the user can adjust the dot to. It has no magnification and an objective lens of 28mm. Moreover it houses a CR2032 battery. It has an easy windage and elevation adjustment.

Features:

The Rhino is made to withstand harsh treatment. The company offers a no questions asked life time warranty. It maintains zero through countless rounds and fits more than one firearm moreover, it offers co-witnesses with all Ozark Armament iron sights and standard iron sights. It is waterproof and fog-proof.

Performance:

The Rhino has top-notch performance. Its varying brightness levels enable the user to hunt with it in a wide range of lighting conditions. It has unlimited eye relief which is always a good thing. Moreover, the scope provides a wide field of view and parallax free glass.

Pros/Cons:

The price point is big advantage to Rhino users. The scope itself packs a punch and delivers well.

Some customers have had problems with sighting it in on zero and others have found that their red dots are not accurate. However, the pros outweigh the cons by sheer number.

Verdict:

An excellent choice for hunting and training. If you’re a beginner and don’t wanna invest too much, this is a great scope for you.

Buying Guide – Points to Consider

Editor’s Choice

Whether you’re looking for a new scope for your shotgun or following up on a popular shotgun scope, you’ve heard much about, the list above will help you make an informed decision about which scope is best for your shotgun.

We recommend both the Simmons 517793 Prodiamond Shotgun Prohunter Riflescope and the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope for their versatility, durability and attractive price point.

There are numbers written on a scope usually, learn what do these numbers mean?

What to Consider When Buying the Best Shotgun Scope?

You must consider these points if you are planning to buy a shotgun scope.

1-Type of Scope

There are different scopes specialized for firearms such as rifle scope for a rifle and shotgun scopes for a shotgun

It is very common to know that rifle scope can not be mounted on a shotgun because it’ll not work. Some scopes however are variable and can be adjusted on a range of different firearms.

It is important to keep in mind the gun and activity you intend to undertake. It’s the only thing that will determine the features you look for while buying new scope. One way of doing this is by checking out the recommended scopes for your gun

2-Construction

Shotgun scopes are usually stronger than say, rifle scopes. This is due to the fact that the recoil of a shotgun (the springing back action) is greater and more intense than that of a rifle. This is also why it is not advisable to use a rifle-scope on your shotgun. They just aren’t cut out to handle that sort of force.

Make sure that you’re not buying a weak optic for a shotgun. The damage may not be noticeable immediately but the recoil of the shotgun will damage the scope from the inside if it’s not durable and it will not serve you for a long time.

3-Len’s Diameter

The two lenses present on a scope are the ocular lens (closest to your eye) and the objective lens (farthest from eye, closest to the target). Different scopes have different lens diameters depending upon certain factors such as lighting conditions, distance of target from the scope and required field of view.

For shotguns, there’s no need to buy scopes that provide a long-range clear image or a large field of view because they’re mostly used to target small game at less than 100 yards. In this case the objective lens, which is responsible for gathering light and providing a clear image, should be around 32mm~40mm in diameter.

4-Durability

Durability is one of the most crucial features in a shotgun. As previously discussed, shotguns have an intense recoil force and can damage a poor quality scope.

The best way to ensure that you’re buying a durable, reliable shotgun scope is to buy from a renowned company. Don’t go for cheap optics as they will most definitely have cheap construction. Furthermore, some scopes are made for specific guns such as a 20 gauge shotgun scope will be slightly different from a 10 gauge shotgun scope. Look up recommend scopes for your shotgun to make sure you avoid getting the wrong scope.

5-Eye Relief

Eye relief refers to the least distance between the ocular lens of the scope and your eye which allows you to obtain a clear view of your target. For shotguns, a greater eye relief is recommended for a few reasons.

Shotguns are available is a number of different gauges such as ten gauge, twelve gauge and twenty gauge. These have varying degrees of recoil and a short eye relief can lead to a case of a scope bite (eye injury)

At least, a 3.5-4 inch eye relief is optimal in most cases of shooting slug loads more other even more intense. It gives the shooter just enough room to escape the recoil force of the shotgun while getting a clear view.

4 Points to Consider When Buying a Rifle Scope

Last updated on February 14, 2019 By JF Martin

While purchasing a Scope Mount, you must look for some Features – or you may say – Qualities.

What to Consider When Buying a Rifle Scope?

Here are some points to consider when you buy Rifle Scope:

1-Durability

The best mounts are those that you can rely on for repeated usage and can hold zero. Mounts usually do not come cheap and the user would always want to purchase product that lasts them for a long time all the while retaining the quality of its performance.

Looking for Best AR Scope Mounts to buy?

Make sure that you buy from a renowned company which follows the standard manufacturing regulations. Look over the specifications to see the material used for construction and the price. Chances are that if it’s priced too low, cheap materials would have been used. This would result in a faulty scope mount from the start. The wiser option would be to spend a bit more and get yourself a durable scope mount.

Here’s how to mount a rifle scope on AR 15!

2-Construction

The first thing you should consider is buying a mount scope that is appropriate for your AR. We’ve discussed some of the best scope mounts in this article and it might just help you choose one for your AR.

Even before deciding the size of the mount, check out what material it’s made of. Aluminum is a premium material for the best one piece and more ar scope mounts. It’s quite durable while also being light-weight.

You might wanna know what do the numbers on a rifle scope mean?

One piece scope mounts are preferred to separate pieces of a model because they are the most reliable and more durable.

3-Features

A mount scope should provide good eye relief. The distance from your eye to the start of the scope should be short enough for the exit pupil but long enough so that the eye is not injured during the recoiling motion of the gun on being fired.

Secondly, the mount should be aligned with the bore of the gun on which it sits. This is for precision in aiming. It should also absorb a good amount of the recoiling force.

A mount scope should place the optic at the right height over the gun so that there is enough room for the scope, which in turn should be positioned longitudinally for correct eye relief (learn how far should you keep a scope from your eye).

4-Value

When it comes to AR mount scopes, you get what you pay for. Low value products are usually reinforced with cheap materials. The truth of the matter is that you will have to spend a considerable amount of money if you wish you buy a sturdy, reliable piece of scope mount.

Even though there are some budget mount scopes out there which you can, most seasoned users still prefer high end one-piece mounts because of their customizability and long life.

How does it fit?

The scope rings on the scope base should be adjustable in a way that they fit according to the scope and not the other way around- i.e. the scope is not forced into fitting into the rings. This is cause undue pressure on the main tube of the scope which is not recommended.

If the mount is tight enough that your scope fits uncomfortably then don’t buy it.

Looking for a 300 Yards Scope? 3 Points to look for!

On the other hand, the scope should not be too loose as well as then it will lose its purpose. Check the heights and widths of the product you’re considering before making a purchase to make sure it’ll fit to the scope more optimally.