I'd like some opinions on red dots - etched glass - 1.5 ~ 3 power(?)
General stuff like that.
Pro's/Con's - would you buy again, etc.
It's for a .223 flat top.

What sort of price point are you looking for? Range toy or more of a duty rifle?

Only ask cause something like a Bushnell TRS-25 works fine for my range toys and is cheap, but isn't something I'd want in a duty type environment. Whereas I have a Eotech 512 (think that's the model) that works nice and is rugged and something id more consider for a duty rifle.

Most red dots are 1x. Are you saying that you want something magnified? Like an ACOG? Don't you already have one of those?

I knew I forgot something in my criteria.
I'd just let's make the low end the Bushnell and the high end.... ?
Crap let's go somewhere between middle to higher end.
Oh, it doesn't have to be a red dot either. A doughnut would be nice.

I just have two red dot sights, both on 22LR firearms:
- Vortex Venom on a Browning Buckmark pistol
- Vortex Strikerfire II on a S&W 15-22 rifle

Both obviously just range toys and for Steel Challenge matches. Happy with both sights for their intended purpose.

I also thought that all red dots are just 1x and that they need to be coupled with dedicated red dot magnifiers if magnification desired

This might be outside of what I requested but it's along the lines of what I like:
https://www.natchezss.com/millett-designated-marksman-scope-1-4x24mm-30mm-tube-illum-donut-dot-reticle-3-5-er-atacs.html

Have you already mastered iron sights?

Pretty much, yes.

Hi Rick first off I'm no expert on AR rifles or sighting systems and pretty new to red dot systems in general. I've enjoyed using the red dot on my 15-22 as it's a lot of fun at the range and on steel targets. Vortex makes a red dot magnifier to be used in conjunction with a standard red dot sight which might be an alternative to the 1-4 tactical scope you mention:
Vortex VMX-3T
http://www.reloaderaddict.com/best-red-dot-magnifier-review/

Just an option for you as food for thought. Let's see what other folks with more experience have to say.

Well...you cant go wrong with an Aimpoint. The Aimpoint Pro is a bit bigger unit but cheaper. The Aimpoint Micro units are smaller but more $$.

The Trijicon MRO is another good one. Its a bit cheaper than Aimpoints but still a good unit. Havent heard any real complaints on it.

EOtechs are another option and have a bunch of sizes and models ranging from MRO prices up to Aimpoint Micro prices. It does seem like EOtechs have sort of fallen out of favor though. They did have some controversy with the military and point of aim shift if I remember right at extreme temps. Do your homework to confirm on that one though :)

In the ~$200 range theres quite a few that get good reviews. Vortex Strikefire is one. Primary Arms makes one.

or you could go with something like a 1-4 or 1-6 range "scope"

Can’t argue with any of this

Do you have astigmatism? That part about etched glass, was that a requirement?

Well, if the battery goes south the scope continues to work. Except at night
"Do you have astigmatism?" Don't know if I do but I have used red dots before and nothing has bothered me.

Ta44.

1.5x. So small, so light, so wow.

Etched. Durable. Tritium. Fiber. Optic. Proven. Clarity. Applause. Sex.

How about an elcan specteros 1x/3x illuminated/ etched reticle optic?