Over the last several years there has been a growing interest in red dot reflex-style optics for both handguns and rifles. Their small size mixed with ease of use and quick target acquisition make them a plus on any gun. The challenge, however, has been to find one at a price that did not break the bank, while not sacrificing durability and accuracy. Enter the great minds at Bushnell and their most recent offering in this arena: the Bushnell Advance Red Dot Reflex Sight.
Testing the Advance Red Dot at the 2018 Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous gave me a chance to check out performance. To no surprise, the reflex sight impressed. But it was the price point that left me floored.
The Bushnell Way
Bushnell is synonymous with quality glass, and it’s been that way since 1948. Currently, the manufacturer has a wide variety of optics available.
With the Advance Red Dot, Bushnell wanted a high-end reflex sight at an affordable price. Currently priced at $209, it has certainly met the monetary side of the equation.
Feature-wise, Bushnell continues its winning streak. The sight is the smallest, lightest red dot in the Bushnell AR Optics family, and packs big performance into a compact package. It projects a 5-MOA dot through rugged optics.
It is also compatible with a large selection of rifles and semiautomatic pistols, including the Glock Mount Plate No. 1. In fact, I have seen this durable little reflex sight mounted on handguns, ARs and shotguns. In each application they held zero and had no flicker or operational issues whatsoever.
The optics are feature rich and include waterproof construction with an o-ring seal; this allows the optic to stay dry inside, even when totally immersed in water. It has a shockproof construction design and is able to withstand bumps, bangs, drops and the rough-and-tumble environment of the field.
Bushnell Advance Red Dot Features
A couple of other nice features for end users is the over 160 MOA of travel the optic offers. With the 80 MOA adjustments up and 80 down, this optic can be zeroed to fit just about any platform out there. The dot is 5 MOA, which is good for close to medium range shooting. The optic is adjusted in half-MOA clicks, which allows you to finely tune the glass and gun.
The brightness adjustments on the Advance Red Dot Reflex Sight are also well designed. The up and down buttons slightly protrude from the rubberized housing, which offer a solid tactile reference. They also produce an audible click —it’s a very nice and overlooked plus on these reflex sights. In total, there are 10 brightness settings available.
The battery life on these optics is extreme because of their low power consumption. When battery change time does finally arrive, however, Bushnell included a very solid design feature. The battery is changeable without removing the optic from the gun. Simply remove a couple small screws on the side and the battery tray opens for replacement. This is a major plus because your optic retains its zero.
The fact that we have unlimited eye relief and a parallax free view at 50 yards makes this optic more than just a “good price” option.
Bushnell could’ve slapped a $400 price tag on its Advance Red Dot Reflex Sight and it would still be well worth it. At $200, the Bushnell Advance Red Dot is an exceptional addition to any gun in your collection.
For more information, please visit Bushnell.com.
Bushnell Advance Red Dot Specs
- Brightness: 10 Settings
- Click Value: 1/2 MOA
- Finish: Anodized Black
- Material: Aluminum
- Reticle: 5 MOA Dot
- Reticle Color: Red
- Lens Coating: Multi-coated
- Weight: 2.2 ounces
- Length: 1.7 inches
- MSRP: $254.95
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