You need one, forget the chinese sights - Aimpoint Micro T-1 4 MOA Red Dot Sights

Let's be honest, everyone is looking to save money these days. I did. I started with chinese sights, while durable they didn't like to hold zero or seem overly accurate, or durable in the sense of a ground hit. Sure recoil would be fine, but dropping the gun, probably not. Clarity isn't bad on chinese, but have nothing to compare to the T-1. I tried vortex, not a bad red dot (SPARC), but i am on my 4th sparc, damn junk keeps dying on my lowly Stag model 8 in 5.56. In comes the money. If you are building your SHTF gun, you need to spend the money on the optic. The T-1 is tough as nails, has a far bigger opening than the SPARC (interior materials block view on sparc) and is less intrusive in your FOV with both eyes open. It's lighter as well! Tons of accessories (F1 mount I might add is amazing!) The battery is a standard easy to find battery as well. If I would do it again I would go H-1, but I do not own military grade NV. If you do, get the T-1!
It will blind you on the highest setting, and works great with any NV on the lowest setting.
Pros: weight, size, FOV, levels of brightness, battery life/type, durability, N/V compatible... just about everything except:
Cons: Price

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.