Spend a little extra - Sightmark 5x32mm Tactical Magnifier

I purchased the Sightmark 5X32mm Tactical Magnifier in an attempt to save a little money since I wasn't planning on using it all the time. I just wanted a magnifier for my red dot for the times I was shooting over 100yds so I could really dial in and shoot tighter groups. First, I'm not a fan of the slide over mechanism. It doesn't lock in tight, so there's a little wiggle no matter how tight you adjust everything. Because of this, there's no consistency each time you slide it back into place. One time you slide it in place, the red dot is top left. The next time it'll be bottom right, and so on. I expect a magnifier, once it's engaged into place, to lock into the exact same position every time. This one doesn't. At 100 yds, when I moved it into proper placement, I could read the words on the target I was shooting so it's pretty clear.The magnifier itself is basically what you'd expect for the price. It's made a little cheaper. If you're familiar with how higher end magnifiers look and feel, you can tell right away when you pick this one up. As far as magnification goes, the picture is actually pretty good when you're not magnifying a red dot. My red dot is extremely clear by itself, but once the magnifier is engaged I see doubles and it's extremely blurry no matter how much I adjusted it. Optics Planet is an awesome company so they said I could return the product. I'm going to give the Vortex VMX-3T Magnifier with the Flip Mount a try. I recently handled one in a gun shop and the shell, view and quality felt a lot better than the Sightmark (as you would expect). I don't like "dogging" products, because I have a Sightmark Ultra Shot Plus Reflex Sight on one of my carbines and it works really well, but if you want a magnifier that's reliable and you're serious about your shooting, spend a little more money and go with a Vortex or above.