Look, you probably already know why prism sights are great. Unlike reflex red dots, prism sights have etched reticles that work even without a battery. If you have astigmatism, the dot won’t look like a super nova. And…you can magnify a prism sight.
A standard 1X prism sight, like a typical reflex red dot, is great for close quarters work and targets out to about 250 yards or so. An LPVO is always a nice choice as it lets you zoom from 1x magnification out to 6, 8 or even 10X when you really need to reach out and hit targets at distance. But LPVOs are significantly bigger, heavier, and more expensive.
That’s why Burris’s RT-3 3X prism is a good Goldilocks all-around choice as an AR optic.
Functionally, it couldn’t be any simpler. Battery compartment on the right, diopter adjustment at the rear and simple, up-or-down rubberized brightness adjustments on top. The top-mounted buttons are really the way to go as they’re easier for lefties and, in my experience, tend to stay out of the way more and aren’t accidentally bumped as often.
The RT-3 has a pre-installed Picatinny mount that puts the center of the sight 1.5 inches above the rail. That works perfectly for me. If you want it higher, there are plenty of risers available to get it exactly where you want it.
The RT-3 doesn’t just have a standard dot or donut. Burris has equipped it with a ballistic AR reticle that gives you good functionality at ranges out to 500 yards and beyond. The broken circle and center dot are illuminated if when you need it, with stadia lines for windage and holdover.
The optic’s edge to edge clarity is excellent and the reticle is large to the eye than it appears to the camera in the image above.
The RT-3 has seven brightness settings, three of which are night vision compatible. Burris says they’re “daylight bright” but only just so and only really on the highest setting. But the thing is, you don’t need illumination in daylight. The etched reticle is great in virtually all daylight environments…unless you’re aiming at a dark target. Then the illumination works as advertised.
There’s an auto-off feature to preserve the CR2032 battery’s life (there is no auto-on, however). Zeroing is simple with the windage and elevation adjustments. Clicks are clean and you can dial them with the tip of your pocket knife, a cartridge casing…almost anything that’s around. I zero’d mine at 50 yards. That works well for do-it-all use, but you do you.
A 3X magnification is kind of ideal for everything from home defense to on out to more serious distances. At 3X, it’s not too much magnification for close-in defensive purposes and the ballistic reticle makes popping steel at 500 yards very doable. There’s a reason the ACOG has such a devoted following. A huge number of rifle shooters find a 3X prism perfect for a huge range of applications.
Burris’s RT-3, however, will cost you a tiny fraction of what an ACOG will run you. It’s a great everyman’s magnified prism that gives you all the functionality and options most people need in a rifle sight.
Specifications: Burris RT-3 3X Prism Sight
Magnification: 3X
Reticle: Ballistic AR (illuminated)
Length: 3.8 inches
Weight: 8.8 ounces
Field of View: 38 feet at 100 yards
Eye Relief: 2.6 inches
Battery: CR2032
Made In: China
MSRP: $468 (about $320 retail, but seen as low as $180 as this is published)
And to all of that, I say: “ lksdfjlksjslk”
half a pound, i guess so. nice for a scout.
also nice that the review specifies china. not that that’s a selling point.
We always try to list where products are made. It’s not important to everyone, but it is to a lot of people.
thanks.
The Burris XTR III is the only Burris firearm optic item that is actually fully made in the USA, including assembly and distribution. All of their other firearm optics are made in, or USA-assembled from a ‘kit’ from, either Japan, Philippines, or China.