Thursday, December 29, 2011

BUSHNELL TROPHY TRS-25 RED DOT SIGHT REVIEW

BUSHNELL TROPHY TRS-25 RED DOT SIGHT REVIEW
Model 731303

In the world of one pound red dot sights many of us want something light, tight, durable, and simple. When you add the word affordable in the equation the field of available small and light red dots shrink further. Fortunately for us the price of quality red dot sights are coming down and from a value perspective the Bushnell TRS-25 has led the pack for a while now. The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot sight is all of the above, an affordable sub-$100, small and light sight which provides all the the features of a full sized red dot in a waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof unit rugged enough for any application from air guns, to shotguns and everything in between.

FIT, FINISH & FEEL
Like all Bushnell product the fit and finish of the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight is excellent.  At 3.7oz, it is waif-like compared to atypical full sized 12-18oz red dots, however the sight feel heavy and dense for its size.  At 2.4” in length and with a .87” internal exit pupil TRS-25 is a little larger than I had imagined from photos.  This is a good thing as it provides a large field of view will still remaining compact.
FEATURES & FUNCTION
The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight’s integrated rail based will securely attach to any Weaver or 1913 Spec Picatinny rail and in my testing returned to zero after being removed and re-mounted several times even on other guns.  Once mounted and zero’ed on your favorite handgun, rifle, shotgun or any other firearm, operation of the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight is simple; remove the included rubber bikini lens covers, adjust the red dot to the intensity you need for your shooting situation and start shooting.

The TRS-25 mounted solidly on everything from my Gamo Airgun, to my Ruger Mark III .22LR pistol, to the forward picatinny of my Century Arms AK-47 Centurion 39 Sporter and the TRS-25 handled the shock of all guns fine without any loss of zero when returning back to its home on the Ruger Mark III pistol.  Bushnell includes with the sight, a very nice lens bikini cover, lens cloth, and a battery so you are ready for use right out of the store.  

The TRS-25 proved very user friendly with one exception. Bushnell needs to offer co-witness and bottom ⅓ riser for AR mounting as the only riser which seems to provide a true co-witness is the UTG Medium Height .83”.  A more typical .75” riser will come close but be a little low. UTG’s High Height or other 1” risers will provide a lower ⅓ co-witness. The available UTG mounts work fine, however I would like to see Bushnell offer higher quality risers options than currently available to make AR mounting simple and easy.

The dot strength dialed up high enough for bright sun light shooting and low enough for night shooting.  The Bushnell TRS-25 is powered with the same readily available CR2032 lithium battery that powers most electric optics.  Over the last four mounts of shooting, I am still on the same original battery so I would believe the 3000 hour/125 day battery life claims. My only concern is that the front glass if pretty exposed, however I did not have any issued with it becoming scratched. 
FINAL THOUGHTS
Functionally this was an awesome red dot sight with plenty versatility on a variety of firearms.  Sights can get expensive and most folks are not willing to spend hundreds on a sight especially on a .22.  Typically priced at around $80, this is one of the best sights for .22 action shooting and it has found a permanent home on my Ruger Mark III.  

In the sea of red dot sights, the TRS-25 provides shooters with an affordable widely available option in most stores for any type of firearm that tight light and durable.  An outstanding sight option for well under $100... big thumbs up to Bushnell.

SPECS

  • TROPHY TRS-25 RED DOT
  • Model 731303
  • Use Any firearm
  • Optics Multi-coated optics
  • Amber-Bright™ high contrast lens coating
  • 100% waterproof/fogproof/shockproof construction
  • Dry-nitrogen filled
  • Power CR2032 battery
  • Power / Obj Lens 1 x 25mm
  • Finish Matte
  • Length (in / mm) 2.4 / 61.8
  • Reticle 3 M.O.A. Red Dot
  • Field of View Unlimited
  • Adj Range in@100yds70"@100yrds
  • Weight (oz. / g) 3.7 / 106
  • Exit Pupil 22mm/.87”
  • Eye Relief (in / mm) Unlimited
  • Mounting Length 1.1" / 28mm
  • Model 731303
  • Click Value .5" /14mm

SOURCES
Start your optics search at Brownells.com 

Bushnell
http://www.bushnell.com