I saw way more rifles in Iraq with aimpoints than anything else, some beat all to hell, and still working. Only eotechs were the air force... if i get a reflex/dot type optic it will be an aimpoint, and probably a 2moa dot.. I would have a set of backup iron sights on any AR, as to optics it depends what you want to do.. if it's a 100yds and less defensive gun, the aimpoint is hard to beat (but it's also 400$).. for a general purpose, want to be able to shoot 300yds, consider QR rings and a compact handy 2-7 optic like the weaver, burris fullfield2, or redfield.. try one for quick work at 10yds, see if you arent almost as good as a red dot-and a whole lot more useful at distance. (a 1.5-4.5 variable is an option too) the weaver and burris seem to take a beating pretty well, and the redfield should, it's leopould built- and these are 150$ price range optics..