The Bushnell TRS-125 is a red dot sight designed for shooters on a budget. It offers a balance of affordability, durability, and ease of use, making it a popular choice for AR-15s, shotguns, and pistols.
Specifications:
- Magnification: 1x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 25mm
- Red Dot Size: 3 MOA
- Battery Life: Over 15,000 hours
- Weight: 5.1 oz
- Waterproof Rating: IPX7
- Mount: Weaver-style
Best Features:
- Long Battery Life: The TRS-125 boasts an impressive 15,000+ hours of battery life on a single CR2032 coin battery. This translates to years of use without needing a change.
- Durable Construction: The sight is built with a tough, aluminum housing that’s IPX7 waterproof, meaning it can withstand rain, snow, and accidental splashes.
- Easy to Use: Digital push buttons control brightness settings, and the sight comes with a low-profile mount and a removable riser mount for additional height options.
Advantages:
- Affordable: The TRS-125 is a budget-friendly red dot sight, making it a good option for new shooters or those who don’t want to spend a fortune.
- Quick Target Acquisition: The red dot allows for faster target acquisition compared to iron sights, especially in low-light conditions.
- Lightweight: The sight weighs only 5.1 ounces, adding minimal weight to your firearm.
Disadvantages:
- Larger Dot Size: The 3 MOA dot may not be ideal for long-range shooting as it can obscure smaller targets.
- No Night Vision Compatibility: The red dot is not compatible with night vision devices.
- Limited Adjustment Range: The windage and elevation adjustments have a limited range, which may require some initial effort to zero in the sight.
Customer Comments:
Customer reviews of the TRS-125 are generally positive. Here are some common comments found online:
- Pros: Many users praise the sight’s affordability, durability, and ease of use. The long battery life is a frequent positive point.
- Cons: Some reviewers find the 3 MOA dot to be a bit large for precise shooting. Others wish the sight had a wider adjustment range or night vision compatibility (though these features are typically absent from budget red dots).
Overall:
The Bushnell TRS-125 is a solid red dot sight for budget-minded shooters. It’s easy to use, durable, and boasts an impressive battery life. While it may not be ideal for long-range competition shooting, it’s a great option for plinking, target practice, and home defense. If you’re looking for a no-frills red dot that won’t break the bank, the Bushnell TRS-125 is definitely worth considering.
Raffpap –
I’ve had good luck with Bushnell products over the years, red dot sights included, so I figured I’d give this one a try. For me the three main selling points were the dual locking cross bolts, the 3 MOA dot, and the price point. The 44 Mag Winchester Trapper, equipped with a Pearsons no-drill tactical rail, that this went on has always performed best with sights having two locking bolts (best accuracy for my application). And because this rifle is a defensive camp/trailer gun, I prefer the larger dot. I also prefer sights that have illumination controls either on the left side or on top, thus leaving my firing hand (right) to control the weapon at the ready while my left makes adjustments. The easily accessible battery well with 3 raised battery contacts at bottom of the well are a plus, too, because so many companies neglect those raised contact points.
This TRS-125 is solid, robust, and nicely finished. It’s a dirt simple design but screams quality. It has a wide range of illumination settings, from night vision to settings that were too high for bright sunny days! The glass is bright, clear, and distortion free. I have a bit of astigmatism but still see a bright, crisp, 3 MOA dot. I did notice a bit of haloing inside of the house but that disappeared when I reduced the brightness and/or took the sight outside. It comes with both a low and co-witness mount, nice plastic adjustment tool, hex wrench, battery, and manual.
At the range it adjusted quickly, giving me a tight 50-yard zero in just 9 rounds. I utilized the low mount. This stubby little pistol caliber rifle has never been a tack driver but after the final adjustment my last 4 rounds cut a ragged line across the bullseye, with overlapping holes. This results was the best I’ve ever achieved with any sight on this rifle, and I’ve tried at least a dozen. From experience I know this level of accuracy is due to the dual locking cross bolts on the rail.
It is equipped with a 12-hour shutoff. However, this can be disabled by the user in the event of wanting the sight on for several days or longer. With an advertised battery life of 15,000 hours this shouldn’t be a problem, just keep an extra battery or two handy just in case.
I included a few pics for size comparison. It’s just slightly larger than a Sig Sauer Romeo 5 or Holosun HS403.
I can’t speak for long-term durability but see no reason why this sight won’t outlast me. In closing, I highly recommend to anybody who prefers simplicity combined with affordability!
Robert G Kershner –
Using in conjunction with the iron sights.
John Mitchell –
Clear Optic, and Very Good Quality as Usual From Bushnell