The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 red dot sight is a low-cost, yet high-quality sight that can be used for a large variety of shooting situations and rifles. Whether you want to use it on a range, for target shooting, or even for hunting it will not let you down.
Red dots are very popular with firearm enthusiasts, and rightly so. One of the reasons why these sights are preferred as compared to the traditional iron scope (How to shoot with iron sights) is because of its quicker target engagement with better accuracy.
When it comes to shooting, oftentimes, you need to sacrifice one for the other when using a traditional scope. But with a red dot sight, you’re able to point and shoot a lot quicker and with greater accuracy.
A red dot also allows you to have better visibility during nighttime. Another advantage when shooting in low-light environments!
It takes away a lot of the guesswork while aiming at a target, which can be useful to people with poor eyesight as well. Before you pull the trigger here’s a review of the Bushnell TRS-25, one of the best selling red dots you can find that is also without a doubt one of the best shotgun red dots available.
Features
- Heavy-duty metal construction
- Compact and lightweight design
- 1x 25mm power
- Features a 3 MOA Red Dot
- Features Amber-Bright high contrast lens coating
- Features 11 brightness adjustments
- Red dot lenses are off-axis, resulting in a more accurate aim
- Features multi-coated lenses
- 2.4 inches long
- Weighs just 4 ounces
- Long battery life
Also have a look at the Romeo5 RDS optic that is comparable to the TRS-25.
Build Quality
The Bushnell TRS-25 gets its name from its 25mm objective lens, which makes it a medium-sized red dot optics. The sight is a durable and well-constructed optic.
The solid metal construction of the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 red dot means that it’s designed to last. Sporting an elegant design, this sight has been built for rough use, so it can take quite a beating and still provide you with a high level of accuracy while taking aim.
The matte finish gives the Bushnell TRS-25 a premium quality appearance at a price of a budget scope (find the best budget red dot sights). This red dot is also completely water and weatherproof, so you can use it in any extreme environment without having to bother about its accuracy.
The many features of the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 red dot make it the perfect alternative to other more expensive red dot sights that are available in the market today. Bushnell also introduced the Bushnell TRS-26 as somewhat of the successor even though both sights are available.
Versatility
Apart from offering all the bells and whistles that one would look for, the Bushnell TRS-25 is also incredibly versatile.
This is somewhat expected since this sight was one of the first red dot sights that were designed for firearms like rifles, handguns, shotguns, AKs, and MP5s. It’s a great red dot to mount onto an AR-15 or use as the red dot of choice for the AK 47. At 2.4 inches long and weighing just 4.2 ounces, the Bushnell Trophy TRS 25 is a lightweight sight that works well with a number of firearms.
For those firearm enthusiasts who are looking for a simple, easy-to-use, and affordable sight, the Bushnell TRS-25 is a no-brainer. The sight is the best choice for those who use an AR-15 type firearm or a shotgun for recreational use or personal protection.
The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is compatible with Picatinny and weaver systems, so you won’t find it difficult to mount on any number of firearms.
Red/Green Dot Adjustability
Bushnell seems to have outdone themselves this time with the TRS-25. One of the features that any experienced firearm enthusiast can appreciate is the number of positive detents in the sight, and that’s an area where the Bushnell TRS-25 shines. With 11 daylight settings, you will have your eye on the dot at all times.
The sight adjustment knobs on the top and side of the sight have been conveniently placed for quick access. Furthermore, the TRS-25 dot adjusting wheel is top-notch, which means it’s not going to actuate accidentally due to the gun’s recoil. Solid, crisp clicks make it easy to adjust the red dot optic to exactly how you want it without any problems.
Reticle Patterns
With the Bushnell TRS-25, you get a sharp red dot reticle that makes zeroing in on a target incredibly easy. You will find transitioning between targets easy and far more accurate as compared to other optics that are available at the same price point.
Designed for Accuracy
When talking about accuracy, the Bushnell TRS-25 holds zero right out of the box. Bushnell uses nitrogen inside the scope to ensure that the interior optical surface remains clear and does not fog. This is a great advantage for those who want to use their firearm along with the red dot in low light or foggy environments.
As mentioned earlier, the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 has 11 brightness settings, so you can easily use the sight in dimly-lit environments. That being said, the highest brightness setting of the TRS-25 is probably more than you’ll ever need since the red dot is visible on a setting of 6 or 7. Going all the way to 11 will only make the red dot excessively bright for most environments.
The tilted amber front lens uses a reflective LED light that makes the red dot highly visible, with the amber helping to reduce glare while looking through the sight.
The sight is also parallax-free and offers unlimited eye relief. With this level of eye relief, the TRS-25 can be mounted ahead of the typical mount area as compared to other sights. In terms of optical clarity, it is second to none in its price range.
The optics are clear. The Amber coating helps to get a high-quality image that lets you easily distinguish between the target and its surroundings. The sight comes with a 25 mm tube. It has a 1x magnification.
Adjustable Elevation and Windage
Windage and elevation on the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 are adjustable through capped dials. You need a tool like a small screwdriver to adjust both settings. The sight holds zero perfectly even with heavy recoil rifles.
It can mount on either a Picatinny or a Weaver-style rail which makes it universally usable for nearly any shooting situation. Depending on which riser you choose, you can also use the sight for 1/3 or absolute co-witness on an AR-15.
Turning the dial to the right will move the bullet impact on the target to the right. Turning it the other way will move the Point of Impact to the left.
MOA
While the Bushnell TRS-25 comes with a 3 MOA reticle, the sight itself comes with a 1 MOA per click adjustment. The dot itself covers 3 MOA, which is the standard for a budget red dot sight.
The 3 MOA is a good choice since it allows you to acquire a human-sized target out to 200 yards without a problem. The 3 MOA dot makes the TRS-25 just small enough to give you an accurate shot, and just large enough to be easy to use.
Zoom Range
The adjustment range of the Bushnell TRS-25 is sufficient, providing 1.9m @ 100 meters or 70″ at 100 yards. Zeroing in on the target can be made easy by using a boresight. You can then use a standard NRA target to fine-tune the zero. It is important to note that while adjusting the TRS-25, this red doe sight uses a ¼ MOA adjustment. That said, you might need to use a brass 223 case or a screwdriver to fine-tune the adjustments.
To get a 3x magnification you can combine the Bushnell TRS-25 with Bushnell’s Transition 3x Magnifier. It is specifically designed to work with the TRS-25 yet is also usable for any red-dot sight on the market.
Easy Installation
The simple Picatinny rail mount, which is a standard in red dots, makes it easy to mount on a firearm. The Trophy TRS-25 features a hex screw that can be mounted on the rails of any firearm.
The Bushnell TRS-25 has been designed to be compatible with AR-15 assault-style firearms and shotguns. You will want to turn the knob tight to prevent it from moving out of place due to recoil. While the TRS-25 is a low-mount sight, it is adaptable for higher mounts as well.
Battery Life
The Bushnell TRS-25 is powered by a 3V CR2032 power cell, which gives it more than enough power, depending on how much you use the sight. According to the manufacturers, this sight has a 3,000-hour battery life set to medium, but you might want to switch off the scope when it’s not in use since there is no auto-shutoff option given in the Bushnell TRS-25.
Pros and Cons
It’s impossible to assume that a sight at the price point of the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 would only have positives. There are negatives and we list them here together with all the pro aspects this red dot optic offers.
Pros
- Incredible quality and features for the price
- Solid and rugged construction and design
- Easy to use and adjust
- Excellent battery life
- Comes with mount
- Clear optics with good low-light capabilities
- The red dot is clearly visible in any light condition
Cons
- Very small build which can make it a little small for a larger rifle
- No automatic shut off to conserve battery
- Brightness knob is a little finicky
- The red dot can get a little fuzzy when turned up too bright in low-light conditions
You might also want to check out the review of the Vortex Optics Crossfire RDS.
Conclusion
The only downside we could find in the Bushnell TRS-25 is that the rubber scope cover that’s provided with the sight is not integrally attached, which is certainly not going to be a deal-breaker considering the amount of accuracy that the sight offers.
The sight is waterproof and shockproof and does well in single-digit weather. The strongest selling point of the Bushnell TRS-25 has got to be its amazing price point, which gets you a sturdy red dot sight that offers plenty of features for unmatched accuracy.
The Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot Riflescope 1×25 is truly a great sight for nearly any shooting situation. Over long distances, you might want to consider to get Bushnell’s Transition Magnifier to get a 3x magnification. Even in that case, both pieces of equipment stay affordable.
The sight is easy to use and install. It can be mounted on Picatinny or Weaver-style rails out of the box.
The optic is excellent and very clear. The scope is built rugged and sturdy and won’t let you down for years to come.
Adjustments are easily made and hold their settings through many rounds of shootings. It holds zero well on pretty much any kind of rifle. The scope is parallax-free and allows you to target with both eyes open.
Overall, Bushnell has created a solid contender in the affordable red dot optic arena. The sight shines with its ease of use and sturdiness. The small size offers versatility with regards to what kind of rifle or handgun you might want to use it for. Due to its small size and weight, it’s a great scope to use on a handgun.
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