First Look: Bushnell First Strike 2.0 Reflex Sight

Building on the success of the company's original First Strike reflex optic, Bushnell announced the launch of an updated model in 2018. The Bushnell First Strike 2.0 Reflex Optic incorporates a number of technological improvements to provide consumers with heightened capabilities.

“The First Strike 2.0 is two times the red dot its older brother was,” Bushnell Tactical Product Manager Bryan Parrish said. “It also features longer battery life, a brighter dot and tool-less side compartment battery removal.”

Constructed with a ruggedized aluminum housing, the First Strike 2.0 is designed to handle excessive recoil, even on big-bore tactical rifles like those chambered in .458 SOCOM or .450 Bushmaster, thanks to a shock-proof design that keeps the sight on-target and ready for range and field use. The sight is also completely waterproof, ensuring that users can employ their platform in all weather conditions without worry.

Designed for quick target acquisition at short distances, the First Strike 2.0 features a large 1X objective lens that provides parallax-free aiming at a distance of 50 yards. A 4-MOA red dot is projected onto the lens, providing a easy-to-see aiming point that ensures fast, accurate shooting. Users can brighten or dim the optic to match ambient lighting, thanks to 12 separate brightness settings.

One of the standout features of the 2.0 model is the enhanced battery life over the company's original reflex optic. Several models in the company's AR Optics lineup feature a battery life that exceeds 50,000 hours, giving owners added peace of mind that their go-to optic won't die in the middle of a range session. Additionally, the optic features an accessible battery compartment that can be opened without the use of tools.

Each Bushnell First Strike 2.0 reflex sight mounts to any standard Picatinny accessory rail with a simple hex nut. Windage and elevation are both adjustable with 1-MOA clicks. The adjustment range on the optic is more than 100 MOA, giving users the room they need to get on target. The suggested retail price on the First Strike 2.0 is $277.45.