Welcome to my Burris Fastfire II Review in 2024.
I’ve had the opportunity to test a range of sights, and the Burris Fastfire II has recently caught my attention.
This compact red dot sight is a game-changer in the realm of shooting optics, striking a remarkable balance between performance and affordability.
Overview of the Burris Fastfire II
The Burris Fastfire II stands out in the crowded market of red dot sights. It’s not just its technical specifications that make it a worthy contender, but its overall design philosophy.
The Fastfire II is crafted with the shooter’s experience in mind, ensuring ease of use, reliability, and versatility. Whether you’re a hunter, competitive shooter, or tactical operator, the Fastfire II aims to enhance your shooting experience.
Core Specifications of the Sight
| Feature | Specification |
| Style | FastFire II (4 MOA Dot) |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Magnification | 1x |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 20 Millimeters |
| Mounting Type | Picatinny Mount |
| Item Weight | 45.35 Grams |
| Item Dimensions | 3 x 5 x 7 inches |
| Battery Life | Up to 5 years (auto-dimming feature) |
| Water Resistance | Waterproof |
| Compatibility | Docter Footprint |
What’s in the box?
- Burris FastFire II Red Dot Sight
- Picatinny Mount
- Battery
First Look & Impression
Upon unboxing the Burris Fastfire II, the first thing that strikes you is its compact and lightweight design. Weighing merely 45.35 grams, it feels almost non-existent atop your firearm, yet it’s robust enough to withstand the rigors of heavy use.
The aluminum construction speaks of durability, and the sight’s sleek profile integrates seamlessly with a variety of firearms.
The 4-MOA bright red dot is crisp and clear, promising ease in target acquisition. Overall, the Fastfire II exudes a sense of reliability and efficiency, instantly boosting confidence in its performance.
Types of Guns Suitable for This Sight
- FNX-45
- Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm
- S&W M&P 2.0
- Taurus G3 T.O.R.O.
- Canik TP9 SFX
Who Should Get Burris Fastfire II
The Burris Fastfire II is an ideal choice for shooters who value precision, ease of use, and versatility. It’s particularly suited for those who engage in both recreational shooting and more demanding scenarios such as hunting or tactical operations.
Top 6 Features of Burris Fastfire II
1. Simplified Target Acquisition
The Burris Fastfire II revolutionizes target acquisition with its bright-red dot, which is a standout feature for rapid and accurate aiming. This 4-MOA red dot, prominent against any background, allows for quick eye alignment and target focus.
The brilliance of the red dot is consistent across various lighting conditions, ensuring visibility in bright sunlight or dim indoor ranges.
The sight’s parallax-free design enhances accuracy, allowing shooters to maintain a steady point of aim without the need for perfect eye position. This feature is crucial for dynamic shooting situations where rapid target engagement is essential.
My Testing
In my experience, the Fastfire II excelled in quick target acquisition. Whether in competitive shooting or hunting scenarios, the red dot was instantly noticeable, significantly reducing the time to align the sight and the target.
The dot remained crisp and clear in different environments, from bright outdoor settings to more subdued indoor ranges.
2. Auto-Dimming & Brightness Sensor
The auto-dimming feature, coupled with the automatic brightness sensor, is an intelligent inclusion in the Fastfire II. This technology automatically adjusts the brightness of the red dot based on the surrounding light conditions.
In bright sunlight, the dot intensifies for clear visibility, while in darker environments, it dims to prevent overpowering glare. This adaptation is not only comfortable for the eye but also ensures that the red dot is always at the optimal brightness level for any given situation.
My Testing
During testing, the auto-dimming feature performed remarkably. Moving between different light conditions, the transition in dot intensity was seamless and unobtrusive.
In bright outdoor conditions, the dot was vivid and easy to track, while in darker settings, it dimmed appropriately, maintaining visibility without being distracting.
3. Durability and Design
The Burris Fastfire II’s durability is attributed to its robust metal construction, making it both sturdy and reliable for all shooting conditions. The sight’s lenses are precision-ground and polished, ensuring a clear, crisp sight picture.
Its waterproof design is an added advantage, protecting the sight in adverse weather conditions. The compact and lightweight nature of the Fastfire II makes it a versatile option for various firearms without impacting the balance or handling.
My Testing
My rigorous testing proved the Fastfire II’s resilience. Mounted on different firearms, from handguns to rifles, it withstood recoil and environmental stresses without any loss in performance.
The waterproof feature was tested under rainy conditions, and the sight maintained its clarity and functionality. The lightweight design was a boon, adding minimal weight to the firearms, thus not affecting maneuverability.
4. Windage and Elevation Adjustability
The windage and elevation adjustability in the Burris Fastfire II is a testament to its precision and versatility. These features allow shooters to fine-tune their aim, ensuring that shots land exactly where intended.
The adjustments are user-friendly, with each click providing a tangible and precise change in the sight’s alignment. This level of control is crucial for long-range accuracy and for compensating for environmental factors such as wind and elevation differences.
The locking mechanism for these adjustments ensures that once set, the settings remain consistent, providing reliability in various shooting conditions.
My Testing
During my testing, the adjustability of windage and elevation was straightforward and effective. The clicks were distinct and accurate, making it easy to dial in the exact settings needed for different shooting scenarios.
The sight maintained its zero exceptionally well, even after repeated recoil, showcasing its reliability and precision.
5. Parallax-Free Design
Parallax-free sighting is a critical feature for any high-quality red dot sight, and the Burris Fastfire II excels in this aspect. The design ensures that the red dot remains stationary relative to the target regardless of the viewer’s eye position within the sight.
This feature minimizes aiming errors and enhances shooting accuracy, particularly in fast-paced or dynamic shooting environments. It allows for more flexibility in head position and eye relief, making it easier to acquire and track targets quickly.
My Testing
Testing the parallax-free feature was impressive. The red dot remained consistent with the target point regardless of my eye position.
This greatly enhanced my shooting speed and accuracy, especially in situations where quick target acquisition was essential.
6. Battery Life and Management
The Burris Fastfire II boasts impressive battery life, a crucial aspect for any electronic sight. The sight’s high-tech electronics, combined with its auto-dimming feature, contribute to extended battery life, with Burris claiming up to five years of use under normal conditions.
This long battery life is a significant advantage, reducing the need for frequent replacements and ensuring the sight is always ready for use.
My Testing
In my testing over an extended period, the battery life lived up to expectations.
The auto-off feature helped conserve battery power, and even after extensive use, the sight remained operational without any need for a battery change.
Footprint and Mounting Considerations
The Burris Fastfire II is designed with the Docter/Noblex mounting standard, a widely
recognized and respected footprint in the optics industry.
This standard ensures broad compatibility with a variety of firearm platforms, making the Fastfire II a versatile choice for different shooting disciplines.
Its compatibility with the Docter/Noblex footprint allows for straightforward installation on handguns, rifles, and shotguns that are equipped with the respective mounting base.
This feature simplifies the process of integrating the sight onto the firearm, ensuring a secure and stable mount, crucial for maintaining accuracy and reliability in various shooting conditions.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simplified target acquisition with a bright-red dot.
- Auto-dimming feature for optimal dot brightness in all light conditions.
- Lightweight and compact design.
- Parallax-free for accurate aiming.
- Long battery life with auto-off feature.
- Windage and elevation adjustability for precise targeting.
- Durable metal construction and waterproof design.
Cons
- Battery cap design can be challenging, potentially affecting waterproofing
- Inaccurate Auto-Brightness Problem
Final Verdict
As a professional shooter who has rigorously tested the Burris Fastfire II, I am thoroughly impressed with its overall performance.
This red dot sight stands out not just for its specific features, but for its remarkable balance of functionality, durability, and user-friendliness. It enhances the shooting experience across various disciplines, proving to be a reliable ally in both competitive and tactical environments.
The Fastfire II, with its intuitive design and robust construction, is a testament to Burris’s commitment to quality, making it a worthy addition to any shooter’s arsenal.
FAQ’s
What battery does the Burris FastFire 2 take?
The Burris FastFire 2 operates on a CR2032 battery, which necessitates the removal of the sight for battery replacement.
Is Burris FastFire waterproof?
Yes, the Burris FastFire is waterproof, even without its optional weatherproof hood, which aids in keeping water and dirt off the glass.
Where are Burris FastFire 3 made?
The Burris FastFire 3 is manufactured in the Philippines and comes with a 10-year warranty.
Is Burris better than Vortex in terms of optics?
Both the Burris and Vortex offer exceptional optics with fully multi-coated lenses. The Vortex displays a slight pink/orange tint, while the Burris provides more accurate color representation.