I bought Bushmaster XM-15 MOEs for my kids for Christmas and they are looking for me to buy them red-dot sights for quicker target acquisition.

Is there much difference between a $230 Vortex VMD-3103 and units costing twice as much or more?

What is the best value in a red-dot for use on an AR-15 with a fixed front sight?

The only red-dot sight that I've ever had is an old Aimpoint.