In the exciting world of compact red dot sights, the Burris FastFire III emerges as a formidable player, captivating the interest of firearm aficionados due to its remarkable adaptability across various shooting scenarios. In the following in-depth analysis, we will explore the multifaceted features and exceptional performance of the Burris FastFire III, aiming to provide a comprehensive perspective on its suitability as a valuable addition to your firearm setup.

Features:

• Red dot sight;
• 3 or 8 MOA options;
• Automatic brightness sensor;
• Very lightweight.

A Versatile Sight for Every Shooter

The Burris FastFire III isn’t just another red dot sight; it’s a versatile companion that caters to the needs of various firearm enthusiasts. Whether you’re a competitive shooter, a dedicated hunter, or someone concerned about home defense, this sight has something to offer.

One notable aspect of the Burris FastFire III is its adaptability. It can be seamlessly mounted on multiple firearms or even paired with magnified optics using Burris-supplied mounting screws with a Picatinny mount. This versatility opens up a world of possibilities for shooters, making it a valuable addition to any arsenal.

Crystal Clear Glass and Precise Reticle

• One of the standout features of the Burris FastFire III is its exceptional glass clarity;
• The sight’s lens is coated with index-matched Hi Loom multi-coating, ensuring a bright and clear view while eliminating glare;
• This feature proves invaluable in low-light conditions, providing shooters with a high-performance advantage.

The Burris FastFire III presents a versatile range of reticle choices, offering shooters the flexibility to opt for either a precise 3 MOA dot or a broader 8 MOA red dot to suit their preferences and shooting conditions. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to be aware that individuals with astigmatism or those susceptible to eye strain may encounter issues such as sunbursts, flares, or distorted reticle shapes with this optic. In such instances, it might be worthwhile to consider alternative options like the red dot sights offered by Vortex, which could provide a more accommodating visual experience.

Adaptive Brightness Control

• The Burris FastFire III excels in adapting to the ever-changing lighting conditions that shooters encounter;
• Its innovative design incorporates four automatic brightness sensor settings, ensuring that the red dot sight can seamlessly transition between different environments;
• This feature proves invaluable, particularly when moving from bright outdoor settings to dimly lit indoor spaces or vice versa;
• The automatic adjustments are made based on the ambient light levels, guaranteeing optimal visibility of the reticle at all times. 

Moreover, for those who prefer to have more control over the sight’s brightness, the Burris FastFire III offers a user-friendly option for manual adjustment. With three distinct brightness levels to choose from, shooters can fine-tune the sight to suit their specific needs, allowing for a customized and precise shooting experience regardless of the lighting conditions they encounter.

Unlimited Eye Relief and Comfortable Shooting

The Burris FastFire III offers a delightful shooting experience with its outstanding feature of unlimited eye relief, a characteristic that’s bound to be cherished by shooters of all levels. This remarkable attribute allows users to maintain both eyes open during target acquisition, promoting quicker target tracking and heightened situational awareness. The advantage of unlimited eye relief becomes particularly evident when transitioning between different shooting scenarios, where the ability to maintain a comfortable shooting position and eye alignment is crucial.

While it’s true that the FastFire III’s viewing window for its 3 MOA dot reflex sight might appear marginally smaller when compared to some of its competitors, it’s essential to emphasize that this slight difference should not overshadow the sight’s overall performance. The compact size of the viewing window still offers an exceptional field of view and maintains precision in targeting. Ultimately, the Burris FastFire III proves that the marriage of unlimited eye relief and a slightly smaller viewing window doesn’t compromise its ability to provide an efficient and comfortable shooting experience, making it a reliable choice for a wide range of shooting applications.

Built to Last

Durability is a paramount consideration for any firearm accessory, and the Burris FastFire III excels in this regard. Despite its lightweight design, it boasts remarkable resilience against recoil and is fully waterproof. Crafted with a high-grade aluminum housing and steel construction, this sight can withstand a variety of firearm calibers, from 9mm to shotgun rounds, without shifting on its Picatinny mount.

The FastFire III’s battery life is commendable, with a single CR1632 battery providing up to 5000 hours of use at maximum brightness. While an auto-shutoff feature kicks in after 8 hours, it’s a minor inconvenience. A motion sensing “shake awake” function would have been a nice addition but isn’t a deal-breaker.

Swapping out the battery in the Burris FastFire III is a relatively uncomplicated task, mainly thanks to the conveniently located battery cap on the top of the optic. Nevertheless, some users might encounter a minor hurdle when attempting to secure the cap, particularly due to its substantial thickness or thread size. In such cases, employing a finger, coin, or screwdriver for tightening is advisable, although a degree of caution is warranted to prevent the potential for cross-threading issues.

Precise Adjustments for Accuracy

When it comes to fine-tuning your shots, the Burris FastFire III doesn’t disappoint. The adjustment knobs provide crisp and audible clicks when making changes on a Picatinny mount. With one MOA per click, shooters can achieve precise windage and elevation adjustments, boasting a range of +-115 MOA for elevation and +-86 MOA for windage. This level of customization ensures pin-point accuracy across various shooting distances.

Parallax-Free and Ready for Mounting

• The FastFire III comes with a fixed 1x magnification, ensuring fast target acquisition with parallax-free performance;
• While adding a magnifier behind the sight is possible, it may obscure a significant portion of the target due to the bright red dot’s expansion;
• Shooters seeking magnified optics might want to explore holographic sights like the EOTECH EXPS models.

The Burris FastFire III provides a remarkable range of mounting possibilities, showcasing its versatility. Notably, it offers an optional Picatinny mount compatible with standard rail systems, enabling effortless attachment to a diverse selection of firearms. To sweeten the deal, the package includes a set of essential accessories like a screwdriver, protective cap, Torx wrench, adjusting disc, a spare battery, and a comprehensive warranty packet, thereby significantly augmenting its overall value and utility.

Affordable Excellence

One of the most compelling aspects of the Burris FastFire III is its affordability. Offering a 3 MOA dot reflex sight that rivals the performance of more expensive counterparts like the Trijicon RMR, this sight provides excellent value for money.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Versatile: suitable for various weapons.	Not weatherproof.
Offers choice of two reticle styles for customization.	No magnification for long-range shots.
Illumination system adjusts to ambient light.	Slow adjustment of automatic brightness setting.
Lightweight and easy to install.	Tool required for windage and elevation adjustments.
Enhances accuracy up to 100 yards.
Provides a generous field of view, ideal for urban engagements.
Red dot sight with 3 or 8 MOA options for accuracy.
Features an automatic brightness sensor for improved clarity.
Ideal for short-range shooting.

Is the Burris Fastfire 3 Reflex Sight for You?

The Burris FastFire III red dot sight caters to both seasoned shooters and newcomers, offering a reliable and adaptable solution. With generous eye relief, it ensures comfort and situational awareness for shooters of all levels. The choice between a 3 MOA dot or an 8 MOA red dot provides versatility to accommodate various preferences. Its dependable performance is further underscored by a long-lasting battery and high-quality lens coating for clarity in diverse lighting conditions. Plus, its robust build can withstand recoil and challenging weather, making it a durable choice.

While it may lack advanced features like motion sensing, the Burris FastFire III shines through consistent performance and affordability. This makes it an excellent option for shooters seeking a versatile red dot sight capable of excelling in different shooting scenarios. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer, the Burris FastFire III promises reliability and adaptability, ensuring you’re well-equipped to handle any shooting challenge with confidence.

Conclusion

The Burris FastFire III red dot sight for 2023 proves itself as a versatile and affordable choice for firearm enthusiasts. Its adaptability, clarity, and precise adjustments make it a reliable companion for a wide range of shooting applications, from competitive shooting to home defense. While it may lack some of the advanced features of pricier optics, its impressive eye relief, durable construction, and accessible battery replacement ensure that it remains a dependable asset for those seeking a cost-effective yet high-performance red dot sight. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or just starting, the Burris FastFire III is worth considering, offering value that’s hard to beat in the market today.