Cyelee Chameleon SRS-8 Optic Review – Budget-Friendly SRO Clone for Competition Use

First Look: The Cyelee Chameleon SRS-8 Red Dot

Hey guys, welcome back to Good Moral Tactical! Today we’re taking a deep dive into the Cyelee Chameleon SRS-8—an optic that’s been on my radar for a while. We teased it not long ago, and I finally got some range time to see how it stacks up as a budget-friendly alternative to the Trijicon SRO.

So... is it a solid performer or just a flashy clone? Let’s get into it.

Out of the Box: Clean, Compact, and Ready

Right away, the packaging is pretty standard but appreciated. You get:

• Warranty card and basic instructions

• Zeroing tips (they recommend a 25-yard zero—good call)

• Stickers and a Velcro patch

• And, of course, the optic itself

The Chameleon SRS-8 features a top-mounted battery compartment, which is great for easy swaps without removing your optic. But fair warning: the provided T-10 Wrench tool? Not ideal. I ended up ditching it for a proper steel wrench after nearly stripping the cap.

Size & Window: SRO Style with a Slimmer Footprint

The biggest visual selling point? That large SRO-style window, and it’s not just for show. It makes acquiring the dot fast and easy—huge plus for competition shooting.

But unlike the bulkier SRO, the Chameleon has a much smaller base, making it more viable for concealed carry if you’re into large-window optics. I mounted it on my Canik Rival steel frame, and it balanced great.

Dot Size and Visibility: 8 MOA of Speed

Most red dots sit in the 2.5 to 3 MOA range. The Chameleon rocks an 8 MOA dot, which I loved for its visibility on quick transitions and steel work. If you’re running drills, competitions, or “run and gun” stages, that bigger dot is easier to track and faster to find—no hunting required.

Build Quality & Controls

Build-wise, the optic feels solid. Brightness controls are side-mounted (+ / –), and the auto shutoff feature is a nice battery-saving touch.

But one issue stood out: the elevation and windage dials don’t click. There’s no tactile feedback, which made zeroing kind of a pain. I had to guess how much adjustment I was making—definitely a red flag for precision or carry purposes.

Range Testing & Performance

We ran 300 rounds through the optic during testing, and here’s the rundown:

✅ Held zero across all drills✅ No shifting or loosening✅ Tight, repeatable groups✅ Dot stayed visible and stable through recoil

Even at 25 yards, we were stacking A-zone hits with zero struggle. The dot presentation was fast, clean, and consistent—just what you want on a competition gun.

How It Handles Astigmatism

I also tested it with and without my prescription glasses (yep, I’ve got a stigmatism). Some red dots bloom or starburst under bright settings, even when dimmed. This optic?

👍 No starburst—even without glasses🤔 Slight ghosting below the main dot without lenses➡️ Overall Grade: B for stigmatism friendliness

The Chameleon doesn’t beat the Trijicon SRO (which I still think is the gold standard for my eyes), but it holds its own surprisingly well—especially at this price point.

The Price: Value That Punches Above Its Weight

I picked mine up for $180—roughly a third of what a Trijicon SRO costs. For that price? You’re getting:

• A massive window

• Reliable zero retention

• Solid competition performance

• Decent stigmatism handling

• And two-day shipping from Amazon (yep, that surprised me too)

Where It Falls Short

❌ No tactile clicks on windage/elevation adjustments❌ Slight tool quality issue with the battery cap wrench❌ Not ideal for concealed carry or defensive use due to uncertainty with dial movement

For self-defense carry? I wouldn’t recommend it based on that alone. In a life-or-death moment, you shouldn’t be second-guessing your optic's adjustments. But for a dedicated range or comp gun, it’s more than capable.

Final Verdict: Is the Cyelee Chameleon Worth It?

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly SRO-style red dot for competition or range use, the Cyelee Chameleon SRS-8 is a serious contender.

✅ Pros:

• Large window

• Big, easy-to-see 8 MOA dot

• Good battery life with auto shutoff

• Holds zero well

• Strong performance for astigmatism

• Excellent price point

⚠️ Cons:

• No tactile feedback on adjustment dials

• Not suited for CCW without modification

• Build quality on tools could improve

Would I recommend it? Yes—if your primary use is competition. For concealed carry, I’d stick to something with more robust adjustability and zero-lock assurance.

Your Turn: Tried the Chameleon?

Let’s hear it—have you run the Cyelee Chameleon or any of their other optics? Got a favorite red dot for competition or CCW? Drop your experience in the comments or tag us on social. We’d love to hear what’s working for you out on the range.

Until next time—stay sharp, shoot clean, and keep your gear honest.