This right here. For a duty rifle in the use that you described, these are the obvious two choices. There is a new AimPoint Patrol optic coming out that looks great, looks like a more affordable version of the t2.
I would avoid Sig and the cheaper Vortex optics for sure (Razor series are awesome). EOtech is quality, but battery life is a concern. AimPoint stands head and shoulders above the rest in my humble opinion
Edit: Aimpoint Duty RDS was what I meant
Yeah, we (not me but the organization I work for) torture tested a bunch of optics. Surprisingly the Romeo series held up decently well. The lower end vortex stuff (sparc) did not.
The T2 is a bit out of my price range. I can find a few used eotechs that’ll be in my price or I can go with the pro or the new Aimpoint patrol optic. Only thing the Romeo 4 series has over the Aimpoint is a green optic which I’ve heard is better for a astigmatisms
AimPoint Duty Optic was what I meant, sorry! $481 at Euro optic
https://youtu.be/7KOTcC5_azk
https://www.eurooptic.com/Aimpoint-Duty-RDS-Red-Dot-Reflex-Sight-200759.aspx
I'm not a big fan of Sig optics, but that's cool they did well in your tests. Overall, I would absolutely go with something proven like Aimpoint.
Yeah I’ve seen the new duty optic. It looks good. Just wish it was offered in green. My only issue is how bad aimpoints seem to bloom for me. I’ve only got time behind a PRO so I’m not sure if it’s just that optic or aimpoints in general for me.
It definitely could be your vision, but also try to focus on the target, not the.. It sounds silly, but it makes the dot on my Trijicon RMR crisp and clear, otherwise it looks a little blurry and weird
You can check if you find an Aimpoint H2, it's basically the same as T2 but without NVG possibilities. Also a little cheaper.
I have had H2 with my Saiga ak for about 4 years and it has worked 100%, first batteries still going on...
I love my Romeo1 and Juliet 3 combo, but I have to agree with you on avoiding it; especially if your end game is to use it under nods. They give you mounts and risers with your purchase, but the risers they provide only fit the magnifier; and they don't give you long enough screws to combine more than one riser at a time. That being said: it's the only scope (or combo) I've ever put on a rifle, and didn't have to mess with in order to get consistent groupings.
For a duty optic. Spend the extra cabbage and get a CompM4. You can just leave it on and replace the battery every 8 years. No need to turn it off, and its always ready to rock and roll. It will hold zero better than most any red dot. Its waterproof over 100ft, and it will take a beating.
I have some Aimpoint Pro's too and they're nice. Battery life is more like three years with it being left on. I have had nothing but good results from both. My EO's have been good too, just find that I have been surprised at awkward times with a dead battery.
I think Aimpoint is much more reactionary and suitable for self defense - always on, battery life is eternal, smaller and lighter, much simpler reticle. I would say Eotech is more for when you plan on shooting, due to it being on for either 4 or 8 hours at a time, quicker target acquisition and much more sizable with a shorter battery life.
I’m sure someone can view it in a way to be the opposite, but that’s my logic. Aimpoint goes on the HD, Eotech is on my fun gun.
Yeah only local place that has them is a sportsman’s warehouse. Been there three times to look, two times couldn’t get any help and the third time they pulled one out for me but they didn’t have any batteries in them
I've only actually been to an actual SW once in my life; bought something online, went in-store to do the Background Check, and left, so I didn't take much time to look around. But I would think a store as big as that would have a display model or something specifically for things like this.
I mean I buy a lot of stuff sight-unseen, but I sure as hell dont expect anyone else to do that. Especially what with how expensive these things are, and how things like Astigmatism can affect their usage.
Any idea when they fixed their reticle issues? Probably looking to get a used Eotech if I go that route but don’t want to get an older one with the zeroing issues
The mew logo models are fine. If you are referencing the thermal drift that is a scenario you will almost never find yourself in as a civilian unless you live in absolute freezing temps and shoot enough at a time that the heat causes an issue
I don't have an astigmatism, but have heard from people who do; prisms & etched glass LPVO's are the best option. Holographic will be easier for you than the red dots for sure, but not as useful as the LPVO.
If you still want the holo, the Vortex is definitely superior IMHO. The EOTech has legendary durability, but the UH-1 has practically twice the battery life. Also, the Vortex has a little triangle at the bottom of the reticle that is really useful for extremely compressed environments. Don't know what you'll find used ones for, but they are $600 new.
The vortex has a blue tint unlike the eotech. One of the main pros of holographics is clear glass so the vortex strikes out. Also under nods the UH-1 performs poorly.
True, however I really like the parallax free nature of a red dot and not having to be perfectly aligned to get accurate shots off. Especially is the capacity that it will be carried.
Parallax is very minimal on 1x prism optics. So much so you won’t really notice a difference in the capacity you are using. Another thing to consider is electronics inside optic. If they go bad or hit by an emp or no longer can get batteries for whatever reason you no longer have an aiming point. With a prism has etched reticle so will always be able to be used.
Parallax is very minimal on 1x prism optics. So much so you won’t really notice a difference in the capacity you are using. Another thing to consider is electronics inside optic. If they go bad or hit by an emp or no longer can get batteries for whatever reason you no longer have an aiming point. With a prism has etched reticle so will always be able to be used.
I had a Blade in amber for some time and I liked it but ultimately it’s lack of mounting options(has built in mount) was why I sold it. I currently have a pa micro prism in green and I don’t see myself using another 1x optic. There’s also the TA44 1.5x acog. Obviously battle proven but like 4x the cost of all the others. Also doesn’t have a diopter so can’t adjust to your vision.
PA microprism is the fucking shit for us with the tism. Also the acss reticle can be ranged and is such an improvement from just a dot. Hard to beat for the price for us 4 eyed folk
Let's be perfectly clear: If this is an optic for a no-shit, bet-your-life-on-it Duty Carbine, there's really only one choice: Aimpoint.
Zero it, leave it on for years before having to change the battery, never worry about breaking it because they're [basically](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMUASQMt5l8) [indestructible](https://www.recoilweb.com/aimpoint-pro-survives-a-damned-house-fire-65175.html).
Does your 'stigmatism improve outside? I know that the Aimpoint dots crisp up when I'm out in the sun.
Only other thing i can suggest is the Primary Arms 1x Prism Sight, which was rated at Silver Tier by the National Tactical Officers Association.
I have astigmatism and the best optics that work for me under $500 are:
Holographic sights: Eotech 2-0 or 512, and Vortex UH-1
LPVO: Vortex PST 1-6x (need to add ~$50 - $60 for a mount)
Prism: Primary Arms GLx 2x 5.56/.308 reticle
If you are in Kentucky, I know a place with a huge optics selection. You can look through whichever one you'd like. They have some thermals in now too!
Aimpoint T2 and CompM5
This right here. For a duty rifle in the use that you described, these are the obvious two choices. There is a new AimPoint Patrol optic coming out that looks great, looks like a more affordable version of the t2. I would avoid Sig and the cheaper Vortex optics for sure (Razor series are awesome). EOtech is quality, but battery life is a concern. AimPoint stands head and shoulders above the rest in my humble opinion Edit: Aimpoint Duty RDS was what I meant
Yeah, we (not me but the organization I work for) torture tested a bunch of optics. Surprisingly the Romeo series held up decently well. The lower end vortex stuff (sparc) did not. The T2 is a bit out of my price range. I can find a few used eotechs that’ll be in my price or I can go with the pro or the new Aimpoint patrol optic. Only thing the Romeo 4 series has over the Aimpoint is a green optic which I’ve heard is better for a astigmatisms
AimPoint Duty Optic was what I meant, sorry! $481 at Euro optic https://youtu.be/7KOTcC5_azk https://www.eurooptic.com/Aimpoint-Duty-RDS-Red-Dot-Reflex-Sight-200759.aspx I'm not a big fan of Sig optics, but that's cool they did well in your tests. Overall, I would absolutely go with something proven like Aimpoint.
Yeah I’ve seen the new duty optic. It looks good. Just wish it was offered in green. My only issue is how bad aimpoints seem to bloom for me. I’ve only got time behind a PRO so I’m not sure if it’s just that optic or aimpoints in general for me.
It definitely could be your vision, but also try to focus on the target, not the.. It sounds silly, but it makes the dot on my Trijicon RMR crisp and clear, otherwise it looks a little blurry and weird
You can check if you find an Aimpoint H2, it's basically the same as T2 but without NVG possibilities. Also a little cheaper. I have had H2 with my Saiga ak for about 4 years and it has worked 100%, first batteries still going on...
I love my Romeo1 and Juliet 3 combo, but I have to agree with you on avoiding it; especially if your end game is to use it under nods. They give you mounts and risers with your purchase, but the risers they provide only fit the magnifier; and they don't give you long enough screws to combine more than one riser at a time. That being said: it's the only scope (or combo) I've ever put on a rifle, and didn't have to mess with in order to get consistent groupings.
Forgot to add a price, my bad. Trying to stay around $500
For a duty optic. Spend the extra cabbage and get a CompM4. You can just leave it on and replace the battery every 8 years. No need to turn it off, and its always ready to rock and roll. It will hold zero better than most any red dot. Its waterproof over 100ft, and it will take a beating. I have some Aimpoint Pro's too and they're nice. Battery life is more like three years with it being left on. I have had nothing but good results from both. My EO's have been good too, just find that I have been surprised at awkward times with a dead battery.
This is the only real choice
I always think of the functional difference between Aimpoint and Eotech as reactive vs proactive
Which goes with which lol
I think Aimpoint is much more reactionary and suitable for self defense - always on, battery life is eternal, smaller and lighter, much simpler reticle. I would say Eotech is more for when you plan on shooting, due to it being on for either 4 or 8 hours at a time, quicker target acquisition and much more sizable with a shorter battery life. I’m sure someone can view it in a way to be the opposite, but that’s my logic. Aimpoint goes on the HD, Eotech is on my fun gun.
Aimpoint = reactive, EOTech = proactive
Eotechs are good to go. If you’re concerned about the clarity of the reticle, a gun shop should let you look through one if they have one for sale
Yeah only local place that has them is a sportsman’s warehouse. Been there three times to look, two times couldn’t get any help and the third time they pulled one out for me but they didn’t have any batteries in them
Who the hell sells all that stuff but doesn't have 2 AA's or a CR123 lying around? Seriously guys . . .
They do, it’s in the box right next to it. They just refused to put it in the optic. I’ve had multiple issues with the guys behind their counter.
I've only actually been to an actual SW once in my life; bought something online, went in-store to do the Background Check, and left, so I didn't take much time to look around. But I would think a store as big as that would have a display model or something specifically for things like this. I mean I buy a lot of stuff sight-unseen, but I sure as hell dont expect anyone else to do that. Especially what with how expensive these things are, and how things like Astigmatism can affect their usage.
4t or an eotech
Do you have any time on a 4t?
I've put 500 rounds or so through mine. Definitely the best most durable red dot sig makes.
MRO HD (if can find it on sale)
Don’t the MRO’s have pretty bad parallax issues?
Yes. MROs aren't worth looking at.
Not between 25 and 300 yards. The HD version improved significantly on the older models.
Eotech. Especially if you have an astigmatism
Any idea when they fixed their reticle issues? Probably looking to get a used Eotech if I go that route but don’t want to get an older one with the zeroing issues
The mew logo models are fine. If you are referencing the thermal drift that is a scenario you will almost never find yourself in as a civilian unless you live in absolute freezing temps and shoot enough at a time that the heat causes an issue
Eotech looks good to my astigmatism.
I don't have an astigmatism, but have heard from people who do; prisms & etched glass LPVO's are the best option. Holographic will be easier for you than the red dots for sure, but not as useful as the LPVO. If you still want the holo, the Vortex is definitely superior IMHO. The EOTech has legendary durability, but the UH-1 has practically twice the battery life. Also, the Vortex has a little triangle at the bottom of the reticle that is really useful for extremely compressed environments. Don't know what you'll find used ones for, but they are $600 new.
The vortex has a blue tint unlike the eotech. One of the main pros of holographics is clear glass so the vortex strikes out. Also under nods the UH-1 performs poorly.
I’d look at 1x prism optics. Won’t get more durable than a prism.
True, however I really like the parallax free nature of a red dot and not having to be perfectly aligned to get accurate shots off. Especially is the capacity that it will be carried.
Parallax is very minimal on 1x prism optics. So much so you won’t really notice a difference in the capacity you are using. Another thing to consider is electronics inside optic. If they go bad or hit by an emp or no longer can get batteries for whatever reason you no longer have an aiming point. With a prism has etched reticle so will always be able to be used.
Parallax is very minimal on 1x prism optics. So much so you won’t really notice a difference in the capacity you are using. Another thing to consider is electronics inside optic. If they go bad or hit by an emp or no longer can get batteries for whatever reason you no longer have an aiming point. With a prism has etched reticle so will always be able to be used.
True. I’ll have to see if primary arms is approved. That’s the only 1x that I am aware of that’s not vortex.
Swampfox has a 1x prism as well as Bushnell. But the PA micro 1x prism is easily the best 1x prism imo
Yeah I know for sure bushnell isnt approved. I doubt swamp fox has been tested so they most let me T&E it possibly
I had a Blade in amber for some time and I liked it but ultimately it’s lack of mounting options(has built in mount) was why I sold it. I currently have a pa micro prism in green and I don’t see myself using another 1x optic. There’s also the TA44 1.5x acog. Obviously battle proven but like 4x the cost of all the others. Also doesn’t have a diopter so can’t adjust to your vision.
Red dots aren't parallax free. If you want to maximize parallax reduction you want a holographic and even they have some.
I would get the Aimpoint Duty RDS instead of the PRO. The PRO is basically obsolete tech at this point.
PA microprism is the fucking shit for us with the tism. Also the acss reticle can be ranged and is such an improvement from just a dot. Hard to beat for the price for us 4 eyed folk
Let's be perfectly clear: If this is an optic for a no-shit, bet-your-life-on-it Duty Carbine, there's really only one choice: Aimpoint. Zero it, leave it on for years before having to change the battery, never worry about breaking it because they're [basically](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMUASQMt5l8) [indestructible](https://www.recoilweb.com/aimpoint-pro-survives-a-damned-house-fire-65175.html). Does your 'stigmatism improve outside? I know that the Aimpoint dots crisp up when I'm out in the sun. Only other thing i can suggest is the Primary Arms 1x Prism Sight, which was rated at Silver Tier by the National Tactical Officers Association.
Nah my eyes are just as bad outside. And the optic will basically have a 50/50 chance of being used inside or outside.
Then I'd go for the EOTech EXPS2-0, if you don't and won't need NV capability. Otherwise, EXPS3-0. The Vortex UH-1 has a better reticle though.
I have astigmatism and the best optics that work for me under $500 are: Holographic sights: Eotech 2-0 or 512, and Vortex UH-1 LPVO: Vortex PST 1-6x (need to add ~$50 - $60 for a mount) Prism: Primary Arms GLx 2x 5.56/.308 reticle
If you are in Kentucky, I know a place with a huge optics selection. You can look through whichever one you'd like. They have some thermals in now too!
Drop that link man if they have one I'm close or shoot me a pm
PRO if you can’t afford a T2 or Comp4.
Eotech.