Aimpoint competitors

[Skribs]

Previously when I looked at red dot sights, it seemed the big 3 were Trijicon Reflex, Aimpoint, and EOTech. I bought an Aimpoint CompML3 with the 4 MOA dot.

I didn't like the Reflex sight because I want to have control over the brightness. I'd read that it can get washed out easily if you are shooting from a dark area into a bright area (for example, shooting from a dark room at a target illuminated by the weaponlight).

I didn't like the EoTech because of the short battery life and the battery issues I'd read (where it drained the batteries even while off).

I don't like the new Aimpoints because they are 2 MOA dots, which I find rather small.

I also didn't really trust others, especially cheaper ones, because I had one that was "rated for .50 cal" bust within 1 magazine on something much smaller than a .50 cal. Well, smaller than .50 BMG, anyway. It was a lot bigger than .50 GI, so who knows what they were talking about.

As it stands today, what are my options for a red dot sight that fit my criteria (below)?

• Dot at least 4 MOA, or a small dot with a larger shape around it (like EoTechs 65 MOA circle around a 1 MOA dot).
• Battery life measured in years or no battery required
• Dot will not get washed out by the flashlight in a dark room
• Durable and reliable
• Reasonably accurate at 13 feet

What are my options aside from Aimpoint that fit this criteria?

 

[taliv]

afaik, you can still get aimpoints with 4 moa dots. midway has micro T1 4 MOA in stock right now (though it ain't cheap)

 

[WardenWolf]

There's this model available through Kalinka Optics. It's a 1 MOA dot with automatic brightness control:

http://kalinkaoptics.com/rifle-scopes/red-dot/weaver-dovetail-picatinny/pk-06-red-dot-weaver.html#

Here's a very good review on it:

http://russianoptics.net/pk06.html

 

[Rockrivr1]

Vortex has an Aimpoint clone for half the cost that is getting really good reviews.

 

[chicharrones]

There's this model available through Kalinka Optics. It's a 1 MOA dot with automatic brightness control:

http://kalinkaoptics.com/rifle-scopes/red-dot/weaver-dovetail-picatinny/pk-06-red-dot-weaver.html#

Here's a very good review on it:

http://russianoptics.net/pk06.html

That looks really good except for that reflection of the circuit board when the sun is in front of the shooter. That kind of stuff really distracts me and caused me to recently return an otherwise very promising DIO RV2 red dot.

I think in the case of that Russian sight, if the maker would cover that circuit board with a non reflective insulated glue, all would be good. And I might even purchase one.

 

[WardenWolf]

That looks really good except for that reflection of the circuit board when the sun is in front of the shooter. That kind of stuff really distracts me and caused me to recently return an otherwise very promising DIO RV2 red dot.

I think in the case of that Russian sight, if the maker would cover that circuit board with a non reflective insulated glue, all would be good. And I might even purchase one.

What people have said is that it's relatively easy to fashion your own cover. The front of the sight is threaded for a cover, although the covers haven't been imported, it seems.

This should be able to be cut and fitted to the end and provide the necessary sun shade: http://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-Wrapped...qid=1459735604&sr=8-1&keywords=arris+16mm18mm

 

[FL-NC]

I have heard good things about the vortex sparc. I never used one, but as I understand they have a no questions asked warranty.

 

[WardenWolf]

I looked at the Vortex option, but it sits a lot higher than an Aimpoint does. I don't believe you'll be able to co-witness with it.

 

[MtnCreek]

The vortex spitfire 1x is lower 1/3. Great for a 15/22, but I doubt it or the other vortex models belong in the same thread as aimpoint & trijicon. JMHO.

 

[WardenWolf]

I've decided on the PK-06, I think, for my own AR15. I'm going to get the carbon fiber tube I linked and cut it, then fit it to the end as a shade. I should be able to get a secure fit.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

No personal experience ----but Holosun products have been getting good reviews on Youtube

 

[Skribs]

I like the look of the Holosuns. I'll have to remember that name.

 

[Murphys Law]

Heres a link to the Holosun 503C on Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH9KOYLmQBQ

 

[JamieC]

I recently bought a Holosun 503, it's early in my ownership of it, so far, I really like it. Plenty bright when needed, the solar setting works well also. I was saving for an Eotech, saw all the return issues, decided for the money, I could get the circle dot I wanted and a bunch of reloading supplies. Decided I probably won't be fighting in the desert anytime soon, (I hope, since I live in Florida), so I don't need a military spec, $, unit.

 

[stoky]

Ultradot is worth a look, IMO. I've had an older version of the LT on an M4gery for a while. It works well and I can co-witness the sights. The one I have has an automatic (photocell) brightness adjustment that I'm not enthusiastic about. It's generally a step or two brighter than I'd manually adjust for. The latest appear to have manual adjustments.

 

[Skribs]

The Ultradots don't seem to have the battery life I'm looking for. I'm looking for something that, like Aimpoint/Trijicon/Holosun can last for over a year in the safe where all I have to do is grab the rifle and it is ready.

How do the full size Holosuns compare to the Aimpoint Comp series in objective size? What about their reflex vs. Trijicons?

 

[WardenWolf]

I just ordered a Pk-06 sight myself after doing lots of research and comparing alternatives. I don't know how long the battery will last, but I haven't heard anyone complaining about that aspect so it can't be that bad. I'm willing to rig up a sight hood myself if it means saving nearly $200 and a ton of weight on the gun.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'm really liking the look of the next gen Holosuns (HS515C)

I almost got their last gen 503 and was comparing the different "brandings"...Primary Arm Advanced Micro Dot and SIG Romeo 4...when they introduced the new model. I think it is a worthwhile evolution

 

[Lloyd Smale]

I have an acog and a couple aimpoints. I also have a 2 vortex strikefires and one sparc. My opinion on this goes like this. the acog is my favorite excellent glass with the advantage of low light performance over the dot sights but its EXPENSIVE. The aimpoint are great units. Even the comp 2 has great battery life. they claim one year left on but ive got one that's been on low for 3 years and is still going strong. Disadvantage is there expensive. Not as bad as an acog but still cost near what a new ar does. the vortex units I have have been flawless. Both will co-witness with my ar sights. the dots aren't perfectly round like my aimpoint but that's kind of minor for what there used for. Battery life sure isn't what an aimpoint is but is much better then a eotech. One thing I really don't like about them is the automatic shut off. After a number of hours they shut themselves off with doesn't allow me to leave my home defense gun ready to go. I don't want to have to fool with turning on a sight when something goes bump in the dark. Other then that they've been just as rugged as my acog or aimpoints. I think there tough to beat in the bang for the buck category and hands down are the best thing out there under 500 bucks and the nice thing is its more like 200 bucks. Ill finish by saying id trust my life to an ar with a strikefire or sparc on it and that says a lot. May not be as good as the other two but for 1/5 the price of an acog or 1/3 the price of an aimpoint I don't know if I could justify buying another high dollar unit.

 

[Pushrod]

I just ordered a Pk-06 sight myself after doing lots of research and comparing alternatives. I don't know how long the battery will last, but I haven't heard anyone complaining about that aspect so it can't be that bad. I'm willing to rig up a sight hood myself if it means saving nearly $200 and a ton of weight on the gun.

If you find out any information on the battery life please post it along with your experience once you get yours. Maybe test it by leaving it on and seeing how long the battery lasts. Inquiring minds want to know

 

[WardenWolf]

If you find out any information on the battery life please post it along with your experience once you get yours. Maybe test it by leaving it on and seeing how long the battery lasts. Inquiring minds want to know

Regardless of battery life, $200 for a brightness-sensing 1 MOA sight that's damn near indestructible is still a good deal. I've figured out I should be able to co-witness, and if I need a riser it will be a very small one.

 

[MtnCreek]

the vortex units I have have been flawless. Both will co-witness with my ar sights. the dots aren't perfectly round like my aimpoint but that's kind of minor for what there used for.

Aimpoint PRO dot is not a pretty round dot. It is the low end of the aimpoints. Just thought I'd mention that for the benefit of any reading this that might be looking at the PRO. Still a good sight IMHO.

 

[Skribs]

Regardless of battery life, $200 for a brightness-sensing 1 MOA sight that's damn near indestructible is still a good deal. I've figured out I should be able to co-witness, and if I need a riser it will be a very small one.

Might be a good deal, but for my purposes the battery life is a very important thing.

Lloyd, I think the ACOG may actually be a detriment at the ranges I'm looking at.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

the acogs are surprisingly fast at short range but if your really talking 13 feet it probably isn't what you ideal but I have to ask how accurate do you really need to be at 13 feet. If its an ar your going to have a problem even sighting it in at that close of a range do to the height above the bore. For the most part the acog is easy to use with both eyes open and you could just put the lighted reticle on something and shoot at that range. But that said an aimpoint might be quicker. As to battery life ill say this. I like to leave a home defense gun turned on so I don't have to fool with switches in the dark and I know this is way overused but in a shtf scenario you might not have access to batterys all the time and its nice to know your will hold up for a couple years instead of a couple months. Added to that is theres pretty much a correlation between battery life and overall sight quality if you look at red dots. bottom line is if you look at versatility the acog is the winner. Much better low light performance, works at short range, works much better then a reddot at over 50 yards. Is capable of hits out to 3 or 400 yards. Its on all the time. No switches or electronics to fail and no battery to go bad. Only down side to me is the cost. Like I said if I wanted a cheap dot that is very rugged and has decent battery life id look at a strikefire or sparc. the ones I own and have owned have been a 100 percent reliable and cost under 200 bucks.

 

[Skribs]

An ACOG is double the price of an aimpoint and significantly more expensive than the holosun. It isn't as good at the ranges I want or for the purpose I have in mind. Yes, it has advantages, but absolutely none for my purposes.

This isn't for a surviving-in-the-wilderness rifle. And if it comes to that, I'll have irons which are also not battery dependent. It's not for shots past 50 yards. It's not for shots past 10 yards. It's for home defense in a small condo.

I'm not saying anything against ACOGs, but I don't have a reason to choose one over an aimpoint, and I wouldn't consider it a valid thing to compare when you're looking at extremely short ranges and fast acquisition.