How does the PK-AS red dot scope compare to Eotech and Aimpoint?

[Matt Dillon]

Folks, looking at a red dot system for a friend's AK, I was wondering if anyone had actually used the Eotech, Aimpoint, and PK-AS red dots and would like to list the pros and cons of each and what you would recommend for a Romanian SAR-1? Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Tomac]

I've owned & used all 3 (but only the Eotech & PK-AS on AK's).
PK-AS:
Pros: Extremely rugged, reticle usable in most situations w/o battery power (a good thing in case of circuitry/battery/switch failure), less expensive than the others, circle/dot reticle great for both precision shooting & CQB snapshots, integral QD mount, excellent FOV/SA. Irons instantly usable w/the PK-AS since it sits offset to the left so not much cheek/chinweld (w/the bore-centered PK-AS-V you have to remove the optic first).
Cons: Can be difficult to sight in (but you only have to do it once), the PK-AS-V sits very high, has eye relief (which makes eye distance/position important), short battery life. The only functional/reliability problem I've ever heard of w/the PK-AS is the dot dying w/o known reason or cure (not terribly frequent but the only one I've heard of). Black reticle can be slower to use/pick up (YMMV).
Eotech:
Pros: Great FOV/SA, combat-proven, the 512 uses common/rechargeable AA batteries, good battery life, circle/dot reticle great for both precision shooting & CQB snapshots, less expensive than the Aimpoint, comes w/integral mount.
Cons: Some find the circle/dot reticle "too busy" (YMMV), useless if batteries/circuitry/switches fail, sits very high, adjustment buttons are slower/more difficult to use.
Aimpoint:
Pros: Combat proven, exceptional battery life, brightness control faster/easier to use, sits lower than the Eotech but not as low as the offset PK-AS, some find the single dot faster/easier to use than circle/dot reticles (YMMV).
Cons: Most expensive of the three, doesn't come w/a mount (which makes it even more expensive). Useless if batteries/circuitry/switches fail for any reason.
With that being said, I use the new Aimpoint CompM4 on my PS90's. On a SAR-1 I would choose either the PK-AS or the Kobra -03 (think no-frills Eotech w/multiple reticles which uses AA batteries) since both are made for the AK and come w/integral QD mounts unless you want to spend $300-$700 on a combat optic for your SAR-1. HTH...
Tomac

 

[Matt Dillon]

Thanks so much, Tomac, for your in-depth comparison. I am leaning toward the PK-AS, but I shoot with my left shoulder (am left eye dominant) and was wondering if the left mounted PK-AS would cause me any problems? I like the idea of being able to use it as well as the iron sights. Thanks again in advance!

 

[Tomac]

Thanks so much, Tomac, for your in-depth comparison. I am leaning toward the PK-AS, but I shoot with my left shoulder (am left eye dominant) and was wondering if the left mounted PK-AS would cause me any problems? I like the idea of being able to use it as well as the iron sights. Thanks again in advance!

You're welcome. From what I've heard, lefties really like the offset PK-AS when used w/the Romanian folding stock since the Romy folder is offset to the left a bit providing excellent cheekweld & eye relief when using the left eye. HTH and keep us posted!...
Tomac