Is the price of Trijicon worth it?

[TonyAngel]

taliv, if the Nightforce's glass is the worst of those that you own, the others must be the equivalents of S&Bs or Premiers. If not, you might want to call Nightforce. My 1-4X is crystal clear. Don't misinterpret what I'm saying to mean that Nightforce has the best glass. It doesn't. But I don't think you'll find better for the price.

 

[tdv]

I recently retired after over 26 years of service as a Navy SEAL. I was issued one of the first ACOG 4x scopes ever issued in the military back in the late 80s not long after they were first designed. I had one on my M4 during all of my tours to Afghanistan and Iraq as well. There are many servieable scopes and reflex sights available for AR varients. Some best suited for close-quarter battle, others for intermediate range shooting. All things considered, I personally consider the ACOG as the finest optic of it's kind ever developed. It is adequate for close quarter use, especially if equipped with a small reflex sight on top as some ACOG models afford. But from distances from 30-300 yards, rapid and precision target acquisition, it is superb! I have swam and dove them in salt water, jumped them from high altitude, carried them in the most extreme environments possible. Never have I witnessed one fail. I personally have found the standard balistic reticle to best match 55 gr M193 ball ammo. But recommend each shooter tailor his bullet drop chart to his specific weapon, barrel length, etc. But for center mass hits, it is very precise and effective. The tritium illumination transition from light to low-light shooting is awesome and unparalleled. That is the ACOGs strongest feature. An Aimpoint Comp is fast at close quarters, yet battery dependent and will fail in extreme circumstances. At 100-300 yards the ACOG is extremely effective, offering far more precision and utility than red-dot sights. But as I mentioned, the durability of the ACOG is comparable to me to the Unertyl sniper scopes I have also used in the past. Literally bomb-proof! Considering you likely paid between $700-$1,200 for your AR, the ACOG is expensive. But you will only need to by it once. It will out live your AR. It is my first choice for general AR applications, and I will stake my life on it confidently. One alternative optic I also have great confidence and experience with that is a much more affordable option, is the DMS scope made for the AR by Millet. Although heavier and larger dimensionally, it is also very durable and versatile. It operates on batteries yet has a conventional reticle also. The reticle is simply illuminated for low-light use, yet it offers flexibility for close, intermediate, and fairly long range use. It also has a form of ranging reticle for estimating distances. In my opinion, the ACOG is one of the finest combat optics ever designed. Thank God our enemies don't get issued them! tdv

 

[Tikka Lover]

No way it is worth it in my opinion. Pick a real scope and save a ton of money and have something way more practical to use.

 

[esheato]

I feel I must say something.

Never have I witnessed one fail.

Literally bomb-proof!

I thought the same things until I broke one.

A lens immediately behind the ocular lens cracked...well, more like chipped from the side of the lens. All I can assume is it occurred from recoil.. Optic was never dropped or abused. Only used it for about 6 months too. Mounted on a standard 16" mid-length AR with a Larue mount.

I noticed the image through the scope getting cloudy...and after shooting it was getting progressively worse. I finally held the gun muzzle down and slapped the scope from multiple directions. There was a white powder behind the ocular lens.

I will say this...they're quality products and have a very low failure rate. I think they're a bit overpriced, but it's a pay to play sport and they're a unique system that works well. I did replace the broken unit with a different model that I preferred more, but all things break.

 

[Pete D.]

I personally consider the ACOG as the finest optic of it's kind ever developed.

+1
I have only owned two Trijicon optics. One is the reflex (RX01) and the other the ACOG 4X32 (TA01, IIRC).
I have no complaints. The ACOG is the clearest scope I have ever looked through.
The RX01 has lived on my AR, a slide mount on a 1911, and ten inch barrels in .44 Mag/.30-30 for a T/C Contender.
Just checked the current prices. Wow. They didn't cost so much when I bought them.
Pete

 

[CRO MAGNON]

I love the Trijicon optics. I personally like the Tri-Power and their hunting scopes. Very nice optics, very clear and precise. But since the economy took and dump, I started looking for a decent little optic for less. I mean, lets face it...you do get what you pay for, but if I can buy a great and reliable optic for literally hundreds less, then I'm doing great. After tons of research and window shopping I decided on a Lucid HD7. It is basically made with the same materials and in the same fashion that the acogs are, except it is not light/tritium powered. It runs off of a single AAA battery and the company claims over 8,000 hours of continuous run time with one single battery. It is very durable and made very well. It also has a neat little light sensor option...if your shooting in broad daylight, the sight automatically adjusts and is a bright as can be....but if you transition to dark or low light (Especially important to hunters) it automatically dims to adjust for the level of light your in. When I mounted mine on my Spike's AR-15 and after about 5-10 rounds to get zeroed in, I was hitting steel targets at 500 yards with no problem (when the wind would cooperate). It is also 100% water proof and can be completely submerged under water. For around $200 with shipping, it is to date, the best optic I have ever owned for the price. Not an ACOG, but works for exactly what I need. Type Lucid HD7 in on youtube and see for yourself. Oh and I forgot to mention, no hassle lifetime warranty.

Mike

 

[BADUNAME37]

I considered an expensive sight like that for my .223 semi-auto but quickly discounted buying it when I realized that the Leupold Scope I have on Leupold Quick-Release rings and the OEM open adjustible sights are all I need for an occasional Fisher, Coyote, Fox, etc. which crawl my 'hood.

As for someone being in my house when they are not supposed to be, I still don't need anything more than I have!

With all the gadgetry one can install on an AR platform, you can literally go nuts ordering all kinds of stuff that, in my opinion, is not necessary, nor would I probably ever use it!

Also, consider this, if you did ever need to use your weapon in a home-invasion scenario, the plainer it looks, the better, if the Defense Attorney is out to try to make you look like Rambo as he will be displaying your weapon as Evidence "A".

Save your money and perhaps buy some more magazines or more ammo!

 

[stickhauler]

On one last note, are they good for the long haul? I'm going to be starting ROTC at my University in a year, and after I get done with school and when I get deployed somewhere I could bring it along, Just a thought I had.

The military has them, I bet they'll let you use one of theirs. That's why I didn't bother to buy a M-16 before I went in way back when. Sure enough, they had me sign one out and let me keep it as long as they thought I needed it.

Last I knew, the military didn't have a real favorable view of soldiers bringing along their own stuff. They didn't get all hacked off about sidearms when I was in, many people bought pistols at the PX before we went on Uncle Sam's cool summer camp in SE Asia.

But these days, with reports of company commanders wanting to control what firearms a soldier has, even in off-post housing, I think they're getting a little different point of view these days. They knew we owned privately owned firearms, and had no issue with us carrying them onto post to shoot. Whether they're that liberal these days or not, I don't know for sure, but recent reports claim otherwise.

 

[henschman]

If you ask me, ACOGs are well worth it if you want a battle rifle optic. No other optic offers the same combination of features. They are also extremely high quality glass. The clarity of my TA-55A is amazing.

If you just use your rifle to hunt or punch paper, there are more economical choices that could get you by fine. But if you want a true battle rifle optic that provides for a high first hit probability on man-sized targets anywhere in your rifle's effective range and which is quick and easy to use and will take a real beating, you can't do any better than an ACOG.

I wouldn't compare an ACOG to a Rolex. I have a Rolex, and yes, the main reason I like it is because it is a status symbol. That and it has some sentimental value to me, since it was a gift from my grandpa for graduating law school. By contrast, my love for my ACOG is purely based on utility. It is a piece of equipment that is designed for a particular purpose, and it accomplishes that purpose exceedingly well.

 

[Onmilo]

Yes, Trijicon ACOGs are worth the money.
Anyone who says they aren't has never used one.
There are some better dot optics on the market than the Trijicon Reflex offerings but the ACOGs are simply the very best.