Replacing all my red dot sights.

[the count]

Used to like red dots (incl. Eotech). Learned the lesson that anything with a battery is much more susceptible to malfunction than a plain old scope. Some fail sooner, some fail later. Had a recent experience where during an action rifle match the (admittedly cheap) TruGlow red dot just went out (recently replaced battery). Result: 3 mikes (misses). Bummer. But price is not always the issue. I had 2 Eotech 512, that while built like a tank proved to be less than ideal with their huge reticles at distances over 60 yards. Now switching to 3-9 power scopes on my rifles that I use for action rifle matches which are a max of 100 yards.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

A 1 MOA dot is too big? Uh, okay then.

Keeping fresh batteries in a competition gun really shouldn't be that big of an issue. I just don't understand how some people have problems with this. I check and replace any expendable items before going on duty at work.. no one has ever told me I shouldn't use a radio because of those newfangled batteries it relies on. Maybe I should leave the OC in the locker because it expires and needs to be replaced from time to time. Taser? Screw it.

Completely boggles my mind that occasional preventative MX is too hard too keep up with, especially when you know what day you will be competing on.

 

[the count]

A 1 MOA dot is too big? Uh, okay then.

Keeping fresh batteries in a competition gun really shouldn't be that big of an issue. I just don't understand how some people have problems with this. I check and replace any expendable items before going on duty at work.. no one has ever told me I shouldn't use a radio because of those newfangled batteries it relies on. Maybe I should leave the OC in the locker because it expires and needs to be replaced from time to time. Taser? Screw it.

Completely boggles my mind that occasional preventative MX is too hard too keep up with, especially when you know what day you will be competing on.

Which part of my post that said 'recently replaced battery' did you not understand. The problem was NOT the battery. And in case you never used the EoTech...the 65 MOA aiming circle will blot out most of a target at the distances I mentioned. You think you have to get personal when posting?

 

[dmancornell]

Get a 2 MOA Aimpoint Micro or M4. Problem solved.

 

[Gtscotty]

Sounds like the problem was a cheaper flaky red dot. If you like using red dots, have you considered moving to something more rugged like an aim point, instead of switching to traditional scopes?

 

[the count]

Sounds like the problem was a cheaper flaky red dot. If you like using red dots, have you considered moving to something more rugged like an aim point, instead of switching to traditional scopes?

I do have a C-More on my Glock 34 which has been holding up great. Not cheap and no idea how they perform on an AR for example.

 

[bflee]

I had an eotech for years and then swithed back to a scope. While I liked the quick aquisition, which is their only advantage, I just didnt like giving up the small groups when I shot. A high quality variable power scope is alot more versatile. Leave it on low (1x) unless you need to stretch it out. I found the eotech also blinded me even on low power at late evening shots. I lost a coyote because of it. I could see him fine without the sight, but even on ots lowest power i could just make out the silouette. To each his own I guess, but I just found out I liked the scope better. I have been using them since the seventies though. I may be a little biased.

 

[henschman]

If you don't like the reticle on the EOTech, sell it and buy an Aimpoint. You should be able to get enough for it to get a PRO. I don't have any trouble hitting torso sized targets out to 500 yards with my AR with an Aimpoint. As for equipment failure, it is almost unheard of on Aimpoints, but that's what flip up iron sights are for.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

Which part of my post that said 'recently replaced battery' did you not understand.

Batteries aren't fresh just because they were just put in the gun.

..And in case you never used the EoTech.

Every. Single. Day.

Your crap TruGlow (and let's be honest with everyone, they are crap) went out so no more red dots/holos? Are you going to be putting a BSA 4 x 30 from Academy on your rifle now to have an even comparison?

 

[MyRoad]

I have completely abandoned anything with a battery, except for flashlights. I had an Eotech, and Aimpoint, various other red dots (and lasers for that matter), and I decided to make my entire gun 'collection' focused on practicality and reliability, so that any gun could be reached for in an emergency and I would have as much confidence in its function as possible. I have no regrets and never looked back.

I've moved to a few lower powered scopes, ranging from a Weaver 1-3x to various 2-7x scopes. Any scope at 1x that allows me to focus on my target and use the cross-hairs, as opposed to trying to focus on the front sight and something 50 or 100 yards away simultaneously, is a far superior solution for me. And a side benefit, is that if for some reason my glasses broke or could not be found, even a 1.5x scope magnification will correct enough for me to be able to make a simple shot. So I'm all about scopes now, no more red dots.

One scope I've used on a few rifles (although last time I looked they are selling for over $1,000, so I couldn't afford to buy one now), is the Trijicon Accupoint. The 1-4x dialed in at 1x has forgiving eye relief, and with the very bright colored triangle acts a lot like a red dot in terms of fascilitating quick target acquisition.

Another scope I really like is Weavers newer Super Slam, in 2x-10x. It gives an incredible range, from up close to as far out as I'd need or want to go. Very flexible as far as scopes go. But that said, the basic 3-9x is my standard also, and covers just about anything I'd want to do with a rifle.

 

[chicharrones]

I had 2 Eotech 512, that while built like a tank proved to be less than ideal with their huge reticles at distances over 60 yards.

Yeah, an a 65 MOA reticle isn't exactly going to help with precise small target aiming like a fine set of crosshairs on a traditional scope.

 

[Jackal]

Sell the Truglo/Eotech and buy an Aimpoint micro. Dont have to worry about batteries very often (about 5 years on constant on) and the reticle is a simple dot. Problem solved.

 

[RainDodger]

Wow, the High Road is getting hostile.

I understand about the Eotech reticles. I had a 512 on one rifle and an Aimpoint Pro on another. I really preferred the Aimpoint because with my eyes, the Eotech was simply not a crisp picture. The Aimpoint is much better.

I also understand wanting the precision of actual crosshairs. To each his own - that's what makes this country what it is. I only have red dots on rifles that may end up being used for, shall we say, human-sized targets... all others have scopes. I like itty bitty groups too.

 

[eldon519]

If you have an Aimpoint, you can leave them switched on for years. I'd just do a yearly battery change, kind of like changing the batteries in your smoke detector. Just replace all the batteries Jan 1st.

It sounds like you have two separate issues you are lumping together to damn all holo/RDS. One is a matter of quality, the other a matter of reticle choice. A 2 MOA Aimpoint solves both. If you just don't want electronic optics, so be it, but your cited reasons don't really present it as a rational decision. There is a lot to be said about 1-4x or 1-6x patrol-type scopes, but most of the good ones use batteries too.

 

[eldon519]

Also worth noting that if your RDS goes down, your cowitnessed or flip-up rear are right there waiting for you. As far as I know, you can't cowitness a scope, even with ones claiming 1X.

 

[Robert]

I find my 4x ACOG to be perfect for what I do with my AR. Reasonably fast target finding as well as enough power to make hits out to 600y, which is the furthest i have shot.

 

[Destructo6]

Yeah, an a 65 MOA reticle isn't exactly going to help with precise small target aiming like a fine set of crosshairs on a traditional scope.

What?

The outer ring is 65moa and is intended to be used at very close (contact) distances or for range finding (eg at 100 yards a man should fit inside the ring).

The center dot is 1moa, which is about as small a dot as you can use practically.

By all means, use the optic that suits your purposes. Variable scopes dominate 3 gun matches. For field of view and speed, the dot style optics can't be beat and have my vote for LE/Military use.

As ClickClickD'oh seemed to say, use good stuff and PM it before you take it out.

 

[MCMXI]

I have an Aimpoint CompM4s on my AR15 carbine and find it to be an excellent choice for that rifle. I upgraded to the Aimpoint after having issues in a match with a Leupold 1.5-5x. The Aimpoint is so much faster than the Leupold with its huge eye box and it's sufficient for full sized IPSC targets out to 350 yards which is the furthest I've shot using the M4s. It's hard to imagine a better optic for a "fighting" carbine. If hard hitting precision is the name of the game I'll use a different rifle and optic.

 

[Skoghund]

Its horses for courses. I have Aimpoint sights on my Mauser and 870 slug gun. Aimpoint sights are great for close range driven game but if i want to shoot a tight group, longer range or shoot boar at night i just take off the aimpoint on the Mauser and put on the Schmidt and bender scope. Only takes a few seconds to swap sights. Simple

 

[rcmodel]

Don't know what the problem is, but its not the EOTech 1 MOA reticule at 100 yards.
The 65MOA outer ring is more a range finder then an aiming device.

This was shot with an EOTech 512 on a Colt Carbine.
If you turn the brightness down to get rid of pixel flair the reticule dot becomes very precise.



rc

 

[txblackout]

I have an aimpoint pro on my 300 blackout, 3-9 trijicon accupoint on an AR-15 and a 5-20x on a .308.

the blackout with aimpoint is for short range fast target acquisition (hogs in foresty areas) to eventually be used with night vision.

 

[Hunterdad]

I really don't think you need a 3-9 for 100yds. I have a Buris Tac 3 which is a 1-4 and I've shot out to 400yds successfully with it.

 

[benEzra]

Learned the lesson that anything with a battery is much more susceptible to malfunction than a plain old scope.

For 100+ yards, a traditional scope is vastly superior to an Eotech (in the daytime, at least). For 0-25 yards, or in low light, or when forced to use less-than-ideal shooting positions, an Eotech can be vastly superior to a traditional scope. Different tools for different niches.

a 65 MOA reticle isn't exactly going to help with precise small target aiming like a fine set of crosshairs on a traditional scope.

The circle is just a thin ring that helps pick up the reticle at *very* close range. The aiming point is a less-than-1-MOA dot (it's actually diffraction-limited), not the 65MOA ring.



If the ring is overpowering the dot, turning the brightness down will fix it (that also makes the dot appear smaller).

 

[bflee]

I can see more at dusk with my Leupold 1-4x32 than with the Eotech on the lowest setting. The light kinda blinds you. I looked at a coyote and saw it plain. I aimed with the Eotech and couldnt see him good. I pulled the rifle back down and could see him fine. I put the scope on for hunting then. I have never tried the aimpoint so I cant comment. The Eotech would make a much better close quarters, quick aquisition sight if thats what you want though. Hog hunting in quick shooting situations it would be better. For low light hunting when stalking makes the scope stand out though.

 

[atomd]

I'd much rather have a 1-4x scope than a 3-9x at 100 yards and less. I like eotechs and I've owned them in the past but I think I'm more of an aimpoint fan now. Just got my H1 2moa in the mail...I'm impressed. If acquiring targets as fast as possible at <100 yards is the goal, I think I'd take an eotech or an aimpoint over anything else.