Red Dot Scopes

[SomeGuyInAHat]

Ok, we were just approved for red dot scopes, and I'm trying to decide between the following scopes:
Trijicon RX01NSN
Eotech 552 (AA model)
Aimpoint Comp ML2

Price not being a consideration, which would you choose? What are the pros and cons of each model? Any other reccomendations?

[Jodevilgod1]

Aimpoint gets my vote, I have three of them(all on different guns of course) They are compact, keep their zero and must be quite durable(they have taken a decnt beating) I havent tried the Trijicon or eotech, but my expierienes with Aimpoints products have been good enough to say that you cant go wrong with them.....;c

[obxemt]

There have been a ton of posts on GT about this, and this is where I got all my information to make my decision (which was EOTech).

Cost WAS a factor for me so it is hard to separate that, but I think EOT offered the best in what I was looking for in CQB optics.

Problem is all of them are outstanding, and owners of each sing their praises! I have read repeatedly that EOT allows you to keep both eyes open all the time and the others do not do that as well. Don't know if that is correct of not.

[DJ Niner]

I live where it snows and the wind blows; that means I have to be able to protect my optics from airborne gunk but still be able to quickly get them into use. For me, that means a tube-type sight with quick-release covers. The Trijicon Reflex and EOTech sights both suffer from the same problem(s) in my mind; too many spots where snow/dust/dirt/crud can gather and prevent easy use, and no quick-n-easy pop up/off covers.

The Aimpoint CompML2 comes with flip-up covers, can accept a KillFlash filter, is VERY lightweight, is waterproof to 75+ feet, has GREAT battery life, can use a double battery case for longer life/brighter dot (if needed in extremely bright conditions), and has MANY mounting options (high, low, gooseneck, QD, etc.).

The choice was easy for me.

[mindonmatter]

A few things to consider.....

The Reflex(Trijicon) and Aimpoint have 4 MOA dots. The EOTech has a 1 MOA dot for distance shots and a larger red ring around it for close quarter shooting. If you want it for only close quarter shooting, all 3 would work good. If you want to do precise shooting at 100+ yards, the EOTech would probably be better.
An extreme example:
At 200 yards, the 1 MOA dot(EOTech) would be covering 2" of your target, opposed to the 4 MOA dot(Reflex and Aimpoint) which would be covering 8" of your target.

At 300 yards, the 1 MOA dot(EOTech) would be covering 3" of your target, opposed to the 4 MOA dot(Reflex and Aimpoint) which would be covering 16" of your target.


From all the reading I've done though, the EOTech and Aimpoint are far above par from the Reflex. The Reflex has a pretty light colored reticle. If you are going to be using your AR in low light conditions with a flashlight, I've read of bad problems with the Reflex's reticle completely washing out. The Reflex's reticle is lit by tritium, which isn't really bright enough to work in the daytime very well. Of the 3 red dots you're looking at, 2 are heavily used by the military, and neither are a Reflex. ;) Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to quickly cross it off your list.

It's fairly obvious which one of these I favor. I've used the EOTech, and it will most likely be what I buy. I really enjoyed shooting with it. The EOTech also has a wider field of vision than the Aimpoint, which is good for close quarters. It will mount to your flat top and cowitness with your iron sights, and you don't need mounts or risers which just add more cost. The AA battery model has 500 hours of life. It's water proof down to 33 ft, which is more than enough for me because I don't invision dropping my AR in a body of water anyway. I've narrowed it down to those two(EO and Aim), but am pretty sure I'll go with the EOTech. It just comes down to personal preference.

I guess now that we have our own AR forum, we'll have to hash out this Aimpoint vs EOTech topic just to make it an "official" AR forum :)

[DJ Niner]

Good points, all. Hard to argue with the one MOA vs. 4 MOA dot for precise shooting, but if that's on the agenda, I'll probably show up with a scope with a bit of magnification; I know I can't see a non-contrasting 3" object at 300 yards, so the dot size is moot to me.

The reflex is/was issued by the military in the SOPMOD M4 accessory kits (along with the ACOG), but it's true that I rarely see one mounted/in-use in the war pics I browse through.

[mindonmatter]

Originally posted by DJ Niner
but if that's on the agenda, I'll probably show up with a scope with a bit of magnification; I know I can't see a non-contrasting 3" object at 300 yards, so the dot size is moot to me.

Well, I pretty much totally agree with you, but.... On one hand, you're right, 300 yard shooting should be done with magnification, most definitely. On another hand, I(and some others) can't afford a red dot and a scope. If I could, I would probably go with an Aimpoint for close shooting, and a scope for distance. Since I can only afford one, I'll have to take the one that is more precise for long distance, and just as good(IMO) for CQB.

One thing I really like about the Aimpoint is the aluminum construction. But since I'm not a soldier and don't play soldier games, extreme durability isn't as much as a concern for me as others. Although, I haven't heard of any durability probs with the EOTech.

Just to clear something up as far as what I said about the 3" dot at 300 yards.....I wasn't talking about hitting a 3" object. I was invisioning hitting a torso sized target. The EOTech would put a 3" dot on that person, while the Aimpoint/Reflex would pretty much cover the full chest of the target and you'd have to guess where your shot would land in that area. A moot point really, but was just throwing that in there.

[wishywashy]

EOTech hands down. I had a Reflex, it was alright, until you use it at night with a flashlight. The reflex dot will wash out, meaning you can't see it. With the EOTech, if your light is washing it out just turn it up. The one minute of angle dot is very nice, a 3 inch circle at 300 yards is good enough for about any situation or target size you may want to shoot. I use mine mounted to a Colt M4A3 to hunt coyotes, the sight is fast and accurate. Just my 2 cents.

[MrMurphy]

Nice thing about a Eotech is if the window is full of junk (snow mud bullet holes etc) the hologram will still showup in whatever bit of glass you've still got. The Aimpoint is very popular with the military but the Eotech is quickly catching up.

[DeLandSkyjumper]

I'm with Jodevilgod1, we've got 2 CompML2's. One of them is on a
SW 500 Magnum and doing very well. I foresee obtaining 1 more this year for another project.