Aimpoint PRO opinions if you have one...................

I've got one on my Colt AR6951 9mm, mounted in a Larue cantilever mount.

I've had it for a little over 3 years. Used in a defensive carbine class and multiple matches with zero issues to date. It is built like a tank, a little heavier than the mirco RDS offerings, but it flat out works. I've not left mine on as I don't use it for HD, but I'm still on the same battery that came it it. My 9mm AR actually recoils more than a standard AR due to bolt mass and I've got about 5000 rds through it with the Aimpoint and no problems retaining zero.

Have shot several, know a few dozen with one and have never heard anything bad about them even once.

It is basically like Aimpoint just kept making their older model, and pass the savings on to you with lower cost components and working out the manufacturing details. More or less. It's not the latest and greatest Aimpoint, but those are over $800! Comp M4s (they are up to M5) go for over $500 /used/ and in not great condition! The PRO is a steal.

Because it is not made in Bangladesh with their name but IS full Aimpoint quality, made in the same factory in Sweden, broadly the same as the best they made 10 years ago, so a hell of a nice optic. When people get invited to do factory tours and make a sight, they often do PROs. It's a hell of a factory. Here's Larry Vickers videoing his tour

If you like Aimpoints (my eyes suck and hate most red dots, so I only have a couple) and do not jump out of airplanes to land in the water then dive to attack enemy ninja bases, the PRO is absolutely to be suggested without any reservation. And... even then it might work. Here's a PRO that survived a house fire: https://www.outdoorhub.com/news/201...ts-aimpoint-red-dot-that-survived-house-fire/

Compared to the Vortex, the smaller dot should also make you happy.

If it didn't come with instructions or you don't read, the QD mount is fine, but just use it carefully to make sure it's secure, aligned, and re-zeroes if you have to pull it off. Again, slightly old-school, so it works but is not the sexiest. Make sure the mount base and rail are clean; not scrupulously, just no dust, debris, leaves, cat fur, etc. Normal clean. Mount the thing, then turn the knob. Once you get resistance, turn it past that till it clicks TWICE. You can do once or three times, but twice is the sort of standard, and if you do twice always, it'll mount the same, always.


P.S. For anyone else who hasn't bought yet, the ACO is a notable step down in several ways, and usually within like $30, so spend the extra for the PRO.

I like my PRO, but it's just been used at the range, nothing strenuous. No problems so far. Removing the PRO from the gun using the QD mount doesn't seem to affect zero.

My understanding is that it has no off switch. Once the battery is in, it's on. The brightness knob can be turned down to nothing, but you'll notice there is no click to off.

I keep the brightness about mid way, so it's visible in day light. At this setting, the battery that came with the unit became noticeably lighter after about around a year, so I changed the battery once, which was at least a year ago. It's been in use for three years, hence my imprecise time estimates.

readyeddy said:

My understanding is that it has no off switch. Once the battery is in, it's on. The brightness knob can be turned down to nothing, but you'll notice there is no click to off.

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You'll save battery life by turning it all the way down. Batteries are supposed to last three years, we're seeing over two, but haven't really been tracking that.

We have numerous departments up here that use the PRO as standard issue for use on carbines. A few made the switch from EOTech. I've been using several for the past few years and I have absolutely no complaints. They are durable, hold their zero and simply work all the time. We've put 'em through some pretty intensive training scenarios (and it's been known to be very wet and very muddy up here), not had any issues. While I still love my EOTechs, I own a personal PRO and think it's a terrific red dot system. Yeah, they're a little bigger, a little heavier, but … they just work.

Most of the guys I know have had them working without problems for years. I've never had any problems with mine.

I have had one for almost a year on my G36 with no issues thus far.

I wuz told that the PRO is really the CompM2 that was rebadged for lower margin civilian sales. Does anyone know if this is true?

Actually, my understanding is that is was a new product marketed for mass sales to law enforcement agencies requiring a simple and durable RDS -- at a lower price point -- for their carbines -- hence the acronym Patrol Rifle Optic.

I haven't any experience with that particular model, but I have two Aimpoint sights on my hunting rifles and they served me well for over twenty years now.

Aimpoint's customer service is second to none, the 2000 model came with a 10 year warranty, after 11 years the brightness switch failed so I sent it in for repair.

They changed the switch, every O-ring, the main circuit board so it's now a 2000XD, cleaned it inside and out, put in a new battery and purged it with nitrogen.

They charged me 130 SEK which is $13.

On my service G3 I have the swedish military sight which is specially made for them.
It can't be turned off, only put i NVD mode.

They are returned to Aimpoint every 10 years for a battery change and they can be left on bright for all that time without the battery going flat.

Good stuff.

I’ve had a PRO on my AR for several years now. No issues, no complaints......rock solid.

My only gripe.....is I wished they used a different battery as they can be hard to find in some places. But, when you only have to replace the battery every 2-3 years....it’s not really that bad.

I had an Eotech 512 that I gave to my son when I bought the PRO. I had no issues with the Eotech and AA batteries are plentiful.

I've been using Aimpoints for years. I actually still have one from the late 80s, early 90s that is anodized blue from the factory.

Aimpoints in my experience are very tough. I won't say they're the best because I haven't used and beat the snot out of everything out there, but Aimpoints never disappoint. I actually have a .50 Beowulf upper that has killed, I think it was five, Eotechs. The model that took AA batteries. Went to an aimpoint and haven't had a problem since. The only other sight I trust as much as an aimpoint is a trijicon acog.

TonyAngel said:

I won't say they're the best because I haven't used and beat the snot out of everything out there, but Aimpoints never disappoint.

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I'll say it (that they're the best): Aimpoint makes the best red dot optics out there. Period.
EOTech makes the best holographic weapons sights.
Trijocon (ACOG) makes the best magnified combat optic.
So many excellent choices.

Old Dog said:

I'll say it (that they're the best): Aimpoint makes the best red dot optics out there. Period.
EOTech makes the best holographic weapons sights.
Trijocon (ACOG) makes the best magnified combat optic.
So many excellent choices.

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Same for their rifle and pistol optics?

Have to admit the only pistol optics I've used are the Leupold Deltapoint, SIG Romeo, Trijicon RMR and a Vortex. Of the pistol optics, I've only used the Romeo and Vortex extensively, and like them both (so far).

But on the topic of the OP: Here's my last PRO ... as good as they all are.

I used them for several years in Afg. when I was a contractor, after the "issues" between EOtech and the US government (our EOtechs were taken out of the arms room). I never had any issues with the PRO, and never heard of anyone else having a problem.

Although I stand by what I said above regarding the PRO, honestly, this is (or could be) one of those things that you will own for many years to come. One of those "buy once, cry once" sort of things. As much as I like the PRO, M3, M4, etc., I much prefer the Micro sights. For me, in this application, less is more. Of course, I can't vouch for one being tougher than the other as I've never broken an Aimpoint.