Aimpoint pro
- Thread starter KY DAN
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jobu07
Contributing Member
The Aimpoint Pro will work fine out of the box with an A2 front sight on your rifle. Once you zero the parallax free sight you won't even see the front sight post.
Remember that the Aimpoint is a single focal plane sight, don't try to "lollipop" the front sight post with it or you will negate the benefits of such a sight. Properly zeroed and utilized Aimpoints usually result in happy users, you just need to remember the princples of how to use it.
WooD
Member
I think the Aimpoint PRO is possibly the best sight you can get for the money.
You'll have zero problems with an A2 front sight.
You'll have zero problems with an A2 front sight.
Old Dog
Member
WooD
Member
Could you go over that proper use please?
Do I just look at dot on target from any angle, press trigger, make adjustments until impact is where I like it?
DustyGmt
Member
Aimpoint is about as good as it gets for red dots. The pro only cost less because it's an older generation with a bigger housing and the newer gens have been made smaller with longer battery life but I'll take 30K hrs of battery life and a few extra ounces to save some dough and know that it's an absolutely reliable RDS. It does what the T2 does but in a lil less compact way.
As far as mounting, I have a Midwest Industries cantilever mount so it's set as far forward as possible. This is a personal preference thing. I could have been perfectly fine with the included mount and had it basically centered over the ejection port like most red dots but I ended up with the cantilever mount and like it so it stays.
The thought being the further forward the optic is the less field of view you see through the optic but gain peripheral awareness, and the reverse being the closer to your eye the more field of view you will have through your optic. Alot of people use their RDS like a scope, it's not a scope. You're supposed to be able to bring the dot up to your eye with both eyes open and just put the dot where you want to hit and squeeze. The optic should disappear and your eye will only pick up the dot when you shoulder your weapon.
You can even test this by leaving the solid black lens cover on, you won't see the optic, you will only see the target and the dot. The optic basically disappears. For zeroing however, you will obviously want to look through the tube for making finer adjustments, etc. It's obviously user preference though but people with astigmatism in their eyes will sometimes just see a blurry blob vs a dot, using the sight as mentioned above with both eyes open can alleviate the star or blob shape dot.
pic just for reference of other mounting options. Just how mine is set up. I would have been fine with the factory mount which is actually pretty cool how it's calibrated to be properly torqued down to the rail with three twists. The pro really is such a good deal with that included mount.
As far as mounting, I have a Midwest Industries cantilever mount so it's set as far forward as possible. This is a personal preference thing. I could have been perfectly fine with the included mount and had it basically centered over the ejection port like most red dots but I ended up with the cantilever mount and like it so it stays.
The thought being the further forward the optic is the less field of view you see through the optic but gain peripheral awareness, and the reverse being the closer to your eye the more field of view you will have through your optic. Alot of people use their RDS like a scope, it's not a scope. You're supposed to be able to bring the dot up to your eye with both eyes open and just put the dot where you want to hit and squeeze. The optic should disappear and your eye will only pick up the dot when you shoulder your weapon.
You can even test this by leaving the solid black lens cover on, you won't see the optic, you will only see the target and the dot. The optic basically disappears. For zeroing however, you will obviously want to look through the tube for making finer adjustments, etc. It's obviously user preference though but people with astigmatism in their eyes will sometimes just see a blurry blob vs a dot, using the sight as mentioned above with both eyes open can alleviate the star or blob shape dot.
pic just for reference of other mounting options. Just how mine is set up. I would have been fine with the factory mount which is actually pretty cool how it's calibrated to be properly torqued down to the rail with three twists. The pro really is such a good deal with that included mount.
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jobu07
Contributing Member
DustGmt gave you a pretty good run down. The very first versions of these that came out didn't have clear glass to look through, believe it or not. Like was mentioned earlier, these are designed to be fired with both eyes open for quick target acquisition and precise fire.
Zero the dot and only the dot. Don't slave it to your iron sights or you'll just have illuminated iron sights that prevent you from using this sight as intended.
You will also want to experiment with dot brightness. Many people fall into the trap of turning the illumination up all the way. In reality you may find you need to change the dot brightness if you move from outdoors to indoors or as the position of the sun changes throughout the day. But you'll want it turned down to the lowest setting that still gives you a crisp red circle. Experiment with it and see what works for you, but don't be discouraged if it takes a little time to get used to. These are robust and reliable optics!
DustyGmt
Member
The nice thing is if you need to make a more precise shot out at a couple hundred yards or even further, you can dial the brightness down for a smaller crisper dot, or if you needed to engage multiple targets fast like just for fun, competition, coyotes, defense, etc you can just use the both eyes open method and surprise yourself at how quickly you can engage multiple targets. Very versatile and if you want magnification you can get a magnifier too. Just shy of long range precision or bench rest competition, it's perfect for just about everything else. 500 yards on a man sized silhouette is easy, not for me cuz I can't get a 500 yard shot where I live but very capable optic.
trackskippy
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2010
- Messages
- 3,493
Ive been using the Aimpoint Pro's predecessors the M2/ML2's for almost 25 years now and a couple of them have been on non-stop all that time too. Great sights.
Ive always mounted them as far forward on the AR's rails as I could get them, and normally used a cantilever mount, to get them even more forward. They arent a typical optic and eye relief isn't a thing. The farther ahead the better, as its out of your way with both peripheral vision and handling. With my AK's, I actually mounted them even farther ahead on an Ultimak handguard rail.
Ive always mounted them as far forward on the AR's rails as I could get them, and normally used a cantilever mount, to get them even more forward. They arent a typical optic and eye relief isn't a thing. The farther ahead the better, as its out of your way with both peripheral vision and handling. With my AK's, I actually mounted them even farther ahead on an Ultimak handguard rail.
WooD
Member
I like that the Aimpoint PRO has a clear rear lens cover. The front cover on mine is black, but I can still use it with the black cover closed.
I run a dot like a scope, kinda sorta.
Armson OEG doesn't work for me, even though I shoot everything both eyes open.
Had a Leupold RDS, dot zeroed right on top of my front sight. Cool.
But when I used the dot I lifted my head and floated it above the front sight. It was still zeroed.
Can run fast and accurate that way.
That sight worked well, but was heavy, smaller window for size, and I decided if I was gonna go again, it'd be an Aimpoint PRO.
Smaller tube sights ....I like the bigger window of a full size.
May even put one on my Contender deer pistol. Tried a clone and it worked fantastic (compared to EER pistol scope).
Armson OEG doesn't work for me, even though I shoot everything both eyes open.
Had a Leupold RDS, dot zeroed right on top of my front sight. Cool.
But when I used the dot I lifted my head and floated it above the front sight. It was still zeroed.
Can run fast and accurate that way.
That sight worked well, but was heavy, smaller window for size, and I decided if I was gonna go again, it'd be an Aimpoint PRO.
Smaller tube sights ....I like the bigger window of a full size.
May even put one on my Contender deer pistol. Tried a clone and it worked fantastic (compared to EER pistol scope).
Yep
Chuck R.
Member
I've got one on my 9mm PCC that I use as a trainer and for matches.
As the other's said, 100% reliable, leave it on and just change the batteries annually.
I also mount mine far out using a QD Larue mount. This setup is a lower 1/3rd co-witness and when shooting you won't even notice the FSB. Just shoot with both eyes open, focus on the tgt, and it will all fall into place.
I normally zero my irons first, then co-witness the RDS to my irons. I finally fold the rear and verify that the dot is zero'd. It's usually just a click or two off from it's co-witness point.
As the other's said, 100% reliable, leave it on and just change the batteries annually.
I also mount mine far out using a QD Larue mount. This setup is a lower 1/3rd co-witness and when shooting you won't even notice the FSB. Just shoot with both eyes open, focus on the tgt, and it will all fall into place.
I normally zero my irons first, then co-witness the RDS to my irons. I finally fold the rear and verify that the dot is zero'd. It's usually just a click or two off from it's co-witness point.
Old Dog
Member
Matter of preference and practice. With an RDS like the PRO, you can still mount it over the receiver and use both eyes open, and just IMO, I can make more precise shots at longer distances. Also, for me, I don't like weighing down the forward portion of a carbine or rifle, bad enough with an ATPIAL/DBAL, WML and VFG (I like a nimble, fast carbine).
Chuck R.
Member
DustyGmt
Member
That's an awesome setup. I like the antique aimpoint, there's probably a good reason you don't see em for sale all over the place, at least I don't. Probably because they're too good to give up and even after decades of use are still totally g2g.
trackskippy
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2010
- Messages
- 3,493
It is a matter of preference and what you're used to, and how you shoot too I guess. You really cant get them too far forward on the AR's rail, unless you trust a railed handguard to stay good and tight and not have movement in them. I dont. The cantilever mounts give you a little more, but the Ultimak is a bit different and is rock solid in how it mounts, and offers some benefits with the AKs that arent an issue with the AR's.
No matter where its mounted, you shoot them both eyes open and your focus is on the target, and not the sight. I dont (consciously anyway) look "through" the tube, I focus on the target and the dot is just there where Im looking. Doesnt matter where the tube is in that respect, but the tube back close to your face is annoying and can/does block some of your peripheral vision the closer to your face it is. It also takes up some real estate that can in some instances, be useful for other things.
I like to leave the front cover on the sight closed too, and set the dot at a comfortable brightness against the black cover. That stops you having to mess with fiddling with the dots brightness when moving back and forth in different lighting, and if you want that bit of more precision at longer distances, pop the cover open and its usually down enough to give you that bit of extra precision and still bright enough to see. Also eliminates having to use a "kill flash".
Ballance-wise, Ive never noticed the more forward sight being a detriment or even noticeable, even with it well forward like with the AK's. I like handy guns too, and mine are, and they shoulder, shoot and carry naturally and for me, the forward mounted sights have never been an issue, and have alleviated some.
DustyGmt
Member
What's different about your PRO. Is that a PRO?
I am ordering this to try before I spend 500 on the aim point pro.
After reading your opinions and issues I thought 43 dollar knock off would answer a lot of my questions.
I think this is a reasonable route to take, if this works and I have no issues zeroing and shooting then the real product should he perfect.
DustyGmt
Member
@KY DAN
I dug around and found something that might be helpful to you if you're unfamiliar with RDS. It's very short and to the point, essentially saying what's already been said but it actually shows it too. It's actually the most succinct explanation of RDS I've ever seen and it's only 30sec long.
hope this is helpful
youtube.com
I dug around and found something that might be helpful to you if you're unfamiliar with RDS. It's very short and to the point, essentially saying what's already been said but it actually shows it too. It's actually the most succinct explanation of RDS I've ever seen and it's only 30sec long.
hope this is helpful
PRO-jection 👀
red dot,red dot sight,how to use a red dot sight,how to use a red dot on handgun,how to zero a red dot,how to shoot a red dot,how to mount a red dot sight,ho...
youtube.com
Old Dog
Member
Sorry, Dan, but some of us will not agree with you. A $43 knock-off can't answer any questions about a proven, quality RDS that's been used in the real world by a multitude of LE agencies and citizen enthusiasts.
DustyGmt
Member
I couldn't make up my mind about it but may it be wise if only to get a rough outline about how this particular reflex optic works? He's not testing long term longevity or whether it holds zero and other quality aspects, I think he just wants to get a sense for how RDS or reflexive sight works on his AR, just to see if he likes looking at a projected dot. I get the idea the OP has never used an RDS.
Plus, if he decides he likes it he will only love it all the more when he gets the aimpoint on his rifle and sees that it's in another galaxy quality wise compared to the offensive Ozark whatever he picked up.
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