TonyAngel said:
When it comes to red dots, I've had them ALL. A big part of firearms for me is that they are my toys. I love shooting and really hate it when something makes what I love a PITA.
I won't comment about the reliability of Eotechs. Some love them, others don't. I've killed five or six 511s and 512s. I think I gave the last one away with the hopes that the recipient could get it fixed. Of course, I've heard that Eotech has made improvements, but I don't know. I will also say that the 512 is frickin' huge. If you have to get an Eotech, get a model that runs on the 123 cell. You can get the 123s pretty cheap and they have a really long shelf life. If I'm not mistaken, you have a Magpul grip on your rifle. You can buy inserts for that grip that will house spare 123s.
As far as the RX01 goes, don't even consider it. The one that I had left a lot to be desired. Heavily tinted lens, either too bright or not bright enough and funny lookin'. If you want something fast with a reticle like that of the Eotech (circle dot), check out the Trijicon ACOG TA44SG-10. The 1.5X magnification is great and it has a REALLY forgiving eye relief. I've been running one for about a year and have never looked back.
I know you've already said that you don't want an Aimpoint, but I've gotta give it a plug. I'd go with either an M3 (NV compatible) or the ML3 (not NV compatible) with a 2 MOA dot. They work well in low light, can be turned up super bright and can be seen easily on the brightest days; and if you buy two spare batteries, you'll likely never need to buy another. I've had M3s, M4s and a couple of the compacts. I just NEVER turned them off. The batteries seem to last forever. I only got away from the aimpoints due to my astigmatism. The Aimpoints are about as bullet proof as you can get. Until just after Katrina, when the gun it was on was stolen, I had one of the original Aimpoints that was anodized blue. That thing saw over 100,000 rounds on top of an open class race gun shooting major and I don't know how many other guns and was about 15 years old; and it was still working like it was the day I got it.
Buy once, cry once.
Agree 100%
I've seen the EOTechs go tits-up. They're fast and easy to use up until they crap out. Even if you do get one that doesn't break, expect the battery life to be less than 200hrs, as opposed to the advertised 600hrs.
The XPS models have a fatal flaw, in that the transverse mounted battery is not sufficiently supported. There have been reported issues of the CR123 batteries cracking in the middle due to lack of support, and then leaking battery acid into the optic. That in turn completely destroys the optic.
Trijicons Reflex sights are heavily prone to washout. If you are in a dark area looking into a bright area, or moving from inside a structure or enclosure to outside, the reticle will disappear. Also, if you are outside during the daylight, and you look at a source of light or reflection, you will have washout. As stated, the reticle is never bright enough, or too bright to use. I've found that 99% of the time, it's not bright enough. I have never used a Reflex sight that I've liked, and I've used both the 1x24 and the 1x42 models.
ACOGs are nice, but not a CQB optic by any means. If you are going to be at short to mid range, the 1.5x models work, though I believe them to be far too overpriced to be feasible. I think that 1-4x scopes are more feasible due to better focus and more utility. For the cost of an ACOG, you can get a US Optics SN-12/12R, or SN-4S, and you will get better glass and a selection of reticle options.
Aimpoints are the best RDS on the market, hands down. They are the only sights that I've never seen fail due to malfunction.
I've used all of them, and the Aimpoints have always stood out as being the best option. ACOGs are a different story and a different role (DMR vs. CQB).
