Red dot or 'reflex' sighting systems now dominate civilian action shooting and are standard issue in the West's armed forces. Three manufactures have taken the lead and now dominate the marketplace; each taking a different approach to the problem of rapid target engagement and survivability on battlefields across the world.
Aimpoint of Sweden went for an extremely rugged 'tube' design, creating a range of optics that are parallax free beyond 50 meters - thus head position can be ignored in all but close range bullseye shooting for which these sights were not intended. Aimpoint have a wide variety of sizes and dot minute of angle diameters to suit different shooting applications. The US Army having type classified the Aimpoint CompM2 as its M68 is now purchasing the improved Model CompM4s. Note the small 's' in the manuracturer's designation. Aimpoints have the disadvantage of narrower field of view than holographic sights when used with rear mounted night vision systems, but boast incredible battery life. The CompM4 and CompM4s can get up to eight years out of a single AA battery!. Although Aimpoints are typically 1X units for the fastest possible target acquisition, a flip-to-side magnifier can increase this to 3X instantly. This gives the operator the flexibility to engage long range targets should these appear in an otherwise CQB scenario. Aimpoints are compatible with 'co-witnessing' or iron sights for emergency use should the main unit or its battery fail. Further alternatives include offset iron sights and see-through mounts of various kinds - beware the latter as they can mount the sight too high for proper cheek weld. Some aimpoints come with mounts, but a a huge range of alternatives are available from Aimpoint and third parties to enable the Aimpoint to be used in almost any conceivable configuration.
Eotech took a different approach, taking HUD technology to the world of individual weapons. This eliminates parallax error and makes for fast target engagement. Reticles are available for the two main NATO rifle cartridges, 5.56X45mm and 7.62X51mm. Holographic Weapon Sights (HWS) will still display the full aiming pattern if the screen is partially covered in mud or snow or even if it is completely smashed. The Eotechs are harder to protect from the elements than Aimpoints with optics that are awkward to cover. GG&G make a set of flip up covers for some Eotechs, but they don't really seal like the Butler Creek style ones typically used on Aimpoints Holographic Weapon Sights use up batteries far faster than Aimpoints, with battery lives limited to hundreds rather than tens of thousands of hours - an automatic cut off is provided set to eight hours and user configurable to four. Eotechs do not boast the bomb-proof tubular construction of the Aimpoint, but are exteremely rugged. Eotechs have been adopted by USSOCOM, the 1st Stryker Brigade and the 3rd Infantry and 10th Mountain Divisions. US Special Forces Command demanded and got a 66 foot water proof depth - HWS have survived at this depth for days. Endorsement of their suitability for marine environment came from the Royal Navy which adopted an HWS for the defensive Dillon Miniguns mounted on its warshops and the auxiliaries of the RFA. Eotech HWS can also take flip to side magnifiers - those for Eotech and Aimpoint sights are interchangeable. Some Eotechs include 7mm risers to aid night vision compatibility and the co-witnessing of iron sights. These models often have 'cantilevered' front ends to go over AR15 delta rings. All but the economy/hunting model Eotechs are NV compatible - the most modern military versions featuring side mounted NV and brightness buttons to allow very close mounting of the magnifier or night vision unit. Eotechs come ready to fit Weaver and Picatinny rails - you can opt for bolt, thumb screw or ARMS type quick release levers from ARMS. Many Eotechs are available in models to suit either CR123 or AA batteries offering longer life vs easier availability. The Model 556.A65/1 is a good example of an Eotech Holographic Weapon Sight.
Trijicon offer a huge range of sights suitable for almost any weapon in virtually any situation. ACOGs are essentially reflex sights that magnify and bridge the gap between reflex sights and scopes. Magnification opens up far greater target identification and engagement ranges than would be possible with an unmagnified sight. Both eyes open shooting is possible with an ACOG, but a better solution is offered in the form of back up iron sights or red dot sights mounted on the ACOG itself. The British Army were impressed enough with this option to standardise it for their new sharpshooters' rifle the L129A1. ACOGs have also been adopted as the US Marine Corps new standard combat optic - fitted with an anti reflection device and ballistically matched for M855 ball ammunition from either the flat-top M4 carbine or M16A4 rifle depending on the model. The M4 carbine model is the TA31RCO-M4CP or AN/PVQ-31B. A key advantage of the ACOG is that it doesn't use batteries, relying instead on a tritium light source for night use and, in the models with a bright daylight aiming point, a fiber-optic light gatherer. ACOGs can be had in M16 carrying handle, Weaver or Picatinny rail versions - cleverly the sights are made in carrying handle configuration and either screw or lever QD Weaver or Picatinny mounts then added for maximum versatility.
Aimpoint, Eotech and Trijicon ACOG sights have replaced iron sights throughout the US military, increasing effectiveness and driving up qualification scores. They are all excellent but cost hundreds of dollars, so deciding which one to purchase is a non-trivial decision. A flip up or detachable magnifier will add immensely to its versatility. You need to decide how detachable the sight needs to be and whether you will be using it with iron sights and/or NV or a magnifier as this will dictate the model of sight and mount options. ACOGs offer magnification in a rugged compact package at the cost of some loss of close range capability in the higher magnification models. The CQB capability of the Eotech and Aimpoint can be added to the ACOG by opting for a model with its own back up iron or mounting a red dot sight mounted on top, or by going for the very low magnification models (down to 1.5X). At the opposite end of the spectrum an ACOG magnifying reflex sight can make a tough and flexible replacement for a traditional tube telescopic sight. Mounting an RMR red dot on one of these covers the whole spectrum of targets from across the room to several kilometres distant.
All three manufacturers offer a top quality product which will offer years of service in the toughest environments - choice will often be a combination of operational requirement, financial circumstances and individual preference - the latter often weighing most heavily.
Aimpoint of Sweden went for an extremely rugged 'tube' design, creating a range of optics that are parallax free beyond 50 meters - thus head position can be ignored in all but close range bullseye shooting for which these sights were not intended. Aimpoint have a wide variety of sizes and dot minute of angle diameters to suit different shooting applications. The US Army having type classified the Aimpoint CompM2 as its M68 is now purchasing the improved Model CompM4s. Note the small 's' in the manuracturer's designation. Aimpoints have the disadvantage of narrower field of view than holographic sights when used with rear mounted night vision systems, but boast incredible battery life. The CompM4 and CompM4s can get up to eight years out of a single AA battery!. Although Aimpoints are typically 1X units for the fastest possible target acquisition, a flip-to-side magnifier can increase this to 3X instantly. This gives the operator the flexibility to engage long range targets should these appear in an otherwise CQB scenario. Aimpoints are compatible with 'co-witnessing' or iron sights for emergency use should the main unit or its battery fail. Further alternatives include offset iron sights and see-through mounts of various kinds - beware the latter as they can mount the sight too high for proper cheek weld. Some aimpoints come with mounts, but a a huge range of alternatives are available from Aimpoint and third parties to enable the Aimpoint to be used in almost any conceivable configuration.
Eotech took a different approach, taking HUD technology to the world of individual weapons. This eliminates parallax error and makes for fast target engagement. Reticles are available for the two main NATO rifle cartridges, 5.56X45mm and 7.62X51mm. Holographic Weapon Sights (HWS) will still display the full aiming pattern if the screen is partially covered in mud or snow or even if it is completely smashed. The Eotechs are harder to protect from the elements than Aimpoints with optics that are awkward to cover. GG&G make a set of flip up covers for some Eotechs, but they don't really seal like the Butler Creek style ones typically used on Aimpoints Holographic Weapon Sights use up batteries far faster than Aimpoints, with battery lives limited to hundreds rather than tens of thousands of hours - an automatic cut off is provided set to eight hours and user configurable to four. Eotechs do not boast the bomb-proof tubular construction of the Aimpoint, but are exteremely rugged. Eotechs have been adopted by USSOCOM, the 1st Stryker Brigade and the 3rd Infantry and 10th Mountain Divisions. US Special Forces Command demanded and got a 66 foot water proof depth - HWS have survived at this depth for days. Endorsement of their suitability for marine environment came from the Royal Navy which adopted an HWS for the defensive Dillon Miniguns mounted on its warshops and the auxiliaries of the RFA. Eotech HWS can also take flip to side magnifiers - those for Eotech and Aimpoint sights are interchangeable. Some Eotechs include 7mm risers to aid night vision compatibility and the co-witnessing of iron sights. These models often have 'cantilevered' front ends to go over AR15 delta rings. All but the economy/hunting model Eotechs are NV compatible - the most modern military versions featuring side mounted NV and brightness buttons to allow very close mounting of the magnifier or night vision unit. Eotechs come ready to fit Weaver and Picatinny rails - you can opt for bolt, thumb screw or ARMS type quick release levers from ARMS. Many Eotechs are available in models to suit either CR123 or AA batteries offering longer life vs easier availability. The Model 556.A65/1 is a good example of an Eotech Holographic Weapon Sight.
Trijicon offer a huge range of sights suitable for almost any weapon in virtually any situation. ACOGs are essentially reflex sights that magnify and bridge the gap between reflex sights and scopes. Magnification opens up far greater target identification and engagement ranges than would be possible with an unmagnified sight. Both eyes open shooting is possible with an ACOG, but a better solution is offered in the form of back up iron sights or red dot sights mounted on the ACOG itself. The British Army were impressed enough with this option to standardise it for their new sharpshooters' rifle the L129A1. ACOGs have also been adopted as the US Marine Corps new standard combat optic - fitted with an anti reflection device and ballistically matched for M855 ball ammunition from either the flat-top M4 carbine or M16A4 rifle depending on the model. The M4 carbine model is the TA31RCO-M4CP or AN/PVQ-31B. A key advantage of the ACOG is that it doesn't use batteries, relying instead on a tritium light source for night use and, in the models with a bright daylight aiming point, a fiber-optic light gatherer. ACOGs can be had in M16 carrying handle, Weaver or Picatinny rail versions - cleverly the sights are made in carrying handle configuration and either screw or lever QD Weaver or Picatinny mounts then added for maximum versatility.
Aimpoint, Eotech and Trijicon ACOG sights have replaced iron sights throughout the US military, increasing effectiveness and driving up qualification scores. They are all excellent but cost hundreds of dollars, so deciding which one to purchase is a non-trivial decision. A flip up or detachable magnifier will add immensely to its versatility. You need to decide how detachable the sight needs to be and whether you will be using it with iron sights and/or NV or a magnifier as this will dictate the model of sight and mount options. ACOGs offer magnification in a rugged compact package at the cost of some loss of close range capability in the higher magnification models. The CQB capability of the Eotech and Aimpoint can be added to the ACOG by opting for a model with its own back up iron or mounting a red dot sight mounted on top, or by going for the very low magnification models (down to 1.5X). At the opposite end of the spectrum an ACOG magnifying reflex sight can make a tough and flexible replacement for a traditional tube telescopic sight. Mounting an RMR red dot on one of these covers the whole spectrum of targets from across the room to several kilometres distant.
All three manufacturers offer a top quality product which will offer years of service in the toughest environments - choice will often be a combination of operational requirement, financial circumstances and individual preference - the latter often weighing most heavily.
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