View Full Version : ACOG tritium replacement
Following up on the ACOG for SHTF post. I have a TA31RCO-A4CP: Trijicon ACOG 4x32 BAC Rifle Combat Optic (RCO) Scope with Red Chevron Reticle for the USMC's A4 with Thumbscrew Mount and the John 8:12 bible verse reference on it.
I bought this about 8 years ago, and had Ken Ellmore @ SAW build me A4 since he was & is a Colt LE dealer and Colt was and is way behind the curve.
Anyway reading about the half life issues I got to thinking maybe I should have Trijicon replace the tritium element now.
Has anyone replaced their tritium element and how difficult a procedure is it, turn around time, cost ?
Thank You.
They used to do it for free if you were the original owner, but now they charge no matter what.
I don't remember the price, but I was shocked and decided that my used ACOG was not worth the money.
It was sold as is and then I purchased a like new one for less money.
ETA:
Trijicon used to have a very liberal warranty.
But the last few years they will rape you no matter what.
Don Robison
10-14-15, 21:24
I had one done about 2 years ago. IIRC it was $575.
Call them on the phone and ask them for an estimate to be sure.
BrigandTwoFour
10-15-15, 08:26
As an aside, I expect that price to keep rising. Like I said in the other thread, there is only one place in the country that produces tritium and it belongs to the Department of Energy for maintaining the nuclear weapons stockpile. The facility that actually manufactured tritium shut down after the cold war ended, but they opened up another facility in ~2007 that harvests it from spent nuclear reactor fuel rods. I don't know how much they obtain that way or how much of what they harvest gets shared with private industry; but I bet it's not a lot.
I will do that, scope is excellent cond. just old, clicked on Brigands everydaymarksman, outstanding info.
sevenhelmet
10-16-15, 19:50
Out of curiosity to the OP, how bright is your ACOG reticle now? I have an ACOG that is about 1 year old, so I'm curious how long it will be before my ACOG becomes a "day only" optic, or I have to pony up for tritium replacement (assuming that's even an option 12+ years from now).
Rayrevolver
10-16-15, 20:01
Out of curiosity to the OP, how bright is your ACOG reticle now? I have an ACOG that is about 1 year old, so I'm curious how long it will be before my ACOG becomes a "day only" optic, or I have to pony up for tritium replacement (assuming that's even an option 12+ years from now).
There was a thread that discussed taping a glow stick to the fiber at night. Now your old ACOG will work day and night! Maybe the thread was on TOS...
There was a thread that discussed taping a glow stick to the fiber at night. Now your old ACOG will work day and night! Maybe the thread was on TOS...
FWIW I have an old Trijicon 1.25-4x scope where the tritium wouldn't illuminate well at night anymore. I tried their customer support service and while the paperwork says they 'replaced' it for free ... but it is no better. I called to question them, but that's a story for another day.
Anyway, I made a slip-over plastic cover, 2" long, bottom cut off so it fits over the fiber light collector like a horseshoe. Under the cover is one of those mini LED keychain lights. Turn it on and PRESTO, one can see the illuminated chevron.
sevenhelmet
10-16-15, 20:58
Either solution sounds innovative, but it also sounds like it would leak a lot of light. The LED light in the plastic cover would probably leak less.
ad_infinitum
10-21-15, 14:11
After the sticker shock, I decided to get a new one.
An optic where you just replace the battery without high cost and 3 week downtime is superior.
I have had several ACOGs, won't buy another one.
Without working tritium, it is anot optic in the 200 range picture quality wise.
Either solution sounds innovative, but it also sounds like it would leak a lot of light. The LED light in the plastic cover would probably leak less.
I can hear it now... Give me a minute to tape on my auxiliary light source... Be there in a couple of minutes.. I'll be the guy with the target on top of my scope!
Apologize for resurrecting the post but thought I'd mention something I got from Trijicon a couple of days ago, as they (as usual) happily entertained some pre-purchase questions I had while shopping for a TA31. Their tech support mentioned that they will do Tritium replacement for non-warranty charge of $188. Just thought I'd mention, as I see wildly different & exaggerated results posted on the net. At any rate, that info is from the horse's mouth, so to speak. Happy trails.
Outstanding !!!
Will have to call them, mine is getting dim, 10+ years old now.
This is an old post of mine from 2016 from another site
A problem with a used or new Trijicon Acog’s
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Trijicon warrants that products manufactured by Trijicon will be free from defects in material and workmanship for the lifetime of the original owner. Trijicon will repair or replace (at our option) the registered product. This warranty does not apply to defects caused by anything which is deemed abnormal, abusive, or improper including any fault resulting from an accident or improper service. This warranty specifically applies to the optical systems and metal structure of the product and does not apply to the illumination system.
The Tritium will run out and is not covered under the limited lifetime warranty of the original owner. Tritium replacement can cost $600.
The Tritium is on a sliding scale also for the original owner. No warranty for Non-original owners
The models with Dual Illumination is 14 years (like TA31). Starts at date of manufacture
The models with single Illumination is 10 years (like TA01).
Before you buy a new or used Acog, check with Trijicon on this.
I just walked down that road 18 months ago. Had a long complete conversation with Trijicon, my original owner, 13 year old TA01C cost $570 to fix the burned out tritium. There was nothing else wrong with it.
Let me be clear, I'm not saying that the ACOG is not a great scope. I do have three of them(31A, 01C and 01B308). I just want people to understand what they are getting into, as I didn’t understand the warranty. The info on the street is that they are lifetime guaranteed. Not, all of them.
My original owner 31A and the 01C went bad that same year, both the same problem, they lost the tritium. The 31A (9yrs old) was repaired no charge, the 01C (13 yrs old) was not and I’m telling people what I learned about the warranty.
The label on the box of the 31A said lifetime warranty. The label on the 01C box said limited lifetime warranty. I have not been able to find someone that has a newer 31A so I can find out if the newer ones now say, limited lifetime warranty. I’m still looking. I believe that Trijicon has change all the warranties to limited lifetime warranty and are using this sliding scale, now.
I have a 3.5X35 and I have no idea what model, but half the chevron is not illuminated. I have not bothered to check it out, but maybe someday Ill look into it. Based on $500 plus stuff, I dont think so.
PB
Don't know what to tell you. My two went bad in 2014 one was no charge the other one was $570. the 01C, They would have put into it any reticle that I wanted.
Eurodriver
08-19-18, 07:51
$500+???
Trijicon be playing games.
Armson OEG recharge was $100 circa 2000.
I have 3 ACOGS and one of the red Chevrons kinda sorta weirdly went partially out. I could move optic around and the Chevron would go from black to more lit to effed up. These threads made me think about sending it in. I called and gave serial number and based on SN it was a 2011 mfg date. So he couldn't picture my issue but said send it in and let us look it over. We shall see.
It was like the left side of the Chevron is dark and black and right side bright red. They did give RMA and pre paid label, first class so far in my experience. I won't spend any significant money to fix it, I will just run it as is if they want big $$$.
Report to follow.
PB
I have 3 ACOGS and one of the red Chevrons kinda sorta weirdly went partially out. I could move optic around and the Chevron would go from black to more lit to effed up. These threads made me think about sending it in. I called and gave serial number and based on SN it was a 2011 mfg date. So he couldn't picture my issue but said send it in and let us look it over. We shall see.
It was like the left side of the Chevron is dark and black and right side bright red. They did give RMA and pre paid label, first class so far in my experience. I won't spend any significant money to fix it, I will just run it as is if they want big $$$.
Report to follow.
PB
PB:
Is it a TA31a. Do you have the box for them? Does it say lifetime warranty or limited lifetime warranty. If it is a TA31a and says lifetime warranty, it should be a no charge repair. Mine was made in 2005 and nine years later the repair was no charge, but the 14 years old TA01c was $570 and that one said limited lifetime warranty on the box. ?????????
They will call you for your ok to repair, so if you do not want to spend the money they will send it back to you not repaired, if it is no charge, they will repair and send it back to you.
PB:
Is it a TA31a. Do you have the box for them? Does it say lifetime warranty or limited lifetime warranty. If it is a TA31a and says lifetime warranty, it should be a no charge repair. Mine was made in 2005 and nine years later the repair was no charge, but the 14 years old TA01c was $570 and that one said limited lifetime warranty on the box. ?????????
They will call you for your ok to repair, so if you do not want to spend the money they will send it back to you not repaired, if it is no charge, they will repair and send it back to you.
Most interesting, I have all three pelican cases and the one I checked says LIFETIME warranty. The other two are in storage, I will check those out. But this one is a chevron and my 4X32 is cross hairs. So Im guessing I'm in the lifetime warranty group. Good feedback Brocepher!
I have 3 ACOGS and one of the red Chevrons kinda sorta weirdly went partially out. I could move optic around and the Chevron would go from black to more lit to effed up. These threads made me think about sending it in. I called and gave serial number and based on SN it was a 2011 mfg date. So he couldn't picture my issue but said send it in and let us look it over. We shall see.
It was like the left side of the Chevron is dark and black and right side bright red. They did give RMA and pre paid label, first class so far in my experience. I won't spend any significant money to fix it, I will just run it as is if they want big $$$.
Report to follow.
PB
PB: Just noticed two things. Yours lasted nine years, my TA31a red chevron lasted nine years, very interesting. They sent you a prepaid label, 99% sure that they know it is lifetime warranty and will be N/C, if it was not no charge they would not have paid the shipping.
Most interesting, I have all three pelican cases and the one I checked says LIFETIME warranty. The other two are in storage, I will check those out. But this one is a chevron and my 4X32 is cross hairs. So Im guessing I'm in the lifetime warranty group. Good feedback Brocepher!
PB;
Is the cross hairs one, dual illuminated crosshairs?
PB;
Is the cross hairs one, dual illuminated crosshairs?
Its a chevron, not cross hairs. I have one with cross hairs but not this one
PB
Its a chevron, not cross hairs. I have one with cross hairs but not this one
PB
Sorry I was not clear.
I was not asking about the chevron unit, that one sounds like it is a no charge lifetime warranty unit. I was asking about the 4x32 cross-hair one. Is that one a TA31 dual illuminated model or is it a TA01 cross-hair unit that is a single illuminated limited lifetime warranty model? Does it have the fiber-optic tube on the top? I'm trying to figure out if all of the TA01 single illuminated models might not be limited lifetime warranty units. Trijicon is not real up front with this info. I had to push them very hard to get the info that I got out of them, I spoke to them for over 20 minutes and had to keep asking question after question. they would answer any question but would not help fill in the blanks if you know what I mean.
Next time I go to storage I’ll check it out.
I sent in a TA45C about 2 years ago. I got in back in 1999. I have used the hell out of it. They inspected it and found a problem so they repaired it and replaced the trillium for free. I have had other work done and I think that the most I have ever paid them was $125. They are a great company and they stand behind their products.
I sent in a TA45C about 2 years ago. I got in back in 1999. I have used the hell out of it. They inspected it and found a problem so they repaired it and replaced the trillium for free. I have had other work done and I think that the most I have ever paid them was $125. They are a great company and they stand behind their products.
docsh:
The TA45 is a dual illuminated model and if you check the little pelican box that it came in, I would bet that it has lifetime warranty on it and not limited lifetime warranty. Maybe the dual illuminated models are lifetime warranty and the single illuminated models are limited lifetime warranty ??????????????
docsh:
The TA45 is a dual illuminated model and if you check the little pelican box that it came in, I would bet that it has lifetime warranty on it and not limited lifetime warranty. Maybe the dual illuminated models are lifetime warranty and the single illuminated models are limited lifetime warranty ??????????????
Right..... like I have the pelican case from almost 20 years ago........ :lol:
I thought that they all had the same warranty
Sorry I was not clear.
I was not asking about the chevron unit, that one sounds like it is a no charge lifetime warranty unit. I was asking about the 4x32 cross-hair one. Is that one a TA31 dual illuminated model or is it a TA01 cross-hair unit that is a single illuminated limited lifetime warranty model? Does it have the fiber-optic tube on the top? I'm trying to figure out if all of the TA01 single illuminated models might not be limited lifetime warranty units. Trijicon is not real up front with this info. I had to push them very hard to get the info that I got out of them, I spoke to them for over 20 minutes and had to keep asking question after question. they would answer any question but would not help fill in the blanks if you know what I mean.
My cross haired version is single illum. Not battery just tube running over the top of optic. Hope that helps.
PB
My cross haired version is single illum. Not battery just tube running over the top of optic. Hope that helps.
PB
PB:
The ones with the fiber-optic tube on the top are the Dual Illumination ones. If you have a model with the fiber-optic tube on top it is Tritium and fiber-optic run both. the singles illumination ones do not have the fiber-optic tube and only run on the Tritium like my model TA01's. The TA01 is the model that cost me $570. The duel illumination TA31a was the lifetime warranty no charge with mine.
TA31 https://www.trijicon.com/na_en/products/product2.php?id=ACOG&mid=4%20x%2032%20BAC
TA01 https://www.trijicon.com/na_en/products/product2.php?id=ACOG&mid=4%20x%2032
I have no idea what is going on with the new battery models ones, but they might be dual illumination also with battery and tritium????????
Its sounding like the Dual illumination units are lifetime warranty no charge and the single illumination one are limited lifetime warranty??????? not sure at this point.
Next time I go to storage I’ll check it out.
My TA11F has the Lifetime warranty. My 4X32 is a TA31DOC, that came with doctor on top. Its since been removed. It said Limited lifetime but there was a sheet in the box explaining the myriad of warranty situations. If anyone wants that insert, pm me with cell phone or email. I cant post pictures so....
PB
Speaking of COGs, look at this dude's plate in traffic yesterday.
https://i.imgur.com/ZXsbICo.jpg
I have a 20 year old RX01 that has dimmed just sitting in a box. After reading the information in this thread I may just give them call and see what they say.
Send it...
08-22-18, 21:52
The replaced my Tritium for free on 2 different ACOG’s.
Send it...
08-22-18, 21:53
Tell em you have tracking problems....
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