View Full Version : Aimpoint 3X-C vs. 3X magnifiers.
I was curious if anyone here had any experience with the new Aimpoint 3X-C magnifier. I want to invest in the highest quality magnifier I can afford for my HD rifle to place behind my T2, but the 3X magnifier is very expensive around $800. I want the magnifier to be durable to be able to use in classes etc., and wanted to see if the 3X-C was good to go or if I should hold out and save up for the 3X (or even 6X - is a 6X too much magnification for a 5.56 AR?). Is there a big difference in durability, glass quality between the 3X-C and the 3X? I would greatly appreciate any advice & like to know what you guys think. Thanks.
I was curious if anyone here had any experience with the new Aimpoint 3X-C magnifier. I want to invest in the highest quality magnifier I can afford for my HD rifle to place behind my T2, but the 3X magnifier is very expensive around $800. I want the magnifier to be durable to be able to use in classes etc., and wanted to see if the 3X-C was good to go or if I should hold out and save up for the 3X (or even 6X - is a 6X too much magnification for a 5.56 AR?). Is there a big difference in durability, glass quality between the 3X-C and the 3X? I would greatly appreciate any advice & like to know what you guys think. Thanks.
Yes, I wrote up the below article and have been using the Aimpoint 3X-C since a little while before I wrote it, and have retained it with continued use.
http://www.recoilweb.com/new-aimpoint-magnifiers-2-106327.html
Defaultmp3
02-26-17, 17:56
Note that the 3X-C has only ~2.2" of eye relief, compared to the 3XMag-1's ~2.76".
I own a 3x-c due to Stickman and have not been disappointed in the least. I wouldn't mind if it had 1" more eye relief due to how I use it, but it's a minor thing.
I use Aimpoint's flip/twist mount and have an extra base so I can share it between two rifles.
Note that the 3X-C has only ~2.2" of eye relief, compared to the 3XMag-1's ~2.76".
You've used both, or are you commenting based on whitepaper specs?
Defaultmp3
02-26-17, 18:21
You've used both, or are you commenting based on whitepaper specs?I'm just going off the spec sheet.
I own a 3x-c due to Stickman and have not been disappointed in the least. I wouldn't mind if it had 1" more eye relief due to how I use it, but it's a minor thing.
I use Aimpoint's flip/twist mount and have an extra base so I can share it between two rifles.
Glad you like it. I've been impressed with the 3X-C. The 3X military model is currently in hand and I'm starting to work with it. I think once more people start using both, the 3X-C will continue to outsell the .mil model. I wish I could put a percentage on the difference between the two, but it would be total guesstimation on my part. I should talk with my Aimpoint contacts and see if they have hard numbers.
I'm just going off the spec sheet.
The feel in hand is different in actual use, the paper doesn't read like the real world feel. I would like more eye relief no matter how good an optic is, so I end up being snotty and pigheaded. Hey, at least I'm honest!
friendlyfireisnt
02-26-17, 18:35
Stick,
Since you have it in hand, any chance if you could see if it would fit behind a PRO either in QRP2 mount or a LT150 mount while still allowing BUIS.
Thanks.
Stick,
Since you have it in hand, any chance if you could see if it would fit behind a PRO either in QRP2 mount or a LT150 mount while still allowing BUIS.
Thanks.
Have which one in hand?
Glad you like it. I've been impressed with the 3X-C. The 3X military model is currently in hand and I'm starting to work with it. I think once more people start using both, the 3X-C will continue to outsell the .mil model. I wish I could put a percentage on the difference between the two, but it would be total guesstimation on my part. I should talk with my Aimpoint contacts and see if they have hard numbers.
Thanks for posting the link to your article, it was excellent. Do you think the 3X-C is durable and rugged enough for full time use? And do you think the 6X is a better choice or too powerful for a 5.56 carbine or is the 3X a better option in your opinion? Thanks again for all of your invaluable information & advice.
Singlestack Wonder
02-27-17, 17:30
Stick: Does the diopter adjustment have a locking ring? If not is it stiff enough to hold position during a hard days use?
Stick: Does the diopter adjustment have a locking ring? If not is it stiff enough to hold position during a hard days use?
They don't have a locking ring but the diopter adjustment on mine takes more effort than the ones on my three scopes.
Furbyballer
02-28-17, 20:55
Is there any real end user difference in the eye relief between the two models?
I didn't realize the mount wasn't included and costs almost $200.
karmapolice
08-20-17, 09:08
Any update on the comparison of the 3X-C vs the 3X MAG-1?
P51Mustangrulz
11-25-17, 14:53
I'm also interested in the comparison between the 3X-C and the 3X Mag-1. Does anybody have experience with both of them?
Is there any real end user difference in the eye relief between the two models?The 3XC eye relief is pretty short. I would be interested to know if the expensive model's is better.
kanetownclown
07-04-19, 18:53
Any new info? Comparison?
The 3XC eye relief is pretty short. I would be interested to know if the expensive model's is better.
The difference in eye relief is literally half an inch, and to me, it isn't that noticeable. I have the 3X-C mounted in the new Scalarworks mount, it meets all of my needs, and I have no worries about it not being rugged enough, as it is quite robust.
I bought a 3X-C w/ Aimpoint Flipmount when SOLGW blew them out for $299 a month ago.
The eye relief is comparable to the Vortex VMX-3T which I own - both are listed as 2.2". Very usable - all the 3x suck eye-relief-wise compared to a quality 1-4/1-6 LPV, but it is what it is.
Overall the Aimpoint seems rugged enough and clear - I have it paired with an H-2 on a 6920-Trooper.
ETA - I really like the Aimpoint mount, you can flip it to the side easy enough, but it is still solidly in place when you need it. Or you can twist it off and detach the 3X-C very quickly as well - far faster than any QD system.
I got a 3X-C the other day in the new Scalarworks mount (which is a damn good design). I'll post my thoughts after I get it to the range tomorrow.
Construction: Seems solid enough. The rubberized grip surface is grippy and seems like it would prevent some degree of drop damage to the 3X-C.
Optical Quality: It's very clear and bright, and the magnified dot is more circular than what I see at 1x through the T2. Using the T2's clear covers, I don't see any perceptible change in clarity or to the POA.
Eye Relief/Eye Box: With a Magpul Pro BUIS and the Scalarworks mount, the closest you can mount the optic is one slot ahead of the BUIS. In this position, the 3X-C's optimum eye relief is just a hair further back than NTCH. The workable eye box is not particularly long, tall, or wide. I'd say it's on par with a TA33 in terms of height/width, but more like a TA31 in terms of optimal distance and min/max distance. FOV at 100 yards appeared to be somewhere between a TA33 and a TA11, leaning a bit more on the TA11 side of things.
Magnified vs Unmagnified Group Size Comparison: Smaller with the magnifier, but negligibly so, in slow fire. However, magnified slow fire was considerably faster than unmagnified, so maybe if you really slow it down, you'll notice a change. YMMV.
3x BAC: The dot will blob out to what I presume is about 6moa, but it's a nice bright blobby aiming point. Dominant eye shooting, I didn't notice any real shift at all out to 50 yards. The cross-dominant shooter shouldn't expect this to work too well beyond 25 yards due to the POA/POI shift, although I suppose you could compensate for it to some extent. Works exactly the same as BAC in an ACOG or LPVO.
Scalarworks Flipmount: Looks good, lightweight, presumably solid 7075 construction, locks in tight, easy to flip back and forth with no wiggling. The centerline is slightly lower than that of a lower-third cowitness Larue LT660, but matches up perfect with Scalarworks' mount, as to be expected.
Obligatory Complaint: Adjust the brightness on the T2 is more of a chore with the magnifier present, and definitely has me considering a CompM5 in the future.
Tacticoolness: Same guy asked me: "Is that a SWAT gun?"
Construction: Seems solid enough. The rubberized grip surface is grippy and seems like it would prevent some degree of drop damage to the 3X-C.
Optical Quality: It's very clear and bright, and the magnified dot is more circular than what I see at 1x through the T2. Using the T2's clear covers, I don't see any perceptible change in clarity or to the POA.
Eye Relief/Eye Box: With a Magpul Pro BUIS and the Scalarworks mount, the closest you can mount the optic is one slot ahead of the BUIS. In this position, the 3X-C's optimum eye relief is just a hair further back than NTCH. The workable eye box is not particularly long, tall, or wide. I'd say it's on par with a TA33 in terms of height/width, but more like a TA31 in terms of optimal distance and min/max distance. FOV at 100 yards appeared to be somewhere between a TA33 and a TA11, leaning a bit more on the TA11 side of things.
Magnified vs Unmagnified Group Size Comparison: Smaller with the magnifier, but negligibly so, in slow fire. However, magnified slow fire was considerably faster than unmagnified, so maybe if you really slow it down, you'll notice a change. YMMV.
3x BAC: The dot will blob out to what I presume is about 6moa, but it's a nice bright blobby aiming point. Dominant eye shooting, I didn't notice any real shift at all out to 50 yards. The cross-dominant shooter shouldn't expect this to work too well beyond 25 yards due to the POA/POI shift, although I suppose you could compensate for it to some extent. Works exactly the same as BAC in an ACOG or LPVO.
Scalarworks Flipmount: Looks good, lightweight, presumably solid 7075 construction, locks in tight, easy to flip back and forth with no wiggling. The centerline is slightly lower than that of a lower-third cowitness Larue LT660, but matches up perfect with Scalarworks' mount, as to be expected.
Obligatory Complaint: Adjust the brightness on the T2 is more of a chore with the magnifier present, and definitely has me considering a CompM5 in the future.
Tacticoolness: Same guy asked me: "Is that a SWAT gun?"
Agree with above works well with Aimpoint Comp M5 in a Scalar mount.
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