View Full Version : Aimpoint Brightness Issues? Answered
DefenderAO
09-14-20, 10:27
New guy, long-time lurker, very active on the other site. I've seen a few comments and threads about newer Aimpoints and brightness/dimness issues. I spoke with some industry guys a few weeks ago as I own multiple T2's, have had five T1's, and a few of my T2's are noticeably dimmer than older T2 models (or T1's).
Recently, Aimpoint decided to throttle the LED output where newer model brightness settings are one level behind older models. So, new model 10 = old model 9. I do not have a correlation to SN#'s for this effect, but there may be one imperfect tell you have a new vs. old model. Newer Aimpoints have a new logo where it looks more chemically etched than engraved like an old one. There is also a small dot in the "O" of Aimpoint on the newer logo. If you have this logo, it is likely you have an SN# of 43xxxxx-46xxxxx+ and may also have the updated brightness settings.
We don't know why Aimpoint made this change. If others never had an older Aimpoint, they'd likely not notice or complain about it. Those that have older and newer...this is what happened. And no, the battery life is not changed in the sense that the new 10 (same as older model 9) has more battery life than an older model at 10. The batteries drain at the same rate (10ish months on setting 10), but again, newer models need to be turned up one more setting for its equivalency with older brightness settings.
Lastly, this explanation won't characterize all models and brightness issues. Some may have a defect though not common with this high quality of an RDS. But many will be in this description above.
Hope this helps.
sidewaysil80
09-14-20, 11:22
Mine is/was sn# 4639xxx and I noticed that it seemed to only be visible on setting 10+, even for indoor use.
DefenderAO
09-14-20, 16:53
Mine is/was sn# 4639xxx and I noticed that it seemed to only be visible on setting 10+, even for indoor use.
That is different than my experience where 9 is serviceable indoors but is washed out with a white light. The challenge is knowing Aimpoint did this to their newer models and then determining if one should go back for an RMA...
You know- I just picked up an H2 and noticed that I have to run it at 10 vs 9 like I used to with the H1/T1.
Interesting.
chamber143
09-16-20, 19:19
I have had a few posts about this too. I have a new one as of a week ago and it is so dim that 10 is what I use inside and if I go out side it must be at 12.
DefenderAO
09-16-20, 19:32
I have had a few posts about this too. I have a new one as of a week ago and it is so dim that 10 is what I use inside and if I go out side it must be at 12.
My newer versions, 12 is too bright in any environment. 11 outside, 10 indoors. I rarely go past 10, if ever, on older T2's.
I bought a T2 this year and the first thing I noticed was that it was one step lower in brightness compared to all of my T1s. I keep my T1s set to 9, which is bright enough to not get washed out when using a weapon light (the battery life lasts around 2.5 years on this setting). The T2 on the other hand needs to be set to 10 for the equivalent brightness (the battery life lasts only 10 months on this setting).
I contacted Aimpoint about this and they didn't acknowledge any change in the LED or circuitry. They attributed the lower brightness to "manufacturing variances" but I've read enough forum posts to know that this isn't the case. Because of the lower brightness (which results in reduced battery life), I put the T2 on my range rifle while my SHTF rifle still has a T1 on it. I'm going to avoid buying any more of Aimpoint's current red dots due to this. Hopefully when they release the T3, it will match the T1's performance.
DefenderAO
10-05-20, 18:33
I bought a T2 this year and the first thing I noticed was that it was one step lower in brightness compared to all of my T1s. I keep my T1s set to 9, which is bright enough to not get washed out when using a weapon light (the battery life lasts around 2.5 years on this setting). The T2 on the other hand needs to be set to 10 for the equivalent brightness (the battery life lasts only 10 months on this setting).
I contacted Aimpoint about this and they didn't acknowledge any change in the LED or circuitry. They attributed the lower brightness to "manufacturing variances" but I've read enough forum posts to know that this isn't the case. Because of the lower brightness (which results in reduced battery life), I put the T2 on my range rifle while my SHTF rifle still has a T1 on it. I'm going to avoid buying any more of Aimpoint's current red dots due to this. Hopefully when they release the T3, it will match the T1's performance.
I hear you. Thankfully I had four older version T2 with the older (and better) circuitry. I don’t understand why they would make this change as it is a design regression. If I go for another T2 it will be sub 41K S/N which will mean used. 2.5 years and 10 months is quite the difference for the same performance.
I just got my first Aimpoint micro (though I have used them before) and noticed immediately how dim it is. Below 9 is completely useless.
This is disappointing.
militarymoron
10-05-20, 21:25
Mine goes to 11.
Mine goes to 11.
We can be friends.
https://i.imgur.com/VDXtSdT.jpg
RKB Armory
10-06-20, 09:15
I've noticed this on the Aimpoints that have come through our shop. It seems odd, to me, to have settings 1-8 be so dim. Is all of that meant just for night vision users?
I hear you. Thankfully I had four older version T2 with the older (and better) circuitry. I don’t understand why they would make this change as it is a design regression. If I go for another T2 it will be sub 41K S/N which will mean used. 2.5 years and 10 months is quite the difference for the same performance.
That's a good idea. I'm going to try to find a used T2 with a low S/N. Then I can sell my 46K S/N to someone for a good price.
I just got my first Aimpoint micro (though I have used them before) and noticed immediately how dim it is. Below 9 is completely useless.
This is disappointing.
That's how I feel too. The only time setting 8 is usable is when it's very dark and you're not able to see the target. The Comp M5 is worse because it has even less brightness settings and doesn't have setting 9. It jumps straight from setting 8 to setting 10. At least the T2 has setting 9, which is somewhat usable indoors on a cloudy day or at dusk (when it's not dark enough to require a weapon light).
I've noticed this on the Aimpoints that have come through our shop. It seems odd, to me, to have settings 1-8 be so dim. Is all of that meant just for night vision users?
Settings 1 though 4 are night vision settings. Settings 5 through 12 are supposed to all be visible settings but I can barely see setting 6 in a pitch black room. They might as well call setting 5 a night vision setting because I can't see it at all in a pitch black room even when my eyes have already adjusted to the dark.
chamber143
10-06-20, 12:14
I just got my first Aimpoint micro (though I have used them before) and noticed immediately how dim it is. Below 9 is completely useless.
This is disappointing.
I made this point months ago and people told me I was full of it. I sold mine for a70 dollar loss and went back to an EOTech and my t1 which is still awesome as hell
I made this point months ago and people told me I was full of it. I sold mine for a70 dollar loss and went back to an EOTech and my t1 which is still awesome as hell
It's funny because mine is an H2, which means that 3/4 of the settings are completely pointless. I don't understand why they did that.
Got my first T2 today and noticed that settings 1-8 were useless, 9 is barely useable, and 10 or 11 is what I’ll probably always have it on when in use. Kinda disappointed. [emoji3525]
Got my first T2 today and noticed that settings 1-8 were useless, 9 is barely useable, and 10 or 11 is what I’ll probably always have it on when in use. Kinda disappointed. [emoji3525]
That's how my T2 is. These are the settings I use:
Setting 9: at night without a weapon light
Setting 10: at night with a weapon light
Setting 11: outside during the day
Setting 12: outside under very bright sun
DefenderAO
06-06-21, 19:09
That's how my T2 is. These are the settings I use:
Setting 9: at night without a weapon light
Setting 10: at night with a weapon light
Setting 11: outside during the day
Setting 12: outside under very bright sun
The older models are literally -1 for all of those settings getting more battery life and the same brightness. A miss from Aimpoint IMO
The older models are literally -1 for all of those settings getting more battery life and the same brightness. A miss from Aimpoint IMO
Agreed. Makes me want to sell the one I’ve got and find an older one.
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