Originally Posted by
taliv
interesting, thanks for posting.
i wrote this in 2012 on another board.
granted, i'm not in the military, so I don't claim to know what they need, but ime, the first reason is just risk. the second reason is the bigger issue. when you get to the point that magnification is worth the extra size, weight and speed compared to a 1x aimpoint, then backups aren't really backups, are they? in the author's example, can you hit a 6" or 8" plate from 200-300 yards with your buis? i sure can't. i could get lucky at 200, but holdover at 300 will obscure that target behind the front sight.
so if the risk calculation says you need a backup, the only viable option i know of is a QD lever and a second pre-zeroed optic stashed in your pack somewhere.
just a thought...