The five hundred dollar question

[camoman]

Let me just begin by saying I do not know much about optics. Please some one tell me what makes Aimpoint/Ecotech worth the ridiculous amount of cash people pay for them? I was considering buying a Vortex Strikfire because of the nice reviews, best warranty, and the price. What is so much better about the aimpoint that would justify paying 3 times the amount for their base line product? Are there must have features that the Vortex does not have, is the glass clearer, is the tube made from solid gold? ha ha. Seriously though what makes them worth what they cost?

[Joeywhat]

Aimpoint costs a lot because it's battery life is unparalled (50,000 hours for ML3, 80,000 for M4 models) and it's nearly indestructible. I don't know why Eotechs cost so much because quite frankly I've yet use one that didn't break...they cost the same as an Aimpoint so I always stick with the Aimpoint.

Now a lot of people have used clone red dots or other cheap optics with great success. However I've found (from both personal experience and from others in the know) that generally speaking cheaper optics don't last as long as better ones (either by completely failing or not holding zero), have MUCH shorter battery life, and have less clear glass.


To me the extended battery life and durability are worth the cost. 50,000 hours is over 5 YEARS of battery life, so I never have to turn it off. And it's nice knowing that throwing my rifle around a little bit won't result in an expensive paperweight.

[bkb0000]

well, compared to a lot of really high-end weaponsights, $500 is dirt cheap... so i guess it depends on which balcony you're looking at it from.

aimpoints will out-survive anything out there.. they're waterproof, won't fog, battery lasts for 5 years ON, can take serious blows and not only live but will hold zero.

i cant speak for the vortexs specifically, but cheaper sights are not fully waterproof, which means even though they won't necessarily fill with water, they'll fog up inside, they all have very poor battery life, cant be left on, will, at the very least, lose zero from a blow- and most will simply strip out and be worthless after a good whack, not just lose zero.

since you're generally STILL spending 200+ on a cheap optic, i dont know why anyone wouldn't just save up a little longer and spend less than twice as much on a product that's way more than twice as good.

[camoman]

Aimpoint costs a lot because it's battery life is unparalled (50,000 hours for ML3, 80,000 for M4 models) and it's nearly indestructible. I don't know why Eotechs cost so much because quite frankly I've yet use one that didn't break...they cost the same as an Aimpoint so I always stick with the Aimpoint.

Now a lot of people have used clone red dots or other cheap optics with great success. However I've found (from both personal experience and from others in the know) that generally speaking cheaper optics don't last as long as better ones (either by completely failing or not holding zero), have MUCH shorter battery life, and have less clear glass.


To me the extended battery life and durability are worth the cost. 50,000 hours is over 5 YEARS of battery life, so I never have to turn it off. And it's nice knowing that throwing my rifle around a little bit won't result in an expensive paperweight.

I know exactly what your saying but, I kind of get the impression people are just paying for the name. No I am not saying by any means that Aimpoint is not among the highest quality. The research I did on the Vortex leads me to believe that its quality is not a far cry away from Aimpoint, plus it has the best warranty I have ever seen on anything. Considering it probably cost $30 to $50 to manufacture that Aimpoint, when is enough $$ enough $$ to the greedy corp? It's never enough! And that is why the county we love is circling the crapper at an ever increasing speed.

[glocktogo]

I can't speak for EOTech's, but for Aimpoints its, reliability, durability, repeatability, minimal parallax for a RDS and battery life. I hate paying for them as much as the next guy, but considering the alternative for a serious use rifle is not an option to me.

[camoman]

Aimpoint costs a lot because it's battery life is unparalled (50,000 hours for ML3, 80,000 for M4 models) and it's nearly indestructible. I don't know why Eotechs cost so much because quite frankly I've yet use one that didn't break...they cost the same as an Aimpoint so I always stick with the Aimpoint.

Now a lot of people have used clone red dots or other cheap optics with great success. However I've found (from both personal experience and from others in the know) that generally speaking cheaper optics don't last as long as better ones (either by completely failing or not holding zero), have MUCH shorter battery life, and have less clear glass.


To me the extended battery life and durability are worth the cost. 50,000 hours is over 5 YEARS of battery life, so I never have to turn it off. And it's nice knowing that throwing my rifle around a little bit won't result in an expensive paperweight.

well, compared to a lot of really high-end weaponsights, $500 is dirt cheap... so i guess it depends on which balcony you're looking at it from.

aimpoints will out-survive anything out there.. they're waterproof, won't fog, battery lasts for 5 years ON, can take serious blows and not only live but will hold zero.

i cant speak for the vortexs specifically, but cheaper sights are not fully waterproof, which means even though they won't necessarily fill with water, they'll fog up inside, they all have very poor battery life, cant be left on, will, at the very least, lose zero from a blow- and most will simply strip out and be worthless after a good whack, not just lose zero.

since you're generally STILL spending 200+ on a cheap optic, i dont know why anyone wouldn't just save up a little longer and spend less than twice as much on a product that's way more than twice as good.

Actually, I have done a-lot of research on Vortex, and they are supposed to be the best bang for the buck on red dots. They have been recoil tested with 1000 rds 300 mag and did not lose it's zero, they are durable, They do not fog, the optics are supposed to be crystal clear very high quality, and I think they are waterproof. I am not quite sure about the battery life but have read no complaints about it although it does have a 60 minute auto shutoff , in fact the only negative thing I have read about this scope is the power switch placement. I have read one review that stated that the quality is superior to several higher dollar better known companies products. Some law enforcement agencies are now using them because of the high quality and low cost.

[DocHolliday01]

It sounds as though you had made up your mind before even starting this topic. The Aimpoint's are pretty much the standard in RDS for a reason, as the guys above me have already said. The Vortex may very well be a good "Value" but some people also think Hi-Points are a good value. To each their own.

[camoman]

well, compared to a lot of really high-end weaponsights, $500 is dirt cheap... so i guess it depends on which balcony you're looking at it from.

aimpoints will out-survive anything out there.. they're waterproof, won't fog, battery lasts for 5 years ON, can take serious blows and not only live but will hold zero.

i cant speak for the vortexs specifically, but cheaper sights are not fully waterproof, which means even though they won't necessarily fill with water, they'll fog up inside, they all have very poor battery life, cant be left on, will, at the very least, lose zero from a blow- and most will simply strip out and be worthless after a good whack, not just lose zero.

since you're generally STILL spending 200+ on a cheap optic, i dont know why anyone wouldn't just save up a little longer and spend less than twice as much on a product that's way more than twice as good.

I have not done any research on Aimpoint because of the cost. You gotta be kidding me about the battery being on for 5 years without dying! I guess if that statement is true than maybe it's worth saving for. Like I said I am really a nube when it comes to optics.

[Joeywhat]

Auto shutoff is the WORST thing I can think to have on a fightin' optic. If you're going to range to plink then sure sounds great. For classes, matches and real world fighting? No thanks...

Another thing, I'd bet a dollar it cost a LOT more then $50 to produce an Aimpoint. To start it costs money to R&D these products. A LOT of money...and it's not like Aimpoint has stuck with a single design over many years. Then just look at materials. Do you mean to tell me it costs less then $50 to make the aluminum housing alone? I mean, in materials sure...but you've gotta pay someone to make those parts, THEN put them all together...and good glass isn't cheap either. Let's remember this isn't a $50 chinese piece of crap.

Kind of like how everyone thinks Glocks only cost $100 to make, and completely forget about having to pay employees and the absurd taxes that going into making and selling a gun. I know everyone wishes everything was dirt cheap but that's not the world we live in...stuff costs money and the good stuff costs more then the bad stuff. If other companies were making optics that were just as good as an Aimpoint at half the cost you might have an argument, but until then...

BTW, Aimpoints are made in Sweden. No greedy American corps to look at here...

[camoman]

Now let me ask do all the different models even the lowest teer have the same outrageous battery life? where is the cheapest place I can get one?