Cool I'll remember this next time I'm running around and there's an EMP blast. Not having to worry about my Aimpoint during such a time will be a weight off my shoulders.
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Cool I'll remember this next time I'm running around and there's an EMP blast. Not having to worry about my Aimpoint during such a time will be a weight off my shoulders.
Member
I would think that the EMP would drive a current through the wires, which would fry the electronics. It won't just be 'major' components that are at risk.
Last edited by JonnyVain; 03-19-10 at 23:15.
Senior Member
Honestly if there was an EMP attack, I would have bigger concerns than my aimpoint not working. But it's always good to know just in case I suppose. Good thing for BUIS ahaha
"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion." — Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army
Senior Member
The LED is the weakest point in the circuit. LED's are susceptible to a very slight over voltage or reverse current. The thing that the Aimpoint has going for it is that the outer body is metal and does provide some shielding, and the leads of the circuit are very short which keep them from acting like a big antenna. This prevents it from absorbing the energy from an EMP.Originally Posted by payj
If there was an EMP, the amount of chaos would be so huge that your Aimpoint would be the last thing I would be worried about.
"The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental." John Steinbeck
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Or the first...
Last edited by zpo; 03-20-10 at 00:51.
Senior Member
You are welcome.
Guys, one thing I noticed from the links I gave above is a difference in opinions on some of these reports. However, most indicate that an EMP's wave length is around 30 inches (I think, I haven't read these is a while), leading some to belive that small items (Aimpoints?) would be relatively untouched by an EMP. One question that poped up to me is that the carbine is generally a little longer that 30". So would that pick up the wave length and transfer it to the Aimpoint or not? I have hope that the Aimpoint will be safe but I'm not sure. I keep my carbines in a safe most of the time, that may add additional shielding as well. I don't think an EMP threat is great at this time, however the fall out (no pun) from an EMP would/could be devastating. Now, if Iran aquires a working nuke weapon then my personal pucker factor will rise a great deal. I've always been told to prepare for the worst and hope for the best, the effects on this nation by an EMP would just about be the worst case I could think of.
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jhs1969:
This may cause you and others to lol but you said you keep your "carbines" (plural) in a safe. So I assume you have more than one? If you have optics on all of them maybe you could take one off, especially if you are running a larue mount or the like (easy to put back on fast) and put it in a small box and wrap it in foil. That way in the event an emp does take place at least one of your optics will work? Again, this may be objective and silly to some, but if one wanted to prepare it wouldn't be a bad idea imo. Also, the fact you keep them in a safe may protect it all together? As the safe is metal. As long as it is grounded? You seem to know much more than me so maybe you know something I don't making my suggestions questionable......
Many of you think the AP is the last thing you would worry about. I have to say I would agree with you 100% at least for the first few weeks. I'm going to let my mind get loose for a moment. Bare with me lol.
If one of these went off, everyone would be in shock. What happened? What did this? How am I going to get home? (if their car does not work), My kids are at school. What about them? Blah blah blah. No one is going to go crazy yet. Matter of fact you may find some very helpful people in the beginning? Maybe they give you a ride home from work or something. Fast forward two weeks( my guess maybe less maybe more)...... Power is still off even after the government promises it will be on soon. Stores are running out of food. People see an opportunity to take advantage of others (mostly stealing). Once this happens I want my AP to work!!!!
Obviously there are gonna be holes in my thoughts, but I think they are reasonable. The point is at some point in all this I can guarantee you, you will be grabbing your rifles. Maybe not right away, but it will happen in an even such as this at some point.....
Last edited by payj; 03-20-10 at 13:40.
Senior Member
I personally think you are spot on...at least along the same lines of my thinking. And suggesting to remove one of my Aimpoints and keep it in a foil wrapped box is something I've already been thinking about. I currently have an Aimpoint on my LMT and I will probably be ordering a second for my Colt within a month. My hope was to get my Colt outfitted the way I want it and then order a third Aimpoint to be kept in storage indefintely, or at least until it is needed. I belive in one of the links I provided, one of the authors talked about using a safe as a storage container. There seems to be a few different ideas on how to safeguard it though. One line of thought was to simply insulate the contents from being exposed to the steel outer skin of the safe, another idea was to insulate the contents and ground the safe. However there was some disagreement on the second idea as some people belive that a ground wire/pipe etc. will provide an antenna for an EMP to find it's way in.
And for those that belive their Aimpoint's ability to work after an EMP is the last thing to worry about, then let me suggest the book "One Second After". The forward for this book was written by Newt Gingrich, and apparantly this book brought on a debate on the floor of congress. This book is fiction but it is based on realistic science for the effects of an EMP. Some of the effects of an EMP may be different depending on where you live. I live in E TN, there is not enough food production in this area to support the population if an EMP hit, considering that all transportation will be lost (cars, trucks, trains, planes). Without this infrastructure the food produced in the mid west will not be moving anywhere. And the few older vehichles that will or can be made to run will not come close to meeting these demands. If you are lucky enough to have a running vehicle then consider you may have to kill to keep it, same thing with food and medications.
So if an EMP does eventually hit, and it's effects are as bad as many predict, then I personally belive that the carbines that most of us here keep are going to have a very high likelyhood of being used in the most serious manner. That is when I want my Aimpoint to work in the worst way, although I do have BUIS systems that I can fall back on, I want that Aimpoint up and running.
With all of this said, I am dumbfounded at our Govt's lack of intrest in dealing with Iran's nuke program. This may sound like an overreaction to some, and it may be, but it is based on solid science. As I said ealier, if Iran successfully tests a nuclear weapon then my desire for preparing will kick into high gear.
One other thing to consider, those that live in a region similar to me, think about this. When a snow storm is predicted then the local supermarkets are nearly wiped out of the most basic items. My personal guess is that supermarkets will not last past three days and will probably be looted bare within the first 48hrs. Again this is a low risk situation, at this time, but it's effects can/will be devastating. Follow your own instincts.
Senior Member
I will probably get flamed for this but I cannot help thinking this sounds a lot like Y2K.
If my Aimpoints stop working I will hit the QD switch and take 'em off.
My back up sight will work just fine. Aimpoints are great, I own two but I know I can take care of business w/o it. If you’re truly worried get an ACOG or a fixed power scope for an option w/o power. It worked for Will Smith!
I think the concern for providing food, water and shelter for our families is a serious concern we should all prepare for. That's why I have a wood stove and gas grill. (VT ice storms) The stuff in Haiti and New Orleans is a serious reminder. I remember watching a Fox News reporter asking a woman walking into the super dome why she did not have any supplies for herself. She responded by saying the govt. would take care of her! We need to take care of ourselves.
Last edited by usmcvet; 03-21-10 at 09:52.
"Real men have always needed to know what time it is so they are at the airfield on time, pumping rounds into savages at the right time, etc. Being able to see such in the dark while light weights were comfy in bed without using a light required luminous material." -Originally Posted by ramairthree
Senior Member
I'm not going to flame you, not at all. And yes, I understand the Y2K comparison. As I said earlier I think an EMP is currently at a low threat level but the effects could be devastating. If Iran finally gets nukes then I think that threat level will begin to rise. I do like your comparison to Katrina, if something that bad happens, whether regionaly or nationaly, then the thread of society will quickly be cut. And I also have BUIS systems to fall back on but would prefer to keep the advantages that a RDS offers, especially during darkness with a white light.I will probably get flamed for this but I cannot help thinking this sounds a lot like Y2K.
If my Aimpoints stop working I will hit the QD switch and take 'em off.
My back up sight will work just fine. Aimpoints are great, I own two but I know I can take care of business w/o it. If you’re truly worried get an ACOG or a fixed power scope for an option w/o power. It worked for Will Smith!
I think the concern for providing food, water and shelter for our families is a serious concern we should all prepare for. That's why I have a wood stove and gas grill. (VT ice storms) The stuff in Haiti and New Orleans is a serious reminder. I remember watching a Fox News reporter asking a woman walking into the super dome why she did not have any supplies for herself. She responded by saying the govt. would take care of her! We need to take care of ourselves.
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