Help me think through this - RDS vs ACOG

**RogueElephant** · 02-27-11, 09:27

When I got my first AR, based mostly on what I had read in these forums, I chose the CompM4s believing that was pretty much a no-compromise choice. THEN, I found out about my astigmatism!

After struggling through a basic carbine class and looking forward to another one, I am considering selling the Aimpoint and buying one of the 1.5x ACOG's.

Admittedly, the AR is mostly a toy to me but my inclination is to keep it "serious," just in case.

Knowing everything is a compromise, what is the downside to swapping the CompM4s for a 1.5x ACOG?

**paulkuda** · 02-27-11, 09:46

That's a great question. I'd love to hear other's opintions that have more experience than me. My two cents...I have a decent astigmatism in both eyes and find that the toric contact lenses are useless when shooting (any tilt of the head rotated them), but with prescription shooting glasses (Rudy Project), I do not have the issue any longer.

With that said, the Aimpoint dot seems to be fine, once I got used to keeping it on the lowest setting. I personally do not use it for match target shooting, so missing the bullseye but getting a 3-4" group in near the center is more than acceptable for me.

I have tried the ACOG and I believe it is leaps and bound more clear than the aimpoint when it comes to the aiming dot, but I was not a fan of the 1.5x mag. My reason being is I am left eye dominant, but shoot righty (because that was the way I was taught). So when I shoot righty, my peripheral vision is tweaked because of the magnification, but is fine when I shoot lefty.

With that said, I did find the ACOG to be much cleaner, but prefer the aimpoint. Ask around the range to try it out before making the investment. It took me 3 months of going back and forth to side with the H-1 over the Comp3 and EOTech2.0

Good luck.

**pilotguyo540** · 02-27-11, 09:52

I would recommend a TR-24. I just sold mine (had too) to a guy with an astigmatism. Works well because you are looking at a real object, and not a projection of light. It is a rugged component that will give you more options than the ACOG.

**RogueElephant** · 02-27-11, 10:03

Originally Posted by pilotguyo540

I would recommend a TR-24.

I was wondering about TR24, too.

I am open to all suggestions. I want a top-notch sight that is rugged and reliable. I would rather spend the money up-front and not be disappointed or aggravated later.

**pilotguyo540** · 02-27-11, 10:06

Originally Posted by RogueElephant

I was wondering about TR24, too.

I am open to all suggestions. I want a top-notch sight that is rugged and reliable. I would rather spend the money up-front and not be disappointed or aggravated later.

I wanted to cry when I sold mine. You cant go wrong there. I still have my T1 setup, so things are not so bad. As soon as life cools down a bit I am buying another.

**MTechnik** · 02-27-11, 10:12

I have astigmatism and while it isn't an awful case of it, and there are worse, and it is different for everyone.... your glasses and the red dot should be "good enough" for most work inside of 50 yards. Especially with the dot not turned on all the way, and focusing on the target in stead of the dot.

For anything else I would recommend the TR-24R or other 1-4x scope.

I wish the weight would come down on them, but otherwise they are great for us with less than perfect eyes.

**RogueElephant** · 02-27-11, 10:19

Originally Posted by pilotguyo540

I still have my T1 setup, so things are not so bad.

With a T1 and no astigmatism, life is good!

**Singlestack Wonder** · 02-27-11, 10:52

I have the same issue with Aimpoints and astigmatism. I decided to try a ACOG TA44SR-10 based on information I read here. After using one, I've never looked back. For me, it's just as fast and the .5 magnification is barely noticeable when shooting with both eyes open. In fact, it really helps for tight shots. Yes, when going from a dark to light area, the reticule darkens, but other than that, it's good to go. One could always tape a light stick to the FO if they were going to be shooting in that situation frequently.

**rob_s** · 02-27-11, 11:10

I used the legacy 1.5x and then the TA33 series for years due to astigmatism. Then I realized that for the distances I shoot the slight bloom is pretty much a non-issue with the RDS.

One of our shooters is currently using one of the 1.5x, sub-compact, green circle/dot reticule, ACOGs. Of all the ACOGs, this is the one I'm most anxious to try for myself as I think it's the most likely to offer the widest flexibility, and the green should be the most visible of all the colors in low-light (an area where ACOGs of all varieties suffer IME). I wish there was a way to put a front lens cap on the sub-compacts as it does help with indoor brightness to use it as an OEG, and the accuracy shift that may occur is almost nill at close range.