Member Survey: Which Red Dot Sight (& mount) do you use and why?

[Watrdawg]

Presently I am using a Aimpoint T-1 with a DD high mount. I switched to this sight from a Eotech 553 because of the huge weight difference. I like both sights and had no problems with the Eotech. My only complaint with it was the weight. The Aimpoint is sitting on my BCM 14.5 middy. This is my only weapon right now so it's my do everything weapon.

[kmrtnsn]

I run an Eotech 552 on my work rifle because I have to.

I run a T-1 in a LaRue mount on a personal training gun and have an R-1 waiting for the completion of another build.

I have a Fastfire II that came with a scope I bought last year sitting on an SGL-21 until it melts, then I plan on replacing it with another R-1 atop an RS Regulate mount.

I like the little Aimpoints, can't beat the size, weight, and performance.

[thopkins22]

I have an Eotech 512 in a Larue mount. I like the large field of view, and the reticule(I find that the lower hash mark is ideal for accounting for offset.) I never had any problems with the Eotech until the day that it went down due to the battery contacts falling out of the battery compartment.

I also have an Aimpoint M4 in a Larue mount. I like that I can leave it on 24/7. I have not owned it as long as the Eotech, but so far it has been reliable and durable.

In the near future any red dot purchases will be of the T1/H1/R1 variety due to weight and cost while maintaining most of the M4's durability and battery life.

[SteadyUp]

I'm a new AR owner, and as such, haven't had the time or opportunity to try multiple optics.

The only RDS I own is an EOTech 512, with a LaRue QD mount. I do like the EOTech reticle, as I find that the reticle quickly grabs my attention. I originally had the 512 mounted directly to my carbine, and I found that the absolute co-witness it provided was distracting. The LaRue mount provided lower 1/3 co-witness, and I found that to be just the ticket.

I'm building a mid-length carbine, and I'll probably try out a Aimpoint H-1 or M2/ML2, given the number of people here that successfully use them daily.

[mrbieler]

I started with H1's on my carbines. The light weight was a big draw.

However, I was having issues with the dot being a bit blurry. Having others shoot my carbines confirmed it was me and not the RDS.

I tried a 2MOA M4S and didn't have the issue. I found I also liked the larger tube.

I now run an M4S on my mid-length and I picked up a PRO for my FAL. Really like the 2MOA on the FAL for those longer shots.

QRP2 mounts on both. While not sexy, I find them functional and easy to use.

I still have a H1 on a DD mount on my 14.5 carbine. It's a light weight set up and the gun my wife uses when we both shoot.

If I could have done it over, I would probably have PRO's on all three due to costs and performance. I can't justify the cost of the M4S x3 units.

[newkirk]

t-1 in a Larue high mount. I have an m2 2x that never gets used. neve liked the 2x magnification. Wish i would have bought the standarn m2.

[ASH556]

My first experience with Aimpoint was in roughly 2004 when I had an M2 in an ARMS absolute co-witness mount with a #40 folding rear and Fixed FSB (Front Sight Base). I didn't think very much of the red dot @ the time as having a red dot sitting on top of my much larger and more visible front sight. I never experienced any issues with the ARMS mount, but issues have been well documented.

I went the irons-only route for quite a while and even went so far as to use an A2 upper - stupid.

I recently shot a Vickers class with KAC irons only (deciding which optic to buy), and based upon my targets and times vs other shooters would say that I did better than most that were running optics. The guys that were better/faster were running either Aimpoints or Eotechs. I don't care for Eotech's reticle (too busy and covers too much of the target making it difficult for me to find a point of aim), and I saw one fail in the class (a new battery did not help as far as I know). That left me with Aimpoint. I tried a buddy's rifle with a T1 and determined that was the route I would try.
I was still unwilling to give up magnification, however. In the same week I was contemplating my optic choices (T1 vs ACOG TA-11) I posted a 1911 that I never shot for sale and received an Aimpoint 3X magnifier in a Larue flip mount in trade. I hadn't really ever considered this option as I was stuck on having Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC) ability. After running the Vicker's class and determining how easy hold-overs/unders really were, I relinquished my grip on the need for a BDC. This trade locked me into the Aimpoint option. Furthermore, I spent a fair amount of time with a borrowed TA-11 on my rifle and found it extremely difficult to acquire the target @ Close (25yd and closer) ranges. Finally, the TA-11 reticle is washed-out by my light, and the reticle is black in low light.
I've not shot the rifle outside since adding the optics, but at the 25yd indoor range, I notice that my group is smaller (2.5" vs 4") and I am able to aquire the target faster with the T1 (unmagnified) than with irons. I chose the T1 over the H1 for the NV capability ($50 more for the opportunity is worthwhile to me) and the rumor of better lens coatings. I chose the Daniel Defense Fixed mount as I do not forsee the need to quickly remove this optic as I can co-witness my irons through it, and I feel that it is more solid. It is also the lightest mount that I am aware of.

[YVK]

Aimpoint M4s on LT tall mount on "truck" rifle (SCAR), best mount, imo, for SCAR due to charging handle issues.

Aimpoint M4s on dedicated home rifle, OEM QRP2 mount, works very well with Centurion diopter iron sights.

Eotech XPS 3-0 on ADM riser, my only Eotech so it is "T&E" sample, has held very well, prefer reticle over single dot for mechanical offset reason, auto-shutoff makes Eotech unacceptable to me as dedicated HD optic.

Aimpoint T1 on OEM mount on Ultimak AK.

Aimpoint T1 on KAC mount, sitting on DD offset mount as a side optic next to 2.5-10 NF; experimenting with offset RDS, that's all.

P.S. Forgot the "why" part: I strongly prefer "full-screen" optics for their forgiveness, and my T1s are used only in niche applications where full-sized units are no-go.

[SteveL]

Aimpoint M4s on LT tall mount on "truck" rifle (SCAR), best mount, imo, for SCAR due to charging handle issues.

Aimpoint M4s on dedicated home rifle, OEM QRP2 mount, works very well with Centurion diopter iron sights.

Eotech XPS 3-0 on ADM riser, my only Eotech so it is "T&E" sample, has held very well, prefer reticle over single dot for mechanical offset reason, auto-shutoff makes Eotech unacceptable to me as dedicated HD optic.

Aimpoint T1 on OEM mount on Ultimak AK.

Aimpoint T1 on KAC mount, sitting on DD offset mount as a side optic next to 2.5-10 NF; experimenting with offset RDS, that's all.

Can you post a picture of this rifle?

[steelhd1]

Aimpoint T1 on a DD mount due to the recomendation from folks on this site. I had a TA-33 but switched over due to most my shooting being with 100m and the the extreme light weight of the optic. It is run on my BCM 14.5" middy.