Aimpoints

[KevinB]

Look at the new Micro

FJB lent me one for the Vicker/Hackathorn Low Light course - I was very impressed

[5POINT56]

IMO, anyone who buys the M4 either has money, literally to burn, or is just flat out stupid.

It retails for about (+/-) $300 more than the M3 and offers essentially no real advantages. The mount it comes with? Big deal. Battery life? A nonissue with the previous model...no need for improvement there.

It does literally nothing of value that the previous model didn't do...at a $300 price increase.

I love my M3...love Aimpoints....but the M4, IMO, is throwing money away.

[chadbag]

IMO, anyone who buys the M4 either has money, literally to burn, or is just flat out stupid.

It retails for about $300 more than the M3 and offers essentially no real advantages. The mount it comes with? Big deal. Battery life? A nonissue with the previous model...no need for improvement there.

It does literally nothing of value that the previous model didn't do...at a $300 price increase.

I love my M3...love Aimpoints....but the M4, IMO, is throwing money away.

Just some fact checks

The M4 is typically advertised at $702 (MSRP $780).
The M3 is typically advertised at $500.40 (MSRP $556).

That is a $201.60 difference. For that, you get a mount (which most people will find adequate though some will want to replace it) with spacer, which is over $100 in value, plus you get the KillFlash ARD. That is a little more than $32, so the actual difference in price is more like $65-$70 when compared to the M4. For that, you get the ability to use a AA battery instead of 1/3N and maybe some other internal improvements. Whether that is worth it or not each person will have to gauge for themselves. For me personally, it is not such a big deal and my next build will probably have an M3 on it. But in the last 6 months, I have sold more M4 than M3. The M4 started off slowly, but has picked up a little steam.

Chad

[mpardun]

Just some fact checks

The M4 is typically advertised at $702 (MSRP $780).
The M3 is typically advertised at $500.40 (MSRP $556).

That is a $201.60 difference. For that, you get a mount (which most people will find adequate though some will want to replace it) with spacer, which is over $100 in value, plus you get the KillFlash ARD. That is a little more than $32, so the actual difference in price is more like $65-$70 when compared to the M4. For that, you get the ability to use a AA battery instead of 1/3N and maybe some other internal improvements. Whether that is worth it or not each person will have to gauge for themselves. For me personally, it is not such a big deal and my next build will probably have an M3 on it. But in the last 6 months, I have sold more M4 than M3. The M4 started off slowly, but has picked up a little steam.

Chad

Better yet, buy your M4 or M3 from LaRue and get the LaRue mount included for FREE!

I paid $702 (+ ~$10 shipping) for the M4 2 weeks ago, got it in 3 days and love it! Long time EO Tech man converted back to the ways of the Aimpoint - it is truly a rugged work of art.

Mike

[FJB]

Just some fact checks

The M4 is typically advertised at $702 (MSRP $780).
The M3 is typically advertised at $500.40 (MSRP $556).

That is a $201.60 difference. For that, you get a mount (which most people will find adequate though some will want to replace it) with spacer, which is over $100 in value, plus you get the KillFlash ARD. That is a little more than $32, so the actual difference in price is more like $65-$70 when compared to the M4. For that, you get the ability to use a AA battery instead of 1/3N and maybe some other internal improvements. Whether that is worth it or not each person will have to gauge for themselves. For me personally, it is not such a big deal and my next build will probably have an M3 on it. But in the last 6 months, I have sold more M4 than M3. The M4 started off slowly, but has picked up a little steam.

Chad

Chad,
You did a good job of nailing this, although you had a typo in the technical data of the CompM2 (it is a 4 MOA not a 2 MOA) in your earlier post.

If you are not diving or using NVDs the best bang for buck is the CompC3 in a LaRue mount.

However, 5Point56 is off the mark on regarding the main difference between a CompM3 and CompM4. The ability to bolt either the Aimpoint mount QRPII (Quick Release Picatinny II) or soon to be release QLP (Quick Lever Picatinny) mount and new Cantilever Spacer or a LaRue mount on to the optic significantly improves the optic's ability to be properly mounted to the carbine/rifle, as well as improves its ability to maintain and retain zero. This proven by the POA/POI demonstration that I routinely perform for military customers and at various carbine classes. I have a CompM4 that has performed this following feat hundreds of times, I shoot a group at 50, 100, or 200 yards (all dependent on what the range will allow) remove it from the carbine throw it across the range, have it thrown back at me. Put it back on the carbine and shot same POA/POI. CompM2/M3s using 30MM ring mounts, even quality ones like LaRue will invariably have POI shift due to movement in the mount. For those who have seen me perform this demo feel free to chime in with your own observations.

The following is quick comparison that I conducted about six months ago. It is based solely on MSRP to keep things Apples to Apples as much as possible. Prices are definitely cheaper as you can purchase Aimpoint sights from LaRue Tactical with his mount well below MSRP of the optic alone.

However, for those waivering on whether to purchase a CompM4 over a CompM3 or CompM2 I think that when you compare actual costs of the M3 and M2 with a mounting solution the choice towards a CompM4 becomes a lot clearer.

CompM4 - $780 w/ Integral QRP II Mount 2 MOA AA battery 80,000 hours

CompM3 - $556 w/out mount 2 or 4 MOA dot 1/3N Lithium 50,000 hours
- $660 w/ QRP Mount @ $104
- $675 w/ LaRue Tactical Mount @ $115
- $709 w/ ARMS Mount @ $153
- $721 w/ GG&G Mount @ $165

CompM2 - $490 w/out mount 4 MOA dot 1/3N Lithium 20,000 hours
- $594 w/ QRP Mount @ $104
- $605 w/ LaRue Tactical Mount @ $115
- $643 w/ ARMS Mount @ $153
- $655 w/ GG&G Mount @ $165

For sake of this thread I'll add the CompC3 into the equation

CompC3 - $415 w/out mount 2 or 4 MOA dot 1/3N Lithium 50,000 hours
- $519 w/ QRP Mount @$104
- $530 w/ LaRue Tactical Mount @ $115
- $568 w/ ARMS Mount @$153
- $580 w/ GG&G Mount @ $165

In the end it is an individual decision based on mission and what you can ultimately afford. While I personally purchased a CompM3 for use in the "kitty litter box" I have also had the luxury of using and beating the snot out of CompM4s over the last 8 months in numerous PR, LAV, JG, Gunsite classes. IMHO the CompM4 is well worth the minor additional cost.

"Buy cheap, Buy Twice." - PR
"Trying to save a dime you'll spend a dollar every time." - RAB
"Prostitute your wife if you have to, but get a red dot sight." - LAV

S/F

[chadbag]

Chad,
You did a good job of nailing this, although you had a typo in the technical data of the CompM2 (it is a 4 MOA not a 2 MOA) in your earlier post.

Thanks for catching my brainfart. I tell people this daily (Comp M2 4moa) so I will blame my fingers I edit my earlier post to fix that.

Chad

[toddackerman]

no it is not

No it's not, but the Aimpoint does throw off a little Red Glow from the front. A kill flash would be a good accessory to get.

[FJB]

It is a milspec requirement that the red dot not be seen within a few meters (am not sure if exact distance is classified so I'll leave it at that) from any red dot optic. If set at its lowest visible setting for night use the Aimpoint sight can not be observed within that criteria. Also, if the enemy is close enough that he can see your red dot then he should be seeing other "red, orange, or yellow" glows coming from your carbine.

S/F

[supertac]

I beg to differ about the aimpoint dot not being visible from the front. On the higher settings, both of my aimpoint show red glow from the front. It is slight, but it is still there.

[losbronces]

Better yet, buy your M4 or M3 from LaRue and get the LaRue mount included for FREE!

I paid $702 (+ ~$10 shipping) for the M4 2 weeks ago, got it in 3 days and love it! Long time EO Tech man converted back to the ways of the Aimpoint - it is truly a rugged work of art.

Mike

I also bought one direct from Larue. Its not a bad deal with the Larue mount included (your choice of mount height) and it comes with the Kill Flash. I don't consider myself stupid--but I don't have to pinch pennies either.