Aimpoint type sights ?
 

I've seen but never used Aimpoint and EO Tech type sights. Am curious about them and have a couple questions for anyone that has used them.

1. Are both Aimpoint and EO Tech the same 'type' of sight ?

2. Is the purpose of them faster target aquisition ?

3. Do they work better than tradition open sights in low light conditions ?

4. I notice the range in price runs from mid 200 range to about 500 on these.....what are you getting for the bigger money ?

5. I see some of them have a magnification power, like 2x.....is that worth buying ?

6. How do you go about 'sighting them in' compared to a tradditional scope ?

and anything else you can throw in would be appreciated.....I don't know enough about 'em to know what to ask.

Thanks !

Re: Aimpoint type sights ?
 

*Bump*

Anyone have any suggestsions on alternative sight styles? When using the regular 3 point sights I usually end up seeing either two rear sights or two forward sights. :-D At least I don't see two targets...

I usually have to squint with one eye to bring them down to the correct number of sights.

:rant:

Re: Aimpoint type sights ?
 

Hey Andy,

1. Aimpoint is built/shaped more like a traditional scope, and mounts closer to the bore than the eotech. I think the eotech fits perfectly on the ARs, but it's way too high for more traditionally designed rifles.

Both basically project a red dot onto a lens.

2. They are both FAST FAST on TA. Way better than irons, which IMO are faster than scopes.

3. IMO, yes. When it's dark, sometimes you cant see your sights, or, if you have Nitesites, the brightness from the site washes out the target. I've only shot the red dots a little in the dark, but they seemed a lot better than irons.

4. Same as anything else, quality. Some sights have smaller dots, some multiple "dots" (dots, chevrons, dots with rings, etc.), some have more settings, better battery life, night vision compatibility, battery w/ tritium backup, etc, etc.

5. I like the idea of the 1x with the detachable magnifier, but I don't have one.

6. They sight in just like a scope.

There are a lot of cheap knock offs out there, some in the 20-50 frn range. You might grab a couple of different ones and check them out, then decide which setup you like best. That's what I did/am doing. Yeah, you waste 40 bucks up front, but you don't drop 400 on a sight that you hate.

Re: Aimpoint type sights ?
 

Not that familiar with EO tech - assume it is another version of "red dot" sights.

I used them on pistols for years. Have fired several hundred thousand rounds or so through them. 1x is commonly used on a pistol, and I have only seen lower power models on rifles. Some of the early variable power models for rifles had problems with shifting point of aim when changing magnification.

Extremely fast target aquisition, very natural sight picture, great for older eyes.

Just put the dot on what you want to hit and make sure you're smooth on the trigger pull and follow thru.

The great advantage of red dots is speed and naturalness of just putting the dot on what you want to hit.

The dots have variable intensity so that you can set them lower for night or low light use, brighter for use in bright sunlight.

IMHO, they're the greatest thing since grits - particularly for eyes that are over forty years old.

They essentially project a collimated beam back to the shooter that appears as "red dot" in the lens.

Almost all of my usage has been with a pistol. With a pistol, the difference in speed and accuracy is nothing short of stunning.


In low light they are a lot better than a iron sights or a laser. It has to be pretty dark for a laser to function well - the red dot functions beautifully in all lighting conditions.

Current desired version for a pistol is a c-more, I have seen them mounted on AR's

http://www.impactguns.com/store/cmore_serendipity.html

For the most serious night-time use, the red dot scopes have what IMHO opinion is a slight problem. When looking into the scope from the business end of the pistol, there is a small pin-prick of the red dot that is visible to those the firearms is pointed at. On a dark night that could possibly give away your position.

For pistol use and domestic use in a rifle, I do not see this as a problem - you only bring a pistol up at point of firing and I'm not sure it would be an issue with a rifle in most situations that come to mind.

However, in an all out combat situation, a holographic sight would be preferable. They are larger and bulkier, not as well suited to a pistol. IIRC, Jerry Barnhart shot one professionally in competition for years because they were sponsoring him. He also quit winning because it was slowing him down. (your score is divided by your time to determine your points in IPSC)

I personally do not see this as a problem, but it is something that needs to be mentioned.

I have seen Aimpoints mounted on M16's in photos of troops in IRAQ, so obviously they do not see it as a major or concern, or they have developed tactical methods of dealing with it under those conditions.

These things mount and handle like any other scope.

Bottom line - I haven't really kept up with these for say ten years, but they can have only gotten better - if you do your due diligence, buy what is correct for your usage, I would be very surprised if you weren't tickled pink with one _grin_

Not sure what you get for extra bucks - what you want is reliability, and that doesn't always go hand in hand with price. The Tascos were pretty cheap, and preferred for years till the C-more came out. The holographic models have changeable screens ( you can select the various sighting reticles, etc) and are likely cost quite a bit to make.

Re: Aimpoint type sights ?
 

I used to think all the tactical doodads were dumb. Some are. Two that I have grown a respect for are a forward pistol grip and a red dot type of sight. The forward grip improves snap shooting and handling imensely for me, and the red dot beats out the iron sights because the dot and the target are at the same focussing distance so neither one is blurred which makes for very fast aquisition.

Right now I like the Trijicon Reflex II RX09 because the chevron style reticle makes for a very fast 100 and 200 meter rangefinder, a big deal for a 7.62x39 afficianado. It's fairly compact, solid, runs off ambient light, tritium or a mini cyalume light stick. The tritium and cyalume are nice tricks but it's the ambient light gathering that really draws me. I have other tricks for shooting things at night, if I was hunting a technologically superior foe I'd be doing so at day to mitigate the advantage of FLIR anyway and I really like the idea of never have to worry about if my sight is switched on or if the battery is dead.

If I were an AR man I'd look close at the Aimpoint sights that can be used with a 3x magnification lense to take advantage of the greater accuracy of the AR platform.

Re: Aimpoint type sights ?
 

i use an eotech on my gopher gun AR and i love it. it really speeds up aiming and is especially good for moving targets. you shoot with both eyes open and just place the circle around the object you want to hit. the dot in hte middle of the circle is for precision aiming, but that is not what the sight works best for. it's for close range, (25-100 yard) fast target aquisition.

i have heard some people complain of the Eotech having a wondering zero but i haven't had the problem with mine. i haven't had enough experience with an aimpoint to give you my opinion except i didn't like the 4mil dot when i looked through one.

Re: Aimpoint type sights ?
 

I have not used aimpoint or eotech but I have some cheapy bsa redots that work great. Got one an ar, a shotgun, and a carbine. Very fast targeting.

You sight them in just like a scope with elevation and windage knobs.

NOOB

Re: Aimpoint type sights ?
 

I just got a Bushnell Holo sight, it's made by EOTech but over $100 bucks cheaper.

To quote Cartman "KICK ASS".....:banana:

Re: Aimpoint type sights ?
 

it's my understanding that the only difference is the protective hood, and the eotech has a night vision setting.

Re: Aimpoint type sights ?
 

Yes sir you are correct. But since I don't have night vision goggles it wasn't an issue, and the protective hood is probably more for people that tend to drop their stuff.....

Re: Aimpoint type sights ?
 

Tn ANdy,
Aimpoint has LOTS of choices: http://www.aimpoint.com/o.o.i.s/47

EO Tech also has several choices: http://www.eotech-inc.com/lawe_hwsmodels.php

Having said that, go to CDNN's website and click on their catalog: http://www.cdnnsports.com/

They have a lot of similar red dot sights by companies whose prices are much more reasonable. Page numbers are 95, 96 and 99. They have an EO Tech 'knock offs' starting at $30. The Aimpoint 'knock offs' start around $20.

So they are cheap enough to try. If you like them, hey great, buy several cheapies. I have found that the technology is pretty much the same. With either of the companies named above you ARE PAYING for their name (and all the research they did), while the lower costs ones basically 'borrowed' or reinvented what they pioneered.

Granted an Aimpoint or EO Tech may be a little sturdier, but for $30 bucks a pop you can buy TEN of the less expensive ones for the 'sturdier' models. Even if the less expensives ones don't work forever you are WAY ahead of the game.

I have yet to make up my mind, but I have been leaning towards the EO tech Russian design called the Kobra1 (not cheap at a little under $200, but not nearly as expensive as the other two companies listed above) :

http://www.tantal.kalashnikov.guns.ru/kobra1.html
http://www.tantal.kalashnikov.guns.r.../74mkob001.JPG

Russian Spetsnaz swear by them.

Hope that helps.

Re: Aimpoint type sights ?
 

MY FAVORITES!!

http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/images/nyte-sytes.jpg

Re: Aimpoint type sights ?
 

Thanks to all who replied......good info.....I'll be getting something in the near future.

andy