I am posting this topic on behaf of my friend Jordan; "Death_005". He attempted to post a topic so that he could get some views and opinions on the Aimpoint, but it quickly was taken the wrong way and turned into a flame and bashing thread. He is looking into some optics for his soon to be A-3, 20inch Bushmaster. He has no experience with combat optics, and has a somewhat strong dislike for red dot type style sights. However, even though he doesn't care for them to well, he wants to know what the big deal is about them. His main questions are;
1. Why does the Army use them instead of iron sights?
2. If you are using a Red Dot for CQB, couldn't you just "point and fire" your AR-15 instead?
3. How is a Red dot Faster than Iron Sights?
4. Why is the Aimpoint so expensive compared to Wal-Mart and Chinease copies?

I hope that covered everything and perhaps we can sway him into getting one! I figuered I could word it a little better than he did in his previous post. Thanks everyone!

Quoted: I am posting this topic on behaf of my friend Jordan; "Death_005". He attempted to post a topic so that he could get some views and opinions on the Aimpoint, but it quickly was taken the wrong way and turned into a flame and bashing thread. He is looking into some optics for his soon to be A-3, 20inch Bushmaster. He has no experience with combat optics, and has a somewhat strong dislike for red dot type style sights. However, even though he doesn't care for them to well, he wants to know what the big deal is about them. His main questions are; 1. Why does the Army use them instead of iron sights? the red dot is easier for the eye to pick up, though irons are still used. 2. If you are using a Red Dot for CQB, couldn't you just "point and fire" your AR-15 instead? the red dot would be more accurate then just point and shoot. 3. How is a Red dot Faster than Iron Sights? again the eye picks up the reddot faster then having to line up the ironsit is also parallax free so its basically a floating red dot that you just put on the target and shoot 4. Why is the Aimpoint so expensive compared to Wal-Mart and Chinease copies? cause they are copies meaning they didnt research what they are selling, along with all the features that the aimpoint offers that not many or none have been able to come close. the battery life on the aimpoint would probably outlast the life of a cheap optic! I hope that covered everything and perhaps we can sway him into getting one! I figuered I could word it a little better than he did in his previous post. Thanks everyone!

+1

That should about cover it...put the dot on the target and pull the trigger.  Sight picture matters very little.  CHeek weld doesn't matter at all.  Eye relief doesn't matter.  All the variables that go into being accurate and consistent when shooting a rifle kind of go out the window when using a red dot optic.  

+1

I love my AIMPOINT

Quoted: +1 I love my AIMPOINT

+2

Quoted: 1. Why does the Army use them instead of iron sights? because their one of the cheapest, most effective electronic aiming systems availible... 2. If you are using a Red Dot for CQB, couldn't you just "point and fire" your AR-15 instead? have you ever point and fired your weapon?  try doing it at 25m... unless your just 'good' you won't hit anywhere near your target... most people who train with the aimpoint can begin to be able to snap shoot 25m human targets in the head in about 1.5sec... thats very fast 3. How is a Red dot Faster than Iron Sights? more simple... red dot on target, pull trigger... the optic does the rest... with irons... its look through appeture.... find target line up front sight post... and bang...  more things to line up... your cheek-weld is more critical with irons... however with the aimpoint eye relief is infinate... 4. Why is the Aimpoint so expensive compared to Wal-Mart and Chinease copies? QUALITY...  the sweed's know what there doing... this aimpoint batteries will last for months on constant on... and are water proof... very hard and tough... mil grade mil spec...

trust me... once you go aimpoint... you laugh at your iron sight days

Thanks for all the help. Although you all made very good points, I still think that I will most likely stay clear of red dot sights in general just because I personally do not like them.  If I were to spend that kind of money on an optic, I would prefer something with magnification instead of a tough red dot with extremely long batterey life.  A high quality scope would be just as durable as the Aimpoint and there would never be any battery to worry about.

If you are someone who goes to the range just to plink, shooting mostly from a seated position just for the fun of shooting, then you have no need for any type of red dot sight. If you are law enforcement, military, a competitive shooter or even someone who just enjoys "combat" type shooting, then a good sight like the EOTech or Aimpoint is a necessity. Nothing allows for faster target acquisition like a high-quality CCO. If you don't think you need one, then you definitely don't.

Having said that, I have an EOTech 511 on my M4gery, and an Aimpoint M68 on my M4 at my unit. Both are extremely good systems, and I would recommend them to anyone. Once you get used to them, it sucks to have to go back to iron sights.

Of the two, EOTech and Aimpoint, which do you like more?

I like the EOTech a little better, it's obstructs my field of view a little bit less than the Aimpoint. Also the 1 MOA dot is nicer for longer shots than the 4 MOA. But you won't go wrong with an Aimpoint either. Let's put it this way, when I deploy in the near future, I'll be taking my M68 and my EOTech, and my Aimpoint 3x magnifier. hug.gif

Quoted: A high quality scope would be just as durable as the Aimpoint ...

You may never have been more incorrect. You can't spend $500 on an optic/mount combination and come up with something as robust, user-friendly, well-made, or well-backed by the manufacturer.

Be well!

[email protected]

Quoted: Of the two, EOTech and Aimpoint, which do you like more?

Aimpoint. I have astigmatism and all I see are a bunch of little dots for the EoTech, its really fuzzy.

Quoted: ... I still think that I will most likely stay clear of red dot sights in general just because I personally do not like them.  If I were to spend that kind of money on an optic, I would prefer something with magnification instead of a tough red dot with extremely long batterey life.

A magnified optic has a different purpose than a red-dot.  It is much slower to use.  Trying to to CQB type stuff with a magnified optic with a non-lit reticule is much harder than doing the same task with an Aimpoint.

Consequently busting prarie dogs at 200y is much harder with an Aimpoint than it is with a nice piece of magnified glass.

Choose the right optic for the intended use.

Quoted: and there would never be any battery to worry about.

I didn't realize that Aimpoints had a battery worthy of worrying about. The M3/ML3 battery will last 5 years even if you just leave it on 24/7. The M2/ML2 will last about a year continuously on.

Change it once a year and forget about it.

As for the Chinese knockoffs...there's a reason they're only $50. The Aimpoint is virtually indestructible, holds its zero, and has good, robust adjustments. Lesser brands have none of these features.

Well, if he really doesn't like red dot sights, then look a low power variables, like a 1.x-5 or so, or a 2-7.  

I have an Aimpoint, a Holosight (poor man's Eotech), and the Accupoint.  They're all great for what they do, but there's a place for a low power variable as well.  I'm not including the Accupoint in the "low power variable" for you friend because of the cost, and the tritium powered triangle reticle...in essence, you really use it like a red dot.  

If your buddy doesn't think he needs a combat style sight that provide really quick, both eyes open target acquisition, then maybe he should just pick up a little 1x3 Weaver or something like that.  Something to consider, anyway.