Battery life on the Dr is outrageous. Something like 2 years? More than a year for sure. One of the other mods on the site KevinB has one on a gun he deployed with. I swear he mentioned he just left the thing on for his whole deployment. I have one thats been on since February. Still going very strong.

I really dont know the differences between the mil/le version and the commercial version personally. I have two of the regular versions. A couple months back there was a thread with a military guy talking about the differences between the two, and I'll try to remember what he said. First was the mil version is VERY expensive, a lot more than the standard one and at $300 +, the standard one is a lot. It was mentioned that the mil one was also more water proof than the standard.

Having said that, I will tell you my experience with the standard models I have. 1st, if you want to keep the plastic cover, which also turns the optic off, tether it to something. Of the two I have, one of the covers got cracked. After it cracked, it wouldnt stay on the gun very well, and once while shooting, it came off and was stepped on. Hahaha, thats how I have one thats been on since February. I have tried to call Dr Optik, but in three attempts, no one has retuerned any of my calls to get another cover.

Its pretty rugged. I have both of mine on my SPRs, and while Im not slinging them up and toting them around 24/7, neither gun is a safe queen. Both get shot a lot, and handled a *real* lot. They do get thrown in soft side cases often and while in the case, things get piled on top of them, they get banged and bumped a lot. Mine have gotten wet and rained on, all without problems. Other than my inability to get a replacement cover for my smashed one, Im 100% satisfied with both mine. They were expensive, and I dont use them nearly as much as I do the Leupold's they sit on top of, but I am pleased they are there.

If you want one, get one (or two like me!) . Unless you were going to a war zone with one where it may get kicked around A LOT, or submerged, I think you would probably be quite pleased with the commercial unit. Please keep in mind I say this realizing I have no experience with the mil version, and that I may very well not know what I am missing.