What Weapon Optic Is More Popular?, And do you know what it is? Options

[TheVipersFang]

I'm in the market looking to buy a new optic for my weapon after my old one was KIA in a stair related training accident. The first thing I noticed is the massive raise in prices. Anything up to $1000AU for a genuine EoTech sight! I'm starting to wonder if video games (like ArmA) are having anything to do with the price increase because when sights are featured in games lots of people seem to want them either as an addon or a real item for that AirSoft or Real weapon.

So my question is this:

What is your favourite type of weapon optic and why?

Personally I'm an AimPoint fan because when it comes to costs versus capability it is a good solid compromise despit the well know down sides of battery life being far shorter then advertised. It offers a fair balance between short to medium range too.

[Blackscorpion]

How much was an EOTech before then? The thing is a weapon-mounted single-function HUD and not just a basic reflex sight like Aimpoint or most red-dots. It does cost. Same partly goes for Trijicon ACOG I suppose. Also a partial reason to the increase of prices may be inflation, and the US DoD's adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan. This has created a huge need for different high-performance optics - USMC ordered nearly half a million ACOGs year or two back. First of all more of their capacity goes to mil-only orders, which might decrease the availability, thus making them more valuable for retailers. 2nd reason - although I have no idea if it actually applies - may be military-consumer price race: military gets a batch in lower price, while the civilian batch becomes more expensive.


As for my favourite, really depends on the use. A basic Aimpoint (à la M68CCO) is indeed good for most stuff below a range of few hundred meters. If cost isn't an issue, Trijicon ACOG is most likely my favourite - the (self)lit version can effectively and accurately deal with most stuff up to 500+ metres, and has the capability to go beyond. For purely long-range job with a slight chance of closer-range workout, a variable-magnification scope with preferably lit crosshair (for quick both-eyes-open-work) should do the job.

[P226]

Maybe you should ask "what sight" for "what use"... It is like asking the favourite weapon.
So what are you using your weapon for? "Fun"? Home protection? Hunting? Competition?


Off-topic (maybe) but:

stair related training accident.

Are you training for a specific reason? Do you have a professionnal training you? And if so I hope for your safety and the safety of others that you are doing this with your weapon unloaded.

[TheVipersFang]

Funny how a harmless question about what kind of sights people like turns into an interrogation of me
I was actually just trying to put a general purpose question out there to see if I could get a discussion going with other members of the community.

Ok I'll humour your questions:

Black Scorpion: Last time I checked a basic "civilian" model EoTech sight was around the $600AU mark. I do understand what you are saying there and it does make sense. Maybe a different title would have been a good idea.

P226: I'm a contractor, I use my weapon for providing overwatch cover. That means I get to sit in a slightly higher up position all day watching everything that moves and telling someone else about it which is often very boring. It's a rare to actually shoot at anything though which is a good thing. I do have professional training, I spent a few years in the army and my employer requires regular training sessions. Of course training is done with something that is called a blank firing attachment and blank firing ammunition which is non-lethal unless it goes off right next to someones ears (DUH!) As for the specific stair related accident, you should try walking up a flight of stairs covering properly when its pitch black and all you have is the taclight on your weapon to see which only lights up what is directly in front of your weapon. I put one foot wrong and stumbled back a little falling against the wall which crushed my weapon sights effectively destroying them. Which is why I had to buy a replacement. Which is what lead me to my question.

Any more questions anyone?

[P226]

Funny how a harmless question about what kind of sights people like turns into an interrogation of me
I was actually just trying to put a general purpose question out there to see if I could get a discussion going with other members of the community.

That wasn't about "questionning" yourself. Take no offence but if you think I was somehow "doubting" about you: I do not care in any possible way about that. It was only about safety and nothing else. Not about questionning yourself which you seem to think obviously. I am sorry if you thought I was going into that but I'm not.

But back on topic... Still I think you should specify the use of the optic. I have used several but I have no "preferred" one. But if talking about "in general" I'd say the TA31TRD from Trijicon. I don't know the price but it guess it's something around 1500 USD.

Also I think the prices raised (I haven't been following the market so I don't know) not because they are "used" in games (quite often they are not 100% realistic) but rather because a lot of people have been buying them for hunting, sport etc...

[TheVipersFang]

Hey there was no hard feelings there I was being sarcastic

I can be more specific actually.

I have an M16A3 that is set up for medium to longer range observation and engagement so I have mounted a rather expensive Remmington 6x variable magnification scope that performs brilliantly when backed up by a bipod I have attached near the muzzle. This weapon has been my favourite for a long time because I am not fond of up close and personal. However this is not the one I was talking about that got damaged.

The one that got damaged was my heavily modified MP5A4 that used to have a "generic" brand 1.5x AimPoint sight on it. This is strictly for short range which is something I'm not a big fan of. I was considering trying the "civilian" EoTech on this but I have my doubts because another member of my unit has one mounted and I have noticed a give away red glow in dark enviroments which could be a lethal give away. I'm still not sure whether or not to stick to the red dot sight or not

[JdB]

Well at least we're getting closer, you need a CCO (Close Combat Optic), like the M68 Aimpoint, Eotech, Cobra (Russian, I think they sell it abroad, since I've seen it on some American gunclub videos). Considering it's an MP5, Acogs, Elcans etc are all but useless. There are a number of optics available on the civilian market, but if you can get access to military hardware, the choice gets bigger (and somewhat cheaper I assume).

It's whatever you prefer, if you really liked the Aimpoint (ignoring that you don't like close contact for a second, since it doesn't matter for the choice of the optic), I suggest you get a replacement for it.

Not getting an optic is another choice, but just using ironsights.

[Hornet85]

ACOG - On Long range
ELCAN - Semi long range (Not to good for moving targets)
EOTECH - CQB (Dont like it)
Aimpoint M68 - CQB and normal duty (good up to 300m)
Iron sights - Allways backup

and ofcorse taclight, laser sight and everything needed to make a gun look badass

[P226]

Aimpoint's CompM3 should do the job then if you need a scope for close range. Or a Reflex from Trijicon. Anyway I'm pretty sure that's almost the same price.

[TheVipersFang]

I wonder if anyone still sells those classic Reflex sights, I had one originally before I got the AimPoint.

I'm surprised someone recommended the Elcan there. I had one of those on an M4A5 when I was in the army and it kept getting dirt inside it no matter how hard I tried to keep it clean until it finally the elevation jammed up

[P226]

I wonder if anyone still sells those classic Reflex sights, I had one originally before I got the AimPoint.

I'm surprised someone recommended the Elcan there. I had one of those on an M4A5 when I was in the army and it kept getting dirt inside it no matter how hard I tried to keep it clean until it finally the elevation jammed up

Try this: http://www.opticsplanet.net/trijicon-red-dot-scopes.html . You can order the mount for your MP5 as well and they do ship worldwide. I haven't browsed much the web so I don't know if that's the "best" deal.

[TheVipersFang]

Thanks for the link P226 Nice variety there I might just look into this site a little more closely, only downside is that those prices are almost doubled when converting to Australian dollars

[P226]

Well I doubt there is much cheaper over the internet, the prices seem reasonable. Don't you have any armory nearby? Can't the guy who sold you the weapons sell you optics as well?

[P226]

Please keep the thread updated if you found something. It might give ideas if one day someone goes through this topic!