I currently have an EOTech XPS3-2 on my rifle, but I am trying to cut some weight off of my Colt 6940. I like the lower 1/3 sight picture, so to achieve that, I would have to add even more weight in the form of the Larue mount. That being said, I am thinking of switching to the Aimpoint T-1 or the battery powered Trijicon RMR. If anyone could give me their opinion and, more importantly, their experience in rating these optics, I would be much obliged. In short, which is the better optic, and why?
I have the exact same dilema…which of the three? I also often wonder why the RMR or Reflex stuff isn’t more widely used.
I’d go with the Aimpoint T-1. The battery life is simply insane, and it has excellent reliability/durability.
The only reason I’d use a Trijicon RMR type optic is if the Micro would be too large (like, say, I was putting a RDS on a CCW pistol.
Has anyone done any kind of durability tests on the RMR? The Aimpoint was my choice until I actually had the little Trij in hand. They are advertised as having an over 17,000 and up to 35,000 hour battery life.
Your XPS weighs 8 ounces according to EoTech. An EXPS weighs 11.2and gives the co-witness and QD. At the most you’re saving 4-5 ounces with a T-1 and tall LT mount. If you want a T-1 then get it, but I don’t see weight being a real issue. Wanting the T-1 is reason enough.
The RMR is a fascinating prospect. I have an 8 moa LED on order. I may try the RMR on my 7" SBR upper. Need to get the picatinny riser for it. I think it’s going to be very light, but again, I don’t see saving 8ounces as even noticeable. The book is out on durability and performance for the RMR, but it seems promising. If they prove durable I think you will see a lot of them on carbines.
I recently switched from a 552 to a T1 in a larue mount and here are my observations:
Weight: Not a noticable differance, you’ll see the differance in weight on paper, but in actual use I can’t tell.
Mounting: Mounting a T1 is great. I spent over an hour looking for my damn 5/64 wrench to take off my eotech. Then it took me like 10 seconds to mount/unmount the T1. Not a big deal because I leave my optics on and dont mess with them.
Reticle: Another argument I’ve heard was the 4MOA dot would be less accurate for precision shots. That’s BS IMO. I personally liked the 4moa dot better than my eo reticle. The selling factor for me is that I do not have to go through the brightness settings to set my T1, turn the knob and it’s set.
In regards to my situation, My rifle is a patrol rifle that rides in my trunk every shift. I leave the T1 on and don’t hafta worry about the optic at all. It’s set and once I pull the rifle out and charge it, it’s ready to go. No buttons to hit, nothing. That was the selling point for me switching to the T1. Recently deployed my rifle and my eotech was “dead” I kept hitting the up arrow and didn’t get anything. After inspecting the optic, it was set on NV (I never mess with the NV button since I never run NV). User error, but I did not have time to figure out what was wrong, I needed my optic running as soon as I grabbed it. That was my main reason for switching to the T1
I own an XPS and T1.
Both are good optics. Each has advantages and negatives. Pick your poison
variablebinary,
Could you elucidate?
RMR lacks the vertical FOV to be able to to do a lower 1/3 cowitness. It must be run with a fold down rear BUIS and the FOV is so minimal that you’ll end up running it without the front sight up also.
If you want lower 1/3 capabilities, get a micro in a larue mount.
This is what I’m going to end up doing. As soon as my EOTech sells, I’ll be giving the Aimpoint a whirl.
The only applications I have found for the RMR is as either a handgun RDS or on an offset mount as a secondary to a magnified optic.
I had a T-1 and sold it for financial reasons. I now have an XPS2-2.
The weight of both is supposedly within 2 oz of one another, so I consider that negligible.
The Eotech has a much larger footprint. It appears to be wider than a standard Eotech but I could be mistaken.
The Eotech also has a much larger field of view. While only my opinion/perception, I believe that it helps when using fixed front & rear sights.
The Aimpoint has the tactile feedback when turning on, whereas with the Eotech I have to give a quick look to make sure it’s actually on. This may or may not matter to you.
The battery life of the Aimpoint is obviously superior, but now that the Eotech uses CR123’s, I don’t mind as much.
Either one will perform the same task, the differences are almost negligible at this point.
ETA: The T-1 has more sex appeal.
I actually own both an XPS and T1.
I still prefer the Eotech reticle.
Generally, I prefer the design of the T1 (Interface, battery life, small profile)
The width of the EOTech bothers me, as well. I don’t like both sides of the optic hanging off of my rail like that. It’s a great sight, though. I am in no means detracting from that.
Could you explain in a little more detail. Sometimes I am a bit slow…lol
I was planning on picking up an RMR to use on my LW BCM upper. The upper has a FSB and I have no plans to change that and I have a Troy rear sight. If the RMR and ADM mount is not going to work I would rather find out now than after I spend $460.
Thanks!
If you plan on running your rear BUIS folded down I think you’ll be fine. I’d only get fiber optic RMR. You can get an aimpoint micro and larue or american defense mount for mere pennies more.
So with a Daniel Defense or Larue rear it would be to busy? I know the Aimpoint is only $150ish more but I really like the fact that the RMR will not need batteries.
You won’t have to change the battery in your Aimpoint for over 5 years.
If your primary goal is to shave some weight, get the T-1, or better yet the H-1 if you don’t plan on running night vision or going scuba diving with the thing.
And I run a Daniel Defense rear BUIS. It won’t be cluttered, especially with lower 1/3 cowitness.
I have two H1s, one ML2, and one 552 Rev F.
Considered a XPS and played with one belonging to a buddy.
The H1s reside on my patrol rifle and its training twin and are never turned off. I like this - a lot. They are also lighter and more durable than the EOs.
The mounting bolts on the EOs are slender and have seen one break and have heard of others. The brightness on the Aimpoints is easier to adjust in a hurry, and especially when wearing gloves.
For all these reasons, I prefer the T1/H1 models.
YMMV, good luck with your choice.
If you want lightest weight as possible with the T1, pairing it with the Daniel Defense mount would work for you. I have my carbine set up like that (alternate between that and an EOTech 553, leaning towards T1 nowadays), and the entire thing only weighs 4.7ozs. The T1 with larue is 6 oz.
I had looked into the EXPS, but for all of that hype about being small and light, it’s only a single oz less then a regular 553.