I’m new to this so bear with me. What Aimpoint should I get for my soon-to-be-purchased carbine? The only big differences I can fathom between the models is size, battery type, size of dot, and whether or not it’s night vision compatible. I have no need for night vision. The CompM4’s use of AA batteries is pretty convenient, which I like. Otherwise what’s the difference between models? why go micro over regular (or vice versa)?
Go Micro for weight savings (most AR’s weigh too much once you hang all that stuff on them). Go M4 if you really think you need 80K hours of battery life vs. only 50K. Go with an ML3 if you think you need a 30mm tube but not 80K battery life.
Battery size is irrelevant on Aimpoints. If you have a new one in the optic and two spares, you have 10 years worth of battery life on hand. Only 4MOA available on the Micros, but if you get a 3 or 4, go with the 2MOA. You can bloom the dot on max intensity for a larger appearing dot if you want, but the 4MOA can’t be made to look smalller.
Hope this helps!
all the credit for this goes to rob_s:
http://www.tacticalyellowvisor.net/69016/69037.html
that being said i am looking at a C3 or ML3 (2 MOA). enjoy!
Wow, that’s a huge help straightening things up! It’s almost as confusing as the actual AR platform options. When mounted, is the difference in aperture diameter between the standard and micro models noticable, or do the sidewalls just disappear?
The difference is very apparent if you are accustomed to a 30 mm tube. With training, you can get back up to speed with a micro, but they demand proper cheek weld to acquire the dot quickly. the ML3/M68 pattern optics are a bit more forgiving. Stick with the 2MOA dots, you can always crank the brightness up if you want a “bigger” dot for faster acquisition.
What else is there?
At least this isn’t a discussion on mako vs. aimpoint. Try a couple, maybe a micro and any of the M-series, and then decide if price beats battery availability beats battery life, etc.
I have a M2, M3, M4 and a Micro. I say go with the micro it is my favorite.
I agree with this 100%. I use both the M4S and T-1.
I think that might’ve settled everything for me. Why get a parallax-free optic when you need to have a good cheek weld to see the damn dot? Plus it’s good to know that you can “jack up” the 2MOA dot. Thanks everyone.
m4s ftw imo. robust, battery compartment lower than m4 so it stays more out of your fov imo, runs on AA…
I have Comp M4 and M3, both 2 moa dot. I had the Micro H-1 which has been sold.
The M4 is my favorite. I would recommend the 2 moa dot, but definitely go with a Larue mount.
It basically comes down to personal preference.
Ok I wanna bump this thread up to see what everyone thinks now
The micro is still my choice. I have the 4 moa, but a 2 moa is available nowadays. It is lightweight and tough as nails. I think everyone has seen the video of LAV blowing up a M-4 equipped with a micro, and it holding zero (despite a broken lens).
I’m actually using an EOTech EXPS2 - big viewfinder, reticle easier to acquire. I did like the smaller form factor of the T-1 though
Short battery life, bulky, dubious reliability…
The M4 Aimpoint is crazy rugged. The Micro is tiny and tough. It’s a tossup between the two.
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It the debate i’ve been banging my head against a wall trying to decide on which one.
I have a Micro T-1, an Aimpoint PRO, and a few Eotechs. I don’t care for the T-1. The smaller tube is more demanding and it has a variety of weird internal reflections in various lighting conditions that I find distracting. Hard to go wrong with the PRO, and I also like my EXPS Eotechs as well. I’d say skip the T-1/H-1.
The weight savings of the T1 is great, but I think a lot of people put too much stock in that (I did). After shooting a couple classes with a T1, a CompM and an Eotech, I found the T1 was a lot slower through every drill. I was much faster with the Comp, and even more so with the Eotech. It made me refocus my priorities…saving weight is great but not at the expense of slower, more laborious hits. Everything is a trade-off, you have to decide what’s most important to you.
If you have a genuine need to save a few ounces, the Micro is a fantastic optic. Otherwise, I’d stick with a fullsize Aimpoint or an Eotech XPS/EXPS.
Have a Pro and haven’t looked back. I like the Eotech reticules but like a lot of Aimpoints features as well. Try looking through a couple different ones if you can.
M4 for the AA battery and cause it’s mil spec as all hell (chicks dig it…)
the micro is probably the sweetest as far as usability though. light, doesn’t block much of your FOV, compact and sleek. CR2032 batteries are available at the grocery store across the street from my house, so it’s not like it’s rare.
I managed to pick up an m4 for 450 bucks shipped… lightly used. Harder to find deals on the micros I think as they’re a rather hot item…
the M3 and ML3 are fine too. the 2’s i think are a little dated… so unless you’re on a budget.