Optics Help: Trijicon Reflex

[karl]

I plan on buying, in some fashion, a red dot for my AR. I've really taken an interest in the Trijicon Reflex RX01. I'm also open to opinions on other brands and models, Eotech, Aimpoint, etc. My intended uses: punching paper and go-to rifle if the situation arises.

Does anyone have any experience with the Reflex? I really liked it when I encountered it at Spectre Firearms, the "both eyes open" concept is pretty new to me, do other red dots allow this? Also, would anyone mind shedding some light on MOA patterns? Trijicon offers (among several models) dot, triangle and chevron reticles, advantages to any one of these? If you've used it, is it easy to add magnification?

I have heard from several reviews that the reticle can wash out, but it seems to me (from the negative reviews I read) that this only occurs if you're in a dark room looking out into a bright area.

Thanks

[The Annoyed Man]

I have no experience with that particular Trijicon product. I have a set of their night sights on both a Glock 19 and a USP Compact .40, and I'm very impressed with how bright the lamps are. That said, they are not bright in broad daylight, so I am not convinced that their reflex scope would have a bright aiming point in broad daylight without a battery assist. I'm willing to be proven wrong — Trijicon makes high quality products — but let's just say I am skeptical.

However, I do have an Eotech 517.A65 on one of my ARs, and I like it a lot. I deliberately chose that model for two reasons:
1: It uses AA batteries. They last a little longer than the "N" batteries in the shorter unit — 1,000 continuous hours at nominal brightness — and they are easily found in any supermarket or gas station.
2: It has the control buttons on the side instead of the rear of the device, making the controls available even when you have a flip to side magnifier installed.

FWIW, the size of the display window on the sight is very generous. The reticle consists of a 1 MOA red dot surrounded by a red 65 MOA circle with "ticks" at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00 o'clock. The side controls can be used to turn the brightness up or down, and it is very clearly visible in mid-afternoon summer sunlight... ...and the site just plain works as advertised.

I bought mine for $429.95, or roughly the same price you're considering for the Trijicon unit. The Trijicon looks like it might be just a bit smaller than the Eotech, and less weight is always better in a battle rifle, but you'll also surrender a little bit of field of view. On the other hand, that might not really affect you.

If I were you, before plopping down the ducats, I would see if any of your friends have either sight so that you can compare them. It might be that neither one works for you, but maybe an Aimpoint does.

[karl]

...I am not convinced that their reflex scope would have a bright aiming point in broad daylight without a battery assist...but let's just say I am skeptical.

I believe the ugly plastic on the front "charges" the dot during the day to give it extra brightness, so I'm told.

Are you able to open both eyes with your Eotech?

[gigag04]

The Trijicon reflex is kinda cool. I shoot it ok. It's standard on our PD owned AR's (Colt's). I think only one officer took it off, because he was in the infantry for 21 years and prefers iron sights.

I prefer the Aimpoint, but you can't go wrong with either of these two or an eotech.

I think I know someone selling a reflex if youre interested.

[karl]

I'm not yet ready to buy, but thanks for the heads up! Now I have to ask, why do you prefer the Aimpoint?

[gigag04]

The Trijicon triangle I just wasn't used to...kinda foreign. It does a good job though.

The main debate for me was Eotech vs Aimpoint.

The eotech *I* find the circle with a dot to be fast, but too big of a reticle. Also I don't like that the Eotech is not encased in a shell. It's all outside...it makes it lower profile and lighter, but it just didn't jive with me.

The Aimpoint I have is a 4MOA dot Comp ML3. I'd prefer the 2MOA dot, and I REALLY am looking to get into another Comp ML4. They are waterproof, have great battery life, easy to use. The one knob seems easier than the Eotech's buttons. Under combat stress you lose fine motor skills, and I find the the knob to be less of a complex motor skill than pushing a little button, or a few.

Lastly, and least importantly...I think Aimpoint looks better. I know that is a STUPID reason to list, but I listed good ones first, and happen to feel that way so I included it.

For more check this vids from youtube. (Pretty sure they are cleaner but it's been a while)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAZeZk6OnCw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF6fGJiX ... re=related" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[karl]

That guy has great videos. I really like his presentation of the Aimpoints, I'll have to give more consideration to those, thanks for the vids and the insight.

[gigag04]

I go to Houston regularly as I have a future fiance down there. If we can meet up I'd be happy to play around with my rifle and see how you like the aimpoint on there. I can MAYBE borrow a partner's eotech and that reflex too. That'll take some work.

[karl]

Cool, PM me if you head this way.

[Zoomie]

I really like both aimpoints an Eotechs; the newer aimpoints have incredible battery life, and are very durable, on the other hand, I find my Eotech is faster and more accurate than the aimpoints, though the battery life is not as high (its still a really long time). Also while both are very durable, there have been reports that Aimpoints are more durable, but I can not speak to that issue, other than to say we have received a number of broken aimpoints from DRMO. As to shooting both eyes open, yes, I can and do shoot irons both eyes open, but it is more difficult than when using a red dot. Shooting offhand is also incredibly easier with a red dot, I have a very hard time acquiring the sights with my non dominate eye when shooting offhand, but have no such problems with either the aimpoints or Eotech. Whatever you choose, you will be pleasantly surprised with the improvement over irons.

[gigag04]

I find my Eotech is faster and more accurate than the aimpoints, though the battery life is not as high (its still a really long time)

Do you mean that YOU are faster and more accurate with an eotech? I think accuracy and precision at this level of optics class has more to do with the shooter and less with the product...what do you think?

[Zoomie]

I know I shoot faster with an Eotech. Because it has that 65 MOA dot, it is easier to acquire when it is raised from the low / depressed ready. Also, on a more subjective note I find that the open design is less likely to induce target fixation. In short I believe the Eotech is an inherently faster design, but the wide disparity between the speed of iron sights vs. red dot sights overshadows the disparity between design differences of Eotechs and Aimpoints.

[gwashorn]

I had an AR15 built last August and I went with the Eotech XPS-2-0 on mine. It acquires easier and faster for me than the aimpoint. both are good I believe. I have seen videos of them test firing an AR with one, turn it upside down and drop it on hard surface from about 3.5 feet. It hit square on the Eotech. Picked it up and hit the target dead on. The housing is pretty tough on those. I do wish mine had the side buttons instead of the rear but I do not run a magifier on mine so not a big deal. Mostly for HD and occassional hog hunting. so battery life is good and the CR123 matches my flashlight on the AR. I considered the AA version ones but went with matching equipment power sources. My primary goal was easy to use and my eyes would see and focus as needed. You keep both eyes open, look where you want to shoot and the big circle with the little center dots just sits there in your view ready to be put where you want.

Gary

[MechAg94]

I like the EOTech also. I've had one for several years and I do like it. I think the newer models are a bit better. The open view of the EOTech is very nice. The new models have been dust covers and protectors.

Last year I picked up an AIMpoint COMP2 (I believe) with 2MOA dot and 2X magnification. I wanted to try it out. MidwayUSA had it on sale for under $300. The magnification is nice for pinpoint shooting, but not so high it prevents quick work. I do think the big knob to turn it on might be easier under stress than buttons. The main advantage I believe AIMpoint has is battery life. Even that cheaper model has something like 30,000 hours of battery life. That is incredible as you can leave it on all the time and still not burn the batteries for years. When you are thinking about something you have to have working when you need it, that is a big advantage.

What I really want is a Trijicon ACOG which have no batteries, but they are more expensive.

[The Annoyed Man]

Are you able to open both eyes with your Eotech?

Absolutely. It is an "eyes wide open" system, with the reticle just floating out there in front of you.