Ever heard of Aimpoint? If you haven’t, then it comes as a surprise, because Aimpoint is one of the few manufacturers who produce red-dot optics.
Their objective is very simple. They aim to make an optic that allows the shooter to acquire their target as quickly as possible and then hit it, regardless of the weather conditions.
But even if you already know about Aimpoint, its time to learn even more and find out which is the best Aimpoint for AR15.
There are many variations as to how you can set up your rifle, and there are Aimpoint optics designed for each variation. So to pick the best Aimpoint for AR15, the optic would have to fulfill more than one need for the shooter.
But before we get into the in-depth reviews, here is a comparison chart for those who already know what they are looking for…
Contents
Best Aimpoint For AR15 Comparison Table
Name | Red-dot | Battery life | Night Vision Compatibility | Weather-proof | Brightness levels |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Also Great Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic (PRO) View Price | Red-dot 2 MOA | Battery life 3 years | Night Vision Compatibility YES | Weather-proof YES | Brightness levels 4 NVD and 6 daylight levels |
Red-dot 2 MOA | Battery life 5 years | Night Vision Compatibility YES | Weather-proof YES | Brightness levels 4 NVD and 8 daylight levels plus 1 extra bright setting | |
Also Great Aimpoint Carbine Optic (ACO) View Price | Red-dot 2 MOA | Battery life 1 years | Night Vision Compatibility YES | Weather-proof NO | Brightness levels 10 daylight levels |
Red-dot 2-4 MOA | Battery life 5 years | Night Vision Compatibility YES | Weather-proof YES | Brightness levels 4 NVD and 8 daylight levels plus 1 extra bright setting | |
Also Great Aimpoint Comp M4s View Price | Red-dot 2 MOA | Battery life 8 years | Night Vision Compatibility YES | Weather-proof YES | Brightness levels 7 NVD and 9 daylight levels plus 1 extra bright setting |
Next, we’ll breakdown the information into a digestible format and go through the Pros and Cons of each product to find the perfect one for you…
Top 5 Best Aimpoint For AR15 To Buy 2024 Reviews
1
Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic (PRO)
The Aimpoint PRO is made from a durable aluminum alloy and has a hard-anodized finish. It has been used and approved for real-world applications and is submergible up to 150 feet.
Well the Aimpoint PRO has 4-night vision settings and six daylight brightness settings that are compatible with all Aimpoint night vision devices along with red-dot magnifiers. To adjust the position of the dot, there are miniature turrets as you would see on a scope.
If you are worried about making adjustments on the field, don’t be. This is because they come with a retainer strap so you can uncap and let them hang while you make adjustments without the fear of losing them.
The Aimpoint PRO has a 2 MOA red dot for precise targeting. This enhances the target acquisition and increases your chances of hitting the target.
The lenses are protected by the recessed openings which protect them from fingerprints and impact damage. And on the front lip, there is an opening for you to screw in an ARD (Anti-Reflection Device) to hide your position. Additionally, when not in use or while being transported, you can use the transparent lenses caps to protect them from any damage.
The rear lens also features a battery change date which is decaled into the lens, so you know when you need to take it in to be serviced. Also, the DL1/3N battery in the Aimpoint PRO will last for up to 3 years without fail. Therefore, whether it’s for hunting or home defense, its always ready for when you need to use it.
On the bottom of the optic, there is a QRP3 rail mount that will easily allow you to mount it. There is also a spacer that gives you the option to raise or lower your optic to match the type of rifle. The whole optic weighs around 330 grams and has a height of 67 mm. It is around 130 mm long.
Pros
- Anodized finish.
- QRP2 rail mount.
- Optic spacer.
- Service and battery change date decal.
- DL1/3N battery included.
- Submergible up to 150 feet.
- Lenses caps included.
Cons
- Only one-color.
2
Aimpoint Micro T-2 Red Dot Reflex Sight
The Micro T2 is a micro red-dot sight. And its unique design makes it popular amongst speed shooters who engage in close range firing.
It is made from a durable aluminum alloy and has a hard-anodized finish. The finish has a course coating, so it doesn’t reflect light keeping the shooter hidden. The optic is water, fog, and shockproof, and the optic can even be submerged in up to 80 feet of water.
The lenses have reflective coatings for maximum light transmission as well as improving the clarity of the illuminated dot. The T2 is also designed for night vision devices and will work perfectly with magnifiers.
The 2 MOA dot is crisp and clear, offering lightning-fast target acquisition. The dot has four night vision settings and eight daylight settings. The T2 is powered by a single CR2032 battery, which can last for up to 5 years of constant use, thanks to Aimpoint’s ACET technology.
The windage and elevation turrets are modified and are reinforced to prevent them from being struck off. The slopes will guide any impacts over the turrets, keeping them safe. To make an adjustment, you have to uncap the turret and use a small flat device such as a coin.
The optic comes with a base that can be attached to any standard rail and a front flip-up lens cover. The back cover is transparent so it can be left open or closed. The total weight is around 3.7 ounces and has a length of 3 inches and stands 1.9 inches without the base.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Night vision compatible.
- Illuminated 2 MOA dot.
- Eight brightness levels.
- Weather-proof and can be submerged up to 80 feet.
- Battery and Base included.
- Front and back flip-up covers.
- ACET technology.
- Reinforced turrets.
Cons
- One-color.
3
Aimpoint Carbine Optic (ACO)
The Aimpoint Carbine Optic was designed for longer rifles as is stands higher up on its mount. Made from high strength aluminum with a hard-anodized semi-matte finish, this optic is fit for the ruggedness of the outdoors. It is also water, fog, and shockproof and can be submerged in up to 15 feet of water.
However, this model is not night vision compatible. That may sound like a bad thing, but if you don’t need the feature, then it ultimately makes the price cheaper. The ACO has a 2 MOA red dot and can be seen even when pointed at extremely bright sources. It has nine low light and daylight settings, and the battery will last for up to a year of constant use.
The lenses feature multi-layer coatings which allow as much light in as possible to keep images bright and clear. The front lens also has an anti-reflection coating to keep the sun’s glare out of the optic, as well as to hide the red light from the front end of the sight.
The ACO has a fixed mount, so you can’t adjust the height. However, it was designed to line up perfectly to your rifles iron sights. The optic weighs in at 300 grams and stands 3 inches on your rifle. This is because it allows you to see over the iron sights and past the muzzle on long-barreled rifles.
Pros
- Entry-level.
- Nine brightness settings.
- Submergible up to 15 feet.
- Weather-proof.
- Mount and DL1/3N battery included.
Cons
- Not night vision compatible.
- One-color.
4
Aimpoint 12417 Micro T-1 2 MOA with Standard Mount
The T1 is an extremely popular optic because it is lightweight and small. It is built from high-quality aluminum and has an anti-reflective anodized layer. It is therefore completely weather-proof and submergible up to 80 feet.
This model is night vision compatible with four night vision settings. In addition, it has eight daylight brightness levels and an extra setting for bright desert sunlight use or when wearing laser protection glasses. The T1 has a versatile 2 or 4 MOA dot. And its battery life is up to 5 years of constant use.
The windage and elevation turrets are kept safe under caps that not only protect the mechanisms but are also used for adjustment. Therefore no other tools are needed to make adjustments.
The lenses are multi-coated for protection as well as allowing in more light to ensure the images are bright and clear. They are also coated with an anti-reflecting surface which makes it harder to spot the optic. In total, the sight weighs approximately 116 grams and has a height of only 1.6 inches.
Pros
- Entry-level lightweight optic.
- Versatile 2-4 MOA dot.
- Submergible up to 80 feet.
- Weather-proof.
- Multi-coated lenses.
- Mount included.
- Caps functions as adjustment tools.
Cons
- One-color.
- Flip-up caps not included.
5
Aimpoint Comp M4s
The Aimpoint Comp M4s is one of the longest-running and popular optics in Aimpoint’s history. They have been combat-proven and have been trusted by law enforcement, as well as civilian customers, for almost 30 years.
Being one of the toughest sights available, the Comp M4s’ housing is made from a high strength aluminum alloy with a hard-anodized matte finish. It is completely weatherproof and can be submerged up to 150 feet.
It is powered by a simple AA battery, which will last up to 8 years of constant use, thanks to ACET technology. And it is completely night vision compatible and has 7-night vision settings, as well as 9 Daylight brightness levels.
The windage and elevation turrets are exposed for fast adjustments and have reinforced slopes to prevent them from getting damaged. The 2 MOA dot provided can be adjusted by hand and is perfect for both CQC and ranged targets.
The lenses are also multi-layer coated for maximum clarity. The front also has a threaded opening for an additional killFlash anti-reflective device. Also, the optic comes with a QRO2 mount with a spacer for flexible height adjustments. It weighs 268 grams including the battery and stands at 5.3 inches on your rifle with the spacer in place.
Pros
- Extremely long life.
- 7-NVDs.
- 9 Daylight settings.
- Submergible up to 150 feet.
- Mount and spacer included.
- Battery included.
Cons
- Only one-color.
- No flip-up lenses covers.
Now that we’ve covered the features of each optic, let’s go through the buyer’s guide to find the perfect red-dot for you…
Best Aimpoint For AR15 Buyer’s Guide
Thankfully, Aimpoint has clear differences in their products that help make the buying decision far easier.
The first thing to keep in mind is the size of your gun. If you have a long rifle, you may need a larger optic with a taller mount. However, if you have an AR15 and you also want to use the optic for your other guns, such as the red dot sights shotgun, then maybe a lower mounting optic is better.
The next thing would be your style of shooting. If you are a speed shooter, then a shorter optic is a better choice, like the T1 for example. If you are more versatile and some longer shots need to be made, then a longer optic would be more suitable.
Lastly, do you need night vision compatibility? If so, then you’ll have to pay more. If not, then you will save a lot of money.
Finding a clear winner in this lineup is challenging because they are all so similar, and the choice is extremely subjective to each shooter. However, we had to find one, so…
What’s The Best Aimpoint For AR15?
Let’s start off by saying that all of the optics provided by Aimpoint are unique in their own way and are all quality choices. However, in our opinion, the best Aimpoint for AR15 is the…
This modern-looking optic has a certain aesthetic to it and will look amazing on all AR15s. Its functions are much like the rest, but it just has more to offer where others fail. With the T2 you can take it out of the box, and it is ready for set up on your rifle.
It has reinforced turrets, which is a nice touch, as well as multiple illumination settings. Its battery life is phenomenal, and it even comes with lenses covers. It is true that the other optics all have similar features, it’s just that the T2 can do just a little bit more than the rest.