Thoughts on Primary Arms MD-ADS?

[baekacaek]

Im deciding on a red dot sight for my AR, and debating between EOTech xps2 and Primary Arms MD-ADS. I really like the FOV and reticle on the EOTech, but not sure if $500+ is worth it. Since I can always use more money on ammo instead, I started looking at cheaper alternatives like the primary arms one.

What are your thoughts on the Primary Arms MD-ADS? Any comments on the battery life (of supposed 50k hours)? Thanks!

[mjpjr1]

I use to have an Eo Tech xps2 on my carbine AR. It was great, but made my light weight AR a little top heavy. I sold it and recently replaced it with a Primary Arms mds. I didn't spend the extra money on their higher quality Advanced model because I wanted to see if I even liked a micro dot. I am very impressed with the quality for the price. It works great, lighter then the EoTech, and seems easier to get on target for me. My only regret is not getting the Advanced MDS. If I was going into combat, I would probably spend the extra money for an aimpoint or another EoTech. But for the range and plinking purposes, the Primary Arms MDS is working great and left me with a lot of money for ammo.

[MrPlink]

First of all, if you shoot with a reflex sight with both eyes open then FOV is moot.

Eotech is a tried and true professional grade combat optic. IMO they have the best reticle of any reflex sight out there. The reticle is nigh impossible to "lose" and and can also be used for impromptu ranging against man sized targets.

That said, Primary Arms is very very impressive. Especially with the new models that mimic Aimpoint battery life. They have also proven to be quite durable. They don't have the combat pedigree of Eotech or Aimpoint, but very durable none the less.
For the price they are very hard to argue with.

[Gatordev]

First of all, if you shoot with a reflex sight with both eyes open then FOV is moot.

I disagree. If you have to maneuver the rifle into unconventional positions (like setting up behind a barricade or looking through some sort of barricade), many find that a 30mm tube or Eotech is easier to find because the optic FOV (vice the shooter's total FOV) is narrower. I find this to be the case, and while it can certainly be overcome, it may not be as fast as the other options mentioned. Does that matter? Only the individual can say, depending on the shooting discipline. If the goal is to plink from the bench, then it absolutely doesn't matter.

As for the ADS, I've had one for a couple of months now and have run about 500 rounds with it so far on a Colt. It's been on since the first day I got it and is going strong (last time I checked, anyway). I actually find the dot to be on par with an Aimpoint. Once I get my mount, I'll move it over to a MP5 and run it there for a while. I'm sure it will continue to be boringly reliable. If I actually relied on my gun to save my life, I'd go with an Aimpoint (or Eotech), but for a range gun, the ADS works great.

[MrPlink]

Fair enough, but the difference at that point will still be negligible.

[spoof14501]

I love mine. The 50,000 hours battery life remains to be seen. The build quality of the md-ads seems very impressive. I wouldn't trust any electronic sight with my life. That's why you have backup iron sights.

[missiontrails]

I also posted this in another thread regarding the MDS and recoil, but I was shooting mine out in the desert a few weeks ago on my Adams AR, and recoil turned it "ON" twice. I was trying to shoot with irons with the dot off.

[PrimaryArms]

Thoughts on Primary Arms MD-ADS?

Eotech as great and if you can afford one grab it. But if on a budget know that our dots can go to hell and back! This the mdads model with over 5.7 years of bat life!

http://youtu.be/ox0hgWlYWOg

-Dimitri

[JMP]

Im deciding on a red dot sight for my AR, and debating between EOTech xps2 and Primary Arms MD-ADS. I really like the FOV and reticle on the EOTech, but not sure if $500+ is worth it.

An EOTech and a micro-dot are quite different in optics. The microdots are made pretty much exclusively for both eye type open shooting. If you like the EOTech for FOV, then that is definitely the way to go. The advantage of the EOTech is for use when you need faster target acquisition through your optic. The micro-dots sight the same way, but you aren't using that as your primary fields of view for acquiring targets.

For two eye open shooting, you are acquiring the target with both of your eyes and when you point the rifle at the target, the micro-dot sights will allow you to hold your point of aim. The PA MD is much like the AimPoint T1/T2 in design. I'd personally suggest that you try each style before buying one or the other.

If you are looking at a microdot, I have actually grown to not liking the AimPoint/PA MD design for this close two eye open sighting. The reason is that I do not like sights with knobs. For me, the knob casts a shadow when shooting with both eyes open. Also, they provide a bit of a tint in the picture. If you are looking at sights like those, which aren't cheap, I'd also recommend having a look at a Hensoldt RSA. I prefer the RSA as it has a thin and symmetrical outer housing without knobs, so you do not get the shadow of the knobbed housing. Also, the RSA is clear glass and you do not get a tint. That's just what my preference has evolved too.

However, in your situation, if it is the FOV drawing you to the EOTech, I believe that is the sight that you will be most happy with. The other sights do not have that FOV as they simply have different designs. I am not indicating that one is better than the other; they are just different. For someone that wants a larger FOV to acquire a target inside of the optic, then the EOTech is really the only way to go. There are some knock-off EOTech looking devices that sell for cheap, but they are a complete catastrophe.

A compromise in the middle between the two designs would most likely be the Vortex Razor reflex sight. This is all highly preferential, but my gut tells me that you'll be happiest with the EOTech based on how you described your preferences.

[drifts1]

If money is not an object, get both.

If you make a living with your rifle or use it for everyday survival then get the most reliable optic you can afford.

If your like me and its for the range/training/shtf/ect.. get the best value optic for you and buy ammo with the savings. My .02 cents

[Kestryll]

EOTech or PA MicroDot, I own both and while both are good solid sights they are not really comparable due to design differences.

EOTech is an open sight and PAMD is a tubular and that makes a major difference in use and feel.

Why not split the difference with a compact reflex sight?

https://www.primaryarms.com/Burris_FASTFIRE_III_3_MOA_Red_Dot_Reflex_Sight_p/bu300234.htm

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_Red_Dot_Reflex_Sight_p/parrs01.htm

I own both of these as well as the Burris FastFire II and honestly compact reflex sights are becoming my favorite red dot optic. They have the small size of the micro dots and the open feels of my EOTechs in one package.
No, they are not battle tested like an EOTech but then again neither am I so it balances out.

[Mute]

EOTech or PA MicroDot, I own both and while both are good solid sights they are not really comparable due to design differences.

EOTech is an open sight and PAMD is a tubular and that makes a major difference in use and feel.

Why not split the difference with a compact reflex sight?

https://www.primaryarms.com/Burris_FASTFIRE_III_3_MOA_Red_Dot_Reflex_Sight_p/bu300234.htm

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_Red_Dot_Reflex_Sight_p/parrs01.htm

I own both of these as well as the Burris FastFire II and honestly compact reflex sights are becoming my favorite red dot optic. They have the small size of the micro dots and the open feels of my EOTechs in one package.
No, they are not battle tested like an EOTech but then again neither am I so it balances out.

Along the lines of Kes' recommendation, you can also check out the Insight MRDS or the Trijicon RMR, both of which have shown themselves to be very durable and reliable.

[bigbearbear]

EOTech or PA MicroDot, I own both and while both are good solid sights they are not really comparable due to design differences.

EOTech is an open sight and PAMD is a tubular and that makes a major difference in use and feel.

Why not split the difference with a compact reflex sight?

https://www.primaryarms.com/Burris_FASTFIRE_III_3_MOA_Red_Dot_Reflex_Sight_p/bu300234.htm

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_Red_Dot_Reflex_Sight_p/parrs01.htm

I own both of these as well as the Burris FastFire II and honestly compact reflex sights are becoming my favorite red dot optic. They have the small size of the micro dots and the open feels of my EOTechs in one package.
No, they are not battle tested like an EOTech but then again neither am I so it balances out.

The Burris FastFire III is an interesting product, I had a very brief ownership of one but had to return it because its speedbead mount didn't fit my wife's Benelli M2 Field Compact (a little different from full sized M2).

And this is the interesting bit, you can get the speedbead mount for certain brands of shotgun and use your Burris Fastfire III on them. These are different from the typical optics mount on rails of tactical shotguns. They are designed more for wing/clay shooters and gets your head very low and close to the stock, allowing for good gun mounting and swinging.