magnifiers and red dots

[trinydex]

how much is the dot actually magnified? it's not exactly the power of the magnifier... so does the 2 moa dot on an aimpoint grow to 6moa? or is 2moa still 2moa? or does it actually shrink in equivalent size?

[recshooter]

I hope this makes sense...

The dot looks bigger, due to the magnification, but, as what you are aiming at is also magnified by the same amount, it doesn't appear to cover a proportionally larger amount of the target. It balances out is what I am trying to get at.

I use the aimpoint set-up w/ 3X, and am trying to describe what I am seeing.

Hopefully someone will jump in with a more technical explanation.

[SuperSet]

You got it right, recshooter. 2MOA = 2MOA, no matter the distance.

[trinydex]

well if it does not magnify MORE than what the target is magnified... technically you get a better than x moa dot..... that's what i was trying to find out.

[SuperSet]

Hmm.. not sure what you're trying to ask here.
You have a 4MOA, so it covers 4 inches at 100 yards. You magnify both the dot and your target so they both remain in the same proportion. Your dot still covers 4 inches at 100 yards.

[trinydex]

have you looked through a magnifier at a red dot or an eotech reticle? it does not get three times bigger for an aimpoint magnifier.

[SuperSet]

Yep, I shoot a 557 with a 4X magnifier. The reticle becomes 3.75X as big and so does the target. In other words, the center dot stays 1MOA and the outer ring stays 65MOA.
The MOA doesn't change under magnification, no matter the red dot.

[10TH AMENDMENT]

Yep, I shoot a 557 with a 4X magnifier. The reticle becomes 3.75X as big and so does the target. In other words, the center dot stays 1MOA and the outer ring stays 65MOA.
The MOA doesn't change under magnification, no matter the red dot.

SuperSet:

How do you like that 4x Eotech magnifier? Is the glass quality any good? Is the magnification pretty clear?

Is it (and its mount) any heavier than the Aimpoint 3x/mount set-up?

[SuperSet]

10th,
The 4X magnifier sports fantastically clear glass, easily on par with my previous Trijicon AccuPoint. Also, I also love seeing a rectangular view, consistent with the EOTech sight, instead of a traditionally round magnified view. Having tried and traveled through the entire optics spectrum, I've settled on this combo as I shoot it faster and more accurate than any other.

Having said all that, there's some definite disadvantages. THe combo is heavy, coming in at almost 2 pounds for both the 557 and the 4X magnifier. It's also very expensive. I would have gone with the 3X magnifier, had a local buyer not cut me an awesome price for the 4X. And lastly, I really hate the flimsy Samson FTS mount and the centering option doesn't work that well. If LaRue made a 4X FTS mount, I'd switch to it in a heartbeat.

[10TH AMENDMENT]

10th,
The 4X magnifier sports fantastically clear glass, easily on par with my previous Trijicon AccuPoint. Also, I also love seeing a rectangular view, consistent with the EOTech sight, instead of a traditionally round magnified view. Having tried and traveled through the entire optics spectrum, I've settled on this combo as I shoot it faster and more accurate than any other.

Having said all that, there's some definite disadvantages. THe combo is heavy, coming in at almost 2 pounds for both the 557 and the 4X magnifier. It's also very expensive. I would have gone with the 3X magnifier, had a local buyer not cut me an awesome price for the 4X. And lastly, I really hate the flimsy Samson FTS mount and the centering option doesn't work that well. If LaRue made a 4X FTS mount, I'd switch to it in a heartbeat.

Copy on the LaRue line of products...they are simply outstanding!

Two pounds? That's a beefy platform if you find yourself humping with it for a few hours or more!

I just picked up a brand new Elcan Specter DR that weighs in at approx 21 ounces. Wonder how long before I put it up for sale because of the weight.

I really love my Aimpoint T-1/Larue High Mount - Aimpoint 3x Magnifier/LaRue FTS combo because the optic itself is so light that it completely offsets the weight of the magnifier/mount unit. I think it weighs in at approx 17 ounces total! The best feature of this set-up is that you can QD the magnifier/mount when not needed, which leaves about a 6 ounce optic set-up on the rifle.

Thanks for the feedback.

[SuperSet]

The AimPoint is an excellent platform as well, especially when you pair it with a magnifier. That SpectreDR looks awesome as it combines the mag and optic into one entity. It's just hella expensive.
The only reason why I switched to the 557 is that I still shoot the EOTech faster and more accurately than any other optic. And the BDC is a very nice added bonus.

[aplinker]

have you looked through a magnifier at a red dot or an eotech reticle? it does not get three times bigger for an aimpoint magnifier.

A lot of it has to do with your eye's perception. Many people see the reticle dot larger than it is at 1X due to bleeding (same as with a camera). This can be reduced by turning down the reticle, but the eye still isn't perfect.

When you magnify the bleeding is partially reduced (intensity is spread out) and the eye has more of an opportunity to cut the edges properly, so the size is closer to reality.