First Red Dot help

[Bob3fiver]

I need help picking my first red dot sight and have brought it down to a couple of the standard options. I have read many positive reviews but also a couple negitive about each, the three options are Aimpoint PRO, EOtech EXPS2, and the Trijicon MRO. Unfortunatly ive only been able to look through the EOtech so far, but loved the way the holographic looked. I will mostly be using this sight at the range up to 200 yards and for home defense. The price range seemed to be pretty similar on all three of them, and since im still waiting on my barrell to come in... (fml) i have time to wait for a deal or sale on the one I pick. Also, living in the bay area I dont think much of the climate complants about the sights will affect me.

[ExtremeX]

Those are all really good red dot units... honestly it really doesn't matter at that level. Its 100% personal preference so pick what you like the most.

Pick the sight that has a particular feature or attribute that speaks to you... if that is still too complicated them just pick the one you like the looks of most (can't believe I just said that) but really it's just a red dot sight...

I have shot with all of them, and I would be fine with owning any one of those 3.

[559BearDown]

A Bushnell TRS-25 can do what you need for under $100.

[robledo]

I think you're on the right track. Buy once cry once. My recommendation would be to see what is available used on the Calguns marketplace. All three you listed are quality units and can take a beating. If youre aiming for the $400-450 range don't hesitate to buy used and save some cash.

I've never handled an MRO but had and eventually sold an Aimpoint PRO, currently use all Eotechs (XPS3-0, EXPS3-0+G33 magnifier) and have some trigger time behind an Aimpoint micro. All good red dots. Personally I prefer the Eotech reticle and can live with the decreased battery life.

[teflondog]

I've owned every model of Aimpoint and I used to own an Eotech EXPS. Out of your choices, the Aimpoint PRO would be my first pick.

I actually think the Eotech has the best reticle and open viewing window, but I hated its auto shutoff feature and battery life compared to the Aimpoints. That was enough for me to put an Aimpoint T-1 on most of my rifles even though I think the Aimpoint dot is a compromise compared to Eotech's awesome reticle.

[Bob3fiver]

I completely agree on the buy once cry once phrase... that has been my motto on this entire build.
Thank you for the responses it always seems like the aim point pro is the favorite from the community on this forum. Too bad there is not a way I could sort of test drive each of these red dot sights at a range. I guess I will just have to find a store that sells all of them so I can look through them to make my best educated purchase.

This is the firsy im hearing of the EPtech auto turn off, what is the timer set on that?

[teflondog]

I completely agree on the buy once cry once phrase... that has been my motto on this entire build.
Thank you for the responses it always seems like the aim point pro is the favorite from the community on this forum. Too bad there is not a way I could sort of test drive each of these red dot sights at a range. I guess I will just have to find a store that sells all of them so I can look through them to make my best educated purchase.

This is the firsy im hearing of the EPtech auto turn off, what is the timer set on that?

If you press the button with the down arrow to turn on the Eotech, the auto shutoff is set to 4 hours. If you press the button with the up arrow to turn it on, then the auto shutoff is set to 8 hours.

This didn't seem like a problem to me at first. I always thought that turning it on wasn't a big deal until one night when I heard people in my backyard at 3AM. I grabbed my rifle and I had a hard time finding the button in the dark. My hands were shaking from adrenaline so that made it worse. I prefer Aimpoints because they're always on. I just make sure to change the batteries every Christmas as a precaution even though the batteries don't need to be replaced for years.

[CouchOperator]

Ive shot a few aimpoints and eotechs. Alot of haters of the eotech but the circle dot reticle is pretty badass. I ate crow the first time i shot one. That being said, im an Aimpoint micro guy.

Regarding the MRO, its slight magnification irritates me

[LeadFarmer74]

I vote Eotech for all around greatness. I've never used an Aimpoint but the eotech hasn't let me down.

[trailtundra]

I had the same three in mind a while back. Here are some things to consider:

The PRO and Eotech are about double the weight of the MRO (w/ mount). (11+oz vs. 6+oz)

The PRO operates on a pretty non-standard battery compared to the MRO and Eotech. (2L76 / DL1/3N vs 2032 (MRO) or 123 (Eotech)

Battery life on the MRO and PRO significantly longer than Eotech.

Whether you have a preference between a simple red dot vs. circle-dot reticle.

[ExtremeX]

Good points on battery type trailtrundra...

The weight of the MRO is pretty favorable over the others. I really like the smaller optics personally.

I also have a lot of 2032 batterys available... I have a couple sleeves of Sony cells in my range bag. Lots of things use them, my micro rds, various scopes, garage tools like my digital MIC, and other things...

I like standardization... same goes for CR123, I also buy those in bulk and have plenty available from everything from optics, flashlights, rangefinders...