Browe BCO vs. ACOG

[09cs]

I just recently learned about this Browe BCO optic, while I was pretty set on getting a TA31 or TA11 when the time was right, but now this has popped up.

Seems like a really good optic. The founder was Trijicon exec I beleive who left to improve on the ACOG. It is battery operated (down side, ACOG no batteries), has a light sensor, so the reticle dims/gets stronger depending on what you're looking at, not where you are (acog fiber optics).

I know ACOGs are battle proven, and built like a tank. This, I'm not so sure about. I've read articles, but no real world test to see how they hold up to abuse.

What I'd be worried about is the circuit board, the light sensor and all the electronic stuff failing, where in ACOGs you don't have that problem.

No tiritium to eventually need to get filled etc..

http://www.browe-inc.com/categories/4x32-BROWE-Combat-Optic-(BCO)/

[epilepticninja]

I've heard good things about them. The main turn off for me with an ACOG, is having to replace the tritium after 10 years. I've scrapped many a night sight that were a decade or older that just lost their glow. I'd rather replace batteries.

[09cs]

I've heard good things about them. The main turn off for me with an ACOG, is having to replace the tritium after 10 years. I've scrapped many a night sight that were a decade or older that just lost their glow. I'd rather replace batteries.

That was my thinking too. What does worry me though is all the electronics in the Browe, not just being battery powered. Having the light sensor come loose inside the optic stuff like that.

[sunborder]

Aimpoint and Eotech, among others seem to have bulletproof electronics. I don't see why these guys can't accomplish the same thing. The basic design seems to be built like a tank, so I don't see why not, at that price point.

[Press Check]

Not too sure about this one, but in reference to engaging from low light to a lit area, the target light sensor is somewhat innovative in the fact that it measures light at the POI compared to an FO ACOG that collects ambient light from the position of engagement, but that long-standing issue was somewhat resolved with the debut of the LED ACOG. However, that has not always been an issue for the end-user, and on a related note, LED resolves concerns regarding the lifespan of tritium, but of course, at the expense of additional weight and changing batteries. Personally, I have never found the tritium within an ACOG useful anyway.

At the end of the day, I'm not entirely sure how many folks have been successful in reinventing the wheel. Borrowing the ACOG's overall design and reticles is one thing, but to place it directly in line with the ACOG's price-point doesn't seem like a bright idea.

Good luck to Browe and it's end-users, but I don't see any marginal success in the optic.

[Sniper3142]

I have a TA31F ACOG and it is extremely durable, clear and compact.

If the Tritium & Fiber Optics are a concern, have you considered the Battery Powered Trijicon TA02?

[09cs]

I have a TA31F ACOG and it is extremely durable, clear and compact.

If the Tritium & Fiber Optics are a concern, have you considered the Battery Powered Trijicon TA02?

They are not necessarily a concern, I just thought it was pretty inovative to gather the light source from the POI/POA (as stated above) rather than the ambient like from the shooting position. Think once the time comes in a few months, I'll probably end up with the TA11 or 31 depending on which works better for me because I know it is durble enough to take a fall etc. where with this if it drops accidentally I don't know if one of the electronic pieces will break.

[09cs]

Oh since you have the TA31, is the eye relief really as short as they say it is? And how does the BAC work for you? Is it doable to get quick(ish) close quarter shots using it as I've heard?

[09cs]

Another is the Browe is that it requires a coin or such to make windage or elecation adjustments vs. the Trijicon finger adjustment knobs.

[sunborder]

I have a TA-31f I am considering selling. I like it a lot, and the BDC/glass are very nice. My one problem with it is the eye relief. Since I wear glasses, to get a good picture, my glasses are so close that I risk recoil scratches on the lenses, and with rear Matech BUIS, I have to shoot NTCH.

The only time the fiber is an issue is when you are in a dark place firing into a less dark place. If you are firing into a bright area from a dark area, you can just use the chevron like a regular black reticle. I've found that it works passably well as a close range optic, but it's a little slower than a red dot. If you have the flip caps (mine does), then you can flip the front one closed, and use it with both eyes open, and it superimposes the reticle in your field of view, which is perfect for close-in shots.

I was using mine on a carbine as a do-all rifle. Now I'm running a red dot on the carbine, and a 4-14x on the DMR. If I was stuck with 1 rifle, I'd probably want something like an ACOG or 1-6x.

[09cs]

Eye relief is my biggest concern, that's why I was considering the TA11

[sunborder]

If eye relief is a concern, then skip the TA-31f, especially if you wear glasses.

The TA-11 has quite a bit more eye relief. 2.4" vs 1.5"

[CriticallyStressed]

I have/had both (4 Browes and 2 ACOGs to be precise). I've sold my TA31F and am selling the remaining TA11 ACOG as the Browe is superior in every respect for my uses.
- Better glass (side by side comparison on the 600yd range at Reno), optical clarity was noticeably better on the BCO
- The target light sensor is highly underated IMO, it perfectly adjusts to the right brightness for your target whatever the lighting. With the ACOG, I always had to tape up the FO tube when out in the desert as it's just too bright.
- Titanium body is more robust than the aluminum ACOG
- The auto-shutoff and 1-press on function is very user friendly, you can even override the auto-brightness from the target light sensor by cycling through the different brightness levels.
- Comes with a QD throw-lever mount right out of the box (you have to spend another $100+ to get an ADM or similar for the ACOG)
- Is easy to setup with flip-up caps/killflash

[09cs]

I have/had both (4 Browes and 2 ACOGs to be precise). I've sold my TA31F and am selling the remaining TA11 ACOG as the Browe is superior in every respect for my uses.
- Better glass (side by side comparison on the 600yd range at Reno), optical clarity was noticeably better on the BCO
- The target light sensor is highly underated IMO, it perfectly adjusts to the right brightness for your target whatever the lighting. With the ACOG, I always had to tape up the FO tube when out in the desert as it's just too bright.
- Titanium body is more robust than the aluminum ACOG
- The auto-shutoff and 1-press on function is very user friendly, you can even override the auto-brightness from the target light sensor by cycling through the different brightness levels.
- Comes with a QD throw-lever mount right out of the box (you have to spend another $100+ to get an ADM or similar for the ACOG)
- Is easy to setup with flip-up caps/killflash

How durable is the Browe? If it was to take an accidental fall or something etc.. would it hold up like an acog?

[CriticallyStressed]

How durable is the Browe? If it was to take an accidental fall or something etc.. would it hold up like an acog?

Since it's a very close design to the ACOG, I imagine the shape would handle impacts well just like the ACOG. The body is titanium which is way more rugged than the aluminum used in the ACOG (it's also lighter ). Basically, consider it like a new generation of the ACOG, nothing lost (unless you're worried about EMP ), a whole lot gained.