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High Exposure

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Posts posted by High Exposure

  1. Posted

    If it bleeds, its too bright. If people are concerned about it getting washed out, truth is that in most situations if the reticle does get washed out, it wouldn't matter how bright the dot is set.

     

    Not true. Your ambient light conditions can change in an instant. For example, moving from outside on a sunny day to inside a dim house or basement, being backlit/silhouetted, or standing in shadows observing a well lit space. Also, if you are doing CQB type work in low light without the benefit of IR/NODs, (such as defending your family in a home invasion type robbery) you have to take how bright your white light is into consideration when adjusting your RDS brightness. Sucks to have your RDS set to what you think is a proper brightness, then hit your white light to ID your threat/target and realize your dot is washed out by your light.

     

    Turning it down to the lowest visible setting does make the dot appear smaller and can increase accuracy, but, barring certain situations, it should be a range only practice, not a solid across the board TTP.

     

    On the flip side, you can't have the dot so bright it blooms to the point you can't see past it either. Like all things, the situation will dictate.

  2. Posted

    Truthfully, if I could go back, I would never have bought it. I have since traded it for the RMR02 that is mounted on a milled Glock 35 slide.

     

    I ran the T1/magnifier combo pretty hard through multiple 2 and 3 day training classes and found that it just was not for me. I was faster and more accurate 100 yards and in without the magnifier, using just a 4 moa T1, AND, I was accurate and fast enough with the ACOG inside of 100 yds(excluding CQB distances) to not be bothered with a hybrid, best of both worlds, solution.

     

    What I learned from this is that a dedicated RDS, such as an Aimpoint T1 AND a dedicated magnified optic, like my TA01 NSN ACOG, in quality mounts that retain zero (like products from LaRue) that are zeroed for the same rifle, work better for my application.

     

    My solution has been to keep the T1 on my rifle and the ACOG in my rifle bag. I have yet to find I needed the ACOG over the T1. Again that is for me and my use. If I had a different job to do or training requirement, that may be different.

     

    I am not saying that the Aimpoint Mag in the LaRue FTS mount is crappy gear, it absolutely is not. Great glass, quality manufacturing, excellent kit all in all, it just does not work for me in my application.

  3. Posted

    I have a TA01NSN ACOG, 2 Aimpoint T1 (4moa), an Aimpoint 3x magnifier, an EoTech, a Trijicon RMR, and an Insight MRDS. I have no affiliation with any company, but I am a big fan of good gear that works as advertised. I shoot A LOT, both in training and competition and carry a gun for a living.

     

    When considering going "budget" with optics consider best value vs lowest price. An Aimpoint PRO or T1/H1/R1 with a 4moa dot and a 5 year constant on battery life at $450 will serve you better and be cheaper than a $100 Strikefire/Sig/Burris/Primary Arms etc... when you consider batteries, repairs and replacement costs over 5 years. Not to mention you will be saving yourself a lot of aggravation from wandering zeros, intermittent power issues, bad glass, loose mounts, condensation in the tube, dot washout in bright sunlight, or varying dot size. I have personally seen all these issues with "budget optics".

     

    As far as dot size, don't sweat a dot size between 1-4moa. Most rack grade military/consumer rifles are purposfully spec'd to be accurate to 4 moa (that translates to a 4 inch group at 100 yards). Unless you are shooting match ammo, you have anywhere between 4-10 moa (inherent accuracy of a 4"-10" spread at 100 yards) capable ammo, if not more, and I don't know many people that are 1mo shooters on demand. (Keep in mind that "on demand" is different than "on command")

     

    My advice, and it is worth what you paid for it, is to be patient, shoot with irons for the next 6 months, and save up for a quality optic. I bet you will be much happier for it.

     

    Also, keep your eyes upen for sales, there will be lots of new and used 4moa Aimpoint T1s for sale as the new 2moa T1s hit the market. (I for one will keep both of my 4moa T1s, as they work fine for my application)

     

    Finally, weight considerations aside, I consider the Aimpoint Pro an excellent value considering battery life, warranty, manufacturers reputation, service record, personal experience, and included mount and covers. Any RDS type sights I buy in the future for long guns, will be either an Aimpoint PRO or T1/H1/R1 in a LaRue mount.

     

    Caveat Emptor: If this optic is going on a range gun only and is not to be used for serious training, self defense, home defense, or work, and this optic will be shot little, say 50 rounds a month in sunny warm weather only, where cottonball clouds float across an impossibly blue sky next to a river of chocolate and trees that give beer, then you can probably get by with a cheaper budget optic. Probably.

  5. Posted

    This is the first I have heard of Aimtech,, some people call that a clue.....

     

    I know Mesa Tactical makes one with an integrated 4, 6, or 8 round side saddle for a bit more cash.

     

    If you are planning to run AR sights on it, Troy makes a set of Lower BUIS for use on an HK 416 that would work better that a standard set. Cheek weld will still be a ****, and proper sight pictue/sight alignment will still be mediocre at best.

     

    Whatever you do, just realize, like Ray said, it is still a shotgun, not an AR. You are better off saving that $100 and putting it towards a quality AR that trying to dress up your shotgun and being disappointed.

    • Like 1

  10. Posted

    I came in 4th place in Speed on Steel?!? Shooting full power .40 loads from a stock Glock 35 out of a level 3 retention holster, I will take it!

     

    I thought I shot like crap... Guess it wasn't as bad as I thought.

     

    Now comes the interior dialogue over Winning vs. Training. I could probably shave 2 - 3 seconds per stage going to a speed holster. Figure another second or two shooting under powered loads. I think about this after every comp.... And always come back with the same answer. Shoot what I have to carry out of what I have to carry it in. But the "What If?" still nags me..

     

     

    Edited to add: I just saw the scores from the knockdown steel on the 12th. There's the suckage! 11th place... Blech....

    • Like 1

  11. Posted

    I am just offering my opinion, based on my first hand knowledge and experience of the equipment mentioned and the experiences related to me by other shooters who are vastly more qualified than me to comment on the topic.

     

    The OP never said anything about eye problems [EDIT: He did in fact state it in a later post, not the original. My apologies. In any case, that doesn't change anything, because he stated it bothers him with irons and he is asking about, and we are talking about, RDS/Reflex]. And even if he did, where did you get the notion that people with vision problems don't usually shoot at "Close self defense" distances? What do you consider "close self defense" distances, by the way, and what about vision problems would make someone not shoot at those distances?

     

    In reference to the tube like quality of an RDS, any RDS optic tube becomes basically a 2D circle as soon as you look through it. A RDS with proper eye relief has no tube like quality when looking through it. My T1 is about as long as the "tube" on your reflex, and when I line everything up, I do not even notice the body of the sight. Even with my non dominant eye closed during a high percentage shot, the FOV is more than adequate to maintain SA through my T1.

     

    As far as him not being interested in better optics, the title of the thread is "Aimpoint Pro vs. EOTech 512". I would believe that that shows he is in fact interested in 2 optics superior to the Trijicon Reflex in every way but price (Note I did not say value). He stated the primary mission for this optic was to be placed on a pistol caliber carbine used for Home Defense primarily, and ringing steel in competitions secondary. The self defense role that the OP has placed his carbine indicates a reliable, accurate, quality optic is called for. Inferior products should be avoided at all costs. After all, what is your life worth? The Trijicon Reflex with the amber triangle reticule has a horrible reputation for washing out when used in a dark room while illuminating your target with a bright white light. If the OP is planning to put that optic on his "bump in the night" gun with a bright white light mounted to the fore-end rail, he may run into problems. Combine that with the fact that the Trijicon Mount does not co-witness or remove quickly, he now has a weapon with no working sight system in an emergency situation. That is a recipe for disaster. If he stated that this was a competition only gun, then that is another story. The worst that happens if the reticle fails then, is that he looses a match or two, no biggie. He still hoes home at the end of the day.

     

    Nowhere did I state or imply that I was "elite", and one does not need to be "elite" in order to want the best gear to properly fulfill your particular goals. (And FYI the term "operator" is stupid. No one who carries a weapon for a living says that seriously anyway) I am just offering a different viewpoint based on my frame of reference, and offering some advice that I have found useful since I have started shooting.

     

    We all have a job we want our equipment to fill, whether it be a flashlight, weapon, computer, optic, or vehicle. When you research and make a decision to purchase said equipment you should buy what works for you in your life, your location, and meets your goals for reliability and service. Just because it works for a Navy SEAL does not mean it is the best thing for a regular Soldier, a Cop, or an Armed Citizen. So yes, your "Mission" should determine what gear you acquire, and how that gear is set up and used. If the OP stated "I want to shoot 4" steel disks at 600m with a pistol, which red dot sight should I get?" that would be a problem, no? You would explain to him that for that kind of shooting you might be better suited with a different weapon platform and accessories. Different "Mission", different "Gear".

     

    In regards to equipment making you a better shooter, it does not. As I said it enhances your abilities, it doesn't give you instant sharpshooter status.

     

    despite thinking no gear making you shoot better.. or whatever.. I call BS... if your fundamentals are good.. and you reach the peek of your physical limitations because of something like eyesight.. a magnified scope WILL make you a better shot.. if your fundamentals are good.. but you can simple not hold the rifle stable enough.. a bipod WILL make you a better shot.. and so on.. sure.. you can maybe make a 500 yard shot with a bare bones AR.. but it gets a hell of a lot easier on a bipod with a magnified scope.. thus equipment WILL improve your use of the weapon..

     

    I agree, IF your fundamentals are good, ie. You are a decent shooter, equipment such as a scope or bipod will enhance your abilities. And that is what I said, if you care to go back and read my post. Such equipment still does not grant you instant improvements in your shooting, if you are not already competent. In your examples above you prove my points. The magnified optic will help shooter with failing eyesight SEE his target better, not shoot better. If he does not have a grasp of trigger control, sight alignment/sight picture, the manual of arms for the platform he is operating, etc... He will not be any better of a shot. He will just have a better view of his miss. A bi-pod will hold the weapon steady. Again, that will enhance your ability, not bestow ability, because holding the weapon steady is not all there is to shooting.

     

    Don't make the all too common mistake of buying into hardware fixes for software problems.

     

    Finally, making it easier is not the same as making it possible. Yeah, it is easier to make a hit on 8" steel plate at 200 yards with a 4x scope and a match trigger, but that doesn't mean you are a better shooter now because yesterday you shot a stock AR and missed.

  12. Posted

    also keep in mind.. a reflex optic is only going to make short range shooting easier.. there is no magnification and you are staring down a small tunnel.. as stated.. I use a trijicon on my CX4 in 40 and love it..

     

    i consider it my "go to" interior home defense weapon.. reflex optic that has no batteries to fail and is ALWAYS on.. flashlight mounted... light weight.. perfect for what it is intended to do.. and at far less the cost than an aimpoint OR eotech..

     

    cx41.JPG

     

    Just a couple quick things about optics.

     

    First and most importantly, always let your mission drive the gear purchases. Think about what you need/want to do and buy equipment that enhances you ability to do so.

     

    That being said, no optic will make you a better shot, magnified optics included. Only practice and training with the equipment you have will do that, whether it is irons, RDS, or magnified. If you are a crappy shot without an optic, you will be a crappy shot with an optic.

     

    That does not mean that a RDS (Red Dot Sight) or reflex sight can not enhance your shooting ability. They can make it easier to learn to be a good shot, and with practice can enable you to get faster hits in a variety of positions and at great distances. It is just that an RDS is not a panacea for all your shooting woes. You still need to practice and become comfortable using it. As far as magnified optics I have found that they help you SEE better but not Shoot better. Since we are talking about an optic for a pistol caliber carbine I don't see realistic shots past 75 yards or so. A RDS will do everything you need, and do it faster, than a magnified optic inside 100 yards, and with practice you can ring steel way past 250 yards with an RDS. Also, if you are using an RDS correctly it does not appear that you are looking through a tube. The optics body does not interfere with your situational awareness at all and you really do not even see it. You simply get the proper sight picture, apply your shooting fundamentals and repeat. The optic does not cause "Tunnel Vision" or lack of SA. A high heart rate and its physiological side affects coupled with bad habits and a lack of training and experience are the culprits there.

     

    The optic shown on the Baretta above is the Trijicon Reflex. It used to be part of the SOPMOD kit for the M4. It is no longer included in the kit and for cause. They had many issues with that sight and in any case, there are now many better options out there. Yes the better options are more expensive options but, you really do get what you pay for. Buy once, cry once as they say. Also I understand that the the Trijicon Reflex Sights don't need batteries but the Aimpoint M4 and M4s have a 70,000 hour battery life and the T1 has a 50,000 hour battery life! You could turn the sight on to it's middle visible setting and the battery will last well over 5 years. I have 2 T1s on my ARs and I leave them on all the time, I never turn them off. That is one less thing to do when there is a bump in the night. Just pick up the carbine, sling and charge. I have had one of my T1s on a training carbine on for 3.5 years on setting 8 with the same battery and it should run for another 1.5 years. For my social rifle I spend the $3.00 and change the battery every 4th of July just to be safe. On the other hand, after experimenting I have found that the EO-Tech on my Remington 870 has a battery life of around 175 hours and the batteries need to be replaced monthly whether the sight is on or not, unless I remove the batteries from the housing completely.

     

    If you choose a quality optic, I would not get to wrapped up around the axel about Co-Witnessing the iron sights. The chances of a quality peice of gear failing or getting damaged is pretty slim for what you are planning to do with the weapon. But, if you are still concerned about it, get a LaRue Quick Release mount for whatever optic you decide on and then you can just remove the optic if you need the irons. It also looks like the T1 in the factory low mount would Co-Witness quite nicely in the lower 1/3 of the optic.

     

    Whatever you choose to get, practice with it and use it in all lighting conditions. See what works and what doesn't. Take a class or two and really wring it out.

     

    I hope this helps and good luck!

  13. Posted

    You sure that was him? There are a lot of Filipinos who are good shooters at OB.

     

    Got a vid of him last year.

    [Awesome vid of JJ gettin' it done]

     

    Not 100% sure it is JJ, but close to it. I was going by the gun, pretty sure that is his "Razorcat".

     

    Plus, for the last 3 yeas or so, he has often gotten squadded with the group of guys I usually go to the comps with. The stance, mechanical-like movement, reloads, and pre-shooting "ritual" just scream JJ to me. I may be wrong but whatever. Whoever it is is a hell of a shooter.

  14. Posted

    boff, and I want to see that guy do that with a real gun.

     

    Pretty sure that is JJ Racaza in the video. I have seen him do that with iron sights as well as the RDS. Great shooter and a hell of a nice and down to earth guy.

     

    On another note, it looks like I might actually make it on Saturday. See you all there!

     

    Oh, and a bit of advice for all attending. I have shot this style of match before. I am bringing at least twice what the recomended round count is. I can always bring ammo home, I can't finish a match with what I don't have.

     

    You all are welcome to my brass if you want .40 brass from a stock Glock barrel.

  15. Posted

    Hey guys, Thanks for the welcome.

     

    Krdshrk, I was shooting with Harry's group. I was the one shooting a Glock 35 w/X300, I was wearing a black warbelt/thigh rig and a Black TNF Toque.

     

    Hey High E welcome to the forum, so you going to make the knockdown match this up coming Saturday?

     

    I usually make the knockdown matches but this Saturday is a no-go. I will unfortunately be working. Thanks for the invite! If anything changes, I will advise.

  16. Posted

    Hey Everyone,

     

    It was great shooting with you all today. I had a lot of fun and hope you all did too.

     

    Thanks for the invite to the forum as well. I had been lurking for a while and after meeting you all decided to make it official and join up.

     

    Yea right, Nick said he got me, I was shooting the CCI's that were jamming, after that I lubed it nice and wet and switched to cheap Federal Bulk and she ran well. Guess what he got on video... :icon_rolleyes::icon_mrgreen:

     

    I am glad switching to the cheap stuff worked. That was my buddy's experience too, the premium ammo just did not want to run in his 1911-.22 pistol.

  17. Posted

    Hello All.

     

    I have been lurking here for a bit, reading and getting a feel for the place.

     

    I met some of the members here at a Static Steel Comp in Old Bridge today and decided to officially join.

     

    To everyone I shot with today, thank you for a fun match. Hope to see you all again.

     

    High E

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