Aim point vs Eotech?

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Like I said, I'm not headed into battle. Not convinced.

The PA is night vision compatible.

The PA has a 50,000 battery life just like the T2.

]

I have two PA MicroDot and was wondering what you were talking about. Heck, ive left mine on and come back to a dead battery more than once. But I see they have a "New" one.

You should buy it and do a review.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I can no longer resist.

I prefer my ACOG.

Nice. Which ACOG/reticle ya got?

I have been considering a Trijicon TR24.

 

[Rastoff]

I have two PA MicroDot and was wondering what you were talking about. Heck, ive left mine on and come back to a dead battery more than once. But I see they have a "New" one.

You should buy it and do a review.

Yeah, I think PA is responding to the market with some good upgrades on new models.

The one "feature" I don't like on the one I linked to previously is an automatic shutdown after 8 hours. So, I wrote an email to PA about it right after I made that post asking if that could be disabled. Not surprisingly, Todd from Primary Arms wrote me back. He said it couldn't be disabled, but suggested that an Aimpoint might suit me because they don't have the auto shutdown. I mentioned the price differential and he responded again with this: https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_Advanced_Micro_Dot_with_Push_Buttons_p/md-ads.htm

The above link should take you to the PA MD-ADS. It's a micro sized red dot like the T1 or T2, but has no auto shut down. It also has a 50,000 hour battery life. The best part is that it's only $169 (a few dollars more if you want a different mount).

I just may have to get one and test it out. While I'm sure it's no Aimpoint, I'm hoping it will do the job.

I wish I had found out about it earlier. I'm headed to a 4 day rifle class next weekend. That would be a good place to test it out.

 

[78Staff]

I have both, the T1 on an AR and the PA on a 15-22.

Everyone loves the PA around here, personally I'm not that thrilled with mine. Not fair to compare it to a Micro of course, but it's essentially a cheap chinacom red dot. If that's all you want/all you need, then it works great. In particular I don't like the mount, the adjustment knobs, the on/off knob, the dot, or the glass. Other than that, it's fine.

The mount was ****, I replaced it with an extra Aimpoint QD I had laying around. The adjustment knobs are too large imo, and require tools to adjust. The On/Off/Brightness knob nearly requires herculean strength to turn, and will start to screw the battery cover when turning off if you aren't careful. The "2 moa" dot is easily twice as large as an Aimpoint 2moa dot. Realistically, it works ok enough for my plinker AR Style 22, but I wouldn't want one on my AR-15. It's a cheap, low tolerance item from overseas - I knew that going in. As long as you keep that in mind, it's an ok item. Plenty of people use them on AR's though, along with the Bushnell TRS Red Dot. I'd suggest taking a look at it as well.

I wasn't aware of the battery life - that's good to know, I'll start leaving mine on like I do with the Aimpoint. Probably the thing I hate the most about the PA is the on/off/1-10x knob. As for the NV - I don't own any NV, but on the PA settings 1 and 2 are brighter than all but the highest Aimpoint levels, matching up around 8 or so really - so I don't think the PA would work very well with NV, if that matters...

EDiT- Also just noticed they have a new model - so the battery life/NV parts above can be ignored.

Also, don't want this to come off as PA Bashing - I've used their 1-6x, and while not for me, it was a great value for what you got. I've just not been thrilled with my PA Red Dot specifically.

 

[Rastoff]

78Staff,
Which model of PA do you have? Many of the older models have much shorter battery life and would do well to have an auto shut off. So, I don't suggest just leaving it on until you determine which you have.

Also, some models have specific NV settings and others don't. I suspect that yours is one that doesn't. I don't have any NV stuff either so, it's a moot point, but there it is.

 

[78Staff]

78Staff,
Which model of PA do you have? Many of the older models have much shorter battery life and would do well to have an auto shut off. So, I don't suggest just leaving it on until you determine which you have.

Also, some models have specific NV settings and others don't. I suspect that yours is one that doesn't. I don't have any NV stuff either so, it's a moot point, but there it is.

yeah I must have the previous version - bought earlier this year. Apparently they have a new model with better battery life and NV settings now. Updated my post...

 

[Rastoff]

On their site, I see 11 models of red dots. I guess it's easy to make many models when they're made in China.

 

[TheMaineEvent]

I had a PA red dot. It crapped out after one year and less than 5-6 hours of actual range use. I love them and have a PA scope that's been great, but once you have a product **** out on you it can make you hesitant to try more.

In true fashion, PA's customer service was top notch. They refunded my full purchase price, even after a year, which I applied to my Primary Arms. You have to look long and hard to find a better company to deal.

Comparison between my Aimpoint Pro and the PA red dot? There is none.

 

[Rastoff]

Comparison between my Aimpoint Pro and the PA red dot? There is none.

Oh, come on now. There's some comparison whether it's good or bad. Tell us what you like/don't like about the PRO. Stuff like, clarity, ease of use, durability and so forth are all useful.

How long have you had the PRO?
How often do you use it?
What type of shooting do you do the most?

I'm sure there's more, but you get the idea. What is it about the PRO that makes it $300 better?

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Comparison between my Aimpoint Pro and the PA red dot? There is none.

I agree. If the Aimpoint meets your criteria of a battle worthy optic then it is meaningless that some Chinese look-a-like only cost $150. Doesn't matter if they gave me one free if it meant I had to keep in mounted on my rifle. It's just doesn't fit the role that I expect my AR to be able to provide beyond range entertainment.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Hey Rastoff,

If you are serious about the PA but the auto shutoff isn't what you want, might check back with them. PA has their own section over on that other forum. There is supposed two new ones. Both are based on the Holosun I believe. One has auto shutoff and one not. Both rated for 50k hours. Reading between the lines, sounds like Holosun is the new PA. Anyway, might want to follow up. If you do, let us know.

 

[Rastoff]

I guess you missed post #83?

 

[TheMaineEvent]

Oh, come on now. There's some comparison whether it's good or bad. Tell us what you like/don't like about the PRO. Stuff like, clarity, ease of use, durability and so forth are all useful.

How long have you had the PRO?
How often do you use it?
What type of shooting do you do the most?

I'm sure there's more, but you get the idea. What is it about the PRO that makes it $300 better?

When I bought the PA red dot it was because I wasn't ready to spend $300 as I had no idea if I'd even want a red dot or not at all. I saw that PA had great reviews regarding their customer service, but in all honesty, it was on sale for $100 bucks or so and I was willing to risk loosing the money if it went south.

I certainly did NOT expect it to go south after less than 10 hours of actual use. Now, my situation is rare as PA does make good products, but now that I know I want an AR that has a red dot mounted, I want something that is proven.

The PRO stays on target even after taking it off. It has a battery life second to none. Its glass is very clear. It is sturdy, I know I can drop it and it'll be fine, but MOST importantly, I trust it.

I've had my PRO since early summer and have used it about 10 hours this year and it's had 500-600 rounds worth of shooting. I can hit targets out to 200 yards and get great grouping with it. In short, it's exceeded what I wanted out of a red dot, but I now know that if I need to hit a head sized target at 200 yards that I can do so with confidence. Confidence is second only to trust in my book.

Trust is something that is very valuable in the gun world. Once its lost its very hard to regain, and for me, I'll pay for a product that I can trust today, but more importantly, one that I can trust tomorrow and many tomorrows from now.

If my PA scope ever craps out, which to be fair, it's been great so far, I'll step up some glass that I know I can trust to work.

 

[gunny4053]

Wow, you guys are still at it? Don't make me send all of you to the corner for a time out. I thought this was about Eotech vs Aimpoint, and now we're bashing PA, not nice. My 30mm PA is going to get a complex, and it's still working so well, even with my Aimpoint Comp M2 setting in the other room.

 

[Rastoff]

It's Phil's fault!

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I guess you missed post #83?

I read it. The reason I posted what I did is because what I'm reading on that other forum in the PA section, posted by PA, doesn't jive with what you posted. Might want to check with PA again if you are seriously thinking about it. That's all.

 

[gunny4053]

It's Phil's fault!

That darn Phil! We can cut him a little slack, he's got other duties to worry about.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Nice. Which ACOG/reticle ya got?

I have been considering a Trijicon TR24.

It's an older TA31 with the red chevron. The MSRP on all things Trijicon is sky high but if you search high and low you can find deals for sometimes under the $1K line. I still love that thing and the bendon aiming whatever really does work even with me being right handed and left eye domininant. I sold off my 20" AR that it was mounted to and keep meaning to replace that rifle now that they are cheap again.