Need optics advice

[Grayfox]

Here's the deal. I've got a Socom 16. Great rifle, by my eyes ain't what they once were. So I need a little visual help.
For those unfamilar with it, its a M1A 16" barrel with a factory short rail mounted mid barrel in the Scout Scope position.
Currently, I've got an EOTech on it. Works good, but the dot tends to fade badly in bright sunlight and its kinda bulky. Frankly, the way it sticks up there at the middle of the rifle, I'm afraid it tends to bump against darn near anything I get close to.
Also, this is a defensive rifle and I have a natural aversion to trusting my life to anything that requires batteries.
Doesn't necessarily have to be a scope. Does anybody make anything similar to a red dot that doesn't use batteries?

I know what I want, I just can't seem to find one I like.

My criteria:
Compact - the shorter the better.
Long eye relief
Low profile
Low magnification - 2 to 3X
Quality product
Under $500

Any suggestions?

 

[Marvin Gardens]

Hi.

I agree the Socom 16 is a very good rifle. I am a fan of Scout bolt actions as well.

As to the Socom 16, my experience tells me that a strapped on cheekpiece and an Aimpoint mini is the only way to go. The batteries in the mini last years.

I didn't dream the combination up. I got the suggestion from friends at Gunsite. They are able to try everything that comes along as well as observing all of the rigs that students bring for class. Five days of high round counts in the high desert can often give an indication of what works and what doesn't.

My personal observations during practice and training is that Eotechs don't hold up nearly as well as Aimpoints.

FWIW.

Regards.

Bob

 

[jkc]

I agree wholeheartedly with Marvin Gardens --- the parameters you've described are almost perfectly congruent with the tiny Aimpoint Micro, which has a very low profile Picatinny (1913) mount, something like five years of continuous use battery life, a tiny envelope, and unlimited eye-relief, with non-critical alignment. It's a marvelous "fix" for aging eyes, albeit expensive (about $500, last I looked), but in my experience, well worth the investment.