New aimpoint issues

[Mots0311]

Ok to make a long story short I bought a new AR-15 to replace the one I had to sell almost a year ago. This time I went with an Aimpoint Pro instead of the EOtech 512 that I had last time. I finally got out to the range and was less than satisfied with it. The 2 MOA dot was not perfectly round. I have read a lot about people saying that it has to do with your eyesight and is not a defect. I could not keep a good group at 50 meters. I know what your thinking; "its not the dope on the rifle but the dope behind the rifle." Not this time because I held great grouping on my old eotech, even at 200 meters. Its hard to find center mass on an 8 inch black when your dot is oblong shaped or fuzzy.
Question- If I bought a higher end aimpoint will this problem be fixed? Is the aimpoint pro a low end optic that isn't very good?
Any ideas on how to work with this?
Suggestions? Opinions?
I always get great feedback on this forum thanks.

 

[dannybot]

Did you try to turn down the intensity? If you make the brightness just right, rather than really bright, it seems to give a better definition.

 

[Culina]

Did you try to turn down the intensity? If you make the brightness just right, rather than really bright, it seems to give a better definition.

+1 on that, bright is good for fast shooting, just bright enough to see or slightly brighter is better for accurate shooting. With the right sized bull, I can get 1.5" groups at 100 yards on my wifes AR15 with the Aimpoint Pro.

 

[Mots0311]

Yes I have, there seems to be no correlation to brightness. The dot looks like grapes on a vine ( if that makes sense) just a weird shape. If you get a piece of paper and poke a hole in it then look through the hole into the aimpoint the circle looks tighter. Its a weird optical illusion, its either cheaper technology on their lower tier optics or my eyes.

 

[JaPes]

I used to run a Primary Arms 3 MOA dot for the past two years. As I approached 40, my eyes changed and my astigmatism changed the way I perceived the dot. It became fuzzy and not round. I had to switch from a reflex to a holographic sight. An EoTech 512 looks right to my eyes.

Maybe your Aimpoint is defective? Have you had anyone else look through it? I don't recall reading whether or not you posted where you bought you r Aimpoint. If you bought it off the internet or a bricks and mortar store, are you sure you got a genuine Aimpoint and not a counterfeit? Have you tried contacting Aimpoint customer service?

 

[stwings]

Sell the aimpoint and put the money towards a 512. Gander Mountain has a blowout sale going $369.00 I think.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Yes I have, there seems to be no correlation to brightness. The dot looks like grapes on a vine ( if that makes sense) just a weird shape. If you get a piece of paper and poke a hole in it then look through the hole into the aimpoint the circle looks tighter. Its a weird optical illusion, its either cheaper technology on their lower tier optics or my eyes.

A cluster of grapes is very common with eye issues.

Test- Remove the optic from the rifle. Look through the optic and rotate it with your hand. I suspect that the cluster will not rotate with the optic and your eyes are the issue. If the cluster rotates then the optic is the problem but that is highly unlikely.

Without my distance glasses all red dots look like an oblong cluster of grapes. Below is what they actually look like. Here is a dime store Primary Arms placed on my desk on end with camera lens on the other end. Absolutely perfect. With my distances glasses on the dot looks like it should. Remember, keep focussed down range on your target, not the red dot.

Now if you crank up the intensity on any red dot it will appear to flare or starburt. That is normal.

 

[BillyJack2012]

Sounds like you're pretty seasoned but are you focused on the dot or the target when you are shooting?

 

[WR Moore]

I had this issue with an older Aimpoint 3000 and assumed it was because the sight had become old and out of spec. Got my glasses changed and gee, the dot is round again!

You most probably have an astigmatism issue. I'd suggest taking the dismounted sight along with you to the optometrist/opthomologist. Double check the Doc's work before you leave.

This is nature's way of suggesting you need to take better care of yourself. Do try the rotate the optic and see if the 'defect' rotates with the sight. Good suggestion.

One thing I did discover on my own PRO is that the intensity selections intended for night vision use make the intensity steps of the daylight settings much larger. It's a great combat/defensive sight, just may lack refinement for daylight sport use. BTW, steps 3 & 4 are actually visible in dim light without night vision.

 

[gdnagle]

You did buy the Aimpoint Pro from a reputable dealer right. There are a lot of fakes out there.

Try letting some else look through it and if they see the same, unless their eyes are like yours it could be defective.

 

[Mots0311]

Sounds like you're pretty seasoned but are you focused on the dot or the target when you are shooting?

Hmmm yea while shooting at the range I think I was concentrating more on the dot than the target. Just habit since I was taught to concentrate on front site post on iron site and make target blurry. I also think I was shooting more with one eye closed when I should be shooting with both open. I think this is my own eye sight issue, perhaps the holographic sight might be better for me as suggested. I wear contact lenses and see 20/20 but up close I think its causing problems.
My wife got my site from LaRue tactical so I know they are good and will exchange them out.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Hmmm yea while shooting at the range I think I was concentrating more on the dot than the target.

My wife got my site from LaRue tactical so I know they are good and will exchange them out.

"Returns will not be accepted on merchandise that has been altered, laundered, modified in any way or mounted and/or fired"

 

[SmokeStack Lightning]

I've read people whose eyes are affected by 'Astigmatism' see the dot as a cluster of grapes.

I've also read that Eotechs look crisper than Aimpoints for those who are afflicted with the disorder.

My 'PRO' looks like a concise red sphere to me, but I'd still like to own an Eotech...........but, lately, I've really been thinking on getting an ACOG with a Docter. Only thang holding me back is $$$$$.

 

[kb18no1]

You most probably have an astigmatism issue. I'd suggest taking the dismounted sight along with you to the optometrist/opthomologist. Double check the Doc's work before you leave.

+1

(i need more characters to post this)

 

[kb18no1]

Make sure you shoot with both eyes open.

I have the some astigmatism and my aimpoint pro red dot is not perfectly round. The 2 moa dot compared to the eotech reticle are completely different. The eotech will be better for faster shooting close up and the aimpoint pro with 2 moa dot better for longer precision.

Also where is aimpoint pro mounted? It should be on your receiver close to where the handguard meets the receiver. Some people mount them like scopes which limit what you can see.

 

[BillyJack2012]

Yeah, hit the range again, keep both eyes open and focus on the target. See if that helps. It was a change for me also when I moved from irons. My dot was fuzzy and almost "clustered". When I started to focus out, it came back to a nice crisp dot.

 

[Mots0311]

Make sure you shoot with both eyes open.

I have the some astigmatism and my aimpoint pro red dot is not perfectly round. The 2 moa dot compared to the eotech reticle are completely different. The eotech will be better for faster shooting close up and the aimpoint pro with 2 moa dot better for longer precision.

Also where is aimpoint pro mounted? It should be on your receiver close to where the handguard meets the receiver. Some people mount them like scopes which limit what you can see.

Ok, I have my aimpoint close to my BUIS. I'll move it up forward closer to my handguards.

 

[Laddy Smith]

Suggestion

I'm guessing you already poured over this site but if not there's some helpful suggestions....

Lad

How to get the best out of an Aimpoint red dot sight

 

[Wicked1911]

You sure you didn't get a knock off?

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pCH0Xm_sKpg

 

[rjbFL]

Wickrd1911 thanks for the link.

There is a Hong-Kong company making "Training" Magpul counterfeit sights.

Sadly some dealers o not know the difference.