So much for my "5-year battery" in my Primary Arms red dot sight
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You didn't read the fine print. That was 5 years in dog years.
That's what BUIS are for! Eh, batteries for that are cheap enough, go buy 2 and keep one for a spare. One is none, two is one, ya know. I have an Aim Point Micro T2 on my DD M4 and leave it on all the time and it's still on when I need it. But, even though the T1 is 'supposed' be able to be left 'ON' for several years without killing the battery, I still replace it every few years just for the halibut and ALWAYS have a spare in the case. 
One of mine claims battery life of "up to 50,000 hours" on the lowest setting. That's more than 5 years, but who uses the lowest setting? Battery life is much less on higher settings. I turn mine off when I'm not using it, and I always carry a spare battery or two in the range bag.
cyphertext
US Veteran
Go buy a quality, name brand battery and try again.
I never use batteries which are included with optics. Toss them as soon as I open the box. Never had high end optics. Perhaps they include better batteries.
Rastoff
US Veteran
First: What is the part number of your optic?
Second: Did the optic come with a battery? If it did, and that's the battery you used, it was probably a little old to begin with. I had a similar issue.
Third: What setting did you have the optic on? If you have it on the top two settings, cut the expected battery life by 75%.
Fourth: Is this optic used for self/home defense? If it is, replace the battery every year regardless.
I have a Primary Arms MD-ADS sitting on my desk. I put a new battery in it on 12 Mar 2016. I know because I put a label on it with that date. I set the dot to the middle setting and have not adjusted it. As of today, the dot is still working. That's 2 years 8 months on a single battery. That's plenty good enough. If I were using this for self or home defense, I'd put a new battery in it and be confident it would be on when I needed it.
Second: Did the optic come with a battery? If it did, and that's the battery you used, it was probably a little old to begin with. I had a similar issue.
Third: What setting did you have the optic on? If you have it on the top two settings, cut the expected battery life by 75%.
Fourth: Is this optic used for self/home defense? If it is, replace the battery every year regardless.
I have a Primary Arms MD-ADS sitting on my desk. I put a new battery in it on 12 Mar 2016. I know because I put a label on it with that date. I set the dot to the middle setting and have not adjusted it. As of today, the dot is still working. That's 2 years 8 months on a single battery. That's plenty good enough. If I were using this for self or home defense, I'd put a new battery in it and be confident it would be on when I needed it.
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Genetically Swiss
US Veteran
I’ve never had that issue with my Troy iron sights.
GS
GS
It is the Primary Arms Advanced Micro Dot. I didn't leave it on for more than 4 months before it died. I do have spare batteries. I put one in it. Duh. But the battery was supposed to be good for 50,000 hours. It didn't come close to that. I was checking it to be sure when I found it was dead. I would have been fine with replacing it once a year. It didn't come close to that.
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Rastoff
US Veteran
Again, it depends on the setting and condition of the battery when you started. Leave it on high and I wouldn't be surprised to see a new battery die within 6 months. Mine, same model, has been on for 2 years 8 months and is still going.
Try again with a new battery and set to the middle brightness. Let us know if it lasts past 4 months this time.
Try again with a new battery and set to the middle brightness. Let us know if it lasts past 4 months this time.
just plain joe
Member
I will comment on my experience. Some of the problem may be with the quality of the battery.
When I was in law enforcement I ran an Aimpoint T1 on my patrol rifle. I had the red dot sight illuminated on level 5 and it remained as such for over one (1) year. I would replace the battery each year during Christmas vacation. I preferred it over the EoTech 552 which had to be manually turned "on". Under exigent circumstances this might not be possible. I digress.
The Duracell battery was manufactured in the United States at that time. Duracell then began to farm out the manufacture of the CR2032 to China instead of having them made stateside. Upon using these batteries, I needed to replace the battery in my Aimpoint every 4-6 months at the level 5 setting. I have found some made in "Indonesia". The are a little better than those made in China, but far behind those that were once made in the United States.
This is a small sample, but it has been my experience. Sadly, I have been unable to find any similar batteries made in the USA.
Just sayin'.
JPJ
When I was in law enforcement I ran an Aimpoint T1 on my patrol rifle. I had the red dot sight illuminated on level 5 and it remained as such for over one (1) year. I would replace the battery each year during Christmas vacation. I preferred it over the EoTech 552 which had to be manually turned "on". Under exigent circumstances this might not be possible. I digress.
The Duracell battery was manufactured in the United States at that time. Duracell then began to farm out the manufacture of the CR2032 to China instead of having them made stateside. Upon using these batteries, I needed to replace the battery in my Aimpoint every 4-6 months at the level 5 setting. I have found some made in "Indonesia". The are a little better than those made in China, but far behind those that were once made in the United States.
This is a small sample, but it has been my experience. Sadly, I have been unable to find any similar batteries made in the USA.
Just sayin'.
JPJ
I've seen the same thing with 2032's...hit or miss, some last, some croak quick.
sgtsandman
US Veteran
Seen the same thing with watch batteries. The originals would last a good while but the replacements, I was lucky to get a year out of them. I chucked all the watches and got self winding mechanical watches to replace them. No more battery problem.
Because of the above mentioned problem, I've stayed away from red dots and get optics with an etched reticle. If the battery poops the bed, can still use the optic. Just not as well when lighting is low.
Because of the above mentioned problem, I've stayed away from red dots and get optics with an etched reticle. If the battery poops the bed, can still use the optic. Just not as well when lighting is low.
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