Aimpoint with magnifier vs Swarovski Z61
I had a friend's boss ask me for advice on which optics to get I put a lot of work into what I wrote him and thought I would share it.




Now for optics. There is a lot of opinions on what the best optic system is. It really depends on what you need. I am really fond of two general systems.
One being a Aimpoint with a 3x magnifier. I have that set up on my patrol rifle.


Here is how it works. To move the magnifier into position and out of position you just pull slightly back on its body and then push it to the right or left. Depending on rather you want it up or out of the way. Here are some pictures to demonstrate what I mean.








If you chose a red dot go with Aimpoint. I prefer the M4 model. I recommend buying the sight with the mounts from Larue.
http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=226

Magnifier.
http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=131

Another system I like a lot is a low power variable scope. I use a Swarovksi Z6i on my Three gun competition rifle. But its also a great tactical scope.


Here is the rifle I have that on. My Noveske.


The advantages of a variable power scope over the red dot is greater magnification. This scope is a 1 to 6 power optic. That spans close quarters shooting out to mediumish long range pretty well. The glass is also clearer and easier to see with. the down side is even at 1X the scope is not parallax free like the red dot. So you need to have a good cheek weld to use the optic. This is an issue when firing from awkward positions like Urban prone. (rifle on side laying flat on ground such as using a curb for cover or firing under a vehicle.)

Another disadvantage with the scope is the battery life is not nearly as good as the AImpoint. My Aimpoint Mark 4 will run 8 years on one AA battery. My Swarovksi will run about 200 hours on a watch battery. (2032) Now conversely the Swarovski will work without batteries with a black reticle.

One other issue is it takes longer to get your irons up and running with a scope. You must remove the scope to use your iron sights. If you use Larue mounts this takes about 5 seconds.



























The Swarovski represents the best of the breed in this style of optic. Another option is Trijicons TR24 or TR21 Accupoint. They are about 90% the scope at about 50% of the price.




This is the improved version the TR24
http://www.trijicon.com/user/parts/products1.cfm?PartID=671&back_row=0&categoryID=5

The main difference over Jason's TR21 is the true 1x at the low end of the power setting, the 30 mm tube vs. 1 inch tube of the TR21, This scope also has a greater field of view.

The Accupoint is excellent outdoors as the reticle is powered by fiber optics. It also works at night because its also powered by Tritium. But inside the reticle turns black. It still works but its a tad slower than a red dot to use.

Here are some threads to read on optics.

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=104

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=4209

I highly recommend you quality optic. Last summer I did a lot of work at the range recording my speed and accuracy with various optics vs. Iron sights. I found that at 15 yards or less in day light conditions that Irons held their own and were about equal to the red dot sights. However at 25 yards and further the optics advantage became very apparent with times being much faster with optics with greater accuracy. Optics also have a huge advantage in low lighting conditions.

Great setups and great info popo. Thanks for passing it along. I know for some of us not so savy AR guys the pics really help out the explanations.

popo, great review, but I think you forgot an important point (or I didn't see it) PRICE! I just looked at the ZRi, and it's $2000! That's like double the aimpoint/magnifier combo.

I run a TR21-3 Accupoint on my LMT. I really like it, but I wish the 24 series was out when I bought mine. The 1.25x isn't bad, but I would rather have a true 1x. You just can't beat a true 1 power optic for speed up close.

Jay

Crackerballer you are right I neglected price. As a LEO I paid about the same for my Swarovski and Larue mount as I did for my Aimpoint M4, magnifer and both Larue mounts. In the end I paid about 200 more for the Swarovksi set up. But I can not tell you the exact price because Swarovksi does not want it released. But I will say they treat cops and military people very well.
Pat

Good to know, and again, great review. The internet needs more of this type of stuff and less of the "my xxx is better than your yyyy because I said so" bullshit.

+1 Nice review Pat.


And to Josh, get you a LEO buddy to get you one, they have the proper letter head for the discount..... :wink:

Pat... or anyone else....

I'm a fan of the 1-4x scopes... I had the ML3 for about a week or more... needed the cash to move another project into fruition. As a result, I've decided upon the millett dms-1 1-4x20 or the Nikon Monarch 1-4x20. The Monarch has a turkey reticle, which is a 1 MOA circle at 100 yards.

I especially like the like the dms that has the illuminated reticles... and for the price, which is roughly 1/5 the price of the Swarovski Z61, it fits my budget, and the fixed/variable scope bill, and cheaper than that of the aimpoint and magnifier combo. (especially when I can find some used ones for less than $200)

I like daylight visible illumination in my scopes and only a handful currently work for that. 1. S&B short dot, 2, Meopta, 3. Swarovski Z6i, 4, Elcan Spectar, 5 Trijicon Accupoint.

All other scopes the reticle is black in the bright sun.