We hear the phrase often. “This isn’t your grandfather’s…insert item here”. Well, the Aimpoint Electronic Red Dot Reflex Sight was indeed your grandfather’s red dot. And it’s worth a second to take a look at it. This, my friends, is where it all began.

The WAS Your Grandfather’s Red Dot Sight

It all started in 1974 when technician and inventor Arne Ekstrand wanted to improve his accuracy on moving targets during hunting and while on the shooting range. The idea of a red dot sight was hatched when Arne stood and shaved in front of the mirror and saw that the light reflection on the wall behind him did not move, regardless of whether he was moving his head. Arne got an idea and started sketching a concept, resulting in a prototype based on an empty toilet paper roll.

Arne Ekstrand himself did not have the financial strength to pursue the project further. Instead, he contacted visionary and entrepreneur Gunnar Sandberg from ElektroSandberg. With ElektroSandberg’s financial support, the development of the first red dot sight began. In February 1975, the first patent was approved, and Aimpoint AB was founded.

Aimpoint Inventor Arne Ekstrand

External Windage and Elevation Adjustments

By today’s standard, it was crude. It is mounted on an A.R.M.S. carry handle mount for AR rifle use or a weaver rail for pistol use. It had external elevation and windage adjustments. This meant that the entire unit would be adjusted to elevation and windage. Yes, the body of the optic and all. You would slightly loosen the mount, turn the adjustment knobs, then tighten the unit back down—a far reach from our hyper-precise internal adjustments of today.

Small Objective Lens

The battery for the G1 was the RM1N. If you think finding batteries for some of our modern optics is hard, hold my beer. As the generations of optics evolved, they found it easier to source batteries. Another challenge was the actual objective window of the optic. It measured only 14mm or .55 inches. While not optimum, it was revolutionary at the time. Most modern micro-optics have windows larger than that today.

Evolution of the Aimpoint Electronic Red Dot Reflex Sight

Aimpoint has come a long way. They are indeed the genesis of modern red dots and continue to lead us today. From their humble beginnings with item #00001 to the high-tech wonders of today, they have led the way. Aimpoint tells me, “Believe it or not, but even today, there are a lot of Electronic sights still in use around the world. The fact that a sight manufactured over 45 years ago is still in use is a hallmark of the high quality all red dot sights from Aimpoint are characterized by.”

For more information, visit:https://www.aimpoint.com/about-us/our-history/