While Aimpoint sights have been a staple of military carbines for years now, today’s Micro T-2 takes the same capability but shrinks it down to something truly tiny. The Aimpoint Micro T-2 is tank-tough and waterproof to 25 meters. The Micro T-2 also sports perfect glass and a tiny footprint that leaves plenty of rail space for other stuff. It also boast 5-year continuous use battery life. Aimpoint started from scratch and incorporated the latest optical coating technology to increase performance above its already impressive baseline.
The 1-4x28mm SWAT-AR riflescope from Barska has been specifically designed for tactical rifles such the AR and AR-15. A red/green illuminated mil-dot reticle keeps you on target in low-light situations, and the built-in sniper edge helps reduce glare off of the objective lens. Barska is also offering a larger 1-6x32mm model for long-distance engagements.
Burris has upgraded its popular XTR II line of tactical riflescopes with new competition reticles and improved adjustment knobs on higher-magnification models. The new Burris SCR (Special Competition Reticle), available in mil and MOA versions, increases precision for long-range competition without adding clutter or distraction. The extended center illuminated area lets shooters confidently engage targets at long distances in low light and in shadows. The new Burris XT-100 click adjustment knob features 100 clicks per rotation instead of 80. This means easier calculations, faster adjustments and less chance of getting lost on the dial. With the additional Zero Click Stop feature, shooters can quickly revert back to original yardage without counting revolutions. These upgraded reticles and adjustment knobs are found on 2-10x42mm, 3-15x50mm, 4-20x50mm and 5-25x50mm models.
Bushnell’s new Elite Tactical 1-6.5x24mm SMRS (Short Mid-Range Scope) features the new Ultra Bright dual-focal plane reticle, which integrates the close-range, quick targeting of a second-focal-plane illuminated dot that does not change size with magnification adjustment, and the medium- to long-range versatility of a first-focal-plane ranging reticle. The SMRS bridges the gap between red dots and tactical scopes to provide the ultimate in versatility for shooters who demand a close/mid-range illuminated riflescope. The scope has a rugged 30mm, one-piece tube and the ThrowDown Power Change Lever for ultra-fast adjustment.
The new Rimfire Optics line from Bushnell includes five new riflescopes that range in configuration from a 3-9x40mm scope with interchangeable .22 LR and .17 HMR turrets to a compact 6-18x40mm optic designed for extended-range shooting with high-power rimfire rifles with shorter overall lengths than their centerfire counterparts. The Bushnell Rimfire Optics series features multi-coated optics that deliver bright, clear images from dawn to dusk. Three scopes in the line feature side parallax focus, and the remaining pair offers adjustable objectives, giving shooters the ability to obtain precision accuracy on tiny targets at any range.
The rear sight on Dead Ringer’s Snake Eyes sight system consists of a large-diameter metal ring enclosing a light gathering bright orange lexan sleeve with small pointers at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock positions. This ring is flanked on each side by luminescent tritium dots. The sight is fairly easy to install and offers a unique sight picture. While this sight does offer superb situational awareness, it also makes target acquisition easier for those of us with aging eyes.
EOTech’s new 518 HWS brings all the features of the top-of-the-line EXPS, but is now powered by easy-to-find AA batteries. The 518 is compatible with the Laser Battery Cap (LBC) that replaces the standard battery cover and adds a visible laser to the mix that uses the same batteries. Controls are mounted on the side to allow close proximity to a switch-to-side magnifier for responsible management of limited rail space. At standard power settings, a fresh pair of lithium batteries will last about 1,000 hours. The 518 HWS is waterproof to 10 feet. The new EOTech 558 sight offers all the features of the 518 along with a waterproof depth rating of 33 feet and 10 additional night-vision settings.
The new Leupold D-EVO (Dual-Enhanced View Optic) allows for simultaneous close-quarters and mid-range target engagement without forcing the shooter to move their head or change their cheekweld. D-EVO combines mid-range precision with the innate tactical speed of a 1X Red Dot Sight to optimize both. D-EVO will interface seamlessly with the Leupold Carbine Optic or most any other existing Red Dot Sight and, in conjunction with its 6X CMR-W (Close Mid-Range Reticle with Wind Holds) illuminated reticle, deliver high speed precision fire at any reasonable range.
The Lucid HD7 Gen III is built around a rugged rubber-armored aluminum chassis and is powered by a single AAA battery. There are four user-selectable reticles, and the sight includes an optical sensor that automatically dims or brightens the reticle for ambient light conditions. Lucid’s newest optic is the P7 (shown here), which combines all the features of the Gen III HD7 along with 4X magnification and a usable and effective bullet-drop reticle. The HD7 Gen III and P7 have the good stuff you need without the fluff you don’t.
Nightforce’s new 4-16x42mm ATACR (Advanced Tactical Riflescope) scope incorporates first-focal-plane technology, clear glass, a Digilum illuminated reticle and an Integrated Power Throw Lever into a remarkably compact package. Nightforce set out to build the most complete and precise mid-range optic on the planet, and the company might have just pulled it off. There is also a larger version, the ATACR 5-25x56mm F1, for those times when you need to really reach out there. Incorporating all of the features of the smaller version, the bigger brother is ready to handle serious magnum calibers and recoil.
Designed for ARs, Sig Sauer’s new fixed-power, prism-based Bravo sights are optimized for close- to medium-range targeting situations where speed is a must. The prism design allows for compact overall dimensions with high-resolution performance. The Bravo 4 with Stealth ID is as tough on the outside as it is on the inside. The Bravo 4 is also the world’s first ultra-wide field of view battle sight. It offers an unmatched 45-percent wider field of view than the leading competitor. The flat, distortion-free target image also boasts unprecedented edge-to-edge clarity by means of low dispersion glass and a spherical lens design.
Steiner’s new 1X holographic Micro Reflex Sight (MRS) weights only 70 grams. The MRS is perfect for engaging moving targets, CQB encounters and rapid-fire tactical situations. Its unlimited eye relief allows the operator to engage targets with both eyes open for wide peripheral vision and greater situational awareness. With its low profile, the MRS balances nicely on any shooting platform, and the 3-MOA red dot is easy to find and won’t obscure targets at longer distances. It’s fully adjustable for windage and elevation with 1-MOA clicks and 30 clicks of adjustment in either direction. The red dot can be set for automatic illumination control or manually adjusted through three brightness levels.
Trijicon’s new VCOG (Variable Combat Optical Gunsight) is a battery powered sight that sports a variable magnification range from 1X to 6X. It uses a standard AA battery that is good for around 700 hours of operation (setting 4 of 6). The sight is hard anodized and waterproof to 66 feet. Trijicon reticles are some of the most effective anywhere, and the VCOG sports several variations.
The new, patented TFX tritium/fiber-optic handgun sights from TRUGLO are exceptionally unique. Featuring fully protected TFO technology encapsulated in a virtually indestructible configuration, the sights are impervious to oils, chemicals, cleaning solvents and ultra-sonic cleaning processes. Utilizing Swiss tritium for maximum brightness, the sights offer top-notch visibility in all shooting conditions, 24/7, without any batteries. The glowing inserts are also concealed so they cannot be seen by the target.
The coolest black rifle on the planet is nothing more than ballast if you can’t hit anything with it.
Where once the state of the art was iron sights that were ramp adjustable for elevation, nowadays the revolution in miniaturized electronics has perched some of the most extraordinary aiming devices atop our firearms — next-gen sights that almost guarantee hits if you do your part.
Today’s reflex and red-dot sights offer fast aiming with holographic reticles, while traditional scopes offer versatile magnification ranges and illuminated reticles with bullet-drop-compensating stadia lines.
Sound overwhelming? Fret not, for we’ll break down each new sight and optic available and explain what it’s good for and why you need it. This guide also covers all the big players in the industry, from Aimpoint and Trijicon to Burris and Leupold
