A Case for the 1.5 Compact ACOG

The 1.5 X 24mm and 16mm ACOG's are rarely covered in any reviews.  I'm actually not sure why.  In our experience they are very flexible and useful.  When you consider their size and weight are almost the same as a micro red dot and definitely lighter than a full size red dot,  it's surprising they are not more popular.  In a 1.5 ACOG you get near red dot CQB effectiveness and much better medium range and much much better long range performance (esp the chevron reticle). All of this without a weight penalty.  Let me list some of the advantages and disadvantages and then I'll write about them in detail.

TA 45 ACOG 1.5X24

Pro's

• Super reticle clarity vs red dots
• Enhanced view of the target vs red dots (This would be true even if it were 1.1x)
• Light Weight
• High Durability
• Multiple Mounting Options
• No Batteries

Con's

• Cost (about the same as a CompM4)
• Eye Relief and Eye Box in comparison to a red dot. (Non short housing models have an incredible eye box)

Let's discuss first the eye relief and box.  With the 24mm models the eye relief and box is amazing.  You can actually put your eye on the scope and still see a full scope picture and then withdraw 3-4 inches and still see a full picture.  The 24mm's disadvantage to a red dot in eye box is really small and this is even considering support side shooting and unconventional positions.  The eye box is that flexible.  The 16mm models are also good but not as incredible as the 24mm.

Reticle and target clarity are HD like compared to a red dot.  The red dots I'm comparing this to are the best out there.  We shoot these against the Aimpoint Comp M4, Eotech (HWS yes I know), Zeiss Z point, Ultra Dot (best reticle clarity there is for a red dot), Trijicon RMR.  There is no comparison for clarity of the target and reticle.  Before underestimating this, let's consider why this is important.  At extreme close range it is irrelevant but at 25 and beyond you must ID your target and also consider it is not going to be a perfectly painted black or white.  Your weather conditions will not be perfectly clear a lot of the time.  Dust, glare, brush, camo, shadows, angles are all factors that will make a seemingly easy shot on the range, not easy at all even at close distances.  This is where an actual scope has big advantages. True scopes will clarify and brighten the target immensely. The current problem with low power variable scopes is weight and to some extent cost and durability.  If cost and weight weren't an issue we'd all be shooting Zeiss Z6i's and Vortex Razor's.  Unfortunately a current robust low power variable scope is going to weigh at least 18 ounces with a mount.  That is a lot for a close to medium range carbine.  If a quality manufacture ever makes a robust true 1x-4x illuminated scope at 500-700 dollars that weighs 8 ounces, the whole community and industry will likely convert. 

TA26 ACOG 1.5x16mm Special Ring Mount

Really the compact ACOG's have their own niche that is a bit unique.  They are as light or lighter than red dot's.  They are at least as durable as the most durable red dot's (excl. the CompM4).  Yet they have big advantages at anything beyond 25 yards.  If reticle washout is a concern make sure to check the tritium brightness. Some models have brighter tritium than others.  And always remember that the reticle will not washout it will simply turn black.  If you have enough light to wash it out you should also have enough to see the reticle even if it's black.  For someone willing to get out of the group think, there's a lot to gain for those folks in a compact ACOG.

Micro Red Dot Sights, Aimpoint T1, H1 Glare Problems

While the Aimpont T1 and H1 seem to be the current trend in red dot optics, I would caution those that although they are great optics there is a distinct disadvantage which may or may not affect you in your shooting.  That problem is glare.  For those only working and shooting indoors this is irrelevant but for those shooting outdoors I have found because of the lack of sunshade/tube on the front piece of the optic, micro red dot sights are very susceptible to glare. The Trijicon SRS found this out the hard way, but the Aimpoint Micro, Bushnell TRS, Zeiss Z-point and PA MDS series in my experience are all susceptible to glare and especially incoming glare.

My observations are all experience based and not scientific but I suspect the lack of a front hood to shield the inside of the optic from glare make the tube style micro red dot optics very vulnerable to incoming glare.  This is not meant to be a hate article.  To the contrary, the micro red dot is still the most common red dot optic I own but there are people who feel there are no disadvantages and I would disagree.  For those who shoot outside, or in the field, or downrange,  shooting into the sun is an unfortunate reality.  In our shooting we have had to actually put a hand over micro red dots to cut the glare.  We have not seen this problem to the same extent with longer tubular designs such as the Aimpoint CompM4 or Trijcon Ta45/44 ACOG scope (not the short models).

If your shooting requires you to regularly function in high glare scenarios I would highly recommend you do not use a micro red dot tubular style unless you're willing to deal with more glare.

Shooter covering a TRS25 from Glare