TFB Review: Aimpoint Duty RDS

Aimpoint is usually a reputation that’s synonymous with the phrases “costly” and “top quality.” Whereas many will extra doubtless know them for simply being plain costly, I’ve come to acknowledge the Aimpoint collection of crimson dot optics to be among the greatest within the enterprise by way of sturdiness, flexibility, reliability, and options. The Aimpoint Obligation RDS was introduced at SHOT Present 2023 and was billed as being a extra reasonably priced various to the costlier Aimpoint T2. I’ve had a ton of current expertise with the Aimpoint T2 via a few carbine lessons I’ve been lucky sufficient to take, and in the present day I’m going to make use of that current expertise to match it to the newer, and extra reasonably priced Aimpoint Obligation RDS to see if the decreased value (MSRP of $499) is well worth the discount in efficiency that this specific optic affords.

Aimpoint @ TFB:

TFB Assessment: Aimpoint Obligation RDS – T2’s Extra Reasonably priced Cousin

The Aimpoint T2 and the Aimpoint Obligation RDS are each meant to be compact, sturdy optics, and night time imaginative and prescient succesful optics. The Aimpoint T2 has already established itself on this subject and other than a number of different value-conscious rivals on this area, the Aimpoint T2 stays supreme by way of its capabilities and ruggedness when in comparison with different crimson dot choices. Like all Aimpoint choices, the newer and extra reasonably priced Obligation RDS is made in Sweden.

To raised perceive the variations between the Aimpoint Obligation RDS and the older and costlier T2, we’ll first go over what they each can do. Each optics characteristic a real 1x magnification (no magnification), lengthy battery life, a easy 2 MOA crimson dot, 4 night time imaginative and prescient suitable settings, nice affect/shock resistance, and water resistance as much as 80 ft, Among the main variations, nonetheless, are what make the Aimpoint Obligation RDS a scorching contender for these on the lookout for a extra reasonably priced optic that also boasts an Aimpoint characteristic set.

The Aimpoint Obligation RDS is designed to be a lot inexpensive (about $300 so), and extra handy to make use of. Primarily geared toward regulation enforcement and navy personnel, the Obligation RDS options uncovered, tool-adjusted windage and elevation changes which can be nonetheless water and dustproof, in addition to uncovered but small dot depth buttons. The Obligation RDS lacks the 2 extra brightness settings that the T2 has, bringing the overall variety of brightness changes to six daylight and 4-night imaginative and prescient.

Daytime Use

The Obligation RDS performs identically to the T2 in loads of methods in that it options about the identical quantity of glass readability, and doesn’t actually have a lot in the way in which of options to complicate the method of zeroing the optic. A single push of both of the brightness buttons brings your entire optic on, and from there you’ll be able to press up or down on the buttons to regulate the brightness, holding the brightness down button for a number of seconds powers the optic off. The buttons themselves are good however form of laborious to make use of when you have bigger fingers, or are sporting gloves of any variety. This technique in comparison with the dial adjustment of the T2 is my least favourite characteristic of the Obligation RDS.

One main worth benefit that the Obligation RDS has over the T2 is that it comes able to mount on a rifle proper out of the field. The optic comes customary with a Picatinny mount held in place by a torsion mount. Aimpoint consists of the right software for each mounting the optic and adjusting windage and elevation.

The windage and elevation changes are good loud and tactile and are granular sufficient to zero in a rifle at 50 or 100 yards. The 1/2 MOA changes would possibly depart a bit to be desired for extra precision purposes however ought to be greater than sufficient for any patrol rifle or carbine. The Obligation RDS additionally consists of pre-installed lens covers with the forward-facing one being opaque and the rear one being clear within the heart, it is a cool characteristic that ought to be on each crimson dot that can see use outdoors of a flat vary.

Evening Imaginative and prescient Use

Whereas the Aimpoint T2 and a handful of different optics reign supreme by way of night time imaginative and prescient compatibility, the Aimpoint Obligation RDS additionally does a fairly serviceable job of it. With 4-night imaginative and prescient settings, there may be sufficient adjustment within the optic itself to adapt to a greater diversity of lighting situations, however because of the restricted gentle transmission of the glass, it may be tough to make use of when passive aiming whereas utilizing a single tube. Binocular night time imaginative and prescient ought to assist make this much less of a difficulty however for those who’re buying the Obligation RDS for its higher affordability then I might additionally assume that twin tubes are one thing that can also be off the desk.

The Aimpoint Obligation RDS works nicely when paired with supplemental IR, however lacks the sunshine transmission to really be helpful below excessive low-light situations.

I did discover that the Obligation RDS did generally tend to simply develop a “halo” across the outer fringe of the optic window if the brightness was turned up an excessive amount of. For me this turned out to not be a lot of a difficulty as when there was sufficient ambient gentle round, the dot wasn’t producing sufficient gentle to create this impact. Combining this with my behavior of tending to run my crimson dots on a barely dimmer setting meant that this could solely be a difficulty in low-light, high-brightness settings, which incorporates use below night time imaginative and prescient and is a disadvantage that can also be shared with the Aimpoint T2.

A dot that’s too shiny may have the aspect impact of additionally making the window virtually unusable.

Like many who shoot, I’ve some type of astigmatism (particularly a “starburst impact”). To me, the T1, T2, PRO and Obligation truly look an identical. The PRO’s and Obligation’s glass might need a barely bluer tint, however it doesn’t actually have an effect on sensible use throughout the day however appears to have a fairly large affect in low-light conditions. Readability-wise, I don’t discover a lot distinction, and parallax isn’t an enormous deal for me. Nevertheless, the Obligation is bulkier, heavier, and has rougher marks on the housing than the T2 however these variations are most likely minimal within the grand scheme of issues since each optics are smaller than the Aimpoint PRO.

Now, about whether or not the T2 is price the additional money? That’s a troublesome one. The Obligation, being $300 cheaper, does what I want from an optic. Is it the most effective in readability, tint, or night time imaginative and prescient? Nope. However is that $300 distinction actually price it? Nah, not in my view. If cash wasn’t a difficulty, I’d go for the T2. But when that $300 mattered extra to me, I’d fortunately follow the Obligation. It just about covers what the T2 does and does it nicely for an entire lot much less.

Shock! It’s Actually a Smaller Aimpoint Professional!

These amongst you who’re nicely versed within the crimson dot optic scene will doubtless know that the Aimpoint Obligation RDS is definitely extra intently associated to the already budget-friendly Aimpoint PRO (Patrol Rifle Optic). Whereas the T2 could be the Obligation RDS’s cousin, the PRO is sort of a sibling to the Obligation. Just like the Obligation RDS, the PRO comes full with its personal mount, middling night time imaginative and prescient efficiency, related battery life, the identical dot depth settings, and a sub $500 asking value. Whenever you actually get all the way down to it, the Aimpoint T2 blows away the Obligation RDS and the PRO by way of night time imaginative and prescient efficiency, and battery life which is what actually units it aside from the 2 extra budget-conscious choices – it’s merely extra succesful and extra feature-rich. What the Obligation excels at, and who it’s primarily geared toward is the place it actually excels.

The Aimpoint Obligation RDS has all of it within the title – it’s meant to be mounted to responsibility weapons. From a logistics standpoint, having an “multi functional” resolution that has a easy characteristic set, sturdy development, lengthy battery life, and its personal included mount signifies that a division can extra quickly package out its patrol carbines, and maintain the division’s funds down whereas nonetheless being moderately assured that their officers may have an optic that is able to go ought to the necessity come up. With that in thoughts, the Aimpoint Obligation RDS goes to value a good bit extra for its characteristic set than extra commercial-focused crimson dots.

Lengthy story quick, the Aimpoint Obligation RDS is de facto the Aimpoint PRO in an Aimpoint T2 pores and skin go well with. Which is form of cool when you concentrate on it. The Aimpoint PRO is a superbly serviceable and dependable optic that may robust it out below night time imaginative and prescient for those who’re after that. If not what it affords you is all the potential and affordability of the Aimpoint PRO, however in a a lot smaller and in my view, better-looking bundle. This Aimpoint Obligation RDS could be excellent for a contemporary carbine construct, and will even get you thru your first couple of night time imaginative and prescient shoots for those who’re not able to undergo the price of constructing a devoted night time imaginative and prescient gun.

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