In 2008, Aimpoint developed an offset angle mount for the Micro T-1 so that it could be used in conjunction with the U.S. Military’s Trijicon ACOG sights for close combat. After extensive testing, the USMC 1st Reconnaissance Battalion purchased over 300 Micro T-1 sights with the LaRue LT-724 off-set mount in 2009. At the same time the Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group purchased over 500 Aimpoint Micro T-1 sights and 3X Magnifiers with LaRue Tactical LT-660 and LT755 mounts for use by the 4th Infantry Division and 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan as part of their effort to lighten the load for the soldier. In 2009, Aimpoint built the several hundred 2-MOA Micro T-1 sights for a Tier 1 Special Operations unit. Word spread quickly through the Special Operations community about the existence of the 2-MOA Micro T-1 and demand quickly mounted. Making the LED for the 2-MOA Micro beyond the initial small quantity took some time, but eventually Aimpoint introduced the 2-MOA Micro T-1 to the public in 2012.
In 2011, in an effort to compete more effectively in the law enforcement market, where cost is more often the determining factor in a purchase, Aimpoint introduced the Patrol Rifle Optic, or PRO. The PRO is essentially an enhanced CompM2 with a 30,000 hour (3.4 year) battery life on setting 7 of 10. It also has a greater submersion depth of 150 feet versus 80 feet. The other important feature the PRO provides is that it is already installed on a version of the QRP II mount, and has flip covers in place of a bikini strap to protect the lenses. The Aimpoint PRO has proven to be a success in the law enforcement community, as well as within the civilian shooting world, because it combines quality and affordability. So much so, that Aimpoint no longer offers the CompM2/ML2 or CompM3/ML3 for sale in the U.S. market.
In 2014, Aimpoint introduced a civilian version of the PRO, the Aimpoint Carbine Optic or ACO. The ACO possesses all of the robustness of the PRO except that it is depth certified to only 15 feet. How many of us SCUBA dive with our rifles and carbines and need a greater depth certification? While still using the ACET LED, the advertised battery life for the ACO is 10,000 hours (13 months) on setting 7 of 10. Additionally, for those not using night-vision devices, the ACO is a less expensive option, as it is not night-vision compatible. Like the PRO, the ACO comes with a mount, except that it uses a 10mm bolt to tighten it to M1913 Picatinny rail rather than the QRP II. The ACO is a less expensive alternative to the PRO, yet provides excellent quality for those who don’t need all of the military and law enforcement features.
Finally, in 2015 Aimpoint introduced the 2-MOA Micro T-2. With the Micro T-2, Aimpoint addressed some of minor issues with the Micro T-1. The first was the 2-MOA red dot not being concentric. Aimpoint fixed this by canting the objective lens more, thus giving the LED a more optically correct angle to reflect the red dot back to the eye of the user. Also, the Micro T-2 has protective wings around the elevation turret to prevent damage to the turret if it were to be dropped on the top of the sight. Another nice feature that Aimpoint added to the Micro T-2 was front and rear lens caps. These lens caps have clear lenses allowing the shooter to see through them if he shoulders his firearm before remembering to open them.
Aimpoint introduced the red-dot sight to the shooting market over 41 years ago and continues to manufacture sights that are the most durable, battery efficient, and effective for military, law enforcement and civilian use. Aimpoint has truly defined the term Close Combat Optic, while still living up to its motto: “The Future In Sight.” See Aimpoint’s current line at your nearest dealer, or for more information, contact Aimpoint, Inc., Dept. OT; Tel.: (703) 263-9795; Email: [email protected]; Web: www.aimpoint.com
