RMR/SRO auto vs manual

[GJM]

For carry, I typically run my RMR/ SRO on auto. Same for range and competition use, although in certain light conditions or types of shooting (think Smoke and Hope type speed) I might manually adjust the dot intensity.

What is your practice?

[kmanick]

USPSA so far I have left it in auto, I shot a steel match this past weekend and it was pretty sunny out so I switched to manual and went up full and then down 2.
Worked out well, dot was sharp and clear.

[Horseman]

Auto mode has worked for my RMR for the last three years of carry/duty/USPSA. The dot always seems to be at the right level.

However, I've accidentally bumped the switch by accident a few times, putting it in manual mode. Thus far, it's been bumps to the "+" button, so it defaulted to being brighter, which is probably better than the dot being too dim to pick up.

[Bergeron]

Auto mode here. When started with RDS, I went RM06 because I wanted my RDS use to be similar in practice to my irons use- set it and forget it. I could see where there may be an issue shooting from a dark environment into a bright one, but I haven’t yet run across that as issue in my usage, and I back up my dot with a green, pistol-mounted laser.

I’m also comfortable with cranking up the intensity of I think I’ll need it, but my RMR spends 95+% of its time in auto mode.

[miller_man]

Mostly running an RMR so far. Pretty much same so far with SRO.

I have been running dry practice in the early mornings, outside - before/at sunrise - for about 3 months now, - most time it gives the auto a workout, going dimmer/brighter a bunch. I don't dig that and its kinda distracting - on one draw, the dot is little + dimmer, - next one, bigger + brighter. Having it switch size and intensity in middle of an array is no good to me. To be fair - it literally is getting brighter by the minute and then less bright once the sun breaks the horizon. But I always just pick where I want it and its set. I have had a few times I've bumped it up a little going further into practice.

At matches and training days - so far they have all been bright sunny days. I HAVE to wear tinted eye pro in the sun, so I've bumped the brightness all the way up, then down 1. I have a feeling without the tinted glasses I wouldn't have to have it so bright, but probably would still prefer it.


Have my carry slide out getting milled for the RMR right now. When I get it back, I will set the brightness level when putting the holster on.


Cliff notes version - I strongly prefer setting brightness manually. I would prefer having the dot a little too bright/big compared to to dim/small.

[Norville]

RMR in auto on my carry guns.

When I used one in USPSA it was on auto as well. When my SRO arrives I expect it will be on auto as well, although a DPP in manual has been serving me well.

[ADK]

RMR Type 2 carry and comp: auto. Always seems to go to the right level, with a bias toward too bright--which is good imo.

SRO 2.5 MOA: auto not usable. Way too dim and small too much of the time. Also seemingly more erratic auto adjustment than RMR but that may not be a real thing.

SRO 5 MOA: TBD because they're still in a sealed shipping box until at least next week.

I believe the best auto-adjust I've used has been the Shield RMS. Sucked in other ways (scratch lens and moisture=death), but great auto-adjust, smooth analogue rather than jumpy digital and always just right with a bias towards too bright, especially in the dark (no washout with weapon light, typically the bane of auto-adjust dots).

Hoping hard for SRO 5 MOA, as I don't love with the 2.5 MOA having to set one click down from max in daytime (too bright indoors) and two clicks down from max night time (good for use with flashlight or bright indoor lighting but too bright in darker lighting).

Tritium iron sights don't require manual brightness adjustment. . . .

BTW on the SRO durability front (may have been another thread): people point to the Sage drop tests showing that the SRO is less impact resistant than the RMR. Anyone done similar tests on Trijicon/Ameriglo/other common iron sights? Dropping from shoulder height onto concrete/rock right on the sights or at a slight angle? I doubt the iron sights would shatter but I also doubt they'd hold zero or provide the usual sight picture after such abuse. Front sight might go bye-bye depending on angle. Just a thought.

[kmanick]

I believe the best auto-adjust I've used has been the Shield RMS. Sucked in other ways (scratch lens and moisture=death), but great auto-adjust, smooth analogue rather than jumpy digital and always just right with a bias towards too bright, especially in the dark (no washout with weapon light, typically the bane of auto-adjust dots).


I've had the same experience with the shield RMS as well (4moa an d8moa) their auto adjust is really good
I ave the 5moa on my CZ and on my M&P , I haven't really shot indoors but I've shot a couple of matches no withe the CZ and the auto
on the 5moa has been very good IMO.

[Trukinjp13]

When carrying with the x300u is mounted I set the dot manually. When in darkness and using light while shooting the dot was not where I wanted it. I have practiced in quite a few different lighting conditions with wmls attached. And I definitely prefer setting the dot to a happy medium and not worrying about it. Without a Wml the dot seems to work fairly well in auto. But I am very interested in a type 3 with auto/lockout mode.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ADK]

Been playing with the 5 MOA SROs and they are most certainly more useful in auto mode than the 2.5 MOA. Just got them zeroed at an indoor range with bad lighting (dimmer shooting points, brighter target area) and the auto adjusted brightness was good, maybe a little bright for optimal precision. So far adequate dot brightness in all conditions except very dark + weapon light on nearby white wall, or from dark garage out a distant window to sunny sky. Not realistically needed conditions and in any case the backup trijicon iron sights were well silhouetted. Promising. . . .

Also forgot to add previously that the auto-adjust on the Holosun HS507C was a joke for any purpose--way too dim. It was a manual-only optic for me, up until one proved that Holosun's water resistance rating was optimistic and another started fritzing for no apparent reason (spontaneously changing reticles and modes). If the 5 MOA SRO keeps working well I'll have no temptation to try the hs508t, especially as I concluded that for me the circle-dot reticle at useful brightness level was too occlusive compared to a good dot.

[GJM]

The 2.5 in auto is really too small for me.

42196

And here is a 5 on the left and 2.5 on the right, against the kind of background that is hard on auto.

42197

[vandal]

Just got a SRO 2.5 to try out. Have a RMR06 v2 on my carry gun.

The RMR auto adjustment seems a lot smarter and faster than the SRO auto adjustment. Some of the easy initial tests I've tried leave the SRO dot barely visible, where the RMR is usable.

[GJM]

Just got a SRO 2.5 to try out. Have a RMR06 v2 on my carry gun.

The RMR auto adjustment seems a lot smarter and faster than the SRO auto adjustment. Some of the easy initial tests I've tried leave the SRO dot barely visible, where the RMR is usable.

I wonder if that is firmware, and if Trijicon could update it, if they make changes?

[miller_man]

Just got a SRO 2.5 to try out. Have a RMR06 v2 on my carry gun.

The RMR auto adjustment seems a lot smarter and faster than the SRO auto adjustment. Some of the easy initial tests I've tried leave the SRO dot barely visible, where the RMR is usable.

That was my experience as well. Thought the RMR seemed better than the SRO.

[ADK]

Unfortunately I have to agree with some previous comments to the effect that:

1) SRO auto adjust does seem less smooth/quick/reliable than RMR T2.

2) Different types of lighting seem to affect it differently, e.g. sunlight and incandescent make it track great but it seems to not respond (brighten) as well to other indoor lighting.

Need to test more.

Not sure whether it's different firmware or maybe the different frame shape shades the sensor differently? Not sure why Trijicon would change something that ain't broke. Unless the SRO is such a "sport specific" optic that it's somehow optimized for outdoor match lighting?

Unfortunately I anticipate all we'd get from Mother Trijicon is "send it in and we'll check it out." Anyone have an inside source?

[vandal]

I locked my SRO at 2 clicks down from max. The lock did stick and while sometimes it’s slightly bright it’s never invisible!

Used it at the range today for the first time and that big window is great for letting my eye focus on the target area without obstruction from the RMR frame and BUIS.

[NickDrak]

Manual/Lock-in mode always for me. 2 clicks down from max illumination.

[GJM]

Manual/Lock-in mode always for me. 2 clicks down from max illumination.

What is your battery life at that setting?

[NickDrak]

What is your battery life at that setting?

Haven’t had a battery die on me yet in any of my SROs, but I swap the battery every 3 months on all of mine whether I leave them on or not.

The SRO on my 4” Compact M&P 2.0 stays on that setting always.

My current duty 4.25” M&P 2.0 CORE gets shut off at the end of my shift.

Kilt in tha streetz x3
54051

[GJM]

Three is a relief, because while 2 may be 1 with an RMR, with a SRO 3 is 1. You do drop your pistols on boulders every shift, right?

[NickDrak]

Three is a relief, because while 2 may be 1 with an RMR, with a SRO 3 is 1. You do drop your pistols on boulders every shift, right?

Correct! My pre-tour gear inspection includes a drop test directly onto the optic from the roof of our 4 story parking structure. #DataPoint (https://pistol-forum.com/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=DataPoint)

[agksimon]

Correct! My pre-tour gear inspection includes a drop test directly onto the optic from the roof of our 4 story parking structure. #DataPoint (https://pistol-forum.com/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=DataPoint)

No Kidding: I was playing around last week, doing fast draws and re-holstering the same way and I missed the holster (really stupid of me). It hit the concrete floor, right on top of the SRO and not only cracked the lens, but put enough of a dent in the frame that would not be able to be repaired. The first person I talked to told me it's not covered under warranty and I was out of luck. I read in another forum that a guy did the same thing and they replaced it. I called back and talked to another person and they are sending me a new one. How's that for service, thanks Trijicon.

[paherne]

I bought two auto-adjust RMRs to test in a Sage Dynamics Red Dot Instructor class at the beginning of March. I purchased the units off Amazon.com without checking if they had the adjustment buttons. One of the models was a 3.25 MOA dot and the other was the 6 MOA version. I have the 3.25 MOA on my STI Staccato P DUO 4.15". With a brand new X300 the other night in my backyard in complete darkness, the dot was not bright enough to see without searching for it. I would not want to be clearing the yard, looking for a badguy with this set up. For info, I was just testing and no bad men were harmed in the course of the test. I would not recommend the auto-adjust models for duty use.

[Tom Duffy]

The only time I have trouble with the self adjust feature with a non adjustable RMR is after dark with a strong light behind me. I shoot steel challenge on certain evenings. In spring and fall, when they turn on the lights to illuminate the targets, I lose the dot. I then have to use the backup irons. Interestingly enough, the dot brightens enough to use after the first shot in the string. Muzzle blast affecting the brightness or recoil making the dot brighter? I have no idea.

[agksimon]

The only time I have trouble with the self adjust feature with a non adjustable RMR is after dark with a strong light behind me. I shoot steel challenge on certain evenings. In spring and fall, when they turn on the lights to illuminate the targets, I lose the dot. I then have to use the backup irons. Interestingly enough, the dot brightens enough to use after the first shot in the string. Muzzle blast affecting the brightness or recoil making the dot brighter? I have no idea.

I had the same problem with one of my reflex sights. I tightened the battery cap more and that cured it. Make sure the battery is not drained down too far. Low voltage will also cause that to happen.

[Tom Duffy]

I had the same problem with one of my reflex sights. I tightened the battery cap more and that cured it. Make sure the battery is not drained down too far. Low voltage will also cause that to happen.

The dot works fine. The battery cover is on tight. I'm just noting that in these circumstances (after dark with only light behind you) the dot does brighten, slightly but enough to use, after the first shot. Since I'm shooting a fast string, I've never noted how long it takes the dot to adjust itself down to obscurity again. As an experiment, I'll try to find that out this season, assuming we ever get to shoot again.

[theJanitor]

both of my RMR equipped pistols live with an x300 on them. and I prefer the manual setting 2-3 clicks from the top

[hfrog355]

I keep my SRO locked.