RDS for an AUG: SIG Romeo8T vs. Steiner DRS1X vs. Holosun AEMS vs.SIG Romeo4T

[HeavyDuty]

My parting shot while leaving no-tax NH is an AUG that will prospectively be my house gun. I’m currently looking at these four optics:

Romeo8T: heavy mother, built like a tank, circle dot reticle that I’m used to, integrated covers, 123 battery, US assembly, lifetime warranty, I have a very good price quote ($500)

DRS1X: heavy but lighter than the Romeo8T, reticle appears to be useful, AA batteries are potentially a big plus

Holosun AEMS: light, circle dot reticle, easy battery changes but 2032, durability concerns but good manufacturer support

Romeo4T: I’m very used to these and like the circle dot reticle, would need a mount (Reptilia is my go-to), side access 2032 battery, US assembly, lifetime warranty

I’ve been looking at the Romeo8T every time I go to the academy, but I’m not seeing much about them here or elsewhere. I know nothing about the Steiner. The AEMS has a lot to like, but I’m still not 100% sold based on ownership and manufacturing location. The Romeo4T is a safe choice.

Any comments or other suggestions?

[Default.mp3]

Is the appeal to be able to have more than just a dot as a reticle for all the choices you've listed?

For a house gun, no way I'd consider the DRS1X; not only does it have the 13 hour auto off, but it also has dog shit battery life according to the spec sheet, despite it running on AAs.

[HeavyDuty]

I really like circle dot, optics that have more than just a dot are the ones I’ve been considering. I didn’t know that about the Steiner, off the list. I really want motion activated and didn’t notice the Steiner was missing that.

And then then there were three…

[Default.mp3]

Trijicon MRO HD in theory checks boxes, but given the issues folks have had with the MRO (particularly the parallax issue), I'd personally not consider it.

[ccmdfd]

Trijicon MRO HD in theory checks boxes, but given the issues folks have had with the MRO (particularly the parallax issue), I'd personally not consider it.

I thought the HD fixed the parallax issue ( just going by what I've read, no personal experience)

[Bergeron]

I’ve got a R8T on an AR in 9mm, and I’m totally satisfied with it, but I don’t have as many experiences as others in comparing dots.

[HeavyDuty]

One of the guys at the academy that I trust (he’s been known to quietly tell me things about certain products) speaks very highly of the Romeo8T. I’m tempted to take the chance.

[HCM]

I thought the HD fixed the parallax issue ( just going by what I've read, no personal experience)

No. IM (limited) experience the HD is, in fine ways worse than the original / upgraded MRO.

Friends don’t let friends MRO..

[HCM]

My parting shot while leaving no-tax NH is an AUG that will prospectively be my house gun. I’m currently looking at these four optics:

Romeo8T: heavy mother, built like a tank, circle dot reticle that I’m used to, integrated covers, 123 battery, US assembly, lifetime warranty, I have a very good price quote ($500)

DRS1X: heavy but lighter than the Romeo8T, reticle appears to be useful, AA batteries are potentially a big plus

Holosun AEMS: light, circle dot reticle, easy battery changes but 2032, durability concerns but good manufacturer support

Romeo4T: I’m very used to these and like the circle dot reticle, would need a mount (Reptilia is my go-to), side access 2032 battery, US assembly, lifetime warranty

I’ve been looking at the Romeo8T every time I go to the academy, but I’m not seeing much about them here or elsewhere. I know nothing about the Steiner. The AEMS has a lot to like, but I’m still not 100% sold based on ownership and manufacturing location. The Romeo4T is a safe choice.

Any comments or other suggestions?

The Romeo 8 is a great optic but it’s wide like the EoTech. Given the proximity of the charging handle / charging handle track to the optics rail wide optics on the AUG are a no go as the interfere with operation of the charging handle.

[HeavyDuty]

The Romeo 8 is a great optic but it’s wide like the EoTech. Given the proximity of the charging handle / charging handle track to the optics rail wide optics on the AUG are a no go as the interfere with operation of the charging handle.

I was planning on mounting the optic rearward of the charging handle range - I saw several member’s rifles set up that way in the big AUG thread starting with DB’s Comp M4 in the early pages. That was one of the reasons I rep went with the long rail version. I’m a little concerned about eye relief, so I will wait until it’s here and try a few of my current optics for fit first. Does that affect your suggestion?

90054

[HCM]

I was planning on mounting the optic rearward of the charging handle range - I saw several member’s rifles set up that way in the big AUG thread starting with DB’s Comp M4 in the early pages. That was one of the reasons I rep went with the long rail version. I’m a little concerned about eye relief, so I will wait until it’s here and try a few of my current optics for fit first. Does that affect your suggestion?

90054

No but I hate RDS optics mounted all the way to the rear.. I find it slower and easier to get sucked into the optic in practical use.

A Romeo4T or Holosun AEMS should be fine anywhere on the rail.

[S Jenks]

I use a Manticore Switchback Charging Handle on my A3, it extends and lowers the CH and folds flat when not in use. I’ve used it for about 5-6 years in the occasional two-gun shoot and am happy with it so far.

My PRO is mounted to the back of the rail so it’s already out of the way, but when I get home tonight I’ll get a measurement/pics between the Manticore and rail when locked back.

They’re currently out of stock, unfortunately.

https://manticorearms.com/product/switchback-charging-handle-mini/

[HeavyDuty]

I use a Manticore Switchback Charging Handle on my A3, it extends and lowers the CH and folds flat when not in use. I’ve used it for about 5-6 years in the occasional two-gun shoot and am happy with it so far.

My PRO is mounted to the back of the rail so it’s already out of the way, but when I get home tonight I’ll get a measurement/pics between the Manticore and rail when locked back.

They’re currently out of stock, unfortunately.

https://manticorearms.com/product/switchback-charging-handle-mini/

I appreciate that - if it looks like the way I want to go I’ll go pester Sven.

[S Jenks]

Manticore Switchback locked into the up position

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220613/d6eac0aecefe28bb7cb2294170cf7767.jpg

Manticore Switchback with bolt fully rearward

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220613/e008757c1901a99df3a5a9125b98941b.jpg

While the optic is behind the charging handle, these two pics should give you an idea on the amount of clearance. This is the giant knob on the Aimpoint QRP2 mount

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220613/1ea092319c7a9a023421cbbb6d08cd5a.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220613/c47b45cecc1caeaae6f79a7218fa1a30.jpg

I forgot to mention, and this may be a dealbreaker for some, but the Manticore Switchback removes the forward assist capability. Personally I prefer to work the action and clear the existing round out. You can also push forward on the exposed bolt carrier through the ejection port.

[HeavyDuty]

Thanks, S Jenks - those really help! I’m going to see how I get on with the stock handle first.

I decided to stick with another Romeo4T for now, anyways especially since Lanbo’s has silly pricing on the 1MOA version. They are compact and narrow, and I’m used to them. I didn’t order a mount yet, I need to see what height works for me.

[pastaslinger]

I'm a big Holosun AEMS fan and have no concerns about durability, the only one I've seen break online was one where someone way over torqued it to the rail then dropped it while the optic was under that static stress.