Like others with astigmatism, I find precision with a RDS is somewhat compromised. Assuming defensive use with range to around 100 yards, the precision may still be more than adequate aiming with a "cluster of grapes" vs. a well-defined dot.
I experimented with the Leupold Prismastic, which had some advantages over the Aimpoints in terms of a well defined (etched) reticle and clarity of view, but with fixed eye-relief distance and more weight.
I experimented with three different LPV scopes (all in the $500 to $800 range). Definitely some advantages to them, but they all turned my "lightweight carbine" into a not-so-lightweight-anymore rifle. The last one I tried was the Leupold VX-R Patrol 1.25-4X in a GG&G mount, weighing 17 ounces combined. That was a really nice set up but I just couldn't warm up to the reticle of the VX-R Patrol.
I am a HUGE fan of iron sights, but at my age I can no longer get both the front post and target in adequate focus to use them effectively beyond 100 yards or so. Very depressing... :-(
So, this leaves me in the same boat as you - the realization that I need an optic with an etched reticle
and adjustable eyepiece for me to see both the target and aiming point with clarity. To achieve that with as little weight (and complication) as possible, I'm installing this scope and mount on my AR this week;
https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rimfi...light-2-5x20mm
https://danieldefense.com/components...uble-ring.html
Definitely not the latest Tactical Timmy set up, but at
12 ounces combined (and under $400 total) I think it will work. The scope just arrived and I very much like the view through it: crystal clear, a sharply focused duplex reticle, five inches of forgiving eye relief and two-eyes-open usable...
and the scope weighs just 6.4 ounces! No variable power, no illuminated mil-dot reticle, no tactical turrets but I'm OK with that.
The DD mount arrives tomorrow and I'll be hitting the range this weekend. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this set up will work for this old guy as envisioned.