Aimpoint ML3 owners - What do you see ?

[KODIAK BEAR]

So I have a genuine Aimpoint Comp ML3 (2moa) and I believe I may have a problem.
The red dot is not distinct and appears to have a connected downward tail (similar to a comma) making accurate sighting difficult. This occurs at all levels of intensity.
I intended to send it to Aimpoint for warranty work and the retailer, from whom it was purchased, presently has the unit.
The retailer states he has spoken with Aimpoint and their explanation is that this is normal. Aimpoint state that different people see the dot in different configurations because of their eyesight. Having paid almost $600, I am not convinced. I have not been able to look at anyone else's Aimpoint for a comparison. I would love to hear some feedback so I can decide how to proceed further.
So what do you see with your Aimpoints ?

 

[KeNd0]

You most likely have an astigmatism. Welcome to the club. All red dots do the same for me. My aimpoint included. Dimming it to the lowest setting needed improves the dots clarity for me.

http://www.warriortalk.com/archive/index.php/t-89604.html?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiGG7n9ExjA 2:19

 

[cn_1]

The dot in my Aimpoint sight doesn't look round. Is it defective?

If your dot does not appear to be perfectly round, the distortion is probably caused by the way that your eye perceives the dot, rather than by some mechanical defect. Due to differences in the lenses in different individuals' eyes, round objects that subtend areas near 3 minutes of angle may appear distorted in a variety of ways depending on the individual and other environmental influences. Inexpensive red dot sights sometimes have manufacturing defects that can cause the dot to be an odd shape.

A simple test that can be easily performed will allow you to determine the cause of the apparent distortion:
Turn the sight on and look through as you normally would. (This test is easiest when the sight is not mounted on a firearm, but can be performed with the sight mounted as well. Just make sure that the firearm is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction.)
While continuing to look through the sight, roll the sight on its optical axis.
If the dot's irregularities seem to revolve around the center of the dot like the spokes of a wheel, there is a mechanical defect causing the distortion.
If the dot does not roll with the sight, the distortion is caused in the way your eye perceives the dot. This is not to say that you don't have good vision. You can see clearly and still see a distortion in objects this small.

This effect is less pronounced in sights with larger dots. More people will see the dot in a sight with a 10 minute-of-angle dot as being perfectly round than will be able to see a 3 MOA dot as round.

 

[KODIAK BEAR]

Thanks guys, sounds like it's me and not the Aimpoint. Guess i'm off to the optician this week to get checked out.

 

[KODIAK BEAR]

Well I am resurrecting this thread for any further input by Aimpoint owners.
Yesterday I had my eyesight checked and no, I am not blind. I got a clean bill of health with
no sign whatsoever of any astigmatism.
I have asked numerous people to look through the sight and they all see the same thing/distortion.
So does everyone see this effect when using an Aimpoint or is the dot clear?

 

[Russell_D]

Try taking a picture of the dot with a digital camera. It will show you what's really there. For me Eotech is a giant fuzzy ball but when I take a picture with my camera it's nice and clear. Would make a hell of a reticle if I could use it. I see why so many people say aimpoint with eotech reticle would be fantastic. I have gotten away from the holosight platform now and use aimpoint because it's not a fuzzy for me but I'm sure in a few more years my eyes will degrade to the point where aimpoint isn't any good to me either.

 

[KODIAK BEAR]

But my eyes are fine according to the optician. Question is : Is the scope defective in some way, as everyone who views it sees exactly what I see?

 

[5440fight]

But my eyes are fine according to the optician. Question is : Is the scope defective in some way, as everyone who views it sees exactly what I see?

If everyone else see's a tail, the optic is defective.

 

[b_w.]

My 2moa comp m3 has a very crisp dot. My new 2moa micro is as you have described. On max power it is fine but with the magnifier or lower settings the dot distorts to more of a dash. I was told that is normal after sending it back to be looked at.

 

[Ar180shooter]

But my eyes are fine according to the optician. Question is : Is the scope defective in some way, as everyone who views it sees exactly what I see?

Are you inside or outside when looking through the optic and seeing the tail? I find these effects are much more pronounced when inside.

 

[ffgats]

yeah, bring it outside in a sunny day, my T1's dot is more perfect round outdoor, even my cmore with a 6moa will have some distortion in a indoor range, but will be more distinct outdoor,perfect dot.

 

[KODIAK BEAR]

The dot/distortion is the same whether indoors or outside in sunlight. With the intensity turned low, the dot is more distinct but obviously difficult to see on a target on a sunny day. I am hoping to one day find someone locally with a similar scope in order to compare them.