what optic
- Thread starter gaudzy
- Start date
LOL the one that stuck with me was an older fellow who could outride people half his age on a dirt bike. People asked him what the best bang for your buck would be on a motorcycle upgrade so they could ride like him and he answered, Gasoline, practice at skill will beat any tech upgrades.
I don't think it is - going by memory here, but I believe they are very similar dimensions-wise but I think the Sig is like a hair wider, maybe (don't quote me on this). The Sig is very slighter lighter in weight (difference is 0.1 or something like that).
I am not going to link to them but there are online comparisons /reviews between the two...perhaps worth having a look to see some other feedback from other owners who may own both (I only own the Romeo 5 and have multiple).
Good discussion on the topic here already, for sure. Why pay more for something that does the same job? Is it like the old side-by-side "blind taste test" of different brands of cola? If you really can't tell the difference, then of course, why would anyone pay more? (though many happily will do so for political / economic reasons) (oh, and of course it's okay if someone wants to may more for a certain brand, just because they like the brand)
But honestly, if you handled an Aimpoint Micro side by side with your Romeo5, I'd be very surprised if you didn't notice a difference in quality. Whether the difference matters to you, that's really up to each individual - But the difference is certainly there. And it certainly matters to some people. Is some of the price difference due to marketing, etc.? I don't know, probably, but also I don't care - For me the decision is whether or not the difference in quality justifies the difference in price. For me, and for my application.
There is something to be said for having an optic that you really never, ever have to worry about. If I was still doing "serious" 3-gunning, I'd still have an Aimpoint Micro on my primary long gun. My needs are generally much more casual now, so the Romeo5 works well enough 90% of the time. But also I have a higher quality (and yes, more expensive) red dot for the other 10%.
Very fair points, especially about the cola taste test. When I was a kid in the 80s, my parents oftentimes bought the "RC Cola" and told me hey, it's just like Coke. I have had the "luxury" of having Coke a few times in my childhood (no lie, my parents took me to McDonald's maybe 3-4 times my entire childhood), so I though, yeah, it tastes the same. Until I one time went to a friends birthday party and they had RC Cola and Coke. There definitely was a difference when compared side by side and since then I did not like RC Cola anymore (I don't drink pop or anything other than water and tea nowadays anyway).
On a more related level, for years when I first got my PAL eons ago, I was putting basic Bushnell scopes on my .22s. It looked fine and I guess it shot fine. It was only when I bought a Leupold a few years back that I realized how crappy that Bushnell $99.99 bargain was (probably $160 now adjusted for inflation). So in going back to the Bushnell from the Leupold, it looks like someone rubbed Vaseline all over the lens of the Bushnell. Back then I thought it was the cat's meow.
I guess for the Sig, maybe it hasn't been around long enough for people to gauge its long term reliability. So far, none of mine have failed me and I do rely on it for various applications, some of which are fairly important in terms of needing something reliable.
I would certainly love to try out an Aimpoint. I just don't want to buy it in order to try it out. Too bad there's no place that has a red dot rental program.
if i was buying a new one id go in see but since i have two vortex already in hand ill prob just try that on for now.
I also have some nail polish i was thinking of putting on front sight
My goal for this configuration (Backpacker) is to be as compact as possible but my eyes are getting old
I'm optimistic about the reliability of the Romeo5, I've only heard good things. But you can't get blood from a stone. Those cost savings have to come from somewhere.
I hear you about the Bushnell/Leupold (and colas!). You just can't know until you try. I wore uncomfortable boots for 20 years (and God only knows how many miles) before I learned that more comfortable options existed. But again, not everybody would notice or care about the difference. And I still have a use for cheap boots, they're just not the only option I have.
Being fairly averse to spending money that I don't have to, I never would have ponied up for an Aimpoint in the first place if I hadn't found a great deal on a used one. I try to use the EE here (and other sites) as a de facto rental program - If you have the time to be patient and buy smart, you can often try this kind of stuff out at minimal cost (reselling if it doesn't work out).
...I also have some nail polish i was thinking of putting on front sight
My goal for this configuration (Backpacker) is to be as compact as possible but my eyes are getting old
Good idea - Try putting a coat of white on first, it should help the colour of the final coat to pop.
I'm in the same boat - I prefer iron sights for many reasons, but for my eyes a red dot is simply superior for practical use.
If you want the smallest option possible for an illuminated sight, you can consider a "pistol red dot" with an open emitter. Depending on how you're using the rifle, the compromise might be worth it.
I get, backpackers seek light and small. Makes sense BUT one has to look at where you can significantly reduce the weight. I have not weighed my SPARC11 vs a Romeo5. If there is more than an ounce or two difference I would be surprised. There might an an inch difference in length and virtually no difference in height.
Compare those small differences to say our Ruger PCC to a Sub2000. The latter being, a sample of a true backpacker model. The unloaded weight difference is 2.75. lbs! My little Marlin Papoose I am sure weighs even less than a Sub2000 albeit in 22lr.
As to quality, I am quite sure an Aimpoint will have better glass, be clearer and might even be less susceptible to breakage but from a practical point of view, for the intended use, is the difference worth $700? For some it will be but for most?
As to the price difference, when you take away the wage and tax disparity between the two countries of manufacture AND the intended market/price point of the product, what's left for improved engineering expenses. On a per unit basis, not much.
If the OP or most here, can stand in front of me with a straight face and tell me 9 times out of 10 which loaded Ruger has 4 silver dollars attached to it, and which one doesn't I'll buy him a beer. I'll make it Scotch if he can hand me two targets shot with a fully loaded Ruger PCC while standing where the Aimpoint armed PCC hit a two inch circle with one shot vs say a Romeo5 at 25 yards. Remember you have only one shot and you must be unsupported standing. Only one target per day.
Just saying.
If anyone is considering using paint on the front sight, try luminous paint you can buy at a hobby shop over nail polish. I use it on some on my revolver sights. Green seem to work best for me but some use red as well. I have not found it works as well as fibre optic front sights but for me it is better than black iron sight.
Take Care
Bob
Ps I am sure some can but most can't do the shooting test..
Compare those small differences to say our Ruger PCC to a Sub2000. The latter being, a sample of a true backpacker model. The unloaded weight difference is 2.75. lbs! My little Marlin Papoose I am sure weighs even less than a Sub2000 albeit in 22lr.
As to quality, I am quite sure an Aimpoint will have better glass, be clearer and might even be less susceptible to breakage but from a practical point of view, for the intended use, is the difference worth $700? For some it will be but for most?
As to the price difference, when you take away the wage and tax disparity between the two countries of manufacture AND the intended market/price point of the product, what's left for improved engineering expenses. On a per unit basis, not much.
If the OP or most here, can stand in front of me with a straight face and tell me 9 times out of 10 which loaded Ruger has 4 silver dollars attached to it, and which one doesn't I'll buy him a beer. I'll make it Scotch if he can hand me two targets shot with a fully loaded Ruger PCC while standing where the Aimpoint armed PCC hit a two inch circle with one shot vs say a Romeo5 at 25 yards. Remember you have only one shot and you must be unsupported standing. Only one target per day.
Just saying.
If anyone is considering using paint on the front sight, try luminous paint you can buy at a hobby shop over nail polish. I use it on some on my revolver sights. Green seem to work best for me but some use red as well. I have not found it works as well as fibre optic front sights but for me it is better than black iron sight.
Take Care
Bob
Ps I am sure some can but most can't do the shooting test..
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For clarity in the backpack config im not as worried about weight as i am about size. when its collapsed it has a very compact profile. With a red dot im adding this big bulging tumor to it
I want it to slide in and out of a backpack!
ill try the local hobby shop for better paint
For clarity in the backpack config im not as worried about weight as i am about size. when its collapsed it has a very compact profile. With a red dot im adding this big bulging tumor to it
I want it to slide in and out of a backpack!
ill try the local hobby shop for better paint
The Vortex Crossfier with the low mount has probably the most aero dynamic shape of those discussed here. I have one on my Papoose 22lr and it is pretty dainty. From what you just said I would not hesitate to buy it at $199. when it comes on sale.
Take Care
Bob
