Please Discuss the new Trijicon ACOG Optics

[SINKER]

Hey there all of you Active Duty Members and Gurus! Please tell me why this Optic is worth all of this $$$? I know it is new, but why does it have the fiber optics and are they great for Night Vision?

Trijicon TA31DOC ACOG 4x32 BAC Illuminated Crosshair Rifle Scope w/ Red Dot Sight and TA51 Mount Riflescope w/ FREE Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier 1471 (TA31DOC-KIT2) w/ FREE UPS

I may be showing my ignorance here, but I am NOT AFRAID to ask questions when I don't know or understand things....what is ACOG?

[Sean K.]

Hey there all of you Active Duty Members and Gurus! Please tell me why this Optic is worth all of this $$$? I know it is new, but why does it have the fiber optics and are they great for Night Vision?

Trijicon TA31DOC ACOG 4x32 BAC Illuminated Crosshair Rifle Scope w/ Red Dot Sight and TA51 Mount Riflescope w/ FREE Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier 1471 (TA31DOC-KIT2) w/ FREE UPS

I may be showing my ignorance here, but I am NOT AFRAID to ask questions when I don't know or understand things....what is ACOG?

Chris,
ACOG is not new.....maybe I missed something and they have a new model you are specifically asking about?

They are expensive but most folks that own them will tell you the really like the optic. Me, I can't really afford them and the fact that the tritium fades over time is something I personally didn't care for....though they can be "recharged" by sending them back to the factory. Tritium is a radioactive (isotope IIRC), that gives the reticle the "glow" to be able to see it in low light (or day light for that matter). I'm not sure Trijicon is using Tritium in the ACOG....I'm just guessing that they are along with fiber optic technology to get the illumination.

With the battery life of an Aimpoint being 5 years or better on many models, I don't see not using batteries as a big selling point for the ACOG. I personally consider red dots for close in shooting....fast target acquisition. Ya, I can shoot 200+ yards with an unmagnified red dot, but I'm not going to be printing any kind of group.....just hitting a man sized target. That's the advantage of the ACOG over a red dot like a standard Aimpoint or EoTech......ACOG has magnification available depending on the model you choose. With a regular red dot, you have to add a magnifier....and most of those are limited to 3X.


Personally, except for the battery life, I like the illuminated reticles on scopes like the Leupold VX-III 1.5-5X20 or if you've got the money to spend, a Short Dot from Schmidt and Bender....but the price is really prohibitive on the S&B.

I'm re-reading this and it seems like I'm against the ACOG.....I'm not. They are a really high quality optic. I'd love to own one, but IMO, they are expensive if you just want/need a red dot. If you want/need magnification, then they are a great option but they are a fixed power and you have to decide what you need. A variable power scope with an illuminated reticle may meet your needs as well.....or even something that has two power settings like the IOR Valdada Pitbull for example for around the same price as the ACOG.

I say if you can afford it, go for the ACOG. I highly doubt you'd be disappointed.

I'm sure someone that knows more about them than me (I know very little about them) will be along shortly to help out.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Sean

[MadDogDan]

I have 3 ACOG's as well as 4 Aimpoints and battery life is not the issue with most ACOG owners. Aimpoints are great and can't be beat for certain situations, however they are an electronic device and can fail where as the ACOG doesn't rely on electronics. ACOG's are not new and have been around for at least 15 years that I know of however they come out with new models almost yearly. Yes the ACOG does have tritium in it which is only used in low or no light. The fiber optic rod handles the illumination for all other light conditions. Tritium does dim over time but it takes 12 to 15 years before you would ever need to have it recharged. You definitely get your money's worth.

I have had many optics in the past and for what the ACOG was designed for you can't beat it at any price.

That's JMHO,
MadDog

[DSM]

Pretty much what they said! They're small and rugged and can take their fair share of abuse. I've seen them fail but that was also extreme circumstances in Iraq. I own a couple and they are great.

I remember when a "basic" model ACOG could be had for around $400+ if you shopped around so the price is a sticking point for a lot of folks. If you just want a scope to plink around with it may not be for you. But if you want one for what it offers then you won't be disappointed with it.

[SDDuc996]

DON'T BUY IT!!!!! IT'S A JESUS GUN!!!!!!


Want a dedicated 4x magnification (or 3.5x or 5x)? You'd be hard pressed to find something as rugged.

It's a good optic, I've never had too many problems with the ones in inventory except one or two losing their seal (granted they were seriously abused).

I like the newer TA31's (Current issue) because it has the fiber optic (you can adjust for intensity with a strip of tape over the fiber optic) and the illuminated chevron will act as a red dot close up. I've stated this before, but if you can't get use to the magnification up close, get the killflash, put a Butler Creek cap on it and close it. With both eyes open, (THE WAY EVERYONE SHOULD BE SHOOTING HANDGUNS AND RIFLES :2cents your non-aiming eye will work with your aiming eye and "magically" put the chevron on target. You can try this with an Aimpoint doing the same. Close the front cap and voila.

If that doesn't work for you, buy a red dot/ACOG mount and put a Docter, JPoint or other small reddot on a mounting platform above your optic.

It's a great optic, just a bit spendy.

[MickeyC]

It is extremely rugged and can withstand lots of abuse. Sort of the Rolex of the combat optics world.

If the cost is prohibitive then you can set youtr rifle up in different ways to achieve similar results. Leupold, Valdada and others do nice tactical scopes. At the lower end you can use a Millett DMS1. On my FAL I'm using a Valdada 2-12 scope with an offset Fastfire Red dot for close up shots.

If you can afford the ACOG and it does what you want then go for it. If I was that way inclined or shot competitively any more I'd probably stick at least one on a rifle.

[Underground]

It is extremely rugged and can withstand lots of abuse. Sort of the Rolex of the combat optics world.

If the cost is prohibitive then you can set youtr rifle up in different ways to achieve similar results. Leupold, Valdada and others do nice tactical scopes. At the lower end you can use a Millett DMS1. On my FAL I'm using a Valdada 2-12 scope with an offset Fastfire Red dot for close up shots.

If you can afford the ACOG and it does what you want then go for it. If I was that way inclined or shot competitively any more I'd probably stick at least one on a rifle.

Of course the Leupold and IOR scopes are going to be almost as much if not more than an ACOG. But you get more options for magnification and reticle. I hate those chevron reticles which is the main reason I don't have one. That and they don't make the combination that I want.

If you figure out what you want as far as 1x, fixed low power, variable 1-4x, or variable/fixed with more magnification than that it will really help narrow down your possible selection.

[killswitch1982]

The 3.5x ACOGS are much more forgiving to use.

[EricCartmann]

new? ???

I agree with kill, the 3.5x ACOGs are the best one.

[Soap]

If that doesn't work for you, buy a red dot/ACOG mount and put a Docter, JPoint or other small reddot on a mounting platform above your optic.

An angle mount on your top rail just forward of the ejection port is another good option. For me the piggy back route forces me to break my cheek weld when I use the red dot. However know that you've shared that bit of info I think I'll give you ACOG as a close quarters optic technique a try.