Aimpoint T-1 Micro - First Impressions

[Hanwei]

Are we ever really done customizing our AR's?

Historically... I'm an Eotech guy. I've always preferred the 65MOA circle with 1MOA dot reticle over the Aimpoint dot. However, as in love as I am with my most recent build, the one thing I do notice every time I pick it up is its weight.

(It's a pre-ban Eagle Arms lower and an LWRC piston upper with 14.7" match grade heavy barrel)

Before:


I don't know what it was... but something kept telling me to try the Aimpoint T-1 Micro... and so it magically arrived yesterday And I'm glad I decided to try it out!

Man... I love this thing. I knew it was small... but had no idea how small until I opened the box. Holding it, I thought, "Uh oh... maybe this is going to be too small...". I was worried about losing field of view... worried that it might be too small to use as a primary optic.

I mounted it... took it to the range... zeroed it... Wow! I love the size. And the AR definitely feels lighter with it compared to the Eotech.

The smaller field of view turned out not to be an issue either. I shoot with both eyes open so the body of the optic disappears anyway. I just see the red dot on the target.

Here are the last 2 targets used to zero the T-1 (@ 25 yards)





However... I DO feel horrible for cheating on my Eotech











Oh well

[Cuda444]

Nice write up and excellent photos. I have an XPS, too, and while I do like it, I think I'm headed down a similar path in the future... Aimpoint T-1.

Semi-unrelated, how do you like the TLR mounted on top? I've read oodles about the advantages/disadvantages and wondering what your take on it is. Do you find it easy to manipulate the on/off? Tough to tell from the pics but it doesn't look like there is a pressure switch on it. What about the momentary on/off? Can you manipulate the gun while your hand is on the vertical grip?

I have an X300 mounted at 9 o'clock and so far I love it, but I'm always looking for new ideas.

[chetD]

nice write up & pics (of course)!!!!

[Timber]

looking good. you zeroed POA /POI at 25 yards?

[Greg]

I'm getting one of those for my 74,nice pics.

[colt_fan]

nice hanwei! what is the location of the BUIS relative to the height. how is co-witness?

I'm getting one of those for my 74,nice pics.

not to go OT so quickly, but what kind of bracket will you use to mount it too?

[MrTwigg]

Nice write up.

[MassMark]

Nice write up and excellent photos. I have an XPS, too, and while I do like it, I think I'm headed down a similar path in the future... Aimpoint T-1.

Semi-unrelated, how do you like the TLR mounted on top? I've read oodles about the advantages/disadvantages and wondering what your take on it is. Do you find it easy to manipulate the on/off? Tough to tell from the pics but it doesn't look like there is a pressure switch on it. What about the momentary on/off? Can you manipulate the gun while your hand is on the vertical grip?

I have an X300 mounted at 9 o'clock and so far I love it, but I'm always looking for new ideas.

Nice write up Hanwei - the Micro looks like a terrific sight. I was wondering the same thing with your TLR and additionally, your sight radius with your BUIS. I'm trying to get an idea how I'd manipulate the rocker switch with the light at 12-noon. I still have my light mounted at 6, but have been kicking around a 9 offset. Your top rail looks busy to me, but none of that matters if it works for you.

[Hanwei]

Thanks guys!

Semi-unrelated, how do you like the TLR mounted on top? I've read oodles about the advantages/disadvantages and wondering what your take on it is. Do you find it easy to manipulate the on/off? Tough to tell from the pics but it doesn't look like there is a pressure switch on it. What about the momentary on/off? Can you manipulate the gun while your hand is on the vertical grip?

I have an X300 mounted at 9 o'clock and so far I love it, but I'm always looking for new ideas.

You know... I've tried mounting the light at 3 o'clock, 6, and 9 o'clock... and I either didn't like the light offset from the rifle, or found it hard to manipulate the on/off/momentary switch in those positions. Could I have gotten a pressure switch? Yes But even if I solved the ease of on/off issue I still didn't like it offset.

So I tossed it up top... Holy crap... I LOVE it up there!
I position my support hand on the vertical grip like the guy in the pic below does... so you can see how perfectly positioned my thumb is to actuate the momentary on switch. Push down for momentary on. Flick up for constant on.

Small note... I also like the fact that any shadow cast from the light and barrel is cast downwards, out of view. So there aren't any dark spots to the sides.

looking good. you zeroed POA /POI at 25 yards?

Yup. It was dark out so I only had access to the 25yard indoor range. Why do you ask? I know that the ideal battle sight zero for the M4 is at 50 yards... but I'm used to having my zero at 25... and since I know the kentucky windage out to 400 yards with a 25 yard zero (thanks to Nickle and MrTwigg and Appleseed) I figure I'll be fine if I ever have to use the rifle

nice hanwei! what is the location of the BUIS relative to the height. how is co-witness?

It is a lower 1/3rd co-witness... which I think I prefer.

My Eotech would allow a full co-witness... which I don't mind at all though.

Nice write up Hanwei - the Micro looks like a terrific sight. I was wondering the same thing with your TLR and additionally, your sight radius with your BUIS. I'm trying to get an idea how I'd manipulate the rocker switch with the light at 12-noon. I still have my light mounted at 6, but have been kicking around a 9 offset. Your top rail looks busy to me, but none of that matters if it works for you.

Yeah... when I first built the rifle I had no light... and the front sight all the way forward. And that's where I'd like to keep the front sight ideally... you know, the longer the sight radius the better, etc. But I REALLY like the TLR-1 where it is up top and I've come to terms with having the sight radius an inch or so shorter. It's not ideal... but it's the only way to have the TLR-1 up top without getting a longer rail system.

Also, I can't stress how perfect the combination of my support hand position and rocker switch position is when the TLR-1 is up at 12 o'clock. My thumb is just naturally positioned under/next to the left side of the light. When I want the light on I just lift and place my thumb onto the left rocker switch for momentary on. Couldn't be easier for me.

[Hanwei]

Oh... one complaint I do have is with the bikini covers that come with the T-1. Not exactly the most graceful design Almost every time I remove the covers the rear cover will leave a smudge on the rear lens

Actually I'm not sure if it's a fault with the cover as much as it is with the rear lens not being more recessed like the front lens is. The rear lens is not recessed at all...

Anyone know of any lens covers for the T-1 besides the covers that come with it?