Polskas "inquirery" and the incredulity by some professional users prompeted me to do a simple test.
Unit tested:
Aimpoint Micro H1 powered by 1 new Lithium CR2032 battery
(in accordence with Aimpoint Specs)
Function test modi:
1) continous - unit switched on - Red dot is lit y/n
2) toggle - unit is switched on/off and brightness changed - Red dot lights/switches off/ changes intensity y/n
Function test environments:
1) roomtemperature: 18�Celsius
2) freezer: -30� Celsius
Reason for testing:
Per Aimpoint spec sheet the unit
will work from -30�C to + 60�C. Aimpoint advertising has many words for the reliability of the devices.
My device failed to switch on twice in the field at subzero temperatures around -5 to -10�C.
So - I wanted to know - Does leaving the device switched on solve the issue?
Results:
Mode 1 at room temperature - all works.
Mode 2 at room temperature - all works.
Mode 1 at -30� Celcius - nothing works.
Mode 2 at -30� Celsius - nothing works.
Switching to a warm battery in the frosted sight - all works.
Conclusion:
The tested unit is not reliably used at subzero temperatures.
The expierienced failures in the field were not random.
Source of failure has been identified as the battery. As batterys of the highest quality have been chosen - there is no room for improvement left.
As the battery has been identified as the source of failure - leaving the unit switched on does not make the unit usefull in subzero temperatures.
Results may differ with different models/battery types, as can be reasoned that the flat CR type cells are easily affected by cold.
Knowing trumps guessing - using these for brown bear hunting is foolish.