I'm looking at getting a red dot sight to put on a bolt rifle and have been reading reviews and ads. Are there really so few Aimpoint dealers in the country as stated on their website, and why? They only show three dealers each in Washington and Oregon. Midway and Optics Planet carry them, but Cabela's doesn't show them, which I thought was odd.

I'm looking for opinions on the 9000L and the Hunter models because they look more like a regular scope than the stubby ones.

Anyone know anything about these?

Given the cost of an Aimpoint, I'd just as soon get a 1-4 scope with an illuminated dot reticle. Far more versatility.

Don't know anything about those models but I do have 2 Micro H-1's and, in my opinion, they're really a nice pieces of gear.

The VX-R outshines the 9000L in features. The Aimpoint has a longer battery runtime but the VX-R has an automatic motion on feature.

I could never see the point in the scope like aimpoints, I do have two of the other type, one is the Comp ML and the other a T-1. Never had a single problem, no loss of zero, no loss of power, no issues. Why don't you get a Trijicon accupoint, they have been around for a while, get good reviews, the VX-R is pretty new.

I appreciate the opinions and will keep looking at other options like Trijicon, as has been suggested. I'm new to these and the Aimpoints get great reviews. The VX-R sounds interesting because it has the option of magnification.

It seems to me that in addition to looking more like a regular riflescope, the longer Aimpoint models that use two bases and rings would be more secure than the shorter models that use only one ring...?

I recommend a 3-9 Trijicon Accupoint with a triangle in whatever color you prefer instead.

I have two Accupoints: one an Amber plex the other a Red triangle. The only thing I don't like about them is that they are 2.5-10 x 56's. I would prefer a smaller bell but they have their place on two Ar's: a 6.5 Grendel and a 223. If they had the same scope in a 42mm or so, I'd have them on others. You rarely see Accupoints for sale or else I could comment first hand on the 3-9 version's.

Thanks for that idea.
I'll be without a computer for about a week, so I'm not ignoring anyone who may post here.

I had a Comp 9000L on a Mark X Mauser in 458 Win Mag and didn't like it, mainly because it was like looking through a toilet paper tube. The 2x magnified version of the Comp 9000L was more of the same. I've had better luck with small red dots mounted on the front receiver ring, as your view of the target isn't as obscured by the body of the scope as it is with the larger Comp 9000L. The optics in the Aimpoints were fantastic, but they didn't give you the wide field of view like a conventional, low powered scope. I went to a Trijicon Accupoint 1.25-4x scope and liked it much more.

I'm back, and I'm still looking at options. Now I'm leaning towards the Trijicon 1-4. How do they work for quick shots in brush and dark timber? As quick as a red dot sight? Do they have a smaller eyebox than a red dot, which would maybe cause you to have to search more for the target, or can you just swing and shoot with both eyes open, like a red dot?

I had a few Trijicon 1.25-5x's and they are conventional scopes with illuminated reticles. The eyebox is very wide, equivalent to a 4x or 3x Leupold, to my eye. A red dot sight will be more forgiving with regard to head position because it lacks magnifying optics, but that is largely immaterial on a hunting rifle. If you don't have a good cheekweld on a hunting rifle, you'll likely have bigger problems than not seeing the reticle (like taking recoil right in the teeth)

As for "quick shots in brush and dark timber" it'd be hard to beat the Trijicon. The scopes I had had the standard red triangle reticle and it showed up very well against dark trees and dark fur on black bears.

I could easily keep both eyes open when shooting with the Trijicon. On a hunting rifle, I would take one over a standard red dot any day of the week.

BTW: you should be able to keep both eyes open with any scope. Why reduce your visual acuity by half?

Thanks for that info. I hate to spend $700 to $1,000 on either a Trijicon 1-4x or a red dot (+ multiplier) and find out I should have gone the other way.

I appreciate your relaying firsthand experience to me.

The comment about a wide FOV being larger on any scope with magnification over the Aimpoint is incorrect.

Aimpoints have no magnification so the FOV is as large as possible and only limited by the size of the 30mm tube.

There is nothing faster up close or in thick woods ect.

Aimpoints were designed for speed. I've got one on my Ruger AR. Before that it was on a M1 Socom. They are not for precision shooting. I had both weapons dialed in at 50 yards. For the AR that means I should get a 200 yard zero. If I ever have to use it for real, I expect ranges to be no further than my driveway

Over on Accurate Reloading there are some men who've put them on their double rifles, as their eyes can no longer focus irons. This has put them back in the game, as most PH's want the big five shot at less than 50 yards. Certainly elephant is a end of barrel affair. This is where the Aimpoint shines.

Nothing wrong with the other suggestions. Accupoint seems to be a real nice scope, certainly as good as or better than mid range Leupolds.

You're right about the absence of optics in the Aimpoint making FOV an inapt comparison. What I was trying to get at is that, in my experience, the 30mm tube, particularly when the Aimpoint is mounted like a conventional scope, obscures more of your field of vision than a conventional low powered scope. If the Aimpoint is mounted forward (say, an Aimpoint Comp M3 mounted on the front receiver ring of a bolt action) this is mitigated somewhat. Having had an Aimpoint mounted on a conventional bolt action (see picture above), I prefer a low powered conventional scope. The other option would be a reflex sight like a Trijicon RMR that is small enough that the body of the sight alone doesn't block your field of vision.

I use the Docter Optic, a small red dot. It is NOT like looking through a scope. It is best suited to moving game at fairly close distances. You shoot both eyes open and have great depth perception. They work exceptionally well under these situations, and are proven.

Would I be expecting too much from a 1-4x Trijicon if what I want is a red dot/both eyes open/quick sight, plus the option of magnification?

No, that's what the Trijicon 1-4x was designed to provide. Check out the rigs used by top 3-Gun competitors. Most of them are running true 1x to 5x or 6x (or more) riflescopes with illuminated reticles. That competition emphasizes both speed and accuracy.

SWFA out of Texas carries Aimpoint too.

Thanks, Oregon45. I'm leaning that way for sure now.

Magnumdood, thanks. I also called Cabela's and they carry Aimpoints, but the guy on the phone didn't know why they aren't listed.

Hi Bulletbutt,

If you are looking for the tougher models go to H1 or 9000 series. Tube are stronger than on the Hunter, don't say this one is not tough, simply the two others are stronger.
Just came back from hunt where we used exclusively Aimpoint Hunter H30.
More than 80 wild boars plus stags, roes and foxes taken by our party of 21 hunters, some had never used red dot sight or the rifle on loan.
One of them shot 13 pieces in 16 cartridges, other six with six shot.
The farthest was more than 230m away, the closer 10m.
As always in driven hun,t the Aimpoint demostrated high level of reliability, efficiency and accuracy. Temperatures where around -5 to -12�Celsius and game was no feral pigs but real tough russian wild boar. Only 230 rounds were used for these results.

Really a fantastic rifle sight in any of their configuration.

Good choice.

PS: two noted US writers were with us and they enjoyed the sight very much...

Hi Bulletbutt,

If you are looking for the tougher models go to H1 or 9000 series. Tube are stronger than on the Hunter, don't say this one is not tough, simply the two others are stronger.
Just came back from hunt where we used exclusively Aimpoint Hunter H30.
More than 80 wild boars plus stags, roes and foxes taken by our party of 21 hunters, some had never used red dot sight or the rifle on loan.
One of them shot 13 pieces in 16 cartridges, other six with six shot.
The farthest was more than 230m away, the closer 10m.
As always in driven hun,t the Aimpoint demostrated high level of reliability, efficiency and accuracy. Temperatures where around -5 to -12�Celsius and game was no feral pigs but real tough russian wild boar. Only 230 rounds were used for these results.

Really a fantastic rifle sight in any of their configuration.

Good choice.

PS: two noted US writers were with us and they enjoyed the sight very much...

Sorry clicked twice....

Trijicon on a Ruger. I really like this scope.

Thanks, everybody, for the help. I'm going to look at some Aimpoints but I won't decide until I see a Trijiocon 1-4x.

Nice looking rifle. What is that fence post made of?

Back in 2007 I mounted a EO Tech Halo site on a Ruger 44 carbine. This gun is 99% perfect. The only issue with this gun is you over shoot your game. No recoil with the 44 mag bullet keeps the halographic site on your target and you find a few more bullets in your game than needed.

Best gun in my safe.

Thanks everybody for your opinions. I am the owner of a new Trijicon 1-4x24mm with the post and green triangle on top. I think I'm going to like this scope better, or at least as well as, a good red dot because of the magnification available. I suppose my biggest "problem" with it will be working at not closing one eye when I use it, but it will be fun relearning what to do so I do it automatically.

I haven't mounted it yet...still admiring it. I can't decide whether to put it on a 35 Whelen or a 260.