Celebrating 50 years of red dot sights, Aimpoint unveils its new DUTY RDS™ MR
The Aimpoint story is closely linked to that of red dot sights, as the first such aiming device was invented in 1974 by Arne Ekstrand. After patenting his idea he met Gunnar Sandberg, and together they founded Aimpoint AB. In its 50th anniversary the company launches a new sight, still exploiting the red dot idea: half a century after the first product, the Aimpoint Electronic, here is the DUTY RDS MR
The main innovation in the new sight, which for the professional market is aimed at law enforcement and specialised military units, is the capability to switch among three different reticles, hence the MR for Multi Reticle. Three modes can be easily selected by the operator, a 2 MOA dot, a 65 MOA circle, or a combination of both, all reticles being visible in red colour. Typically the red dot is used when precise aiming is required while the circle allows quick target acquisition at very close ranges.
A typical reflex collimator sight with a 650 nm red LED source, the DUTY RDS MR is a x1 sight, which can be rapidly adapted to the tactical situation thanks to the reticles choice. The sight itself has a mass of 110 grams, to which the mass of the mount must be added; two mounts are available, a 30 mm and a 39 mm, the number indicating the optical axis height measured from the top surface of the mounting platform. The sight dimensions are 68 x 37 x 43 mm. It has a clear aperture of 18 mm, and ensures an average light transmission of over 80% in the 420-900 nm range.
It is powered by a single CR2032 battery, which is located on the right side of the system and is easily replaceable. However this operation should not happen in action, as the battery ensures three years (30,000 hours) of continuous use at daylight setting 7 with dot reticle. Twelve brightness settings are available, including four compatible with night vision devices; setting is done by easy to use push buttons. A further power saving feature is the motion activation function: after two hours of inactivity the DUTY RDS MR enters sleep mode, while as soon as movement is detected the sight instantly powers up.
To switch between reticles the operator used the push button on the left of the sight, holding it in, while to change the red light setting the same push button is used, pressing it briefly. The adjustment range is ±1 metre at 100 metres in windage and elevation, one click representing 14 mm at 100 metres, elevation and windage turrets providing tactile, audible clicks for precise zeroing.
The DUTY RDS MR housing is made in pressure-forged high strength aluminium, and is produced in anodised non-glare finished, the sight being available in two colours black or dark gray. It is waterproof to 25 metres and is shock- and vibration-resistant, and can operate in the -46°C to +71°C temperature range. All optical surfaces are anti-reflex, lenses being treated with a multi-layer coating, Aimpoint declaring that no optical signature is visible at night at 10 metres distance on the front side, when the sight is set on appropriate night vision settings.
The DUTY RDS MR sight is availabe to customers
Photos courtesy AImpoint
