There are a ton of options out there when it comes to red dot optics for your AR15.

After dozens of scopes and years of testing, though, there is one optic that I never leave behind: the Aimpoint PRO (Patrol Rifle Optic.)

It’s rugged, battle-proven, and comes with a ton of features that make it one of the best red dot riflescope on the market. Here’s why.

Glass Clarity

The glass on the PRO is crystal clear.

The lenses are fully multi-coated for glare reduction and enhanced light transmission, and these help deliver a bright, crisp image through the scope.

Many red dot lens coatings will cause a colored tint when you look through them; not so with the Aimpoint PRO. I haven’t noticed any color distortion or tinting at all when using this optic.

Always On Reticle

This optic uses a two minutes of angle (MOAs) red dot reticle.

This is a perfect reticle size. At two MOAs, you can quickly acquire the dot with your eye, but it’s still small enough to allow for precise shot placement.

Plus, it won’t obscure your target, which is important in situations where target identification is as important as target acquisition.

There are ten brightness settings, including four that are compatible with night vision, so you’ll be able to find the perfect brightness level for any conditions, day or night.

And here’s my favorite feature with the Aimpoint PRO:

The reticle is always on.

This means that my rifle is always ready to go. No more fiddling with an on/off or using the brightness knob to turn the reticle on. The PRO is always lit, so in a dangerous situation, all I have to do is raise my rifle and I’m ready to defend myself.

And, the battery lasts for a whopping three years. Talk about reliability!

Durability

This thing is built like a tank.

The body of the optic is made from a hard-anodized, strengthened aluminum. Plus, the scope tube is coated with an anti-reflective coating that protects the body from scratches. This coating also helps reduce your own visibility, helping you stay unseen in a combat situation.

The lenses are recessed into the scope tube, which helps prevent them from striking anything if you happen to drop your rifle. And, it has built-in lens caps to further protect the glass (more on those in a minute.)

If that wasn’t enough, the whole thing is waterproof to a depth of 150 feet.

Basically, you can take the PRO into any conditions imaginable and not have to worry about damaging it, and you can rest assured that it will always work no matter what you throw at it.

Battle Proven

The Aimpoint PRO has been around for a few years, but that’s a good thing.

Unlike newer red dots, the PRO has been used by military and law enforcement officers in combat situations. And it’s passed their tests with flying colors.

Why does this matter?

One word: confidence.

I have the Aimpoint PRO mounted on my home defense AR, so I want an optic that I know I can depend on when danger rears its ugly head. If it’s good enough for the military, it’s good enough for me!

Mounting and Accessories

Another thing I love about this optic is how it comes completely ready to go, right out of the box.

It includes a battery, a mount with optional riser, and a set of high-quality flip caps.

The mount is fantastic, and easy to use. It uses a special turn knob to affix the scope to any picatinny rail.

The best part? No tools required. The turn knobs means that you can quickly and easily attach and detach the PRO with your hands, and it’s even designed to prevent over tightening so that you won’t damage your rail.

The flip caps are another great addition too. They do a lot more than just keep your glass protected.

See, the rear eyepiece is see-through. Why does this matter? Well, if you shoot with both eyes open, you will still see the red dot superimposed over your target. This makes all the difference in a sudden danger situation where every second counts!

Final Thoughts

The Aimpoint PRO packs military-quality features into a lightweight package.

It’s got:

• Always-on reticle
• Crystal clear glass
• Ten brightness settings
• Easy to use tool-less mount
• Included flip caps and battery

So, if you’re looking for a battle-proven optic for your combat rifle of choice, look no further than the Aimpoint PRO.

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Richard Douglas is a long-time shooter, outdoor enthusiast and technologist. He is the founder and editor of Scopes Field, and a columnist at The National Interest, Cheaper Than Dirt, Daily Caller and other publications.

Image: Aimpoint.