Since its foundation in 1975, Aimpoint AB has produced red dot sights for hunting, police and military applications. At present, there are millions of Aimpoint sights in use globally. ESD had the opportunity to speak with Jonas Ardemalm, Aimpoint’s Director for Professional Sales.
ESD: What are red dot sights? How have they changed over the years?
Ardemalm: A red dot sight (also called a reflex sight) is non-magnifying optical device that gives the user a point of aim in the form of an illuminated red dot. The red dot sight uses a LED (light emitting diode), which is completely eye-safe compared to a laser which produces an emission that can be harmful to eyes. Furthermore, unlike lasers, which project a red dot onto a target, red dot sights are all internal thereby allowing only the shooter to see the red dot on their target.
In 1975, Aimpoint AB marketed the first “electronic” red dot sight combining a reflecting curved mirror and a light-emitting diode. The sight was called the “Aimpoint Electronic” and had a closed tube design with a LED that could run for 1,500 to 3,000 hours on mercury batteries. Today, some of our sights run for 80,000 hours on one single AA battery.
Aimpoint’s red dot sights today use much lower power consumption LEDs and power saving electronics, allowing them to run for years without being turned off.
Aimpoint red dot sights use an extremely efficient red light-emitting diode (LED) that allows the sight to run on one single battery (AAA or 2032) for five years or AA for eight years without being turned off. Gone are the days when you were worried about the dot when you needed it the most.
ESD: Recently, many red dot sellers have emerged, causing market confusion – some of them with an aggressive pricing strategy. What is Aimpoint’s strategy and what differentiates Aimpoint from its competition?
Ardemalm: There are brands trying to take a share of the market today by lowering their prices. There are also a few low-price brands trying to get sales, but you get what you pay for. Using lower-cost components will automatically reflect on the quality and performance of the final product. Aimpoint does not want to compromise in any way. We are dedicated to our task of always delivering user-friendly products that our end-users can trust in any situation they might find themselves in – with simplicity, speed and accuracy.
The Aimpoint electronic red dot sight has revolutionised mid-range to short-range moving target shooting techniques. With 45 years of experience and millions of products in use worldwide, we know that every single detail counts; here are a few examples:
- The use of high-quality components in all our products
- A very strict manufacturing executed in a highly controlled process and environment.
Aimpoint AB is certified according to ISO 9001:2015, and each sight is hand-built at our state-of-the-art facilities in Sweden, assigned an individual identification number, and subjected to rigorous testing and numerous quality control checks during the manufacturing process.
User friendliness is extremely important in a stressful situation. On top of that, you have years of continuous use on one single battery and no matter the weather or climate conditions, your sight will work – always. It is also important to mention that for us, a sale is not the end of the deal, but it is the start of a commitment to our customers. During the product’s whole life cycle, we are always there to support our customers.
That makes Aimpoint red dot sights the preferred choice for beginners and experts alike and that is what differentiates Aimpoint from its competition. Many of our customers must trust their equipment every single day as their lives depend on it. Therefore, we are extremely serious and aware of the importance of developing and manufacturing products that live up to these challenges.
ESD: What are the main benefits of red dot sights compared to other aiming devices?
Ardemalm: There are various kinds of optics on the market. For accuracy and quick target acquisition, red dot sights are superior to iron sights and magnified scopes in several ways.
With iron sights, shooters must align the rear sight with the front sight, which can add time to target acquisition. And by focusing on the front sight, the target is blurry.
Magnified scopes require closing one eye to acquire a target, therefore losing situational awareness. Due to the magnification, scopes are not ideal for fast target acquisition.
The red dot sight technology allows a shooter to do what comes naturally — keep both eyes open while focusing on the target. The single red dot has been proven to be the fastest type of aiming reticle and provides the greatest hit probability on moving targets.
When the red dot is on target, so are you. With ease of use, there is a heightened level of confidence. This is the genesis of shooting with both eyes open – the concept behind all Aimpoint sights. Remaining focused on the target while being fully situationally aware enhances critical decision-making during rapidly developing tactical situations. Increased confidence leads to increased success in the field.
ESD: Why are red dot sights effective for increased accuracy? At what point are they ineffective / have reduced accuracy?
Ardemalm: Red dot sights are the most effective optics when aiming at moving targets. When the red dot is on the target, you are on target. If you are properly zeroed, there is no need to centre the dot in the sight. This allows for quick target acquisition. It is this combination of speed and accuracy that makes red dot sights the preferred choice for beginners and experts alike.
Red dots sights don’t magnify and are used primarily for CQB (Close-Quarters Battle), but most shooters can use a red dot sight up to 150 metres. For longer distances, Aimpoint offers 3x and 6x magnifiers that can be mounted behind the red dot sights and allow mid-range moving target shooting. Mounted with a flip-mount, the magnifier can be flipped on the side when not needed or back behind the red dot sight when shooting at longer distances is required.
ESD: How durable are red dot sights? Is extra care required for handling, mounting, and zeroing them?
Ardemalm: Aimpoint sights have been soldier tested and combat proven under the most extreme environmental conditions since the early 90s. Aimpoint products are subjected to brutal testing, including exposure to extreme heat, cold, physical abuse, and submersion under water. From arctic temperatures to desert sand, the ruggedness of Aimpoint red dot sights are extremely rugged, standing up to any challenge.
Our sights are also extremely user friendly. Operated by a mechanical switch or pushbuttons, an Aimpoint sight can be easily and quickly changed to the right setting while simultaneously aiming through your sight. Our mechanical switch and push buttons will not freeze and are easy to use when wearing gloves. Aimpoint® red dot sights don’t require any maintenance while used under conditions such as:
- Extreme heat (moist or dry)
- Extreme cold – extreme cold might shorten battery life
- Dust storms and sandstorms – we only recommend to keep lens covers closed when the sight is not being used
- Salt air
- High altitudes
- Sea spray
- water
- mud
- snow
Ensure that the battery cap and the two adjustment caps are tightened before exposing the sight to sea spray, mud, snow or before immersing the sight in water – hand tighten only. Clean lenses with lens paper or cloth and wipe the sight dry as soon as possible after exposure to water, sea spray, mud or snow.
ESD: What is the difference between those devices suitable for police and military end-users?
Ardemalm: The products delivered to professional users must be able to withstand the most challenging physical situations and environmental conditions. Therefore, we use even stronger components for critical parts, and we put them to even more extreme tests. All the products for professional users are compatible with all generations’ NVDs.
ESD: Has Aimpoint reached the “off-the-shelf” point for police / military availability? Under what conditions could red dot sights be “standard issue”?
Ardemalm: Aimpoint products are considered to be part of the standard equipment in many police agencies, special forces and military units; and they are in service with most NATO countries. All Aimpoint sights for professional use are optimised for use with night vision devices.
ESD: Are red dot sights suitable for all kinds of weapons? What are the limitations?
Ardemalm: Aimpoint offers a wide range of red dot sights suitable for most weapons – from handguns to crew served weapons. The smallest sights in the Aimpoint portfolio, weighing only 60 g, belong to the ACRO series which have been tested and proven to withstand the extreme shock, vibration, temperatures, and material stresses generated by firing over 20,000 rounds of .40 S&W ammunition. And on the other hand, we have the Aimpoint FCS13RE™, fire control systems for crew served weapons. This is a direct view, Dynamic Universal Reflex Sight (DURS) which utilises an integrated laser range-finder and ballistic computer to give the gunner an aiming point corrected for range, type of munition, terrain angle, and environmental conditions. But these two extreme products have in common the fact that they belong to the next generation multiweapon sights.
ESD: Why are more red dot sights being sold for pistols than in previous years?
Ardemalm: The primary reason is that there were no red dot sights available on the market rugged enough to be even considered for professional use. By launching the first generation ACRO series in 2018 – an enclosed red dot sight mounted on the pistol slide, there was finally a sight rugged enough on the market. With the improved 2nd generation ACRO series launched in 2021, we have strengthened our head start and now have a wide range of adapter plates for optic ready pistols and many mounting solutions. The ACRO series becomes an all-round sight for a variety of weapon platforms.
Handgun optics allow shooters to extend the ranges at which they can shoot with precision and speed. This is especially noticeable at ranges of 25 m and above. The most relevant advantage is that the dot allows you to stay target focused. At the shooting range, we have time and do not always realise the full benefits of being target focused. On the other hand, in a real-life violent confrontation, seeing the sight without compromising your visual attention offers a great advantage.
ESD: Which innovation(s) will define the next generation of red dot sights – or, has the technology been taken as far as it can go?
Ardemalm: Aimpoint invented the electronic red dot sight in 1975 and has continued to lead development in electronic red dot sights. We strive to remain number one in that field and constantly endeavour to redefine the standard of excellence in everything we do. Therefore, we are open to ideas that challenge the conventional views and drive innovation, no matter where the ideas come from. The only constant in life is change and we believe that to stay relevant we must constantly improve with changing needs.
Time is irreversible. You have no time to lose when you are under pressure. Our sights are a major player on hunting grounds, shooting ranges and the world’s toughest combat areas. By listening to our customers, we are continuously developing new products, using only state-of-the-art technology. We are creating customer needs through innovation and finding solutions to problems our customers did not know they had. There is more to come. Stay tuned.
