What Do I Need? Trijicon ACOGs vs. Red Dots

Trijicon has a ton of useful sights, scopes, and more. It’s some of the toughest, most powerful and well-respected gear on the market, which can make the task of deciding on one particularly daunting. The first time I encountered their Advanced Combat Optical Gunsite (ACOG) line, I knew I wanted one, but I couldn’t initially tell if they were the correct choice for me. Fortunately, I had some help from the product experts at OpticsPlanet.com, so let’s talk about the differences between Trijicon ACOGs and their fantastic choices in Trijicon Red Dot Sights.

What are the differences?

Trijicon RMR Adjustable Red Dot Sight w/ MOA Dot Reticle

Trijicon RMR Red Dot Sights provide rapid target acquisition.

Trijicon Red Dots Sights are their popular line of reflex sights, designed to get a bead on targets, and fast. Using a projection system, the red dot in these sights stays fixed on the target, regardless of the angle at which you look down the sight. Red Dot Sights from Trijicon do not magnify, and instead serve as a fast replacement for standard iron sights. Choices include the Trijicon RMR line, like the RMR Adjustable Red Dot Sight w/MOA Dot, as well as the RX30 Reflex Scope. They are typically compact and lightweight, designed to mount on most any firearm. Most Trijicon Red Dot Sights have adjustable illumination for the dot.

Trijicon ACOG 4x32 Riflescope w/ Green Horseshoe Target Reference System Reticle

Trijicon ACOGs like this one are perfect for mid to long-range shooting.

Trijicon ACOG Scopes are a military standard for combat rifle scopes, but also serve civilians. These scopes offer a fixed magnification, typically between 2x-4x, to allow for better accuracy at mid- to long-range distances. Trijicon ACOGs are equipped with tritium for low-light shooting – as tritium glows naturally, ACOGs do not need batteries. The illuminated reticles also feature fiber optics to gather ambient light, which makes them helpful for daytime shooting as they provide better contrast against targets.

Which should I choose?

Choose a Trijicon Red Dot Sight if you are looking for rapid target acquisition at close ranges. The RMR line is particularly useful, as the shooter does not need to line up iron sights to make the perfect shot. Also, select a Trijicon red dot if you are looking for a compact alternative to your iron sights. Their illuminated red dot reticle makes them perfect for daytime or low-light shooting. Are you competing? If red dots are allowed, and you need to shoot multiple targets in a short time frame, the Trijicon Red Dot Line is perfect for you!

Choose a Trijicon ACOG if you are in the military, looking to fire off rounds at long distances, or need a good low-light scope. The magnification on the ACOGs can give you the edge you need at range, but they still serve for close-range shooting as the magnification is not too extreme and offers a wide field of view. Trijicon ACOGs are also perfect for shooters who never want to change a battery – their built-in tritium glow will last for years without needing adjustment. If you’re not serving in combat situations, a Trijicon ACOG can still be the right choice for hunting, competition, or target practice.

What if I can’t decide?

: Get an ACOG with a mounted RMR sight for the best of both worlds!

Why not get both? Trijicon offers a wide range of sights that can be mixed and matched. A common combination is mounting a Trijicon RMR on top of an ACOG. Shooters can seamlessly switch from the red dot sight for close-range shooting to the ACOG to make the long shot. Whichever choice you make, be sure to let us know what you think would work for you. And remember – the product experts at OpticsPlanet are always willing to help out!