Eye relief for reddot optic on an AR?

[Minuteman]

Is there a specific recommended location for a reddot (ie Aimpoint T1)?

A lot of rifles now a days have a full length top rail, so as long as its not interfering with back up iron sights, you can put it anywhere. I generally like mine 5-7" from my nose, but I see a lot of folks with them further away.

Any science in fitting or all personal preference?

 

[Minuteman]

Already discussed in other threads; consensus is that it's just personal preference.

I see LaRue and many other highly respected optics company's most often position them above or slightly forward of the ejection port, like in this image:

 

[Biggfoot44]

One of the under apprecated aspects of non-magnifing Red Dot is complete flexability in eye relief. As noted above a frequent location is far enough foreward to not get in the way of rear iron sight.

If I were to play with one , I would like to try on mounted in Scout position.

 

[niftyvt]

I go as far forward on the upper (not the handguard) as possible.


b1c48c6c by NiftyVT, on Flickr

 

[dreadpirate]

I have an Aimpoint PRO that I really like on my M4 style AR.

I also have a Primar Arms red dot on my PTR 91 that is excellent for the price I paid for it.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary-Arms-s/586.htm

Either red dot will let you co-witness with the front sight. Below is a pic of the Aimpoint on my AR:

 

[dreadpirate]

Crap - you were talking about placement!! Read the OP's post!!

Yes - as far forward on the receiver as possible like in the pic above. I actually have both eyes open when I shoot and it works well for me.

 

[RAC]

Personal preference. My T1 is between the T6 & T12 notches. I've read that some people w/ astigmatism run theirs a little further back.

 

[sailskidrive]

I put mine as far forward on the upper receiver as possible...

 

[HumbleEinstein]

I put my as far forward on the upper receiver as possible...

This

 

[BradMacc82]

Depends on the optic.

Aimpoint - As far forward as possible, typically the mount is right over the ejection port.

EO-Tech - I prefer to mount those farther back on the receiver, seems a bit easier to maintain both eyes open there.

 

[jimbobborg]

It depends. Are you going to put a magnifier behind it at some point? I put an Aimpoint on a cantilever mount as I planned on getting a magnifier at some point so I wanted it further ahead to leave room.

 

[SCARCQB]

Holographic sights like the eotech... Closer to the back, this provides the widest field of view and gives you the smallest reticle. Holographic reticles tend to appear bigger when it is further away from the eye.

For aimpoints... By the ejection port area.. Maintains the weapons balance and allows for BUIS, magnifiers to be added on without re zero

 

[BigSteve57]

I have 2 Aimpoints and one detachable Aimpoint 3x magnifier. I like to first set the eye relief for the magnifier (making sure it clears the rear iron sights when they're folded down flat) and THEN set the Aimpoint red dot so it sits comfortably in front of the magnifier.

 

[Wayne1one]

Your stock position is also important, some guys like to run their stocks almost collapsed with noses to the charging handle (AR Platform). While some like there stocks fully extended. I have seen the guys with the fully extended stocks run their sights rearward close to their BUIS, and the exact opposite for the guys with collapsed stocks. Really boils down to the distance from your head to the sight to the muzzle, you want to have your red dot some where close to the half way point (40/60) which gives you a clean sight picture and peripheral view (try to get the best balance). Here are to good examples from two good instructors, notice the stock position, head and sight even though all are different the one constant is that the distance from the sight to their face is very similar.

Jason Falla (sight roughly in the middle of receiver)

Travis haley (sight far forward on receiver)

 

[Overboost44]

I actually think there is only one or two notches difference in those two pictures. Look at the magazine.

 

[sailskidrive]

It looks like three notches to me. In reality with most RDS there is less than two inches of possible real estate variance.

The dude on the bottom must be a midge as that SOPMOD stock actually fits him; he is able to tuck in tight and give that charging handle Eskimo kisses. The dude on top is much lankier and probably needs the extra stock extension...

 

[Wayne1one]

I actually think there is only one or two notches difference in those two pictures. Look at the magazine.

More like 3-4 notches different, but that's not the point. I am trying to point out no matter where they placed their optic/stock they both had about the same distance between there head/eyes from the optic (roughly 12 inches).

Here is Costa

 

[RAC]

Larry Vickers & Pat Rogers...

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]