With the new Aimpoint Duty RDS MR (we already presented it to you), MR stands for "Multi Reticle" and makes it immediately clear that the new red dot sight for rifles has a switchable reticle. At the touch of a button – the plus key for the brightness setting is held down a little longer – you can choose between a 2-MOA dot, a 65-MOA circle and a combination of inner dot and outer circle. There is also a "Motion Activation" sensor: the Duty RDS MR switches on immediately when it is moved and saves battery power by automatically switching to sleep mode if the red dot sight is not moved for two hours.
Solid simplicity: The Aimpoint Duty RDS MR in detail
As with the predecessor model featuring a non-replaceable reticle with 2-MOA dot, the pressure-forged aluminum housing is made of EN AW-6082 (material number 3.2315), a light metal wrought alloy that is characterized by maximum strength and corrosion resistance. The differences in weight and size compared to the Duty RDS are negligible. The 167-gram optic with compact dimensions of 80x41x67 mm (LxWxH) is ready for use out of the box, as no additional assembly, battery or tools are required.
This is because the 39-mm high, one-piece mount – a 30-mm high mount is also available as an option – comes from the factory already fixed to the sight housing, and the battery and tools are included in the scope of delivery. Even the hinged protective covers are already fitted to the eyepiece and lens. The rear lens cover is transparent so that it does not even need to be opened in highly dynamic situations. The front cover is opaque so that no telltale light reflections can occur here. The battery is in its container with the + side facing the cover. The Aimpoint Duty RDS MR (weighing 110 g without mount) can be fitted to the MIL-STD-1913 optics rail of the rifle and the clamping jaw is tightened with the Torx T10 screw and the tool supplied – done. Now it's time for target practice, for which the manufacturer provides a corresponding target for download on its website.
Aimpoint Duty RDS MR red dot sight: Operation
In contrast to other Aimpoint bestsellers, the Duty RDS MR has different controls for setting the brightness and elevation/windage corrections. On the left side of the housing is a digital keypad with two ± buttons with a dozen brightness settings (four night vision-compatible and eight daylight settings). Of course, the sight is fully compatible with all generations of night vision devices and can be combined with magnifiers to extend the operational range. The mechanisms for elevation/windage adjustment are no longer designed as mini-turrets with caps, but are flush with the housing on the Duty RDS models. The new red dot sight is powered by a CR2032 battery and has a very long service life thanks to the Advanced Circuit Efficiency Technology (ACET) diode circuit – Aimpoint is also a pioneer in this field – which drastically reduces power consumption. The Duty RDS promises over three years of continuous operation with the daylight setting 7 activated, whereby this service life is extended at lower light intensity settings. If required, the red dot sight can be combined with any other Aimpoint Comp M5 and Micro mount from the original manufacturer and from third-party manufacturers that the extensive market has to offer.
Aimpoint Duty RDS MR in practice
The intuitively operated Aimpoint Duty RDS MR impresses with its compact dimensions, robustness and an interchangeable reticle that always offers a clean target image in different lighting conditions. The selected reticle never outshines at the correct light intensity setting. The optic take up little space on the rifle's mounting rail and can be significantly expanded in terms of versatility with magnifiers or night vision technology. The experience of the pioneer, who has been setting standards in the field of red dot sights for half a century, is evident in the Duty models. The Aimpoint Duty RDS MR costs $599 in the US.
