Aimpoint Duty RDS MR: Full Review

Red-­dot sights from Aimpoint are always in demand because they offer a simple and robust solution that everyone can appreciate. Put the red dot on target and ease back the trigger. Those are instructions we can all follow. 

The situation can get complicated when the shooter wants the red dot to do more. Aimpoint came up with an excellent solution for those desiring a red-­dot sight that offers more flexibility without ­complication. The Duty RDS MR is a multi-­reticle sight designed for use by neophytes and professionals alike.

If you’ve ever served in uniform — either law enforcement or military — it comes as no surprise that most in the ranks are not, so-called, “gun guys.” There are a handful of individuals who are supremely talented and work hard to maintain their proficiency with firearms, but most just think of a firearm like another tool they will probably never use on the job. It’s a challenge to create equipment that satisfies the needs of both.

The Duty RDS MR is just such an item. It was designed to be simple enough for the most casual shooter to use while still offering capabilities desired by advanced shooters. All of this is packed into a red-­dot sight (RDS) that is as economical as Aimpoint can make it while still maintaining its reputation for durability and optical performance. While it was developed for the needs of military and law enforcement, it’s an excellent choice for gun owners for all the same reasons.

The “MR” in the name stands for “multi reticle.” The sight features the standard 2-­minute of angle (MOA) red dot, which is ubiquitous. However, the Duty RDS MR also includes the option of a 65-­MOA segmented circle that surrounds the dot. Choose between the dot, circle, or activate both! We know that the 2-­MOA dot is great for engaging targets fast, up close and those that demand more precision. Targets at 300 yards are reasonable for most carbines. In my experience, dimming the dot until it is just barely visible is the best way to coax as much precision as possible from a red-dot sight. 

Why a 65-­MOA circle? The circle-dot reticle originated in the late-1990s with the holographic sight. Some in the armed services have depended on it for last 20-plus years. The circle offers the eye a lot more reticle to see, so it can aid fast acquistion in certain circumstances.

The 65-­MOA circle also allows for multiple aiming points not available with a solo red dot. Sixty-­five MOA is an angular unit of measure, so 65 MOA at 5 yards is the same as 65 MOA at 500 yards. What makes the reticle arrangement most useful is the relationship between the red dot in the center and the bottom of the 65-­MOA circle. Half of 65 MOA is 32.5 MOA, so that’s the distance between the center dot and the bottom of the circle. Thirty-­two-and-a-half MOA is 3.25 inches at 10 yards. Since the sight height for most AR-­15s is about 3.25 inches when using a standard 1.5-­inch mount for most optics, the bottom of the circle is an ideal aiming point when shooting at short range (i.e., home-­defense situation). Most new shooters will use the center dot at close-­quarters battle (CQB) distances, and bullets will impact about 3 inches below where the shooter aims. The 65-­MOA circle provides quick and easy visual reference that requires minimal training.

Aimpoint wanted to make the Duty RDS MR as inexpensive as possible, so a forged aluminum housing was selected rather than a machined housing used with other models in Aimpoint’s portfolio. For comparison, the optic housings in the Micro line requires four times as long to machine, adding cost. While the Duty RDS MR sight may not be as aesthetically pleasing, it is every bit as durable. Each Aimpoint sight — regardless of what line it belongs to — must pass the same standards for impact resistance, water intrusion, vibration, and more. Aimpoint has one standard for performance, and the Duty RDS MR meets it. It only costs less because of the simplified controls and the forged housing. In the two years that the Duty RDS has been available, Aimpoint hasn’t had one phone call or return about a failed housing. Some have taken serious licks, but none have broken. John Enloe handles training and repairs at Aimpoint. He said, “I’m waiting on the unit to return that belongs to a motorcycle cop, where a bike lays down in an accident. I’m betting that’s the only way to get one to fail in a realistic scenario. Someone is going to have to grind away the housing before the sight breaks.”

The riskiest part of the an optic equation is the enduser. Guns & Ammo readers are serious enough about their equipment to learn how to use it, but many who are issued firearms for a duty are not always committed understanding their equipment. A bored soldier will twist knobs and push buttons. Turrets on scopes were tactical fidget spinners long before millennials ever came along. The Duty RDS MR has recessed turrets to guard the optic’s zero; A T-­10 wrench is required to make adjustments. The idea was to require a common and readily available tool, but not make it a control that can be easily compromised.

The circuitry and optics of the Duty RDS MR are the same as those found in every other Aimpoint sight. The lens geometry and material selection is the same, too, so the performance expectation is what we’ve enjoyed for the last decade. This is comforting to me, because I’ve learned to count on Aimpoint to provide a clear and sharp dot without distorting or discoloring the image. Since the circuitry is the same, the dot and segmented circle are created by a light-­emitting diode (LED) and not holographic technology. Holographics are great for visibility and brightness, but they present a pixelated image for the shooter. The pixelization is unlikely to yield any performance degradation, but it can be distracting — especially when used in conjunction with magnification. The Duty RDS MR excels when used with a magnifier. The clean lines of the LED offer concise points of aim and are less distracting than magnified holographic images, in my opinion.

Living with the Duty RDS MR is simple enough. Aimpoint delivers each sight with a mount that places the optic centerline at about 11/2 inches above the rail, which is the standard and most useful distance. It is a bolt-­on mount, in keeping with the durable but simple mantra. The footprint of the RDS Duty MR is the same as the Aimpoint Micro line (T-­1, T-­2, etc.), so any of those aftermarket mounts are compatible. One CR2032 battery yields about 30,000 hours of life at setting seven, so leaving the optic on all the time doesn’t kill the battery quickly. 

The Aimpoint Duty RDS MR represents an evolution in durability, capability and simplicity. It’s a strong contender for any red-­dot needs. 

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