GGG’s Quik Decision: Weaver Red-Dot Sight Wins

For all-round hunting use, we think the Weaver Quik Point variable-dot optic offers more field flexibility than compact units from Aimpoint and Millett.

The $383.11 Weaver Quik Point weighs 8.46 ounces, nearly twice as much as the Aimpoint Comp S10. A 41-mm objective and built-in mount account for much of its bulk.

Hunters are warming up to the use of red-dot sights on rifles, shotguns, and handguns because the units combine the precision aiming ability of an optical device with the ease of use of an open sight. The red-dots, whose aiming point is generated when a laser brightens a spot on a screen, come in many shapes and sizes, but as a class, they enjoy many advantages in low-light situations familiar to hunters. The turkey hunter who has worked a bird just within 40 yards might not be able to make out open sights in the gloom, but a dot gives a bright, crisp aiming reference to lay on the bird’s head and neck. Likewise, the .22 LR handgun hunter may be chasing squirrels in the shadows of a deep forest, where crosshairs on even a low-power scope may blend with the dark lines of trees. Again, a glowing dot offers a bright, positive sighting mark that can make the difference between a miss or a hit.

For these and other hunters, red dots are welcome additions to their field equipment, but choosing from the abundant numbers of these products can be tricky. We compared and critiqued three currently shipping compact red dots to see which one offered the best combination of price, utility, user-friendliness, adjustment accuracy, and durability. Models we tested included the $308 Aimpoint Comp S10, the $277 Aimpoint 5000, and the Millett Redot, which retails for $289.95. We also examined a fourth sight, Weaver’s $383.11 Quik Point Red Dot Scope with variable dot-size selector. This last unit is a better overall buy, we think, because it can be used in diverse situations the fixed-dot compacts can’t.

Details of our testing and the reasons for these judgments follow:

How We Tested
To test for adjustment accuracy, we first pointed the scopes toward a target that contained a grid pattern of 1/4-inch squares. We tested to ensure the sight returned to zero after it had been adjusted, and that its adjustments dialed in consistent amounts of vertical and horizontal movements. In the field, we also compared how easy it was to see each unit’s dot. A tester would stand with the products on and in front of him, and pick up a unit. He would check the dot clarity and brightness (adjusting it if necessary), and then pick up another unit. Using this side-by-side elimination process, each tester would pick what unit’s dot looked the best to him. Here’s how each product fared in these evaluations:

Weaver Quik Point
Red Dot Scope
Along with the compact red-dot models we tested below, we also examined Weaver’s $383.11 Quik Point Red Dot Scope with variable dot-size selector. Weaver, the Onalaska, Wisconsin-based subsidiary of Blount, Inc., manufacturers five red dot models, three of which have 45-mm tube diameters and 41-mm objectives. The other two 45-mm models don’t feature the variable dot size option.

In some respects, the Quik Point is an apples-to-oranges matchup to the compact red dots we tested. It is noticeably larger than the other units, tallying 4.8 inches in length and 8.46 ounces in weight, nearly twice the heft of the Aimpoint Comp S10. Its 41-mm objective and 45-mm tube diameter make it much bulkier than models tested elsewhere. At its widest point (vertically through the rheostat to the bottom of the built-in base), the Quik Point measures 3 inches.

However, if size doesn’t matter, then the Weaver leads this optics pack. The feature we liked most on this sight was its variable dot-size selector. The shooter could choose from three dot-size positions—4, 8, and 12 MOA—by sliding a switch located on the ocular tube just behind the main scope body and turret housing. It allows instant change in dot size to conform to your specific shooting needs.

Other facets of the Quik Point we liked included its Weaver integral-base mounting system built into the body of the device. This made it easy to move the product between guns set up to accept the Weaver mount. Also, its big tube made picking up targets easier than with the compact units. It adjusted accurately and consistently during our function testing. The front objective bell was threaded to accept filters and shades, and one 2-inch sunshade was supplied.

The biggest complaint we had about the unit would be that for hunting, the Quik Point’s owner would need to tape over parts of the unit’s aluminum-satin finish to reduce glare.

Aimpoint 5000
At $31 less than its Comp cousin reviewed below, the satin-black Aimpoint 5000 comes off the shelf at a suggested retail price of $277. The 5000 was 5.5 inches long and it weighed 5.8 ounces. The 5000 comes equipped with two 30-mm rings used for mounting, and like the Comp, the 5000 can be adjusted so the controls sit on the side of your choice. The sight has an adjustment range of 8.5 feet at 100 yards. Like the Comp, the 5000 has two screws used to make windage and elevation adjustments. The windage adjustment is on the side of the scope, and the elevation adjustment is on the top of the scope. Full instructions for adjustment were contained in the owner’s manual. Along with the 30-mm rings, the 5000 came with lens caps, a 1.5-inch rear tube extension, lens cloth, and an adjustable front polarizing filter, which also fits the Aimpoint Comp.

Aspects of the unit we applaud include the following: The 3-MOA dot found on the 5000 makes it a fine scope for precision field shooting. A 10-MOA dot is also available if that dot size fits your needs better.

The Aimpoint unit has a two-year limited warranty.

When we tested the adjustment accuracy of the 5000, we saw that it returned to zero.

The longer tube on the 5000 will require the shooter to use a top rail mount or place the unit on a gun like the Browning Buck Mark, which has a Weaver-style, 6-inch-long ramp built into it. These mounts are secure ways to affix the sight to the gun.

Like on the Comp, we liked the 5000’s dual-mark adjustments for windage and elevation. Also, this unit came with the best feature set, which included an adjustable polarizing filter and other niceties.

We think the 3-MOA dot is fine for almost all field applications, and it was bright enough to see in all conditions.

Features or aspects of the scope we didn’t like include the following: On the Aimpoint 5000, each click of the adjustment screw makes a 1/2-inch (0.5-inch) movement of the point of impact at 100 yards, the owner’s manual said. Our tests showed the unit required 10 clicks per inch of adjustment, or 0.1 inch per click. Also, when adjusting the brightness of the red dot, the switch pattern is opposite of the Comp’s. The first click produces the dimmest light, whereas the last setting will be the brightest. We liked having the brightest dot first, as on the Comp.

The 5000 should have a numerical intensity scale on its body, we think.

Aimpoint Comp S10
The 4.4-inch-long Comp weighs in at 4.75 ounces, making it the lightest of the scopes we tested. The objective diameter is 36 mm, and the main tube is 30 mm. At its widest point (diagonally across the battery compartment and the main tube), the Comp measures 2.1 inches. The front objective bell was threaded to accept filters, but none were supplied. The rear eyepiece was also threaded, and a rubber eyeguard and lens cloth were supplied. The unit has a two-year limited warranty.

This $308 unit had several features that we liked. The Comp was mounted with one enclosed 30-mm ring (called a uni-mount), which fits on the main tube about an inch from the front of the device. Because the tube can be rotated on its lengthwise axis in the ring, the shooter can choose to have the controls situated on the top right or the top left side of the gun. We liked the dual-mark adjustments for windage and elevation, which featured “UP” and “R” markings on one dial and “UP” and “L” adjustments on the other. If the shooter changes the orientation of the scope on the gun, he won’t be confused about which way to dial in elevation and windage changes.

Also, the Aimpoint Comp is equipped with a rotary switch to adjust the brightness of the dot. There are 10 different settings for the switch; one OFF-position and nine positions for intensity. The first setting is a EHI position (Extra High Intensity), the brightest dot setting the scope can produce. (But we thought it was odd that the highest-intensity dot clicked on with the first switch position, the opposite of the other Aimpoint product.) For bright-daylight viewing, the EHI setting was very helpful, and we liked being able to fine-tune the dot brightness to match the conditions. We judged the 10-MOA dot to be too large for some field applications, such as small-game hunting. But for larger game hunted at closer distances, it was satisfactory.

For compact applications, such as putting the device on a small gun or on a semi-auto that doesn’t have a top rail mount, the Comp is a good choice because of its short overall length and light weight.

However, the unit also had several shortcomings, in our opinion, including its silver, satin finish—a poor choice for hunting.

Also, the owner’s manual says that each click makes a 1/8-inch movement of the point of impact at 25 yards, or 0.5-inch at 100 yards. However, the technical specifications on the back of the Comp’s box said the adjustment amount was 1/4 inch (0.25 inch) at 100 yards. Our tests showed the unit required 6.7 clicks per inch of adjustment, or 0.15 inch per click. Also, when we tested the adjustment accuracy of the Comp, we found that it didn’t return to zero as accurately as some of the other products.

Furthermore, we would have liked the Comp to have an intensity-adjustment scale on its body for faster reference.

Millett Redot
The Japanese-made Redot sells for $308. The Redot is one of four similar red-dot scopes that this Huntington Beach, California–based company offers. The scope has an aluminum finish. It has a round 30-mm aluminum main tube. It measured 5 inches in length (without sunshade) and weighs 5.6 ounces. It did not come with mounting rings—which forced us to buy a $47 set of Burris 30-mm High Zee matte-black finish steel rings, to mount the sight on our Weaver base. With these rings, the total unit weight was 11 ounces and total cost was $355. There are other aluminum rings available that would lower this weight, of course. The Millett comes with a 1-inch sun shade extension tube, which is installed on the forward or objective end of the sight, a light-grey polarizing filter, lens cloth, rubber eyecup, and lens covers.

The rheostat knob is located on the left side of the scope, and is turned clockwise to brighten or counter clockwise to dim the dot. The intensity reading of 1 is the dimmest and 11 is the brightest. The unit has a 10-MOA dot. It comes with a five-year limited warranty. Millett says the unit is waterproof.

We liked that the Redot returned to zero when we adjusted it in our tracking and shooting tests. Also, its adjustments were accurately labeled. Each click moved the point of impact at 100 yards about 3/4 inch, very close to the specifications listed on the box copy of “.730 Min.” per click.

Negatives of the unit include that unlike the other units, the Millett can’t be rotated to change its knob orientation. Also, we think the Redot is too flashy-looking for field use. We wish Millett had supplied rings like the other manufacturers. We think the 10-MOA dot is too large for many precision uses, but it would be a good choice for snap-shooting applications. We liked that the Redot had an intensity scale on its switch, but the clicks were mushy.

Guns, Gear & Game Recommends
• For most hunting applications, we think the Weaver is the best choice because of its wide field of view and variable dot sizes and intensities. We believe the $383.11 Weaver Quik Point is a better field choice than the compact units included in this test.

• The Aimpoint 5000 has a good mixture of features, including a long tube for easy mounting on any gun, a low price of $277, a fine 3-MOA dot, and adjustable polarizing filter and other details the other units lacked. We also recommend the 5000 unit.

• In our estimation, the $308 Aimpoint Comp S10 would be a good choice for applications in which size and weight are crucial considerations, but it was otherwise undistinguished when compared to the other units.

• The Millett Redot lacked a basic item—enclosed rings—that made it the most expensive unit in our comparison. In our view, this is an irritating oversight for an item that didn’t show us any extra performance.

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-By GGG Staff