The 161-gram optic with compact dimensions of 80x38x67 mm (L/W/H) is ready to use right out of the box because you don't need an additional mount, battery or tools. This is because the 39-mm high mount is already connected to the optics' housing, and the battery and tool are components of the scope of delivery.
Even the flip-up protective covers are already on the eyepiece and objective lens. So you insert the battery into its compartment, simply fit the Aimpoint Duty RDS (which weighs 106 grams without mount) onto the rifle's MIL-STD-1913 optics rail and tighten the torsion nut with the Torx T10 screw and the included tool – done.
Now the sighting-in can take place, for which you can also download a corresponding target on the Aimpoint homepage if required.
Innovative controls of the Aimpoint Duty red dot sight
Compared to well-known, more expensive Aimpoint red dot sights such as the top-of-the-line Micro T-2, the Duty RDS features redesigned controls for setting brightness intensity and adjust elevation and windage. Instead of the large adjustment switch on the right side of the housing with a dozen intensity settings of the Micro T-2, the Duty RDS has a digital keypad on the left side of the housing with two +/- buttons with ten brightness settings that can be operated intuitively even with gloves.
These settings are four night vision-compatible levels and six 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 clear, bright 2-MOA red dot never over-shines at the correctly selected light setting and covers little target area at close and medium shooting ranges. The elevation/windage adjustment mechanisms on the Duty RDS are now flush with the housing and are no longer miniature adjustment turrets with caps as on the Micro H-2/T-2.
Aimpoint Duty RDS – technical details
Even with the new Duty RDS, the durable robustness for which Aimpoint is known is by no means neglected. On the contrary, the pressure-forged aluminum housing is made of EN AW-6082 (material number 3.2315). This relatively new wrought light alloy is characterized by maximum strength and corrosion resistance. In addition, the vibration- and shock-resistant red dot sight is submersible to 25 meters. The new red dot sight is powered by a CR2032 battery and features "Advanced Circuit Efficiency Technology" (ACET) diode circuitry. Aimpoint is also a pioneer in this field and power consumption is drastically reduced as a result. In addition, there is a very long service life. For example, the manufacturer guarantees over three years of continuous operation for the Duty RDS with daylight position 7 activated, and this runtime is even extended at lower light intensity settings. In addition to the 39-mm high, one-piece mount version presented here, which is recommended for the AR platform, there is also a Duty RDS with a 30-mm high mount. Beyond that, however, the red dot sight can be combined as needed with any other Aimpoint Comp M5 and Micro mount from original and third-party manufacturers that the large market has to offer.
Our conclusion on the Aimpoint Duty RDS
The new Aimpoint Duty RDS impresses with its robustness and performance with further simplified, intuitive operation. The price (MSRP in Germany) is 749 euros. By comparison, an even more compact Micro H-2 with 39-mm high complete mount costs 819 euros and a Micro T-2 with mount and 39-mm mount costs 1,055 euros. Quality and robustness have their price. This also applies to the new models from Aimpoint.
