I was IM'ed by someone who wanted to know what Butler Creek caps fit the Tacpoint.

07 obj on the objective end, it is a tight fit

02A obj on the occular end, you can shorten the barrel on it for a better fit, but not necessary

Originally Posted By Mtn_Man: I've had a TacPoint 1 all-black Japanese version for about 6 months now. I also have an Aimpoint Comp M2. I like them both. There are some differences in the housing, caps and threads, adjusters, and the way the illumination settings work, and of course the battery life is much longer with the Aimpoint. They have both taken their share of shooting, and carrying, and they are both holding up quite well. For the difference in money, I think the TacPoint is a helluva good buy. I'll guarantee you that if that red dot is on you, you're one dead kitty, whether it is the dot from the TacPoint or the Aimpoint. For me, I'd feel quite adequately equipped with either one. I think that all this discussion about the perceived lack of qualities of the  TacPoint is from a very biased point-of-view and probably in most cases they haven't ever even used a TacPoint. They are too busy trying to knock it based on some(probably) financial interests in promoting Aimpoint. The "China argument" isn't going to work on me, I have a Japanese model. And the Aimpoint is Swedish(a socialist country which isn't exactly the bastion of republicanism, either). I'd say that if you can't afford to get an Aimpoint, then the TacPoint is a fine sight for the money, and offers similar mounting options as the Aimpoint, and works fine. The bottom line of all this is whether it works well or not, and it does, from my experiences, and also some of the torture testing that Photoman and others have posted. As an owner of both brands, I'd recommend a TacPoint to those people needing a sight on a budget.

Have you had any porblems with the dot cutting out on you while shooting yet? I haven't run into it yet but FMD was having it happen with his at the Defensive Edge class we took back in Oct.

Well if the flimsy covers break on the TP these might work well on a range weapon...www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/568791, these are the mini verison of this...www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/290696.

I have some on order. Flip ups get in the way on a range IMHO.

photoman,
Excellent post, and an excellent contribution to the topic.
Your post would make me feel better about buying a TP.

Photoman, no dot cutting-out problems for me yet in the Tacpoint.

Originally Posted By mini14jac: photoman, Excellent post, and an excellent contribution to the topic. Your post would make me feel better about buying a TP.

Thank you.


Mtn_Man, thanks for letting me know. I have to talk to FMD a bit more aobu it, I wnt to see if I can make it happen with mine. I'm still running it using two batteries instead of one and I think thats what FMD was running too at the time. I just burnt out my batteries this weekend so I need new ones before I cango about putting it through more on gun abuse....

Have my tacpoint on ARMS #22M68 and have taken it off a couple times, and it kept zero.  So far so good.  

Alright, well I have a problem with mine. I can't zero the damn thing. Now my rifle shoots fine with a carry handle, and I consider myself a capable shooter, as does the Army where I qualified expert 40/40, I also shot NRA junior matches from the time I was 12-17 so I consider myself a decent shot.

I tried zeroing it and I couldn't even get it on the paper. I had my friend who is the best shot that I know and he was able to get it on the target but could not get it to stay in one place. The mount is very secure and doesn't budge, so I don't know what to do. Anyone have any suggestions. I do not have alot of money so a Tacpoint was the best I could do for a reflex sight. I also wanted to try the Aimpoint style, found I'd rather have an Eotech but I can't afford that yet and I want to get that TacPoint to work while I am saving for it. Any suggestions?

*edit* For what its worth its the old Japonese made one. No blue ring on it.

Steve

Originally Posted By C4iGrant: I talked to the HAKKO folks at the shot show (thought I was going to burst into flames when I stepped into their booth)! I played with the tacpoint at last years SS (before most of you even knew it existed).

"before most of you even knew it existed" I am in awe of your superior insider knowledge.

"I talked to the HAKKO folks at the shot show" So what about the other optic you was going to investigate?

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=18&t=219926

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=18&t=222351

Originally Posted By C4iGrant: lt557, I forgot to mention that I told Aimpoint about you (your now famous). I said that there was a LEO that was running a tacpoint on a duty weapon even though I offered to sell him one at cost and another guy (bookhound) offered to chip in on the price so that you could have an optic fit for duty. They just shook their head in utter shock. C4

WHOA.

I read this... and its just one of those posts that you feel like you have to comment about.... even though you dont know what to say...

-Jason

Originally Posted By C4iGrant: lt557, I forgot to mention that I told Aimpoint about you (your now famous). I said that there was a LEO that was running a tacpoint on a duty weapon even though I offered to sell him one at cost and another guy (bookhound) offered to chip in on the price so that you could have an optic fit for duty. They just shook their head in utter shock. C4

Once again you never gave me cost. I need the price so I can make out my budget. I am in a good spot now so send me the number. I will keep it confidential.

IM received

Originally Posted By C4iGrant: Originally Posted By lt557: Originally Posted By C4iGrant: lt557, I forgot to mention that I told Aimpoint about you (your now famous). I said that there was a LEO that was running a tacpoint on a duty weapon even though I offered to sell him one at cost and another guy (bookhound) offered to chip in on the price so that you could have an optic fit for duty. They just shook their head in utter shock. C4 Once again you never gave me cost. I need the price so I can make out my budget. I am in a good spot now so send me the number. I will keep it confidential. IM Sent! C4

Grant, Once again you prove yourself to be one of the good guys! Way to go!

Not exactly on 'point' here as far a tacpoint goes or aimpoint.

A few months ago, I bought a Chinese knock off for 103.00 with a quick release mount etc on ebay. I have put prolly 3k rounds through it. I have it mounted on a dog leg  A2 carry handle mount.

It has been dead on, the weapon has not been gingerly carried, meaning it has been bumbed around a bit.

I have been happy with it so far. Battery life is only a few hours. No blue logo's, all black...

Chris

I am new to the red dot optics on Ar's. So I have purchased a Tac point to see if I like it. Where and what gooseneck mount can I use to co-witness with an A2 carry handle? I know that there may be a quaility difference in the Aimpoint, but I only have a few bucks in this set up to see if I like it,

Thanks for the help

Some interesting points on here.  I have a TacPoint on order myself, don't know which model, Japanese or Chinese, but hopefully the latter if that is current production and will be the model available for the near future.
I'm a small arms repairman so I'll have the ability to run just about any test we can come up with on this sucker and any side-by-side comparison with an M68.  Durability tests I don't put much stake in because I have seen M68's and ACOG/NSN's shiite the bed under lighter than normal conditions.  (I've got half a dozen M68's straight out of the box that have failed in the past month.  NOTE: Nothing against Aimpoint, spoke with the rep at ShotShow and he was more than ready for me to get them sent back so the troops would have a working sight.  Kudos for them.)  You'd be surpised at what the average Joe can do to a weapon on a "normal" day!  lol!
So far I have heard pretty much the same thing; the TP is perfectly suited for punching paper or the occasional varmint and will stand up to normal range and field use with one caveat-the lens caps.  
If someone's life depends on your weapon, then you're in a situation requiring the best that can be had.  On the flip side of that coin, that situation probably has a funding depot known as the US Government or local/state/federal LE budgeting.  I haven't touched an M4 that hasn't had an M68 or ACOG living on its upper and a KAC RAS over its barrel with just about every known IR or visible ,or both, device mounted to it (unless it was before I installed it!  lol!).  When the average Joe wants to get the fit, feel, and function to plink around the range with and does not need the crazy stuff, I don't see any problem with getting a knock off as long as it works.  That means the big names can keep pumping out the goods and getting them in the hands of the troops on the line instead of filling civvy orders.  That said, don't look on my rifles cause you will see an Aimpoint and Trijicon.  What can I say, peer pressure sucks.  lol!

Long and winded post indeed.  I'm not trying to sway anyone's opinion, but is there any type of eval you'd like to see run on this thing when the BBT drops it off?  Return to zero, repeatibility of adjustments, etc, etc?  Offline me or post it here.  If anyone is interested I will post results and definitely conditions of the test.  As far as the "poser" comments I've heard around here before, sounds like someone has some serious issues they need to work out with the schoolyard bully of their youth....

FYI - update

I have fired maybe 1000 rounds through my AK with a Tacpoint on an Ultimak rail.  For those unfamiliar with the Ultimak, it replaces the upper handguard/gas tube on an AK.  It gets extremely hot.

I have had some problems with the Tacpoint shutting down on me.  I have also found the problem.  I am not 100% sure of the cause.

The spring that is in the battery cap weakened to the point where it would not make reliable contact.  I stretched out the spring and replaced it and shot 3-4 more mags with no issues.

I don't know if the spring is affected by heat, or if the recoil is the problem.  Probably recoil.  If the Tacpoint had a little stronger spring I don't think it would have any problems at all.

Lots of the 1000 rounds have been fired rapidly and the recoil impulse may "get to" the spring.

m118sb,

Great post. I agree with everything you just posted.
I like the idea of furthering the testing process. The one thing everyone seems concearned with is reliabilty and holding zero. Return to zero is more a function of the mount, so we can skip that here. What I would like to know is how much pounding can this thing take before the zero starts to slip. I have only fired mine with 9mm and 5.56mm uppers on an AR. There are few here that have tried it out on a .308 with good results. Do you have anything above .308 you could run rounds through? Maybe even a 12 gauge? Or run a few hundred or thousand rounds through? How about under full auto conditions?
ETA after criley's comments: Make sure to make note of any problems with the dot cutting in and out.


BTW, the poser comment is meant to keep the trolling at bay. In case you missed it, and be glad if you did, there was a pretty big blow up over just what the Tacpoint was capable of. Some who were here proclaimed it to be every bit as good as Aimpoint. Of course, there where others who stated that it was for airsoft toys only. As you have found out for yourself, in the middle lies the truth. The last thing this forum needed was a bunch of "how do I make it look like an Aimpoint?" threads. That would have brought out the worst on both sides.  Personally I don't care if someone paints "Aimpoint" right on the side. I just don't want any one to post about it here.

criley, good info.
Did you replace the spring yourself, or do Hakko send you a replacement? Keep us updated.

Got mine finally.

I never used a red dot scope on an AR before and am not sure if I will like it or not. Spending $350+ does not seem logical to me just to see if I like it.  I understand they take decent range abuse and hold a zero from reading here and elsewhere. I figured for $88 I cant go wrong. I would probably lose at least that much if I had to sell an AP used.

I have not fired it yet but I am not impressed with having an electronic sight on my weapon. I may be old fashioned I guess but I always relied upon iron sights. Even in CQB situations, I just taped up the rear sight and worked with the front sight alone. Always did fine like that.

I do like the cool military look of an electronic sight on a weapon and figured it sure is popular enough I will give it a try. I may like it I may not , hard to make a decision right yet. I will have to run it through its course first. My dislike so far is not becuase of its make, but becuase of what it is. If I feel it helps any I will keep it. If not I know anough peole who would probably want it for like $30 or so (provided it actually holds a zero and takes decent range abuse)

So far I am not that upset about my purchase becuase it was less than $100. I would feel much different if I spent almost $400 and had apprehensions already about going from irons to electric.

Will give update as soon as I hit range.

lt557, if you get the Aimpoint, I've got first dibs on your Tacpoint!

Originally Posted By Dragnet: lt557, if you get the Aimpoint, I've got first dibs on your Tacpoint!

Sorry it already has a reservation on a Remington700 ADL scout type rifle I am working on.

Originally Posted By strick909: criley, good info. Did you replace the spring yourself, or do Hakko send you a replacement? Keep us updated.

I just opened the battery compartment and stretched out the spring that is attached to the cap.  How long it will run until I have to stretch it again I don't know.

Maybe we can get Wolff to run a batch of Tacpoint springs!

WildBoar- making the swap to a reddot takes some getting used to.  But after the first couple mags you'll usually either love it or hate it.  If you don't like it, then it is still something you can keep around to impress your friends.  Ya know, turn the sight on, close the front lens cap, both eyes open, do the occluded eye sight deal.    It wows the new troops when we teach it.  "hey sarge, how can you hit anything with that cap on?"  Usually good enough to get a beer or two!

Originally Posted By m118sb: WildBoar- making the swap to a reddot takes some getting used to.  But after the first couple mags you'll usually either love it or hate it.  If you don't like it, then it is still something you can keep around to impress your friends.  Ya know, turn the sight on, close the front lens cap, both eyes open, do the occluded eye sight deal.    It wows the new troops when we teach it.  "hey sarge, how can you hit anything with that cap on?"  Usually good enough to get a beer or two!

I shot with an old trijicon sight that was black but had a red dot. I was used to that one with both eyes open so maybe keeping the cap closed would be better for me? I kept trying to use both eyes an both caps open with the TP and I had a hard time with it.

when we're teaching the troops we show them the "cap closed" method of sighting to reinforce shooting with both eyes open and as demonstration the CCO can still be utilized if the objective (more typically the anti-reflective device) gets clogged with muck or debris.  Everyone's shooting habits are different, some of our shooters are better with two eyes on target, others have more luck with just the one eye.  I swap back and forth without knowing it.  So many years of playing cowboys and indians in the backyard as a kid with my imaginary six-shooter, quick draw stance and one eye on the sights is a hard habit to break!  The FM warns of a shift in BZO if you do this but I haven't seen much, if any, in my experience.  
The Trijicon OEG sights you used in the past were a great deal smaller and forced you to line up a little more consistently from shot to shot in order to get your aiming reference.  The TP or M68 has larger optics and would add different geometry to the equation.  In my humble opinion, always shooting with that cap closed has the potential to decrease accuracy.  As long as you pay attention to what you're doing it's wholly possible.  I burned a 36 out of 40 on the record fire range with the cap closed and got a six pack out of it.  
The argument to this is "parallax free" but I say no sight is 100% perfect 100% of the time.

I dont own a Tacpoint or an Aimpoint, but after reading the last 6 pages of FAQ and posts feel I have a little knowledge of them.  The thing that confuses me is this.  If Aimpoint is this milspec, combat proven, worth 400 bucks red dot, that why are owners of it using a tacpoint at the range to "not beat up" their aimpoint.  I saw at least three posts stating this is one way or another.  I would think a day at the range would be a walk in the park for such a well thought of optic.  If not, what use is it, and why not just get a tacpoint or other cheap red dot, and not save it for special occasions. hacko.gif

Just bought my TACPOINT tonight, Bowers has a great deal on them for 88 bucks.  Thanks AR15 for all the info... especially the guy who buried his in the snow... thats hutzpah.  I bought a QRP mount with the spacer, anyone have a picture of the spacer properly installed?  I wonder if I did it correctly, is there a link to the FM?

Rich from Tucson  

Originally Posted By Szurgot: I dont own a Tacpoint or an Aimpoint, but after reading the last 6 pages of FAQ and posts feel I have a little knowledge of them.  The thing that confuses me is this.  If Aimpoint is this milspec, combat proven, worth 400 bucks red dot, that why are owners of it using a tacpoint at the range to "not beat up" their aimpoint.  I saw at least three posts stating this is one way or another.  I would think a day at the range would be a walk in the park for such a well thought of optic.  If not, what use is it, and why not just get a tacpoint or other cheap red dot, and not save it for special occasions.

Because as great as Aimpoints (and EOTechs) are, they still break. So, if you abuse the crap out of your Aimpoint on the job AND on the range, don't you think it would break faster?
Hey, if you have the money, just run two Aimpoints. Many guys here do. The Tacpoint range optic is for us poor bastards.

I would think If I spent the money for a quality optic: 1) I would take care of it, 2) it would be worth it.  If was going to break under "normal use", why not get 4 brand new tacpoints and replace them every so often.   By the way, dont eotech and aimpoint have warranties?  I have seen cheaper ones that offer lifetime warranties and honor them.  Once again, I dont own either, but think if your gonna spend the money then (short of beating it with a hammer) it should hold up

Originally Posted By NBC_LT: Just bought my TACPOINT tonight, Bowers has a great deal on them for 88 bucks.  Thanks AR15 for all the info...

Agreed! My Tacpoint just arrived today from Bowers as well! I am impressed with Bowers' speed and price.

I have an Aimpoint ML2 on my RRA M4gery, and the Tacpoint is going on my upcoming HK 33K clone. First impression is that the Tacpoint seems to have a good build quality. The rotary switch seems to operate nicely. I think I will install it on my HK 91/G3 clone just to snap some pics and test the shock-proofness of some 7.62 rounds...

I will post pics of it on my G3 clone tonight!

Originally Posted By FYRARMS: Originally Posted By NBC_LT: Just bought my TACPOINT tonight, Bowers has a great deal on them for 88 bucks.  Thanks AR15 for all the info...

What is the website for "Bowers"?

www.bowerstactical.com

Imagine that!

Anyone tried these: HAKKO BED-33 1in. ELECTRO RED DOT SIGHT or HAKKO BED-34 30MM ELECTRO RED DOT SIGHT?
Saw them on www.bowerstactical.com

Originally Posted By Szurgot: Originally Posted By FYRARMS: Originally Posted By NBC_LT: Just bought my TACPOINT tonight, Bowers has a great deal on them for 88 bucks.  Thanks AR15 for all the info... What is the website for "Bowers"?

Can anyone elaborate on the differences between the Tacpoint 1 & 2?

Tac1 = 1 mount
Tac2 = 2 mounts.

tada

-Jason

That was easy...

Tacpoint came in yesterday.  Froze my butt off on the range this morning, but strapped it to an M4 and ran some of my proficiency rounds through it.  It took a little trial and error to BZO.  The adjustment values were different from the M68 as was witnessed by zero grid on the target I used.  But, once we got over that, it definitely hit where it was aimed, without incident.  Both eyes open, one eye open, didn't seem to matter at all.
Overall impressions of the optic--good.  For the price, and given a decent mount , anyone would be well served in owning one for range use and plinking.  If you're on a budget and desire the function and feel of the "issue" gear, then hell yeah.  THe ruggedness of the optic appears to be straight but if try to test it by hammering tent pegs into frozen ground I think it will fail!  I believe durability of equipment is as much in the hands of the operator as the equipment.  
Any tests anyone would like to see done?

Anyone using a tacpoint with a QRP and spacer?  Any complaints about QRP mounts?  Getting mine from Bowers soon.

NBC_LT-

no problems with the QRP mount really.  Have seen only a few break.  My only complaint is the torque limiting knob has a low limit on torque and sticks out a little too much for my comfort.  We have had mounts "shoot" loose if the trooper wasn't paying attention.  We have to remind everyone to give it a click or two throughout firing or on mission.  The knob does stick out a little and makes it interesting when you try and smack the bolt catch on a reload.  All around though, I'd say best available mount for the military.  (No tools needed to swap to an NVD or DOS equals no tools to lose or carry.)  None of these complaints are a problem if you train/practice with it in the back of your mind.  (There's your excuse to the spousal unit to go shoot more...lol!)

Thanks for the advice, mine seems to mount up tight and I'm a plinker.  You must have a wife like mine.  Hope my tacpoint gets here before the weekend, the weather here in Tucson is nice and cool for the range.

tagged

I got mine in last week and havent tried to zero it yet.The mount that came with it is too low and the front site base gets in the way.I ordered an ARMS mount so that I can hit the range next weekend.I figured it would be better to spend a hundred on the tacpoint then spend three hundred on the aimpoint if I wasnt going to like a red dot scope.I now will have a quality mount just in case I buy an aimpoint later but the tacpoint would have to go out first.Having never owned an aimpoint I cant see anything wrong about the tacpoint and I dont feel an overwhelming need to make up a reason.

Does anyone have pics of what the veiw looks like when looking through it?

Here you go. ARMS M68 with cantilever.

Anyone have a PIC of it mounted on and A2 upper?

Does it use the same Battery as the Aimpoint?