Quoted:

Another ‘old Indian trick’ was sticking a small chem light against the FO tube.

Quoted:

They even make little covers that zip up nowadays so you can control just how much light you want. Meanwhile when I want to shoot precise I’m still in the Stone Age covering my FO tube with my support hand

Here's a followup of the "do it all" carbine optic concept.  The backrground is this article

  http://demigodllc.com/articles/fighting-carbine-optics-for-the-ar-15/

specifically, the Type I (CQB), Type II (DMR), and Type III (SPR) "uses" or applications.  To recap,








The goal of the new concept is to create an optic that is good at all three applications.  The features that I believe define such an optic are as follows:

(1) Mid variable power range, no higher than 2.5 on the low end, and no lower than 6x on the high end.  For example, 1.5-6, 2-8, 2.5-10, would all be OK.  Ideal would be 1 to 8.  The lower the low setting it, the faster close-range engagements will be (ie, closer to Aimpoint 1x).  The higher the high setting is, the further it can be stretched, realistically, past the limits of what 5.56mm can accomplish.

(2) Super-bright reticle center, like Short Dot or TA11/31 ACOG.  This dramatically aids engagement speed on close and mid range targets.  Note that this part of the reticle is only used for 0-250/300 yard engagements (beyond, you are below in the reticle).  This reticle center should default to black if the illumination is off or the battery is dead (like TA11).  No other part of the reticle should be brightly illuminated.

(3) Reticle features for mid-range engagements. The optic should allow engagement of medium sized (2-4 MOA) targets as far as 400-600 yards using the reticle only.  Reticle is first focal plane. The reticle lines need to be thin enough that a 10" plate can be engaged using the reticle only (in the hold-over part under the center reticle) at 400-500 yards without totally obscuring the target behind the reticle.  A simple mil hash or 1/2 mil hash pattern would suffice and not be specific to any load/caliber/gun.

(4) "Cap"-able or lockable knobs (or extremely bumpworthy clicks) for 500-1000 yard engagements, *if* the shooter wants to dial.

Broken down by distance or type of engagement:

Type I engagement, close range, very fast: scope on very low magnification setting.  Reticle brightness set to maximum.  THe bright reticle center is the aiming point and is good from 0 yards to the point blank range of the cartridge, say about 250 yards.

Type II engagement, medium range, still relatively fast (200-500 yards): scope is dialed to 3-5x depending on shooter preference.  Could be run at the lowest setting, could be run at a higher setting.  The reticle features below center are used, e.g. mil hash marks, exclusively for drop compensation.  The knobs are not touched.  Target acquisition speed and the ability to make first/second round hits are key in this regime.  First focal plane is needed because of this mid-magnification-range use of the reticle.

Type III engagement, long range, limits of 5.56/308, 500-1000 yards: reticle could still be used depending on circumstance.  Alternatively, knob could be used.  Reticle must be fine enough to see a 10x10" square @ 1000 yards behind the reticle lines.  The main reticle center will be used if the shooter dials, so there should be fine/faint windage marks going to either side (1/2 mils hashes ideal).

In the knob, I would prefer to see a low profile, zero-stop and either lockable or cap-able elevation knob.  The windage knob can just be low profile and cappable, since the reticle will probably be used for windage holdoff.

The ideal setup has mil-based reticle features and 0.1 or 0.2 mil clicks on the knobs.  MOA/MOA could be done, but it is imperative that the two systems match (no mil/moa combinations).

Physical/optical characteristics- This is a scope for a carbine platform (eg. AR15/M4/AR10/SR25), affects the physical package:

(1) eye relief 1.5 - 2.4", this helps it fit in the right position on a carbine receiver, instead of halfway down the receiver.  Practically, this eases the mounting requirements and prevents the scope from hitting things (lasers, illuminators, etc) on the quad-rail.

(2) largest exit pupil possible.  Even though the human eye can only open to 5 or 6mm, the larger the exit pupil, the "easier" and faster it is to get a sight picture, especially when shooting on the move or shooting from awkward or improvised positions.  This is the main reason why 3Gun shooters almost unanimously choose the TA11 ACOG (10mm) over the TA31 (8mm)-- it's faster and easier to maintain a sight picture with the larger exit pupil.

(3) compact physical package. TA11 size optimal.  Must be smaller/shorter than a 3.5-10x40mm Mark 4, ideally smaller/shorter than a 3-9 M/RT.

If we look at existant options and how close they are:

Nightforce 2.5-10: no super bright reticle center, not FFP

S&B 1.5-6x: no super bright reticle center, wierd knob option

Leupold 2.5-8: no super bright reticle center, not FFP

Mr ----- ----- had a S&B 1.5-6x50mm made with a mil-dot reticle, but they had some weird elevation knob setup (from a hunting scope) and there was no flash dot.

I think this scope concept has the potential to "do it all" on the carbine for sport, practical, and military users.