Rifle Scopes AIMPOINT COMP3 OR COMP4?

[emin007]

Hello everyone,
I've narrowed my choice to Aimpoint and wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions whether the extra money spend on the CompM4 as opposed to the CompM3 is worth the difference?

 

[Redmanss]

Re: AIMPOINT COMP3 OR COMP4?

I used a Comp M3L 2moa here in the desert for the last 3+ years. Very reliable sight so long as you have a reliable mount for it. We use Badger Ord. Max-50 Ultra High rings for the ultimate durability. QD mounts were of no interest to us, or even to me personally.

We are not gentle on them at all, and the most common problem is power knobs getting knocked off. They are held on by a small allen set screw which only holds onto a flat spot on the post with tension. They are easily fixed and are once again solid with a touch of epoxy on the post. Otherwise, they will take a lot of abuse and continue to operate flawlessly.

Co-witness, if wanted, is perfect with any standard BUIS. I use the MATECH sight.

I have had absolutely no shift in zero. It has a setting range of 0-9, and mine always stays on 7+. I change the battery every 6 months or so, and I could let it go much further if I practiced some battery saving techniques, but I prefer to have it powered on all the time for obvious reasons.

As for the difference between the two, the biggest difference is mounting types. The M4 is more sturdy by design, but don't sell the M3 short. I would not recommend going cheap on the mount for an M3. Since its a true 1x optic, there isn't much reason in my opinion to have a QD mount as a BUIS can sight through it just fine if the wiring fails. I'll trust my life to 65 in/lbs of torque on a steel scope ring before I trust it to a QD mount. I have yet to see a scope take a hit that broke the lens without also tearing the crap out of the rest of the weapon.

Battery type is the only other real and noticeable difference between the two at the user level. I'm not sure on the specs of the two, but the M4 likely is more waterproof. Not much diving in my AO or line of work, so I've never looked into that and don't care either.

 

[emin007]

Re: AIMPOINT COMP3 OR COMP4?

Thank you Redmanns

 

[Force_Multiplier]

Re: AIMPOINT COMP3 OR COMP4?

I used the M4 in the desert and like Redmanns, beat the hell out of it... perfect co witness... and it works flawless.

I literally left it on for a year... a year on one AA battery

 

[Force_Multiplier]

Re: AIMPOINT COMP3 OR COMP4?

and there's a used M4 for sale on here

 

[paulo_santos]

Re: AIMPOINT COMP3 OR COMP4?

My only issue with the M4 is the price. $700+ for a red dot is rediculous. I've owned an M4, M3, and M2 and they all work the same. For the price ($400), the best bang for the buck is the CompC3 that SWFA sells.

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: AIMPOINT COMP3 OR COMP4?

I have a Comp ML3 4moa (IIRC) and it kicks some serious ass.

In fact, I bought it back in 2006 and I'm still on the same batteries that it shipped with and I've left it on for a few weeks by accident a few times, so battery life is outstanding.

Some guys like the 2moa, but for daytime use I find the 4moa easier to get on target and you can always turn the brightness down at night. In fact on 7/10 setting, you get like 50,000 hours of battery life, which is all I run it on at night.

Funny story. My friend built an M4 about two years ago and wanted a red-dot so he argued that those Chinese rip-offs are just as good as my Aimpoint. Guess what? His fuckin batteries die after a few hours so he doesn't even have the optic on his rifle anymore. LOL. I bet if he used his "Aimpoint" as much as I do mine, he would've made up the difference in cost in batteries alone.

Fuckin Chinese rip off trash.

 

[USACS]

Re: AIMPOINT COMP3 OR COMP4?

Being the tech geek that I am, I have to throw my hat into the M4 corner. Actually, I like the M4S, with the lower battery compartment. The M4 has a much longer battery life and runs off of a AA battery, which is just HUGE. You can find AA batteries anywhere, and 80,000hrs of usage is 8 years.

The major bonus to the M4 is that it utilizes an integral mounting system, as opposed to the M3 which mounts by 30mm ring attachment. As a result, there is no chance of scope cant, so you know your zero will be more reliable.

In terms of QD mounts, it's not a big issue if you use the proper mounts and check them occasionally. The QRP mount that Aimpoint makes is actually very sturdy and durable. I just don't like the large knob on the side. Instead, I would opt for a LaRue mount, but that is just my preference. Most mounts from reputable companies are reliable and durable. The M4 warrants a QD system, based on the mounting platform design. The only systems that I detract from are A.R.M.S. mounts, since the levers are not very durable, and they're held in place by a roll pin.

Another option is the T-1. I run a T-1, and it's a fantastic optic. It's also incredibly light. There is literally no top-heavy feel to the rifle. They're just as durable as the other Aimpoints, and the battery lasts 50,000hrs.

 

[emin007]

Re: AIMPOINT COMP3 OR COMP4?

Just to throw it out there... Will a M3 with superior base mounts be better than a M4 with stock base mount that it comes with?

 

[BoredEngineer]

Re: AIMPOINT COMP3 OR COMP4?

RM I would just be patient and wait for an M4s to pop up for about $500. I have purchased two for 500 or less. I beat the shit out of my beater AR with an M4s mounted and its never lost its zero. The knob on the mount is impossible to over tighten and it's a nice idiot proof plug and play set up. My only complaint about the mount is the knob sticks out and can poke you sometimes.

 

[emin007]

Re: AIMPOINT COMP3 OR COMP4?

I also shoot left handed will the knob be more or less obtrusive?

 

[BX1129]

Re: AIMPOINT COMP3 OR COMP4?

For most people, it makes zero difference. I have used both, turn them both on for a whole year time and the battery didn't run out.

AIMPOINT might tell you all kinds of reasons why you should dish out more for the M4, but unless you feel the absolute need to use a AAA battery, save it for ammo.