Welcome to The comparison of Aimpoint Duty RDS VS T2.
Aimpoint is a well-known brand in the world of optics, especially when it comes to red dot sights. They offer a wide range of options for hunters, sports shooters, and tactical operators.
Two of their most popular models are the Aimpoint Duty RDS and the Aimpoint T2. While both of these red dot sights are designed to be rugged and durable, they have some significant differences in features and performance.
In this article, I’ll compare Aimpoint Duty RDS and Aimpoint T2 in detail and help you decide which one is the better option for you.
Aimpoint RDS vs Aimpoint T2 – Overview
The Aimpoint Duty RDS and Aimpoint T2 are both red dot sights, but they have different appearances. The Aimpoint Duty RDS is designed for law enforcement and military use, while the Aimpoint T2 is aimed more at the civilian market. Both of these sights offer exceptional accuracy, durability, and reliability, but they have some differences in their construction and design.
Aimpoint RDS Duty Overview
The Aimpoint Duty RDS is designed for use in law enforcement and military applications. It’s a robust and durable sight that can withstand extreme conditions. The sight’s body is made from high-grade aluminum and is shockproof, waterproof, and fog-proof. It features a 2 MOA red dot reticle that is parallax-free, making it ideal for fast target acquisition. The sight has six daylight settings and 4-night vision settings, which makes it versatile enough for use in any lighting condition. The battery life of the Aimpoint Duty RDS is up to 30,000 hours, which is impressive.
Compare Deals:
Aimpoint T2 Overview
The Aimpoint T2 is designed for hunting and sporting applications. It’s a compact and lightweight sight that can be used on rifles, shotguns, and pistols. The sight’s body is made from high-strength aluminum and is shockproof, waterproof, and fog-proof. It also features a 2 MOA red dot reticle that is parallax-free and can be adjusted for brightness. The sight has 12 brightness settings, making it suitable for use in any lighting condition. The battery life of the Aimpoint T2 is up to 50,000 hours, which is impressive.
Compare Deals:
Specifications: Aimpoint RDS Vs Aimpoint T2
Here’s a specification table comparing the Aimpoint Duty RDS and T2:
| Aimpoint Duty RDS | Aimpoint T2 | |
| Magnification | 1x | 1x |
| Reticle | 2 MOA Dot | 2 MOA Dot |
| Battery Life | Up to 3 years (30000 hours) | Up to 5 years (50000 hours) |
| Brightness Settings | 4 NV and 6 Daylight | 4 NV and 8 Daylight, |
| Night Vision Compatible | No | Yes |
| Water Resistance | Submersible to 80 ft (25 m) | Submersible to 80 ft (25 m) |
| Mounting System | One-piece Torsion Nut Mount & Spacer | Standard Mounting Base for Picatinny/Weaver |
What Are The Main Differences?
Sure, here are the main differences between the Aimpoint Duty RDS and Aimpoint T2:
Mounting System: The Aimpoint Duty RDS has a larger mounting system with a locking mechanism, while the Aimpoint T2 has a smaller, more compact mounting system with a quick-detach lever.
Size and Weight: The Aimpoint T2 is smaller and lighter than the Aimpoint Duty RDS, making it ideal for use on small firearms.
Durability: The Aimpoint Duty RDS is built to military specifications and can withstand extreme temperatures, humidity, and vibration, making it the more durable option.
Battery Life: The Aimpoint T2’s battery system is more efficient and cost-effective, lasting up to 5 years on a single battery, compared to the Aimpoint Duty RDS’s battery, which lasts three years.
Price: The Aimpoint T2 is typically more expensive than the Aimpoint Duty RDS, although prices are.
Brightness Settings: The Aimpoint Duty RDS has ten brightness settings, while the Aimpoint T2 has 12 brightness settings.
Now that you’ve seen the specifications of both red dot sights, it’s time to compare them in detail. Here are the main differences between Aimpoint Duty RDS and Aimpoint T2:
Comparison
1. Design and Construction
One of the most significant differences between Aimpoint Duty RDS and Aimpoint T2 is their design and construction. The Aimpoint Duty RDS is a larger and heavier sight designed for use in military and law enforcement applications. It has a larger objective lens diameter of 26mm, which allows for a wider field of view. The body of the Aimpoint Duty RDS is made from high-grade aluminum and is built to withstand rugged use. On the other hand, the Aimpoint T2 is a smaller and lighter sight, designed for use in sporting and hunting applications. It has a smaller objective lens diameter of 20mm, which makes it more compact and easier to mount on a firearm. The body of the Aimpoint T2 is also made from high-strength aluminum but is designed to be more lightweight.
Winner: Tie
2. Battery Life
The Aimpoint Duty RDS has an impressive battery life of up to 30,000 hours, while the Aimpoint T2 has a longer battery life of up to 50,000 hours. While both sights have impressive battery life, the Aimpoint T2 is more cost-effective and efficient in terms of overall power consumption.
Winner: Aimpoint Micro T-2
3. Optical Performance
The lenses on the Aimpoint Duty RDS are among the clearest and cleanest in the market. The unlimited eye relief doesn’t cause any decrease in performance, and the field of view is amazing at any angle. The brightness throughout the sight is well-distributed, making it very easy on the eyes. The low-light performance of the Duty RDS is also commendable, making it suitable for use in a wide range of lighting conditions.
The Aimpoint T2 is considered by many to be one of the best red dot sights of all time, and for a good reason. The lenses on the T2 are extremely vibrant, with no glaring issues whatsoever. The field of view is fantastic, and the focus remains on the target at any given eye relief. The brightness settings on the T2 are wide-ranging, with 12 levels to choose from, making it a versatile optic that can be used in a variety of lighting conditions.
Overall, while the Aimpoint Duty RDS has excellent optical performance, the T2 takes the cake when it comes to having a good lens. The T2’s lenses are extremely vibrant, with a wide range of brightness settings and no glaring issues.
Winner: Aimpoint Micro T-2
4. Mounting System
The Aimpoint Duty RDS features a one-piece torsion nut mount and spacer system, which is a proprietary mounting solution designed specifically for the optic. This system is easy to install and secure, and it is compatible with most rifles and SMGs on the market. The installation process is straightforward, and users can follow the manual to install it themselves.
The Aimpoint T2, on the other hand, uses a more common mounting system. It is compatible with both Picatinny and Weaver-style mounting rails, and it comes with a standard mounting base that supports both of these types of rails. Additionally, users can find a variety of mounting accessories sold by Aimpoint to fit different types of rails or flat tops. This makes the T2 a versatile optic that can be easily installed on a wide range of firearms.
Winner: Aimpoint Micro T-2
5. Size and Weight
The Aimpoint Duty RDS is a compact optic with a length of 2.7 inches, a width of 1.5 inches, and a height of 1.7 inches. It weighs 3.8 oz without the battery. Making it a lightweight and easy-to-carry option. The compact size and lightweight design make it ideal for use on rifles and SMGs where space and weight are a concern.
The Aimpoint T2 is even more compact than the Duty RDS, with a length of 2.7 inches, a width of 1.6 inches, and a height of 1.4 inches. It weighs only 3.0 oz without the battery installed, making it one of the lightest and most compact red dot optics on the market. The small size and low weight make it an ideal choice for use on pistols, shotguns, and other firearms where space and weight are at a premium.
Overall, The T2 is significantly smaller and lighter than the Duty RDS, making it an excellent option for those looking for the smallest and lightest red dot optic possible.
Winner: Aimpoint Micro T-2
6. Durability
Both Aimpoint Duty RDS and Aimpoint T2 are designed to be rugged and durable. They are both shockproof, waterproof, and fog-proof and can withstand extreme conditions. However, the Aimpoint Duty RDS is designed to be more robust and can withstand more abuse than the Aimpoint T2. It is built to military specifications and can withstand extreme temperatures, humidity, and vibration.
Winner: Tie
The Overall Winner
In terms of overall performance, the Aimpoint Micro T-2 is the clear winner. It has a superb lens and a versatile mounting system, and it is incredibly small and light. It also has excellent durability and can withstand extreme conditions.
But if you can’t spend the extra money on buying the T2, then your next best option would be to go with the Duty RDS. It is a good-quality optic that offers excellent performance and durability at an affordable price.
Conclusion
The Aimpoint Duty RDS and T2 are both fantastic red dot sights with their own unique features and advantages. While the Duty RDS is an easy-to-install option with impressive battery life and durability, the T2 stands out with its superior optical performance and compatibility with night vision devices. Ultimately, the winner between the two will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the user. However, no matter which one you choose, you can be sure that you are getting a high-quality optic that will enhance your shooting experience.
FAQs
What is the difference between the mounting systems of the Aimpoint Duty RDS and T2?
The Duty RDS uses a one-piece torsion nut mount and spacer, while the T2 uses a more common picatinny/weaver mounting rail support.
Which red dot sight is more affordable, the Aimpoint Duty RDS or T2?
The Aimpoint Duty RDS is more affordable than the T2.
How do the battery lives of the Aimpoint Duty RDS and T2 compare?
The T2 has a longer battery life than the Duty RDS.
Can the Aimpoint Duty RDS or T2 be used with rifles and SMGs?
Yes, both the Aimpoint Duty RDS and T2 are suitable for use with most rifles and SMGs.