Trijicon SRO and RMR, two of my favourite optics, are what I’ll be discussing today. Finding the proper optic for the weapon is as difficult as finding the weapon itself. But in this review, I’ll explain both selections to you.
Trijicon SRO and RMR are products of the same company that provides extended durability and functionalities not found in other optics.
These two optics are phenomenal investments; you should buy both of them or at least the product that will come out on top in this comparison. In addition to describing Trijicon SRO and RMR, I’ve suggested a weapon that you can use with these optics.
NOTE: Before reviewing the features and benefits, check the specification chart for a better understanding.
Trijicon SRO Overview
Trijicon SRO (Specialized Reflex Optic) was introduced in 2019 and is now well-known for its ruggedness. Trijicon SRO features a large field of view for an improved shooting experience, adjustment knobs, a top-loading battery that makes it simple to change the battery without having to remove the optic and a sharp dot that offers exceptional accuracy. Trijicon SRO optics are best known for use with tactical firearms and have an RMR footprint.
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Trijicon RMR Overview
Trijicon RMR, also manufactured by the Trijicon brand, is an outstanding optic that you should consider when purchasing an optic with significant advantages. The compact and durable Trijicon RMR is primarily used on handguns and rifles. Trijicon SRO and this have essentially the same qualities and advantages. Trijicon RMR also uses the same footprint, which is readily accessible.
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Trijicon RMR Vs SRO Specifications
| Trijicon SRO | Trijicon RMR | |
| Magnification | 1x | 1x |
| Housing material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Sight window | 0.98 x 0.89 in. / 25 x 22.5 mm | 0.87 x 0.63 in. / 22 x 16 mm |
| Lens | Tempered glass | Tempered glass |
| Reticle Color | Red | Red |
| Adjustment | 1 click = 1 MOA | 1 click = 1 MOA |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 2.2 x 1.3 x 1.4 inches / 55 x 32 x 34 mm | 1.8 x 1.2 x 1.0 in. / 46 x 30 x 25 mm |
| Weight | 1.6 ounces / 46 grams with the battery installed | 1.17 ounces with the battery installed |
| Battery type | CR-2032 lithium battery | CR-2032 lithium battery |
| Battery life | 3 Years at Brightness setting 4 | 4+ Years of Continuous Use at Setting 4 of 8 |
| Brightness setting levels | Automatic and 8 Adjustable Settings | Automatic and 8 Adjustable Settings |
| Night vision | Yes | Yes |
| Available Mounting Adapters | Picatinny Rail, Weaver Rail | Picatinny Rail, Weaver Rail |
| Compatible device | Handguns/pistols | Handguns/pistol |
| Warranty | 5-year warranty | 5-year warranty |
Features and Benefits
The features and benefits of Trijicon SRO and RMR are critical to know because the discrepancies are minor.
1. Durability and reliability
Any product’s durability should be considered a key component because it will keep your product secure for an extended period. Trijicon SRO and RMR have good overall endurance and reliability, but only one is the best.
Trijicon SRO
Trijicon SRO’s housing is made of “7075 T6 Aluminum,” which delivers outstanding endurance.
This material will shield the optic from any weather conditions, including cold and high temperatures, rain and snow, and so on. Regardless of the weather (waterproof up to 10 feet), your optic will function. Trijicon SRO is made of aluminum, which further makes it shockproof, so even if you unwittingly dump it onto the floor or bash it into a wall, it will still be in perfect working order.
Trijicon SRO is so much lighter due to aluminum that a shooter may carry it with ease. The Trijicon SRO’s circular window does not increase its durability in any way. Trijicon’s five-year warranty associates reliability with the SRO.
Trijicon RMR
Trijicon RMR’s body is made of “7075 T6 Aluminum,” the same substance as Trijicon SRO, making it equally sturdy. So, because the housing material is the same, the Trijicon RMR is water-resistant, which allows your optic to perform in all weather (waterproof up to 10 feet), shock-resistant, which protects the optic from unintentional damage, and less in weight.
To boost endurance, the RMR is constructed with a patented housing design that refracts forces and disperses shocks away from the lens.
Trijicon RMR also comes with a 5-year warranty which means they will repair the product if it gets damaged and will replace the optic if you receive a faulty optic.
Testing
Trijicon optics have nearly always been subjected to testing by shooters who purchase them to verify the claim that they are famed for durability.
Additionally, I tested the Trijicon SRO and RMR by performing a burn-down of 900 to 1000 rounds, one-handed manipulation, and a shoulder fall check. Fortunately, neither the Trijicon SRO nor the RMR suffered any deterioration during these tests and no movement of windage and elevation.
Winner: Trijicon RMR
Both Trijicon SRO and RMR offer excellent reliability and endurance. However, Trijicon RMR’s shape is far superior to SRO in terms of dropping damage to the optic. Trijicon SRO is submersible up to ten feet (3 meters), whereas RMR will continue to function effectively after being submerged for 66 feet (20 meters). The Trijicon RMR, therefore, triumphs in terms of toughness and dependability.
2. Size and Weight
An optic should be compact and light so that it can be carried by the shooter and weigh less when it is mounted on the weapon. Let’s see which of the Trijicon SRO and RMR optics is the smallest and most compact.
Trijicon SRO
With measurements of 55 x 32 x 34 mm, the Trijicon SRO is a tiny optic that a gunman can carry without complexity. With a weight of only 1.6 ounces and an assembled battery, it is very lightweight.
Trijicon RMR
Trijicon RMR is more compact than Trijicon SRO, with dimensions of 46 x 30 x 25 mm. Furthermore, it is lighter than the Trijicon SRO, weighing 1.17 ounces with the battery inside.
Winner
Given its small size and lightweight, the Trijicon RMR comes out on top in the classification of size and weight.
3. Optic Clarity and Reticle
An optic with a perfect reticle and optical clarity that surpasses perfection is essential for accurately aiming at and hitting the target. An effective shot is in some way guaranteed by an optic that offers a better view.
Trijicon SRO
A large, clear field of view and the ideal window size are highlights of the Trijicon SRO. Tempered glass serves as the window’s lens, offering an unrestricted amount of eye relief and a good view. Additionally, because it has no parallax, you will experience less reticle movement when you tremble or move.
Trijicon SRO is available in three reticle options, which you can choose from. So, out of those three reticle options, one is the 2.5 MOA option I have, and the other two are the 1 MOA and 5 MOA options. Trijicon SRO is not a multiple reticle system, so a distinct optic is needed for each of these MOA optics.
For those who want an accurate hit and high-precision shooting, the 1 MOA red dot is phenomenal. The 2.5 MOA is bold and gives precise measurements that are used for competition, target shooting, and hunting. The 5 MOA is bolder than the 2.5 MOA and is used for close-range shooting because it offers precision and accuracy.
Trijicon RMR
A broad illumination transfer is provided by the multicoated lens on the Trijicon RMR, resulting in little change in the color of the target area. Similar to Trijicon SRO, it is parallax-free, so if you turn your head, the reticle won’t move, giving you more stability while shooting. Furthermore, the Trijicon RMR window’s lens frame is made of tempered glass, which provides a clear view and unlimited eye relief.
Trijicon RMR comes with two reticle options: 3.25 MOA and 6.5 MOA. The 3.25 MOA is a large red dot that provides precision and accuracy, whereas the 6.5 MOA provides accuracy and faster target tracking. Similar to the Trijicon SRO, it lacks a multiple reticle system.
Winner: Trijicon SRO
The Trijicon SRO wins this category because of its circular shape and wide field of view. As a result, you will be able to see the surroundings of the target, which will improve your shooting. Furthermore, SRO is available in three different configurations, two of which provide excellent precision and one of which provides excellent accuracy.
4. Brightness Adjustment
Brightness knobs are crucial components of an optic because they help you see your reticle clearly and ensure that it continues to operate in all light levels. Let’s talk about how many brightness levels Trijicon SRO and RMR have. Is it possible to adjust the brightness for night vision? Any operating modalities? Etc.
Trijicon SRO
Trijicon SRO offers 8 levels of brightness adjustment to match the ambient lighting. These eight levels include six for daylight brightness, one of which is a super bright dot, and the final two are for nighttime illumination. The night vision setting in Trijicon SRO allows your optic to work in all lighting conditions.
The Trijicon SRO has three operational modes as well, including manual, lock-in, and automatic or lock-out. The manual mode is essentially a straightforward preferred mode in which you use knobs to change the brightness following the ambient light. The brightness setting you made before entering this mode was saved when the lock-in mode was activated. If the optic is accidentally knocked or banged up against something, this mode will help while shooting because it keeps working.
The lock-in mode, which locks the user’s illuminance configurations, is mostly used for personal defense and professional sports.
Trijicon RMR
Trijicon RMR also offers 8 levels of brightness adjustment to suit the ambient lighting. These eight levels include six for daylight brightness, one of which is a super bright dot, and the final two are for nighttime illumination. The night vision setting in Trijicon RMR allows your optic to work in all light levels. As of now, the advantages of changing the brightness are the same.
The lock-out mode found in Trijicon SRO, which automatically sets the brightness and locks it, is also found in Trijicon RMR.
Winner
The Trijicon SRO is superior to the RMR because it has an extra lock-in mode that can help a shooter in sports shooting competitions.
5. Power source
However, how long will these optic batteries continue to function? As your battery life determines how many days or months your optic will run, the quality of the power source is important. A battery cannot be changed every day or every month.
Trijicon SRO
The Trijicon SRO employs one of the best batteries used in optics, the “CR-2032 lithium battery.” This CR-2032 battery is shaped like a coin and fits easily into the battery compartment.
This battery has a capacity of 30,000 hours or 3+ years on the medium brightness setting. The battery life varies according to the brightness setting, with low brightness resulting in more battery life and high brightness resulting in less battery life.
The battery compartment location, which is on top of the optic, is another excellent feature provided by Trijicon SRO. It will save you time by eliminating the need to remove the optic from your weapon to change or adjust the battery. You can easily do it while the optic is still mounted on the weapon.
Trijicon RMR
The Trijicon RMR also employs the “CR-2032 lithium battery,” a coin-shaped battery that fits neatly into the battery compartment.
Despite the fact that the battery type is the same, the battery in the RMR optic lasts up to 40,000 hours or nearly 4 years on the medium-level brightness setting. The battery life is also affected by the brightness level.
Since you have to remove the optic from the weapon in order to access the battery compartment, the Trijicon RMR’s battery compartment placement is unsatisfactory.
Winner
Trijicon SRO and RMR both use the CR-2032 battery, which provides excellent performance and will not leave you in danger because it lasts for many years. Compared to the SRO, the Trijicon RMR’s battery can operate for almost four years. Another distinction between the two optics is the location of the battery compartment, with SRO having the upper compartment placement. Even though SRO’s battery life is nearly a year shorter, it still clearly wins. Because the difference in battery life is small, sacrificing battery life is acceptable.
6. Windage and Elevation Adjustment
A perfect windage and elevation adjustment must be made before using the optic, just like the reticle setting, to ensure accurate aim. Windage (horizontal deviation) and elevation (vertical deviation) adjustments are referred to collectively as “Zero.” Sometimes, for reasons such as gravity, the bullet misses the target. The point of impact of a bullet is where it makes contact with the target, and windage and elevation will be used to modify the aim point to where you put the shot.
One wonderful aspect of these optics is that, whether dropped accidentally or on purpose, they will maintain zero. This effectively means that you only need to zero the sight once, at the time of first use.
Trijicon SRO and RMR provide convenient windage and elevation settings that do not require a tool to hit the aim point perfectly. Both optics use the same stress-free technique to zero the sight, making them winners in this classification.
7. Footprint
Trijicon SRO and RMR share the same footprint, “RMR.” Both optics can be quickly mounted on the weapon and removed with this footprint.
RMR is incredibly easy to mount on any weapon, making the RMR footprint the most popular footprint in the business. RMR footprints can be attached to handguns, rifles, or pistols, or a mounting rail can be purchased separately.
8. Price Comparison
One of the primary worries for some customers when purchasing any goods is the cost. Trijicon SRO costs a bit more than Trijicon RMR, which is currently available on the market. The slight difference in shape and top battery compartment makes it valuable and expensive, whereas the Trijicon RMR is less expensive.
Taking into account everyone, I advise purchasing Trijicon RMR because it is less expensive and offers the same benefits as Trijicon SRO.
The drawbacks of Trijicon SRO and RMR
The few drawbacks listed below will help you understand what these optics don’t offer and whether or not any of them will bother you.
Trijicon SRO
- You won’t be able to set up the Trijicon SRO if your weapon has irons fore-aft-back sights with wide angles.
- Highly expensive (concerns most people)
- Limited Warranty
Trijicon RMR
- It must be unmounted in order to replace the battery because the position of the battery compartment is poor.
- Lightly blue-tinted glass
- Limited Warranty
Additional Accessories included in the box?
What’s in the box, exactly?
Trijicon SRO
The box contains only a few of the following things:
- Trijicon SRO
- CR-2032 coin-shaped lithium Battery (already installed battery)
- Adjustment wrenches: 2 flathead Torx cap screwdrivers, Torx head key
- Manual (proper instruction)
- Warranty card (5-year warranty offer)
- Trijicon brochure
- Trijicon sticker
- Lens cloth (to clean the lens of the optic)
Trijicon RMR
The box contains only a few of the following things:
- Trijicon RMR
- CR-2032 Battery (coin-shaped installed battery)
- Adjustment wrenches: 2 flathead Torx cap screwdrivers, Torx head key
- Manual (proper instructions given)
- Trijicon brochure
- Trijicon sticker
- Warranty card (5-year warranty offer)
- Lens cloth (to clean the lens of the optic)
Final thoughts: Who’s the overall winner?
Trijicon SRO and RMR are very similar and offer nearly identical benefits to the shooter in each classification. Because of this, it was challenging to choose between these optics.
As previously stated in this review, there are a few factors that distinguish one optic from another. To dispel confusion regarding Trijicon SRO and RMR, I have listed a few favorable circumstances, such as battery life, size and weight, and price, that make Trijicon RMR superior to Trijicon SRO.
As a result of being less expensive and more compact, the Trijicon RMR wins the overall comparison. Although I already purchased both items for comparison, the Trijicon RMR is the product that I would still recommend. Everyone prefers to hold a lighter optic.
Don’t wait any longer; purchase the Trijicon RMR right away to equip your weapon with the rest of the necessary equipment. Don’t worry about the battery compartment’s awkward location; the features are so amazing that no one would ever want to miss them.
FAQS
RMR: Do Special Forces use it?
The Trijicon RMR is more often used among American Special Forces. This optic has assembled concentrating advanced technologies that the consumer can customize and modify. It is a top-tier weapon optic innovation and has both manual and fully automated mechanisms.
Are RMR and SRO footprints equivalent?
Yes, the Trijicon RMR and SRO have the same footprint.
Is a Trijicon SRO compatible with rifles?
The Trijicon SRO with 1 MOA Configurable LED red dot per click is designed specifically to be mounted target pistol or rifle or in weapons requiring enhanced accuracy at a range.
Trijicon SRO requires a sealing plate, right?
No, It is not required to use a sealing plate.
Does Trijicon RMR fit the Ruger Max 9?
Yes, it does.