Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO Comparison (With Real Pictures and Video)

Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO

I've owned and used a ton of red dot sights, so many that I've devoted a large portion of GunPros to helping readers find the best ones.

Of all of them, I've found the Trijicon MRO and Aimpoint PRO to be the two best red dot sights for the money if you're talking about the value you get for your dollar.

In this comparison, I'll give you a thorough look at the Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO so that you can decide which is best for you. Just as a quick note, I purchased both of these optics myself and have no relationship with either of the companies.

Tijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO Comparison Table

Before jumping into what it's actually like to use these red dot sights, you can check out the table below for a comparison of their features:

Compare Trijicon MRO Aimpoint PRO
Red Dot SightTrijicon MRO

Trijicon MRO

  Aimpoint Pro

Aimpoint PRO

Battery Life50,000 Hours on Setting 5 of 830,000 Hours on Setting 7 of 10
Battery TypeCR20322L76 or DL1/3N
Dot Size2 MOA2 MOA
Night Vision Compatible?Yes, 4 NV SettingsYes, 4 NV Settings
Objective Lens Size25mm23mm
Weight5.8 oz w/ Lower 1/3 Mount11.6 oz w/ Lower 1/3 Mount
Dimensions (L x W x H)2.6" x 1.7" x 2.73" w/ Lower 1/3 Mount5.1" x 2.2" x 2.6" w/ Lower 1/3 Mount
Elevation and Windage Adjustments0.5 MOA0.5 MOA
WaterproofTo 100 FeetTo 150 Feet
Operating Temperature Range-60°F to +160°F-49°F to +160°F
Housing Material7075 (T6) Aluminum6061 (T6) Aluminum
Quick Attach/Detach MountOptional and Standard w/ MRO Patrol ModelYes
Amazon Price

See Price on Amazon

See Price on Amazon

Which is Better to Use?

I'll go into detail on reliability and durability below, but there's a good chance you just want to know which red dot sight is better to actually use.

Sight Picture

As far as sight picture goes, the MRO is the clear winner in my eyes (ha!).

Some people claim that its larger objective lens (25mm vs 23mm) improves your field of view. While this isn't technically true of a 1X magnification optic, I do agree that it is nice to see more through the sight rather than in your peripheral view.

Note: The dot size in the pictures and videos below appears larger than in real life due to difficulty in focusing the camera. Both optics have a 2 MOA red dot.

Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO

The MRO's (left) streamlined design also does not obstruct your view as much as the Aimpoint PRO (right). While the lens covers and quick attachment mount knob are nice features of the PRO, they can also get in the way.

The design and longer length of the PRO also make it more susceptible to having a tubing effect when using it than the MRO. Basically, it can feel like you're looking through a thin black tube with the PRO, whereas you mostly just see what's in front of you and to the sides of the MRO.

As the short videos clips (no sound) below show, this only gets more noticeable as you become less aligned with the sights. If you shoot from strange positions frequently, like those of you who compete, the MRO is much more accommodating.

Glass Clarity

Though it's not as obvious on camera, the Aimpoint PRO has clearer glass in my opinion. It does have a slight greenish hue, but the MRO has a more noticeable blue hue. This is in no way a deal breaker or deciding factor for me, however.

Brightness, Settings, and Use

In this section, I'll quickly put your mind as ease with any basic use questions you have concerning either of these red dot sights.

  • Both have been plenty bright for any environment I've used them in, including the Nevada desert.
  • In my experience, both hold zero equally as phenomenally mounted to AR-15s and rifles chambered in numerous larger calibers.
  • Unlike some of the more budget-friendly red dot sights I've tried out, I've never had any functional issues with either of these optics.

Reliability and Durability

Both Aimpoint and Trijicon have a long history that's led to their rock solid reputations.

Aimpoint History

Unlike many other optics manufacturers, Aimpoint has historically been almost entirely dedicated to making red dot sights for rifles, carbines, and other long guns.

The Aimpoint CompM2 was chosen as the M68 Close Combat Optic in 2000. Since then, Aimpoint red dot sights have continuously been the top choice of militaries, law enforcement, competitive shooters, and civilians around the world.

Trijicon HistorySoldier Using Rifle with ACOG

As I've talked about in our Trijicon MRO review, Trijicon has actually historically been known more for their ACOG fixed magnification scope and their RMR reflex red dot sight for pistols.

The ACOG first saw U.S. military use in 1987. The ACOG, including multiple models, is the most battle proven combat optic around today.

Their RMR reflex sight was launched in 2009 and has continuously been the gold standard for pistol red dot sights.

Comparing Reputation

When comparing the Aimpoint PRO to the Trijicon RMR, you could certainly argue the case that the PRO should be more trusted for Aimpoint's long history of making excellent rifle red dot sights.

Personally, though, I'm just as confident in Trijicon. The MRO has even met the same durability standards as the ACOG (MIL-STD-810G).

Comparing Construction and Ruggedness

There's two different types of Aluminum typically used for firearm parts and the housing of optics - 7075 (T6) and 6061 (T6).

7075 (T6) is the stronger of the two and commonly used for parts like AR-15 receivers. 6061 (T6) is usually reserved for parts that don't usually take as much stress, like handguards.

Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO Size Comparison

AR-15 with Trijicon MRO, AR-15 with Aimpoint PRO and Vortex VMX-3T Magnifier

The Trijicon MRO uses 7075 (T6), whereas the Aimpoint PRO uses the weaker 6061 (T6).

Though the MRO's housing material is stronger, Aimpoint gets points for coming standard with lens covers. As the picture above shows, the Aimpoint PRO also has a bulkier construction which can make it feel more rugged. This of course comes with a trade off in sight picture.

With that said, if you want to pay a bit more, you can opt for the MRO Patrol that includes lens covers, a kill flash, a slightly bulkier construction, and a quick release mount. For most people I'd recommend the MRO, but if this is going to be a duty optic for you, you may want to consider the Patrol version.

MRO Patrol

 

Trijicon MRO Patrol

Battery Life

Battery life can play big part in reliability, but you don't have to worry too much about this with either choice.

Aimpoint is known for making red dot sights with exceptional battery life, up to 100,000 hours for some of their products. The PRO, however, "only" lasts 30,000 hours on setting 7 of 11.

The MRO lasts 50,000 hours on setting 5 of 8, which seems to me to be roughly as bright as the PRO's 7 setting.

Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO: Which is Best?

I'm not fully going to cop out in determining a winner in the battle between the Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO, but I do first have to say you really can't go wrong with either choice.

With that said, I personally like Trijicon's MRO better than the Aimpoint PRO. I used to use the Aimpoint PRO whenever not testing another optic, but now I find myself preferring the MRO mostly for its better sight picture. Considering I'm equally as confident in its reliability, it's also my choice for my home-defense rifle and would be what I used in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

Which will you choose?

Trijicon MRO
  • Sight Picture
    (5)
  • Usability
    (5)
  • Durability
    (5)
  • Reliability
    (5)
  • Battery Life
    (5)
  • Value
    (5)
5

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