Rifle Scopes Mini Review - Mepro 21 Reflex Sight with triangle

[shipwreck]

Meprolight M21 Reflex Sight

A few years ago, I tried a Trijicon RX30 Reflex sight, as well as the previous version of the Mepro Reflex sight. Both suffered from indoor washout when not enough light hit the fiber optics... But, it wasn't quite dark enough for the tritium... This usually happened on white/light colored walls indoors. After trying both, I gave up on these and went back to the EOtech... There didn't seem to be a good battery free option in my price point at the time.

With my plan to buy a new rifle, though - I decided to look at my options again recently. I really wanted a battery free option... Something to grab and go, and not press any buttons... I had read that the latest incarnation of the Mepro 21 reflex sight: Revision M, was much better than it used to be. Apparently the washout factor has been cleared up a lot.

I got to shoot lrdplatypus's (a member here) Tavor recently - he had this on his new Tavor carbine. It worked nicely, but the Bullseye reticle version he had did make it a little harder for detailed long range shots. I decided that the triangle reticle would probably be better...

The triangle reticle version allows the user to put the triangle on the acquired target for CQC (close shots)... Then, use the point of the triangle for precise shooting. The triangle is also big enough to not have to "search" for it in the viewfield...

Someone else's photos with the triangle reticle:

I had an online friend who has several rifles all set up exactly the same way... He has the Mepro 21 on 5 rifles. It was actually thru reading his reviews online that I decided to give the Mepro 21 another chance - with this latest revision of the opic... He was even nice enough to ship me one of his and let me borrow it a few days so I wouldn't have to spend money if I didn't like it afterall ...

Well, I was impressed! It's not 100% washout proof - but it is much harder to lose the reticle indoors... Even when in a dark room looking outside on a sunny day - you can still barely see it... It's still there... Much, much better.. Also, you really have to go looking for ways to wash it out, as in real life, it probably wouldn't happen on its own...

I liked it enough to buy one myself. I thought about all 4 reticle choices - but ultimately went with the triangle reticle. Now, I've had it mounted to my new Steyr AUG for a few days now... And, I really, really like it.

It took a little while to get over missing that huge EOtech circle for CQC and indoor ranges. The Eotech is the only red dot type optic I have ever owned longterm (I've owned a few of them). But after playing with it a day, I quickly got used to the triangle. And, the more I handle it on the rifle, the more I like it.

I have kept my EOtech XPS in the back of my safe for any future rifle I may buy one day... But the day that happens, I could see myself selling the EOtech and buying another one of these.

I will go sight it in next Saturday - so, final judgement will be done then. But, I have yet to read an issue of one of these not holding their zero. I suspect it will work great.

I suggest that people looking for a battery free option take a look at the Mepro 21 Reflex sight. There are 4 different reticle versions. And, the quick detach levers that come with it are a nice touch. Quite often, one has to buy this type of mount separately. Finally - the optic is built like a tank. Very sturdy and it seems to be able to take bumps easily. The Mepro 21 is also the standard optic for the Israeli army. So, that says something about its durability. It's basically a big block of aluminum. The optic does weigh about 1 lb by itself (with the included mount)

If you buy one of these - be aware that the first 4 digits of the serial number is the year, and then month of manufacture. Anything from 2012 and more recent will automatically be "Revision M"

The Mepro on my rifle:

 

[scudzuki]

Nick piece of kit.
Aren't you bothered by the very strong blue tint through the optic?

I sold off an EOTech 512 recently since I sold off most on my ARs in January. The EOTech had the best FOV and light transmission of any 1x RD type gunsight I've used.

I have 2 Aimpoint M4s and just leave them on all the time. I figure I'll replace the AA battery after 4 years or so even though they are supposed to last 8 years. With the ubiquity of the AA battery, I'm not too worried about finding power for them even in lean times, but maybe I'm naive.
No blue tint, either.

Nice bullpup, BTW.

Happy Memorial Day to all.

Joe

 

[Singlestack_Wonder]

"Even when in a dark room looking outside on a sunny day - you can still barely see it..."

This is perhaps a clue why this optic is not being readily accepted for SHTF applications. Struggling to see a barely visible reticle in a split second encounter is a no go.

 

[shipwreck]

"Even when in a dark room looking outside on a sunny day - you can still barely see it..."

This is perhaps a clue why this optic is not being readily accepted for SHTF applications. Struggling to see a barely visible reticle in a split second encounter is a no go.

It honestly can depend on the window and some other factors. And, how far away you are from the window. Get closer to the window, and there is no problem.

I wholeheartedly agree with you, and this is why I didn't buy an RX30 after borrowing one... And, why I returned the Mepro reflex sight I bought almost 3 years ago.

But this one... You'd honestly have to try it yourself. But, it's leaps and bounds over my past two experiences. And, I am a picky guy on this washout issue. I decided it was good enough for what I wanted. It isn't 100%. But, I think that its close enough...

 

[shipwreck]

Nick piece of kit.
Aren't you bothered by the very strong blue tint through the optic?

I sold off an EOTech 512 recently since I sold off most on my ARs in January. The EOTech had the best FOV and light transmission of any 1x RD type gunsight I've used.

I have 2 Aimpoint M4s and just leave them on all the time. I figure I'll replace the AA battery after 4 years or so even though they are supposed to last 8 years. With the ubiquity of the AA battery, I'm not too worried about finding power for them even in lean times, but maybe I'm naive.
No blue tint, either.

Nice bullpup, BTW.

Happy Memorial Day to all.

Joe

Honestly - my brain doesn't even see the blue tint if both eyes are open. Close one eye, and THEN I see the blue tint. And even then, its not a big deal.

So, most of the time - it doesn't exist. I guess the brain compensates by combining the two images.

As for the aimpoint, they don't work for me. The "dot" is not a dot for me... It is kidney bean shaped, no matter how far down I turn the power. Plus, I really don't like the feeling of looking down a tube. The reflex sight and the eotech don't give ya that feeling.

 

[scudzuki]

There is an inherent problem with reticles that are powered by ambient light; if your ambient light (poorly lit room, hiding in the bushes) is dimmer than the light around the target (outside the dimly lit room or not hiding in the bushes), the reticle is too dim.

As for the RD in an Aimpoint not becoming a cohesive dot, I only see that when I'm indoors, in close quarters. In those circumstances, it really doesn't matter, as whatever shape the dot is, it's still quite effective at targeting. Outside, when shooting at 50 to 100 yards or beyond, the dot becomes round enough to enable me to shoot with better precision than I can muster with iron sights.

As for looking down a tube, I shoot with both eyes open with 1x optics, so there is no tube.

Joe

 

[shipwreck]

Well, we've both made up our minds it seems. I don't care for Aimpoints. Even looking down long distances - the "dot" on an Aimpoint is not clear enough. I can use the 1 MOA center dot on an Eotech and hit 1/2" groups. I can't do that with an Aimpoint with my eyes. You are forgetting 1 key fact - not everyone has the same eyes. Tons of guys online complain about not being able to use aimpoints either.

I really like the Mepro. To me, it is an almost perfect sight, as it is battery free and does everything I want. I've tried it in different environments, and I am VERY satisfied with it compared to the RX30 and the previous Mepro version. To make it completely wash out takes some unusual circumstances IMHO.

I also feel like I have to "search" for the reticle when I use a 4 MOA Aimpoint. The eotech is the quickest to me, but this Mepro has a 13 MOA triangle. It's slightly bigger than the average "dot," and I really like it.

And to me - I do get the feeling of :looking down a tube" on the Aimpoints.