When looking for the best option for target shooting, hunting, and competitions, it can be challenging to find which features make the ideal reflex sight.

While you can compare each component, you also need to assess how it operates in the field.

In this guide, we’ll look at which performs better between the Trijicon MRO and the Aimpoint PRO.

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Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO

We know not everyone has time to read through a long article. Here’s a quick showdown of the Trijicon MRO versus the Aimpoint PRO.

Trijicon MRO	Aimpoint PRO
Pros	Pros
Larger viewing area with reduced tube effect Ambi-dexterous brightness dial Durable forged 7075 housing Multi-coated lense High-quality	High-strength aluminum housing Includes flip-up lens covers 4 night -vision settings 6 daylight settings
Cons	Cons
Blurry magnification	Bulkier and heavier Only basic features
Best For	Best For
The MRO is best suited for target shooting, hunting, and short-barrel rifles.	The PRO is best suited for hunting, long rifles, and carbines.

Relevant Specs: Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO

Here’s a quick comparison overview of the specs for Trijicon MRO and Aimpoint PRO, followed by a rundown of the significant aspects of each feature.

Specs	Trijicon MRO	Aimpoint PRO
Versions Available	Red Dot Reflex Sight (RDRS) Patrol Red Dot Sight (PRDS) Green Dot Reflex Sight (GDRS) MRO HD	PRO 12841
Weight (oz)	RDRS: 4.1 PRDS: 5.1 GDRS: 4.1 HD: 4.6	7.8
Battery Type	CR2032	DL1/3N
Brightness Settings/Colors	RDRS: 10 - red PRDS: 10 - red GDRS: 10 - green HD: 16 - red	10 - red
Dimensions	RDRS: 2.6 in x 1.7 in x 2 in PRDS: 4.1 in x 1.8 in x 2.0 in GDRS: 2.6 in x 1.7 in x 2 in HD: 2.9 in x 1.7 in x 2 in	4.5 in x 2.2 in x 2.2 in
Objective Lens Size	25mm	23mm
Dot MOA Size(s)	2.0	2.0
Windage/Elevation Adjustment Resolution	0.5 MOA	0.5 MOA
Windage/Elevation Adjustment Range	70 MOA total travel	0.6 inches at 100 yds (*as per manufacturer's specs)
Night Vision Capable?	Yes	Yes
Auto On/Off?	Yes	Yes
Waterproof?	Yes (100 ft.)	Yes (150 ft.)

Weight

You don’t want a rifle that weighs too much, as it can be more challenging to handle. Scopes add to the overall weight, which may affect how it operates in the line of fire. However, the weight helps with reducing recoil, making it easier to shoot and remain on target.

Lightweight scopes fall below 10 oz., while standard ones are between 10 and 16 oz. Both optics are reasonable in this category.

Battery Type

Red dot sights rely on battery power to remain lit. The life expectancy is between three to five years if left continuously on, and that’s if you have a battery with extensive reliability. You don’t want a power source that suddenly fails after a few months during a hunt.

You should get a reliable battery. The Trijicon and the Aimpoint use reliable batteries, but there’s a two-year difference in the life expectancy of these.

Brightness Settings/Colors

Many experts state that the green dots perform better at night, while the red gives a sharper view during the day. Of course, it helps if there are several brightness settings you can play with until you find the one that suits you best during any given situation.

The Aimpoint offers 6 daylight and 4 night vision settings while the Trijicon offers 8 settings in total, with only two of those being night vision. This means that the Aimpoint is a better choice if you’re primarily using your weapon at night.

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Dimensions

The scope dimensions are measured in length, height, and width. While many choose sizes based on preference and design, all of these units contribute toward the overall weight of the gun.

You’ll also need to measure it against your firearm to ensure it fits properly. The Trijicon and Aimpoint are both relatively compact.

Objective Lens Size

The lens at the scope’s end helps transmit light for a better view. The larger the objective lens, the clearer the image will be. However, a massive size can add additional weight, will have more light reflection, and needs taller rings.

Dot MOA Size(s)

Minute of Angle measures accuracy for 1” per 100 yards. It’s also used to measure the angular units in a circle. In this context, the Dot MOA refers to the diameter of the red or green dot when it touches an object at a specific distance. The larger the number, the bigger the surface area it covers on the target.

Windage/Elevation Adjustment Resolution

There are usually two turrets or dial adjusters to cater for windage and elevation. When it comes to resolution, a fraction of a click is usually enough to improve the resolution or reticle. While some people refer to it as ¼ or ½ a click, others state it as 0.25 or 0.5.

Both optics offer adequate adjustment ranges and you’ll need to make your decision based on the application you’ll be using your sight for.

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Windage/Elevation Adjustment Range

This refers to the total travel the scope allows for windage and elevation. The windage aspect is more important for hunting than windage as 1m of elevation is sufficient.

When it comes to tactical uses, elevation becomes essential and a scope with at least 20 clicks is preferred. In this instance, the Trijicon is a better choice.

Night Vision Capability

If you’re planning to use your rifle at night, you’ll need to ensure that the scope is capable of night vision mode. Sometimes when the manufacturer lists brightness settings, 80% of them are for daylight, while the other 20% is reserved for the night.

You’ll want to ensure that you can clearly see in the dark. This is where the Aimpoint Pro is a better selection, with two more night vision settings than the Trijicon.

Auto On/Off

Some scopes have a setting that lets it automatically turn on or off. While the battery is designed to last several years while permanently on, some people prefer to prolong its life expectancy with an auto-off function.

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Waterproofing

Of course, no one plans to submerge a scope in water. Sometimes, it may suddenly rain or you may accidentally drop it in liquid. Waterproofing shields the lenses and inner workings from water damage.

The manufacturer may indicate the depth at which it can survive before complete failure. They may even mention chemical resistance. The Aimpoint is designed to withstand liquid mishaps and is, therefore, a good choice for outdoor use during various types of weather.

Key Differences Between Trijicon MRO and Aimpoint PRO

The Trijicon MRO and Aimpoint PRO certainly have several common features between them. For instance, the dot MOA size, windage/elevation adjustment resolution, night vision capability, and automated on/off function are the same. However, there are few differences that set them apart that you might want to evaluate.

Advantages of Trijicon MRO

The MRO offers a larger, clearer objective lens for improved image targeting over long distances.
You’ll find numerous models available as opposed to the single PRO version, providing more of a selection.
Even with so many versions available, they are all at least half the weight of the PRO so that you don’t add too much to the firearm.
You’ll have more daylight brightness settings at your disposal, amounting to eight for the standard scopes and 16 for the HD model.
The scope has a CR2032 Lithium battery with a life expectancy of five years, while the MRO’s DL1/3N only lasts for three.

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Advantages of Aimpoint PRO

While the MRO wins the daylight challenge, it only has two night mode brightness levels as opposed to the PRO’s four.

Both brands have waterproofing, but the PRO can go down to 150 ft., which is 50 ft. greater than the MRO and makes it ideal for rugged conditions.
The PRO wins when it comes to glass clarity, providing you with a pristine image.
This scope is the preferred choice for law enforcement, as it has more extensive versatility for carbines, rifles, and similar long firearms.

Use Case Comparison: Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO

While it’s beneficial to analyze each component, you also need to look at it from a holistic point of view. We’ll look at how each scope performs under specific conditions, giving you an overview of which aspects you should be looking at for the bigger picture.

For this purpose, we’ll compare the Trijicon MRO and Aimpoint PRO for target shooting, competitions, and hunting.

Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO: Target Shooting

The first aspect to consider for target shooting is parallax error. The smaller the margin, the more accurate the target acquisition where fast draws are involved. It’s also ideal if you’re shooting from an angle, but you’ll want as little error as possible for an excellent round of target shooting.

Both reflex sights have minor red dot parallax error, which means you can comfortably head out to the shooting range for outstanding performance. However, the PRO reveals a smaller margin for error. Whether that makes a difference to your results depends on how well you handle your weapon.

On the other hand, the MRO has a larger objective lens, increasing the field of view. You’ll pick up your target faster with a clearer image. It also helps that there are more brightness settings available and numerous mounting options, while the PRO only has a stock mount.

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Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO: Competitions

Of course, taking the right reflex sight to competitions is a different matter altogether. You’ll want to keep your rifles light in weight while also ensuring that the scope fits the correct firearms. In effect, you’ll want the one that gives you an edge over your opponents.

The PRO is generally suitable for use on carbines and rifles, while the MRO focuses on short-barrel rifles, personal defense guns, and close-range firearms. The MRO has a higher failure rate at competitions. Besides having a better track record, the PRO also has reliable durability over the long run.

When looking at the MRO’s top features, it has a crisper red dot that will make target acquisition easier. Due to the scope’s design, it’s suited for left- and right-handed shooters, enhancing its application. Furthermore, its warranty covers occupational and competitive use.

The PRO’s warranty is mostly for civilian use. Its weight adds bulk to the rifle, which may affect the handling during competitions. Sadly, the PRO is also made from the weaker 6061 (T6) aluminum, making it less sturdy.

Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO: Hunting

When you’re planning to go hunting, you’ll look at different aspects than competitions and target shooting. You’ll encounter environmental hazards and distractions, such as windage, elevation, and water. Whether you hunt during the day or night is another consideration, as well as the variety of models for different applications.

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Hunting is where the PRO’s double weight comes into play. You’ll have less recoil and there’s less error over longer distances. There are extra night vision brightness settings, making it ideal for dark scavenger hunts. The waterproofing is sturdier, going down to 150 ft. instead of the MRO’s 100 ft.

The MRO’s mounting and model options are an advantage once again and are better suited for the day for brightness settings. It also has a more reliable battery, providing that comfort when you spend a few days in the wild. There’s also a green dot scope version if you want to save battery life.

Final Thoughts: Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO

Now that we’ve completed our lengthy discussion, can we pick a winner? We know everyone has a personal preference, but some attributes make one stand out from the other. Let’s take a look at each category to see which one wins the medal.

Target Shooting: Trijicon MRO | Aimpoint PRO

The Trijicon MRO has several features that make target acquisition faster and more reliable. For instance, the objective lens is larger for a clearer image, and you’ll have multiple more versions available to test before going to competitions or hunting. The extra daylight brightness settings also help to see what you’re aiming at in the distance.

Competitions: Trijicon MRO | Aimpoint PRO

The Aimpoint PRO certainly has a better track record when it comes to competitions. Perhaps it's the heavier weight or the singular stock mount, reducing the recoil during the action. While it may be limited with mounting and version numbers, you’re assured of reliable performance.

Hunting: Trijicon MRO | Aimpoint PRO

There’s a close call for hunting. While the PRO has more night settings and better waterproofing, it just isn’t enough to take the win. The Trijicon MRO’s crisp dot, larger objective lens, mounting versatility, more extensive warranty, and long battery life are all factors that make it the preferred option.