Primary Arms’ Newest Micro Dot: 50K Hours, Only $150!

Primary Arms has an updated Micro Dot, the MD-RB-AD. It promises battery life and performance in the range of Aimpoint’s red dots at a fraction of the cost. Testing will prove how well the new red dot will really handle but at this price no one will complain.

And while the Primary Arms Micro Dot isn’t necessarily intended to compete with Aimpoint’s offerings, it’s hard not to make some comparisons.

The new Micro Dot features a rotary power dial with 11 power levels and a nominal 50,000-hour battery life. That’s on one CR2032 cell. It’s a compact and light red dot sight with a sharp 2 MOA dot built into a machined alloy housing. It’s 2.5 inches long and weighs 5.4 ounces including the battery.

With the money you save with Primary Arms you could probably afford a complete new rifle. (Photo: P.A.)

The MD-RB-AD Micro Dot has a pretty eye-popping retail price of $149. That includes an integral Picatinny mount that can be swapped out for Aimpoint-compatible risers as well. Primary Arms even bundles the new the MD-RB-AD with risers, making it that much more of a bargain.

The the MD-RB-AD is night-vision compatible with two extra low-power settings. And the knob latches into the off position to guarantee power cutoff. The red dot is windage- and elevation-adjustable in 1 MOA increments.

The housing body of the scope is 6061 aluminum which combines strength with weight savings. The glass is fully multicoated to provide clarity even in low-light situations.

Improvements over the previous generation include a new rubber O-ring assembly for better waterproofing and aluminum, not plastic covers over the windage and elevation knobs. Also included with every MD-RB-AD is a set of bikini covers for the lenses.

And while the scope itself is not magnified it’s compatible with a wide range of magnifiers. Believe it or not, Primary Arms offers a range of magnifiers as well. Even fully loaded with extras and fancy mounts a MD-RB-AD costs less than any Aimpoint Micro by itself.

Still, that doesn’t mean that the MD-RB-AD is a true Aimpoint competitor. For instance, it’s only waterproof at 1 meter for up to 30 minutes, compared to Aimpoint’s entry-level model at 5 meters. But that’s enough to withstand a complete dunk in a river or a nasty storm.

See Also: Primary Arms Platinum Scopes Are Here and Looking Good

Even if the MD-RB-AD can’t take as much of a beating as an Aimpoint optic, even if it’s not as clear, bright or sharp, and even if it doesn’t really have the same battery life, that’s perfectly acceptable.

The thing about these Primary Arms Micro Dots is that they don’t have to compete with Aimpoint. They’re not meant for special forces. They’re meant for people who want an affordable optic they can trust to come on and stay on when they need it, whether that’s for competition, hunting or self-defense. And in the case of problems, they are backed by Primary Arms’ lifetime warranty.

For several years now Primary Arms has been able to deliver solid and extremely affordable optics with ever-improving features and build quality. The MD-RB-AD is another step in the right direction for Primary Arms, and just in time for the holidays.