What’s the difference between the Aimpoint ACO vs Aimpoint PRO optics?
I wanted to find out, so I bought both red dot sights and hand-tested everything:
- Reticle
- Durability
- Battery life
- Field of view
- And so much more
By the end of this Aimpoint ACO vs Aimpoint PRO comparison review, you’ll know which red dot is best for you.
Let’s get started!
Quick Comparison Table
Features | Aimpoint ACO | Aimpoint PRO |
|---|---|---|
MOA | 2 MOA | 2 MOA |
Battery Life | 10,000 Hours | 30,000 Hours |
Eye Relief | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Weight | 7.8 ounces | 11.6 ounces |
Brightness Settings | 10 | 10 |
Average Price | $400 | $500+ |
Aimpoint ACO vs Aimpoint PRO Review
If you’re looking for a new red dot sight because you’re tired of your iron sights, you probably want high-quality parts like me. Aimpoint has some of the best red dots on the market, but I couldn’t decide between two.
I was able to get my hands on the Aimpoint Carbine Optic ACO and the Aimpoint PRO optic. The Aimpoint ACO is meant for civilian use while the PRO is built tougher for military and law enforcement.
After putting in some time at the range with each, both are fantastic optics for their value. To find out if you should invest in an Aimpoint Carbine Optic ACO or the PRO red dot, let’s get started!
Glass Clarity & Reticle
There are several similarities between the two optics, like the 38 mm objective lens.
Both have a 2 MOA red dot reticle that helps with accuracy, too.
My Aimpoint ACO came with a multi-coated lens that kept glare from being an issue.
I was able to hit targets at 150 yards with ease and didn’t have issues when I pushed to 200 yards.
For a red dot meant for civilian use, I was impressed at the accuracy and lens quality.
Then I mounted the PRO and saw the difference.
I had a clear sight picture with the PRO red dot sight, even with night vision engaged.
This one has the multi-coated lens, too, which stopped glare and reflections from wreaking havoc.
The Aimpoint PRO has a 1x magnification that didn’t change my brightness setting.
I also loved that it was parallax-free, so the reticle was always centered. That extra magnification boosted my accuracy even more at the longer ranges.
Winner: Aimpoint PRO. While both red dot sights were great at close-range all the way to 150-200 yards, the Aimpoint PRO exceeded expectations. I liked that 1x magnification a lot and being night vision compatible is always a plus.
Battery Life
Both Aimpoint optics came with a battery, but one battery life lasts significantly longer. The Aimpoint PRO has a 2L76 battery that has a battery life of 30,000 hours without pause.
To save you from the math, that’s at least 3 years of battery life if you never turned it off!
I can imagine how handy that would be on a mission, but the Aimpoint ACO battery life is no slouch.
I could run my Aimpoint Carbine Optic ACO at a higher brightness level for 10,000 or more hours with its lithium-ion battery life. It may not be 3 years, but my Aimpoint ACO lasts a long time!
Winner: Aimpoint PRO. 10,000 hours of battery life will get you a lot of use, but it can’t compete with 30,000 straight hours. Considering the night vision of the Aimpoint PRO, too, that kind of battery life is useful.
Eye Relief & Eye Box
Because the Aimpoint PRO and the Aimpoint Carbine Optic ACO are both red dot sights, they have unlimited eye relief.
I had no problems seeing through the lens at any length and it didn’t affect the sight picture.
Winner: Both. I have no issues with eye relief when I use my Aimpoint ACO or my PRO.
Durability & Weight
I can always count on Aimpoint red dot sights for high-quality components and they didn’t let me down.
The legendary Aimpoint quality is delivered with aircraft-grade aluminum, so they can take a beating.
You won’t find many civilian red dot sights of this caliber. My Aimpoint ACO is matte black and wicks off moisture like nothing.
The Aimpoint ACO is waterproof, scratch-proof, and shock-proof, so it’s nearly indestructible.
I put it to the test by dropping it and it was unscathed. It only weighs 7.8 ounces, too, so it’s not much on my modern sporting rifles.
One drawback I noticed was that my Aimpoint ACO isn’t fog-proof. Humidity clouded it up a little, but the unlimited eye relief kept me from breathing on the Aimpoint ACO.
Another issue I have is that my Aimpoint ACO doesn’t have lens covers.
This leaves my Aimpoint ACO exposed to the elements, while my PRO’s lens covers keep it protected.
My Aimpoint PRO weighs slightly more than the Aimpoint Carbine Optic ACO at 11.6 ounces, but it still wasn’t noticeable.
Like the Aimpoint ACO, it’s scratch-proof, shock-proof, and waterproof to almost 50 meters.
I never had problems with dust or dirt getting on the lens.
One additional pro to the PRO is that it’s fog-proof, which was awesome.
Winner: Aimpoint PRO. Both optics are built to last and have a lot of positive design features, but no fog is nice. It’s a little heavier, but fog-proof and waterproof to 45 meters gives it an edge.
Windage, Elevation, & Brightness Knob
Both of my Aimpoint red dot sights had covered windage and elevation knobs.
To adjust them, I just took off the cap and used the adjustment tool.
I did love how much control I had over the adjustments.
Each click was a half inch at 100 yards, so my accuracy was solid. Even the brightness levels are similar!
They both have 10 levels of brightness in total. The Aimpoint ACO has 9 settings with a tenth for shooting in borderline darkness.
The Aimpoint PRO has 6 levels for daytime and 4 for night.
However, the Aimpoint PRO also has night vision to shoot in full darkness.
Winner: Aimpoint PRO. The number of brightness levels are equal, but the night vision capability in the PRO gives it an advantage.
Mounting
My Aimpoint optics came ready to mount right out of the box.
Both of them use a Picatinny rail fixed mount that’s low-profile.
I had no trouble mounting or zeroing either red dot sight.
Winner: Both. After I mounted them, the low profile let me keep my peripheral vision.
Price
One of the bigger separations between the Aimpoint Carbine Optic ACO and the Aimpoint PRO is the average cost. I was able to find an Aimpoint ACO red dot on Amazon for $400 while my PRO was over $450.
- Aimpoint quality and performance at an entry-level price
- 2 MOA red dot with 9 low light through daylight brightness settings
- Includes TNP rail mount configured for absolute co-witness with standard height sights
- 2 MOA red dot
- Battery life 30,000 hours (over 3 years) of constant operation with one battery on setting 6
- Battery type: DL1/3N battery (battery included); 10 brightness settings
The entry-level price point varied, but the average was between $50-100 price difference. One thing that I love, though, is the Aimpoint warranty.
If you’re using your optic for professional use, like military, you have a 2-year warranty. Civilian and personal use gets a full 10-year warranty from the day I bought my red dot sights.
Winner: Aimpoint ACO. Not only was my Aimpoint ACO $50 less than the PRO, but the warranty is 5 times longer.
Aimpoint ACO vs Aimpoint PRO: Which Red Dot is Better?
Because the Aimpoint Carbine Optic and the Aimpoint PRO are designed for two different uses, it’s hard to choose a winner.
My Aimpoint ACO is perfect for what I need it for.
- Aimpoint quality and performance at an entry-level price
- 2 MOA red dot with 9 low light through daylight brightness settings
- Includes TNP rail mount configured for absolute co-witness with standard height sights
The Aimpoint ACO is accurate at 150 yards, built solid, and the battery holds out. However, if I had to choose, the Aimpoint PRO is clearly better.
It may cost a little extra, but the features speak for themselves.
You get the added benefit of a fog-proof lens, 1x magnification, and 20,000 or more hours of continuous use.
That’s a no-brainer, but that’s why the PRO has its name.
FAQ
The Aimpoint PRO has a 2 MOA red dot reticle that’s parallax-free. The Aimpoint Carbine Optic ACO is also 2 MOA.
Both the Aimpoint ACO and the Aimpoint PRO are night-vision compatible. While the Aimpoint Carbine Optic ACO has a low-light brightness setting, the Aimpoint PRO has actual night-vision for night-time situations.
The Aimpoint PRO also has a battery life that will give you 30,000 hours of continuous use over the 10,000 hours of an Aimpoint Carbine Optic ACO.
Aimpoint handmakes all of their high-quality optics in Sweden.
Certainly not trying to be a dick, because I really appreciate the info and thought it was a thorough comparison, but 1x magnification is no magnification. Think of it like multiplying by 1. 10x is ten times magnified and 1x is one. 1 x non-magnified image = non-magnified image.