This is the only Sig Sauer Romeo 4 vs. Romeo 5 review you’ll ever have to read.
In fact:
I bought both red dot sights and hand-tested everything: battery life, durability, reticle, accuracy, mounting, and so much more.
By the end of this review, you’ll know which red dot is for you.
Let’s get started!
Sig Sauer Romeo 4
The Sig Sauer Romeo 4 is a full package (with a full price tag).
Forged out of aluminum, this rugged optic offers quality performance and tons of add-ons.
It has 1X magnification and a 20mm objective lens, making it superb for encounters within 100 yards.
You can choose from a ballistic circle dot (circle with a dot in the center) or a ballistic circle quadplex (cross hairs added into the circle).
You also have four options to choose from with the reticle. You can switch between dot, circle-dot, dot with holds, or circle-dot with holds.
The optic is also small and allows for unlimited eye relief (Just like the Fastfire 3 and Venom red dots).
The sight is 2 MOA and can be adjusted easily. The amount of options for the reticle and the ease of adjusting makes this a great optic if you are trying to hit closer to the 100-yard mark.
Speaking of close-range shooting, I wrote an in-depth guide on the top red dot sights on the market.
The power system on this optic is what is impressive. It’s solar operated in high light areas and battery-powered in low light or night settings.
This means the battery will last up to 100,000 hours depending on the environment and settings you use.
It even comes with 8 daylight settings and 2 night vision settings for versatility.
In addition, it comes with MOTAC (motion activation illumination). This feature turns the optic on when it senses motion and shuts off when it’s idle for 10 minutes. This helps conserve battery life for even longer.
Even though there is a lot of tech in this optic, it is rugged and durable. It’s IPX-7 rated, meaning its waterproof in up to one meter of water.
It also is fog proof and has fixed lens caps. The lens caps are transparent and do not have to be flipped up when in use.
This allows for use in rougher environments, whether it be heavy rain, snow, hot, or cold. Not only is it rugged, but it attaches easily to most firearms with picatinny rails.
- Solar powered red dot sight with 100,000+ battery life
- 2 MOA Red Dot Ballistic Circle Dot
- Designed for modern semi-automatic pistols, MSR platforms and shotguns
There are a lot of frills on the Romeo 4, but let’s look at its little brother…
Sig Sauer Romeo 5
The Sig Sauer Romeo 5 may not be as loaded as the Romeo 4, but it comes with a more affordable price.
This is made from aluminum as well and has 1X magnification with a 20mm objective lens. This is great for shooting within 100 yards.
The reticle is one fixed dot that is 2 MOA and is adjustable. This optic is smaller than the Romeo 4 and allows for unlimited eye relief.
There are 10 illumination settings to choose from, 2 of which are night vision. It comes with MOTAC to help save the battery life. Depending on the setting used, the battery could last up to 50,000 hours.
That’s crazy because the battery life on my EOTech 512 holographic sight is around 1,000 hours.
Like its counterpart, the Romeo 5 comes IPX-7 rated and fog proof for superior performance in all terrains.
- ROMEO5 GUN SIGHT - The ROMEO5 1X20mm Red Dot Sight mounts on any platform, and even though it's small, it's tough; The solid, lightweight aluminum design gives peak performance & years of service, so...
- 2 MOA RED-DOT - For those avid shooters who admire classic red dot reticles on their gun sights, the Romeo5 has 2-MOA Red-Dot, which is also adjustable; It provides 10 illumination settings (8...
- MOTAC TECH - The versatile ROMEO5 red dot sight features our Motion Activated Illumination technology; It is developed to increase battery life by shutting down the system when not in use and...
With all that said…
Which is better Sig Sauer Romeo 4 or Sig Sauer Romeo 5?
It boils down to application.
If you’re looking for a solid beginner’s red dot sight that’s great for range plinking, close-range shooting or for defensive use, get the Sig Suaer Romeo 5.
- ROMEO5 GUN SIGHT - The ROMEO5 1X20mm Red Dot Sight mounts on any platform, and even though it's small, it's tough; The solid, lightweight aluminum design gives peak performance & years of service, so...
- 2 MOA RED-DOT - For those avid shooters who admire classic red dot reticles on their gun sights, the Romeo5 has 2-MOA Red-Dot, which is also adjustable; It provides 10 illumination settings (8...
- MOTAC TECH - The versatile ROMEO5 red dot sight features our Motion Activated Illumination technology; It is developed to increase battery life by shutting down the system when not in use and...
However, if you’re an experienced red dot user that’s looking for a more premium red dot sight, get the Sig Sauer Romeo 4. It has more practical uses (i.e. hunting, patrol, etc.) and will give you more versatility at different ranges.
- Solar powered red dot sight with 100,000+ battery life
- 2 MOA Red Dot Ballistic Circle Dot
- Designed for modern semi-automatic pistols, MSR platforms and shotguns
In short:
You get what you pay for. The bigger your budget, the more you get in the Romeo series.
After all, Sig is a well-known and trusted manufacturer. Both optics are made out of aluminum, mount easily with picatinny rails, and offer 10 illumination settings.
Regardless of which you choose, you will still have a sturdy optic.
That said, I’d like to hear from you:
Which red dot optic will you choose? A Sig Sauer Romeo 4 or a Romeo 5? Either way, let me know in the comments down below.
Also, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly riflescope that is capable of shooting short-to-long range distances, check out my Vortex Crossfire vs. Diamondback review.
I really like the Romeo5 on my AK-47. I just purchased a Sig Rattler and wondered if I should invest the $400 for a Romeo4 or $150 for another Romeo5.
Hey Walt, the Romeo5 is a proven pick. It’s reliable, clear, rugged and most importantly…affordable. And you said it yourself: You have a Romeo5 on your AK-47 and love it.
So it’s definitely a great choice if you’re on a budget.
However, if you’re comfortable spending $400 on an optic, then go for the Romeo 4. It’s lightweight, compact, has stunning clarity and super easy to sight in.
Hope this helps!
My Rattler came with a Romeo4t, I like it quite a bit more than my Romeo 5.
Could you cover which version of each of the Romeo4 or Romeo5’s is better, as there are several versions of each.
Thanks for your reviews. I found them to be informative and helpful. I went with the basic Romeo5, but looking for future too.
I’m currently looking at the Romeo 5 TDR. I like the AAA battery convince, as well as the 65 moa ring for reaching out and touching someone(thing) 😎👍
Why is there no green dot????
Take a look at the Sig Sauer Romeo5 XDR Predator.
There is. The Romeo 5 Predator model.
No reason to buy a Romeo 4 when the Romeo 5 XDR is available on 1 AAA with MOTAC. Aesthetics all that is left.
Romeo 5 now on sale at Cabela’s-$99.00
I have a romeo 4 and also a 5. The 4 just seems to me to be better for the money. I can’t really tell that much difference in the two. Im getting ready to purchase a new romeo 4 for my newest build.
I have three Romeo 4s and a Romeo 5 that I just got for my Sig Sauer 522 (.22LR). The 5 preforms great, it comes close to equaling the 4 at fraction the cost! The 5 is great value in red dot from first class company, especially for a more modest price gun, or one to be used at shorter range like a pistol caliber or an AK.
Have several R5s. Being on a budget the 5s really work great. Great product from Sig. If I had unlimited funds probably go to the 4. But the 5s are great. Have them on 2-556s, 300 BO and a M1A. Also have a Romeo zero on a XDM pistol. Great sight for pistols. No issues with any. I did see a torture test online for a R5 and its super rugged. Frozen, dropped, shot-Still worked, still held zero. Love the MOTAC and long battery life.
If I have $400 to spend on an optic, I’ll kick in the extra $50 and get an Aimpoint PRO. I’ve been running Aimpoints since the Comp M hit the market and I believe that their isn’t a better RDS.
The quick disconnect mount is a key feature for me on the 4. I have four of the 4s and 2 of the 5s. I like them all, but love having the quick disconnect feature.
You can put a UTG 5-slot QD lever mount under the Romeo5. Relatively inexpensive but very well made for the price. Put their 3-slot version under a Holosun open reflex with tall riser on a 7.5″ AR pistol build and very happy with it. On the Sig it’s about the same as putting in the additional short riser. I don’t worry about co-witness with iron sights on a pistol build – indeed no BUIS given the proposed ATF4999 that’s imminent. Was watching the sales patiently and snagged the circle dot XDR with AAA on deep discount.
I have two Romeo 5’so”s one on an AK and a carbine lever 44 mag. I use them both inside 100 yards and feel confidant. I didn’t feel the need to spend more.. I paid $120×2=$240 and It gave me what I needed. I have experience with one company I was not happy with and that was Crimson Trace. I had issues with there quality and reliability. I didn’t mean to get off on a tagent.
I have the Romeo5 XDR (which I love) for half the price of the 4t and with a lot of the same features. The reticles are the same. Both have the MOTAC feature. The 4t has backup solar panels, but the battery life on a cheap AAA battery is years long on the XDR maybe not 100,000 hrs. The 4t has an upgraded body design. So, what is the main advantage(s) of the 4t over the XDR? Perhaps you could add your reply to the above narrative. I honestly would love to know.