Good optics on a rifle can make all the difference. It could make the difference between life and death when you need a target to stop immediately. In a law enforcement or a military context that is. A cheap and lackluster sight could fail, taking the ultimate price with it. That is why the American military is one of Trijicon’s main contractors. They deliver quality and reliability above all else.
It’s truly stunning how much firearms optics technologies developed over the past decade. With the miniaturization of electronics, we can witness that the clarity of optical lenses is rapidly increasing. Although the Trijicon MRO didn’t bring anything new to the table, it has become a powerful competitor on the market. It’s 579$ price tag definitely reflects that.
Thanks to the MRO’s outstanding performance and affordable price, more and more shooters started using it. This sight allows you to hit your target accurately from any position. You can lean over with your knees and gun on the ground without the stock even touching your shoulder. It would still be an optimal position to hit your target if you have the Trijicon MRO on your gun.
In this review, we’ll look at what exactly this new red dot sight holds for you. I’ll go into the most important details such as its specifications, along with possible applications and features. After you’re done reading this review, you’ll have a solid idea of whether this product fits your optics requirements.
About MRO’s Manufacturer – Trijicon
Trijicon is a famous American manufacturer and distributor of optical sighting devices for firearms. They offer sights for rifles, shotguns, and pistols. The company specializes in night sights self-luminous optics, taking them to new heights every year. Most of their optics use light-gathering fiber optics, radioactive isotope tritium and batteries of course.
Furthermore, Trijicon is one of the US Military’s main supplier of optical sights. They provide the military with RXO1 reflex sights and ACOG accessories. The optics Trijicon manufactures are available for everyone from civilian markets, law enforcement to the military.
First Look at the Trijicon MRO (Miniature Rifle Optic)
The MRO comes with mounting brackets of three different heights. These are the lower 1/3 co-witness, co-witness and low. You can easily fit it to your head position, and it will also match right up to a standard arm mount. Though there are a number of aftermarket mounts available for it as well.
Mounting the MRO is profoundly simple, and you’ll have all the tools for it right out of the box. There is also a simplified user’s manual that will ensure that even dummies can do the job right. It shouldn’t take you more than five minutes to mount it and start shooting. As far as I can tell, you can use it on 223, 7.62×39 and 9mm carbines.
This compact dot sight has three main adjustments. These adjustments are the elevation, winge and brightness. Zeroing it is made incredibly simple. You just have to take a tiny flathead screwdriver and adjust the dot according to your point of aim and point of impact. Adjusting the winge and elevation is smooth, simple and shockingly accurate.
The Light
The Trijicon MRO features a 2-MOA dot, which makes aiming incredibly easy. It doesn’t cover up too much of the target at a range where you’re unlikely to use a magnified optic. Also, the MRO’s field of view is 44% larger than that of similar products, thanks to the 22 mm lens.
For the brightness, you have eight different illumination positions along with two off positions. Among these two are night vision. Even though the scope is tinted, it’s almost impossible to notice it while you are looking through the scope outdoors. Trijicon added the right amount of light on both directions. Also, they have found the sweet spot in how much light it allows to enter the optic.
They did this by enlarging the front lens to maximize light transmission. This additional light creates an outstanding sight picture. There isn’t any noticeable distortion whatsoever.
However, I suggest that you dial the brightness back one or two ticks and use as little light as possible. The dot looks a lot crisper that way, but this is only a personal preference. Note that you can’t feel those ticks too well, and it’s easy to move more ticks than you wished.
The Build
The MRO has forged 7075 aluminum housing which is the same material that the combat-proven ACOG has. It also carries a 70 MOA of total adjustment. You can also move the winge and elevation adjustments by using the rim of the cartridge case. It doesn’t require any special tools or anything.
Now, we haven’t run the MRO over with a tank to test its durability. But since it’s made of combat-proven material and Trijicon hasn’t failed the military yet, we can make an accurate assumption. This device will definitely be able to withstand just about any terrain and force you put up against it.
You can even use it underwater as it is waterproof. It can handle being dropped on concrete several times without any problems. Simple things like pressing the sight against a tree or a wall to gain a steady aim won’t scratch it. Also, it will handle any spilled soda or ketchup you expose it to on the shooting range. Life can get tough there.
When it comes to how long you can use it, there’s no need to worry. In short, the MRO will most probably outlast you, because this little thing is tough and durable. The sight’s CR2032 battery won’t run out of juice any time soon. It will last about five years if you use it on the ’’3” brightness setting. It is held inside the rheostat on top of the MRO. That is a great position for it because it allows several advantages.
The shooter can maintain his firing grip on the rifle while he’s adjusting the illumination. The support hand can easily reach on top of the sight and turn it to the required setting.
Using the MRO
The MRO just works, plain and simple. The picture it gives is crisp clear with no noticeable distortion. You can use it laying on the ground, standing on your knees or your head. It doesn’t matter, your shots will be more accurate than before. That is if your eyes are working properly too. A lot of people mistakenly think that their sight is distorting their vision while it’s actually their eye.
I can’t say whether it’s the perfect red dot sight or not, but it does everything I want from a sight. It provides the perfect 2-MOA aiming circle and holds a zero. What more would you want? It’s reliable, has plenty of adjustments and can withstand the pressure.
Conclusion
You can forget about iron sights and welcome one of the latest marvels of optical sight technology. This product represents why the US military has Trijicon making its sights. Now, civilian shooters can enjoy night vision as well, and they love it.
The MRO’s MOA dot is small and sharp, perfect for both long-distance and close-quarters shooting. With definitive brightness settings and adjustable winge and elevation, nothing stopping you from taking the most accurate shots. No optic can be truly perfect, but this one definitely does what it’s meant to do.
