The EoTech has 20 daylight and 10 NVD brightness settings versus the Aimpoint
6 daylight and 4 NVD brightness settings. If you do not have a NVD (Night Vision
Device), having the additional daylight brightness settings of the EoTech can
be an advantage. These additional daylight settings give you the ability to
crank down the recticle so you can just see it against a dark target at night
with smaller steps in which to adjust the recticle brightness. Finally for me,
the EoTech 1 MOA dot with a 65 MOA circle is easier to pick up at night under
low light conditions, especially when speed is important.
For CQB (Close Quarters Battle) I prefer the better peripheral view given by
the EoTech. Its just easier to see around the EoTech window than looking down
the tube of the Aimpoint. If I was doing entry, or going door to door I would
give the EoTech some serious consideration.
Since EoTech has added its 3X magnifier you can switch back between close range and extended distances.. EoTech has better peripheral view, especially
appreciated during entry or door to door, and its 20 daylight settings when
you do not have access to NVD gear.
Red Dot Sights review (EoTech, BSA PMRS, PMDS, RD & Barska)
EoTech
512.A65 HOLOgraphic 30 x 23mm apeture, has 20 position brightness control,
65MOA ring with 1MOA aiming dot (dot covers about 1 inch at 100 yards for precision
work, and the 65MOA ring for fast target acquisition at close range, weight
at 11 ounces. This military grade sight is waterproof to 10 feet and will handle
a drop from 10 feet with holding zero to 2MOA. Its fog proof and uses standard
AA batteries for over 1100 hours of operation. The 20 position brightness control
gives you the best adjustment range available. From dark to sunlight on snow,
there is a setting that will work. You can adjust the reticle low enough that
if you have the lights on in a room at night it will take your eyes awhile to
adjust to the lowest settings available after you switch the lights off. The
flip side is that extreme situation sunlight on snow, you go to one of the higher
settings and the reticle will not be washed out. You can not co-witness iron
sights, but 1100 hours of battery operation, and auto shut off after 4 or 8
hours covers you. EoTech 552.A65 same features as the 512.A65
plus night vision compatible with 10 distinct night vision settings, and waterproof
to 33 feet. Solid and most durable, best performance, recent contracts to the
US Army they bought 6,000 with night vision compatibility, better value price
ratio than Aimpoint.
When you start to evaluate sights for the CX4 Storm you start to realize
that there are so many possibilities its a little overwhelming. Essentially
the CX4 Storm as a carbine (pistol cartridge) has a effective range of 100 yards
give or take something. The design of the CX4 is "is a sporting or personal
defense firearm ideal for professional use by police forces". Its light
and compact size makes it idea for tactical situations for law enforcement like
building entry, or lethal force response in confined spaces, i.e. hallways.
You can swing that CX4 around in a narrow space and land on target real fast.
So what my point? You need a sight that provides a fast sight picture and that
is where the Red Dot/Reflex sights really out perform standard scopes with magnification.
I evaluated sights from Aimpoint, BSA, Bushnell, C-More Systems, EoTech, and
Trijicon on the Beretta CX4 Storm. I dropped Aimpoint, C-More Systems, and Trijicon..
Some users have trouble getting a good sight picture with a Trijicon reflex
especially in bright light, but I love Trijicon for the no battery technology
(tritium), but not the price.
BSA
PMDS & PMRS essentially the same sight as the Hakko MKIII Sight
Bed-35. Tubless design with 33mm reflex lens aperture provides a wide field
of view, suitable for rapid target acquistion of moving targets. Multi-Dot /
Recticle 33mm apeture, 7 position brightness control. The PMDS has multi dots
with four different dot size selections; 3, 5, 8 and 10 M.O.A.dots. The PMRS
has multi reticles with a 3 M.O.A.dot, crosshair, 10 M.O.A.dot crosshair and
a 65 M.O.A.circle with a 3 M.O.A.dot.
The Reticle can be changed quickly and easily by turning the recticle knob
however the point of impact never changes. It features a panoramic view and
since you are not looking down a tube it does not hamper peripheral vision its
fast to acquire the target. The battery is a 2032 lithium cell, and will give
around 8 hours typical operation. You can not co-witness the iron sights so
you will have to remove the BSA sight if the battery would give out at a bad
time (murphy), or carry a spare battery. Supplied with a protective rubber cover.
Elegant design, good performer, and excellent value price ratio.
BSA
RD Series in 30, 42 and 50mm diameter apertures, they have 11 position
brightness control, 5MOA red dot (covers about 5 inches at 100 yards), weights
7 ounces for 30mm, 8 ounces for 42mm and finally 10 ounces for the 50mm. I like
the 50mm because I think it helps to have a large aperture to look through,
but a lot of users like the 30mm because it sets a little closer to the rail.
The 11 position brightness control gives you enough adjustment to use this sight
when its dark, you just need to have enough light to see your target. The battery
is a 2032 lithium cell, and will give around 8 hours typical operation. You
can co-witness the iron sights so you will not have to remove the BSA sight
if the battery would give out at a bad time (murphy). Solid, good performer,
and value price ratio.
Barska is probably a company that is often overlooked because of their name being unfamiliar. We started carrying some of the Barska sights and have had very good feedback from customers.
The Barska 2x30 Red Dot Scope AC11090 is a quality Red Dot Sight that features an ultra-fast target acquisition
, pinpoint accuracy and a wide field of view. The Barska 2 x 30 RedDot Scope has a 2x Magnification making it ideal for tactical shooting.
This Barska Red Dot Sight has a finger adjustable rheostat for variable reticle brightness control, anti-reflective coating, and an integrated mount for optimum performance. All Barska Red Dot Sights feature unlimited eye relief and multi-coated optics. The Barska 2x 30mm Red Dot Scope is protected by a One Year Limited Warranty.
Barska sights are built to last, and have clear easy to use optics. The 3-9x 42mm Contour Riflescope has an illuminated recticle, and provides a good value for those who need a powered sight for medium to long range shooting..
Insight Technology Tactical Lights
comments (X2L & X2 Added)
I have received a considerable number of questions from my customers
on Insight Tactical Lights. Most questions are usually to help the customer
understand the features of the various tactical lights, and which tactical
light will best suit their particular needs. The following comments are on
the three various types of tactical lights we offer.
The
M3 and other tactical lights will mount on either your handgun
(Beretta 92F adapters available) or a standard Picatinny rail system (AR15
& Beretta CX4). All of the M-series models we provide will give 90 lumens
of illumination when you need it by way of a momentary and constant on switch.
The switch is located at the end of the tactical lights and rotates in both
directions, one way is constant on, and the other is spring loaded and switches
the light off immediately when you release it.
The M3-LED provides an additional low power LED light source
with 36 hours of operating time. This has the several advantages over the
standard M3 tactical light. When you kick the 90 lumen light on you get a
very bright light source designed to give you a tactical advantage. It will
blind an individual at night time, and even during the daytime in a darken
hallway its not pleasant to look at.
The problem is when you activate that 90 lumen light you give your location
away. If you hear a thump in the night, and start 
down
the staircase with that tactical light switched on, you can literally be seen
a mile away. So the M3-LED provides an additional low power light source that
is sufficient to light your way and identify persons. You can switch on the
LED light using the mode switch, and when you push on the rotary switch the
full 90 lumen light kicks in. Its the best of both worlds, enough diffused
illumination to identify persons and move around, and instant access to the
full power of the 90 lumen light. The only choice you need to make is what
color of LED you want. I prefer the white LED, it seems the brightest of the
LED lights, and provides the most natural color which is important if you
are trying to read a map for example.
The
M6 Tactical Light with Integrated laser takes the whole concept
one step further. If you want to add a tactical laser to your weapon the M6
combines the M3 tactical light with a targeting laser. The range of the laser
is greater than 25 meters in the daytime and 400 meters at night. The mode
switch on the M6 gives you laser, light, or light and laser when you push
on the rotary switch. This is an excellent way of combining your tactical
light and laser requirements into one package since you can select the mode
of operation.
Finally, I am often asked do I need the long gun remote.
For the AR15 if you mount on a modular forearm or add a forearm rail you should
be good to go. For the Beretta CX4 If you mount the tactical lights on the
forward accessory rail that extends out from under the barrel then its definitely
more handy to use the long gun remote. If you are going to mount the tactical
light on the side rail of the Beretta CX4, its easy to switch the tactical
light on/off with your weak hand, and you would not want to use the long gun
remote.
The
X2L / X2 Tactical Light with Integrated laser, and Tactical light
only have some advantages over the M6 / M3. First the X2L has the
same laser as the M6. The tactical light output is just less than half of
the M6 / M3 at 40 lumens for both the X2L / X2. However, the beam is more
tightly focused than the M6 / M3 and carries well appearing as bright or brighter
than the M6 / M3 at typical tactical distances.
The
X2L tactical lights with integrated laser are considerably smaller than the
M6, as the X2 tactical light is compared with the M3. Each one the X2L and
X2 weigh less than half of their counterpart in the M6 / M3. Since the X2L
has the same laser as the M6, I prefer the lighter unit. When you start adding
accessories to your weapon the weight can accumulate. So any time you can
get similiar performance and reduce weight that is a big plus. The X2L and
X2 will not work with any type of remote switch, however when side mounting
the X2L / X2 on the AR15 or Beretta CX4 you can easily work the unit with
your thumb, and with the size and weight savings that of course would be two
thumbs up.
Tactical Grips review
I never planned to use a grip, but after trying
the various grips for evaluation I like it, feels like a more natural way to
hold the weapon and its more secure. Using a grip my hand is clamped down on
the grip and its much more solid than supporting the weapon with your weak hand
under the stock. These grips are a good compliment to your weapon, fast track
to target, good controllability, and all while looking great.
Beretta has adopted several grips for use on the CX4 picatinny bottom
rail system, all grips work with standard picatinny rails.
The Beretta Vertical Grip (with Beretta Logo) BRE00003 is about
4.5 inches in height from the base, 1.16 inches at the widest dimension and
is round in shape, with six inset rings to improve grip, weights 2.4 ounces.
Very solid grip, mounted by use of the knob on the end of the grip, you turn
the knob and a plunger engages the rail locking it in place.
The Beretta Vertical Grip (with Beretta Logo) BRE00004 is about
4.5 inches in height from the base, 1.35 inches at the widest dimension and
is round in shape, with six inset rings to improve grip, weights 2.8 ounces.
Storage compartment will hold items such as (2) AA or (3) 123A or (3) N or (8)
1/3N batteries and is watertight with a rubber o-ring on the cap end. Essentially
the BRE00003 with a storage compartment.
The Beretta Short Vertical Grip BRE00005 is about 3.3 inches in height
from the base, 1.4 inches diameter and round in shape, weights 3.0 ounces. It
has a tapered side profile with a series of six pronounced rings near the bottom.
There is a compartment that will hold 2 AAA batteries, or most lithium cells,
but only 1 AA battery. The compartment would also be able to hold a small screw
driver, or allen wrenches for sight adjustment.
I use the Beretta Short Vertical Grip BRE00005 on my personal Beretta
CX4. There is a compartment that will hold 2 AAA batteries, or
most lithium cells, but only 1 AA size battery. The compartment would also be
able to hold a small screw driver, or allen wrenches for sight adjustment. (You
would want to put some foam in to eliminate the rattle effect). The
SVG makes for a compact weapon profile.
The Beretta Vertical Folding Grip (with Beretta Logo) BRE00006
is about 3.9 inches in height from the base, 1.5 inches at the widest dimension
but is oval in shape, weights 4.0 ounces. It has a curved shape where the grip
is thicker in the middle with a series of four pronounced inset rings on the
front, and with 
two
pronounced inset rings on each side. Press in on the hinge screw and fold it
up or down, locks into position.
The pronounce inset rings add some value in that they with the curved shape
keep your hand from slidings. The real advantage is you can press in on the
hinge screw and fold it up or down and locks into position. This allows you
to fold it up out of the way and use it for a grip similar to the supporting
the stock with your weak hand, or extend it down and you have a vertical grip.
There is a slight rattle, but you have to work at it, normal carry would not
present a problem. The Beretta Folding Grip combines vertical grip and horizontal
grip with compact weapon profile, a choice is always nice, and fits medium and
large hands. This is the most popular of the Beretta Grips. Small
hands will find the FAB FGG-S a better fit.
Other Grip Manufactures
Command Arms grips are well known, they provide a solid value and have some unique features not found on grips from other manufacturers. Most customers are not familiar with the fact that Command Arms grips are the same grips sold by Beretta for a lot less money. You pay a premium for that Beretta Logo that is stamped on the grip during the molding process. We offer both grips side by side so you can see the value savings.
Additionally, Command arms offer several types of pistol grips for the AR15 family. These are on our AR15 Accessory Shop website.
Beretta CX4 Soft Case BRJA130A
review
Beretta has usually had its accessories made by some other manufacturing
firm. They stick mostly to what they know and that is how to make firearms.
While some of the Beretta accessories like their slings leave much to be desired,
when they do something right they deserve the credit. The Beretta CX4 Soft Case
was designed to carry and protect the Storm and it fits the unusual shape perfectly.
The
Beretta CX4 Soft Case is fine example of an extremely well and thought out design,
that has been executed flawlessly. The first thing I noticed when I picked up
the soft case was the weight at just under 3 pounds. Its constructed of a heavy
duty black condura and professional grade zippers on the main compartment and
accessory pouches. This soft case is designed to hold up under day in and day
out use.
Its the nicest condura gun case I ever seen, with lots of extras like the
embroidery of the CX4 Storm name on the accessories compartment, and the Beretta
name and logo on the main compartment, as well as CX4 Storm name woven into
the backpack straps. 
There are actually three ways you can carry the soft case, first use the standard
handles attached in the middle of the case, second use the adjustable backpack
straps and carry it like a backpack, and finally you can remove both backpack
straps and reattach one strap to each of the shoulder rings, and then slip the
strap over your shoulder and carry the soft case under your arm.
Inside the main compartment two elastic tie downs keep the CX4 from shifting
around during carry. This is especially important when using the adjustable
backpack straps for pack style carry. Also inside the main compartment is an
additional accessories pouch with a zipper, its on the opposite side of the
main compartment shown.
The accessories pouch found on the outside of the soft case has some nice features.
There are three net type compartments, two at 2 inches across, and one at 6
inches across. You have the option of putting smaller items you do not want
to rattle around in one of these internal dividers, and just laying larger items
inside. The accessories pouch is 16 inches in length and 7 inches wide, and
tear shaped in design.
This is an extremely solid case and well designed, good investment to protect
your CX4. Useful for the occasional ranger shooter, or the backpack it in seasoned
veteran.
Back to the top of Reviews
The
Aimpoint and the EoTech sights each have some unique advantages. I will try
to point out the differences I notice as a user. 
