The Trijicon MRO line got an upgrade at the 2018 NRA Annual Meetings. The manufacturer is now offering the optic with a green LED. Equipped with a 2-MOA green dot, it is shipped with mounts of differing heights or no mount at all.
Features common to the original remain, including eight settings (including NV) and increased field of view with less tunneling effect. Adjustments require no special tools. The Trijicon MRO is waterproof to 100 feet with 70 MOA of adjustment in .5 MOA increments. Light and compact, the MRO is a top-tier sight.
Retail price is $613 — $34 more than the red dot version. The only difference is the green dot, and for some it may be huge.
Arguments about illuminated dots, lasers, or reticles rage on. For some there is little difference; for others, it’s substantial. Our eyes see red and green differently under various conditions. Conditions can vary considerably amongst individuals. Younger eyes adjust so quickly it may not matter, Older eyes, however, can be a different story.
Green is easier on the eyes and seen more easily in daylight. It’s less bright in the dark yet remains visible in daylight, especially at longer distances. I have also found green lasers easier to use with weapon-mounted lights.
Overall green tends to be more visible across the spectrum of light and less fatiguing to look at. Bright red can destroy your night vision quickly even in an RDS; green tends to have much less effect.
The Gear
Given the popularity of short barreled AR pistols, my Primary Weapons MK107 seemed an excellent test bed. This SBR uses a Law Tactical folder, making it compact, light, and easy to store. Configured as a pistol, it’s much the same and is about perfect for home defense, close quarters or as a truck gun.
I equipped it with Surefire’s XH35; there are 1,000 lumens of white light available. Using Black Hills 50 and 55 grain TSX, flash is commensurate with the best possible self-defense and duty ammunition and remains my primary closed quarters or entry rifle.
Range Time with the Trijicon MRO
Zeroing at 50 yards I noticed a noticeable lack of “sparkle.” Most red dot sights — no matter the cost — are less “dot” than a cluster of “dots” for me; the joys of 59-year-old eyes. Some are better than others, but it’s always there. While not absent with the green dot, it was noticeably better.
Using setting No. 4, it was visible at 300 yards and not overpowering in the shoot house. Mounting forward on the receiver made it better. It wasn’t a game changer, but certainly a plus.
Moving from low or failing light to bright daylight, the Trijicon MRo green dot really improved things. Set to the same setting (No. 4), it was about perfect in low light, yet visible outside in the bright sun. My red MRO won’t do that, it’s always a compromise; not so with the green.
Against browns — a common color in life — it was easier to see. Moving back and forth from across the room to out the window on a target at 100 yards, it remained clear. There was no need to change the setting.
Where it really made a difference was under bright white light. Using the same setting, clearing my office using the Surefire X35 alone was a game changer. Unlike many red dots, the green remained completely visible.
Moving from bright (1,000 lumens) white light to low light to bright sun, the LED remained visible throughout without ever changing the setting. Not sure it gets any better for a home defense or entry rifle or pistol. Set it at No. 4 (for me) and forget it.
Bottom Line
For many the difference may not warrant a move to the green dot, especially if you already have an MRO and, given your conditions, it gets the job done. If you seldom transition from bright to low light or don’t use a weapons mounted light, it may not be worth it.
For LEO or entry teams, it is a must look. It could really make a difference.
If you have yet to get an red dot sight, make sure to take a look at this green LED model, especially given the price change is very small ($34).
Either way, Trijicon has stepped up once again in the illuminated sight world providing yet another top notch choice for anyone in need of a proven sight. Going green just may become a thing in the optics world and, unlike others, it is absolutely worth the move!
For more information, please visit Trijicon.com.
