Aimpoint T1 vs T2 : Which One is the Best Deal for You?

Aimpoint Micro T-1 Aimpoint Micro T-2
Aimpoint Micro T-1 Front
AIMPOINT MICRO T-2 front

Aimpoint Micro T-2 is the upgraded version of the T-1 model. These lightweight, compact, micro red dots are some of the most popular go-to duty & home-defense optic due to Aimpoint’s unmatched reputation in reliability. You can get either one of these and rest assured that the optics will not fail you in time of need.

But does the T-2 upgrade make sense to you?

In this article, I’ll help you spot the stark differences between the 2 and help you make informed decision on whether to get the upgraded version or not.

Quick summary

List of upgrades with the Aimpoint Micro T-2

  • Crisper and rounder dot
  • Better natural color glass and contrast
  • Dot clearer for people with astigmatism
  • Significantly less parallax error
  • More protection on Elevation turret
  • Flip-up lens caps included
  • Helicoil screw inserts at base
  • Higher price

Aimpoint Micro T-2 has rounder, crisper dot which is easily felt if you also use magnifiers in conjunction with the red dot sight. Glass and lens coating has more natural color and better contrast. Parallax error is further eliminated. Housing construction further improve protection by covering more of its elevation turret.

If you’re looking to buy a new red dot and is considering between the two, go for the Micro T-2 as the increased benefit trumps increased price.

Aimpoint AB is a Swedish optics company manufacturing red dot sights for civilian, police and military use. Aimpoint red dot sights are currently used by numerous armed forces around the world, including the US military.

PROS and CONS breakdown

Aimpoint Micro T-1 Aimpoint Micro T-2
Pros
  • Lower price
  • Crisper rounder dot
  • Less blue tint glass
  • Slightly better contrast
  • Less parallax error
  • More protection on Elevation turret
  • Flip-up lens caps included
  • Helicoil screw inserts at base
Cons
  • Dot less round and crisp
  • Slightly more bluish tint and worse contrast glass
  • Worse parallax
  • Less turrets protection
  • Lens caps not included
  • More expensive

 

Aimpoint Micro T-2 is a big improvement over the T-1

In the past when the T-2 was just announced, many people speculated that the T-2 would be just a small marginal improvement over the T-1 model. Mostly because the T-1 was (and is) already a spectacular red dot sight.

But this has proven to be false, as there are quite a number of major upgrades with the T-2. Some people even suggest that Aimpoint cease their T-1 production line and manufacture only the T-2 model.
 

Optics Showdown : T-2 VS T-1

T-2 has crisper dot and clearer glass

In my opinion, the Micro T-2 dot is the biggest improvement of this model.

G33_Front
A magnifier multiplies any distortion and imperfections a red dot may have, helping you identify the things you could have overlooked with the naked eyes. Thus, it is one of the stricter test on an RDS.

Even though the T-1’s dot is acceptable for most people, if you run a magnifier with the red dot, you’ll clearly see that the dot is not perfectly round. When I used the T-1 with my EOTech G33, the dot is more of an oval to my eyes.

When I switched to the Aimpoint T-2 however, this problem is solved as the dot is nice and perfectly round for me.

For those who don’t use, or intend to use any magnifiers, note that the dot will also appear better for people with astigmatism. 2 of my buddies with astigmatism tell me that they see significantly less starburst or splits with the T-2.

Glass and lens coating is another area of improvement. If you start nitpicking with the T-1, you’ll notice slight blue tint with your glass. Admittedly this tint has never bothered me before and the T-1 does have good glass. But the T-2 glass gives better natural colour and slightly better contrast, syncing your two eyes vision with sight picture more smoothly.

Parallax Error is Significantly Reduced with the T-2

Aimpoint T-1 red dot already has less parallax errors than those lower end red dot such as Primary Arms, Holosun, etc. But the T-2 is a step further in terms parallax error reduction. Thus you can achieve higher accuracy with this T-2 even if you don’t have perfect cheek weld every time.

A parallax test done by GreenEyeTactical scientifically showed that the T-2’s parallax error is significantly less than the T-1 model. In that test, parallax error was best reduced by EOTech EXPS 3.0 which should be the case since it employs holographic sight technology. Aimpoint T-2 earned 2nd place in terms of parallax reduction in many of the conducted test.

Test results by greeneye tactical
For detailed test data, check it out on Greeneye Tactical website here

Trivial improvements/changes

These are the minor improvements/changes of the Aimpoint Micro T-2 :

Turrets : On the Aimpoint T-2, the top of the tube’s housing construction is raised to further protect your elevation turret.

AIMPOINT MICRO T-2 & T-1 turrets

Both elevation and windage caps on T-1 model has 2 knobs on top which can be used to adjust your turrets. For T-2, only the windage cap has these knobs. Better not lose that cap, or else you need to carry another adjustment tool.

Base : Helicoil screw inserts at the base for T-2 model.

AIMPOINT MICRO T-2 flip up caps down
Tip : Rotate your flip covers such that they flip down and do not obstruct your field of view.

Lens Covers : T-2 has Flip caps cover. Rear cap is clear while front cap is opaque. T-1 has bikini covers.

Mounting Height : T-2 sits 1 millimeter higher than the T-1.

No Change

Battery : Same 50,000 hours battery life. Same right side battery compartment.

Brightness Settings : Same 4 NVD and 8 Daylight, of which 1 extra bright setting

Warranty : Same 2 years warranty for professional or competition use and 10 years warranty for personal use from the date of purchase

Pretty much the same size

Aimpoint Micro T-1 Aimpoint Micro T-2
Length (inches) 2.4 2.7
Width (Inch) 1.6 1.6
Height (Inch) 1.4 1.4
Weight (oz) 3 3.3
Objective lens (mm) 18 18

 

Conclusion : Get the T-2

List of upgrades with the Aimpoint Micro T-2

  • Crisper and rounder dot
  • Better natural color glass and contrast
  • Dot clearer for people with astigmatism
  • Significantly less parallax error
  • More protection on Elevation turret
  • Flip-up lens caps included
  • Helicoil screw inserts at base
  • Higher price

Aimpoint Micro T-2 has rounder, crisper dot which is easily felt if you also use magnifiers in conjunction with the red dot sight. Glass and lens coating has more natural color and better contrast. Parallax error is further eliminated. Housing construction further improve protection by covering more of its elevation turret.

If you’re looking to buy a new red dot and is considering between the two, go for the Micro T-2 as the increased benefit trumps increased price.

Aimpoint Micro T-1 Aimpoint Micro T-2
Aimpoint Micro T-1 Front
AIMPOINT MICRO T-2 front
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