Aimpoint and Steiner both make top-quality optics that are built like tanks. As companies tend to do, they compete with similar products that offer some great options. Today, we are looking at the Aimpoint ACRO P-2 and the Steiner MPS red dot sights. Both are closed emitter dots, which are quickly becoming popular in the handgun world.
There are some obvious benefits to using an enclosed emitter red dot, and reliability is at the top of the list. It took me a while to get used to the size and boxy look of these new handgun optics. But like many changes in the gun world, I’m warming up to the idea. One event that encouraged me to give enclosed emitter optics a try was at a training in Oklahoma.
I was using a traditional red dot sight when it started raining on us. At one point, I drew my gun and saw multiple red dots in the window. The rain was obscuring the dot and causing it to reflect in the wrong place. Those with enclosed emitter dots kept on shooting without issue, and I started rethinking them a bit.
I’ve spent some time on the range with both optics, and I like each one. Let’s examine the P-2 and MPS red dot optics.
Side-By-Side Comparison
Before we get into some details of each optic, here are the specs for a side-by-side comparison. A few features stand out with each optic, starting with the battery size and performance. The Aimpoint ACRO P-2 has a much longer run time of 50,000 hours compared to the 13,000 hours of Stiener’s MPS.
Otherwise, the optics are nearly identical. Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of the specs of each model:
Aimpoint ACRO P-2
- 5 MOA dot size
- 50,000 hours (over 5 years) of constant operation
- 4 night vision, 6 daylight settings
- Weight: 2.1 oz
- Submersible to 115 feet (35 meters)
- Operating Temp: -49 to 160+
- Mount: ACRO platform
- INCLUDES: CR2032 battery, Aimpoint T10 Tool
Steiner MPS
- 3 MOA dot size
- 13,000 hours of battery life
- 2 night vision, 6 daylight settings
- Weight: 2.05 oz
- Water Proof: 10 Meters
- Operating Temp: -40 to 140 degrees.
- Mount: ACRO platform
- Battery: 1632 (included)
Now that we’ve looked at their similarities let’s get into the nitty-gritty details of each.
Aimpoint ACRO P-2 Red Dot
Aimpoint released the ACRO P-2 red dot just before SHOT and it has been a popular choice with many shooters. They have the name recognition, and their optics have been proven in combat. It’s just hard to complain about Aimpoint. Made of 7075-T6 aluminum, the P-2 has a hard-anodized finish and a temperature span of -49 to +160 degrees, which is impressive.
In the past, I have placed the P-2 in the oven at 160 degrees, frozen it, and left it submerged in water overnight. The first time I used the P-2 was at a competitive training class, where I fired more than 1,000 rounds through it. It felt a little different at first, but the more I used it, the more I liked it.
Like most high-quality optics, the Aimpoint does have one downside: the price. The average retail price for the P-2 is $600, which is a good chunk of money for a pistol optic. But it’s arguably one of the toughest pistol optics available. So, in my opinion, it’s worth every penny.
Steiner MPS Red Dot
Steiner is a German company that makes optics, binoculars, and other equipment for various militaries and law enforcement agencies around the world. While not as popular as Aimpoint in the public sector, Steiner is also a high-end manufacturer. My first Steiner product was the TOR Fusion pistol light/laser combo. It’s been used a lot, and I’ve never had any issues with it.
I have a friend who uses the Steiner DBAL-A3 Dual Beam Aiming Laser and loves it. I have not used it myself, however, because it costs around $1,700, so I’ll take his word for it. When the Steiner MPS was released, I was excited to get ahold of one. It met my expectations and then some.
The MPS is about the same size as the P-2. In fact, I used the same Safariland holster for both optics. Like Aimpoint, Steiner used a cross-bolt mount on the MPS so it can be easily installed and removed from the handgun or rifle. As mentioned above, the MPS also uses the ACRO mounting plate. The MPS retails for about $500, making it a little cheaper than the ACRO.
Which one will it be?
After shooting nearly 1,000 rounds with both optics, I felt like I had a good comparison between the two. I’ve used both in the rain, during timed shooting events, and I’ve even qualified with them. Both have auto-off/on features and adjustable dot brightness settings. Aimpoint has a better battery life, but while 13,000 hours on the MPS is much lower, it’s also easy to change the battery. No real loss there, in my opinion.
That said, the deciding factor when choosing one of these two may come down to price. You pay a little more for a better submersion and temperature rating. Besides that, I think these are two evenly matched optics. Either one would be a great choice, and both are what I would consider top-of-the-line products. For now, I’ve decided to leave the MPS on my Glock 49.
