Optic Review: MSE's AQC-1C Reflex Sight
Most reflex sights only offer one type of reticle, and the user is locked into it. However, the most unique thing about MSE’s AQC-1C model is that it offers three reticles which the user can change at the push of a button.
The AQC-1C comes with a PTT (Push to Talk) style cable that can activate the sight, cycle through the reticle options, and also control the brightness level.
One thing I noticed while testing this feature is that it could overwhelm/confuse the user. If the button is pushed quickly and you miss your option, then you have to press the PTT button multiple times to cycle back. If you’re at the range just having a casual shooting session then this isn’t a big deal, but in higher stress situations I could see this being a potential problem.
One small critique is that I think the PTT cable could be longer. For users who like having their support hand further toward the muzzle, there doesn’t appear to be a longer cable available.
The reflex sight has a large window, coming in at 1″ x 1 1/3″, which greatly aids the shooter in target acquisition. It comes encased in a “composite reinforced polymer body” that looks like it can withstand the typical bumps and drops when mounted on an AR-15, or other rifle. For those of you familiar with the EOTech design, the AQC-1C is very similar in shape.
The scope was developed by LTC (Ret) Mikey Hartman, a 20 year commander of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) marksmanship and sharpshooting school. Researching prices online for the MSE AQC-1C reflex sight, looks like you can find it for $600-700. Command Arms (CAA) is the exclusive importer and distributor of MSE sights.
Chris Cheng is History Channel's Top Shot Season 4 champion and author of "Shoot to Win," a book for beginning shooters. A self-taught amateur turned pro through his Top Shot win, Cheng very much still considers himself an amateur who parachuted into this new career. He is a professional marksman for Bass Pro Shops who shares his thoughts and experiences from the perspective of a newbie to the shooting community. He resides in San Francisco, CA and works in Silicon Valley.www.TopShotChris.com.
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I was hoping this would be a simple American version of the Mepro M5(maybe with a more EOTech-like reticle) when I saw the thumbnail, answering my want for an "EOTech" with a more Aimpoint-like battery life.
Not sure if I'm very disappointed or just kinda disappointed.
The Mepro M5 was supposed to have had a motion sensor so that it turns on automatically when jostled, and though it only had 5 brightness settings, a clean, fast, and simple optic with a wide objective is all I'd really want for a carbine I need to depend on.
Er, Chris ---- I think you meant to say "PTT ( Push To Transmit ) style cable" in Paragraph 2 of your article, not "PTT ( Push To Talk ) style cable". :)