Meprolight M5 Reflex Sight – SHOT Show Optic Preview

by Timothy G. Yan

Published: January 29th, 2014

meprolight m5 reflex sight shot show optic preview

It have been two years since the prototype of the Mepro M5 was appeared at the previous SHOT Show. During SHOT Show 2014, The Mako Group have shown me the production model of the Mepro M5 reflex sight. It has a number of design changes and the final design was certified by the Israeli Defense Forces with extensive field trails.

The Mepro M5 feature a EOTech-esque large viewing window for achieving the biggest possible field of view. The Mepro M5 is powered by a single AA size battery for 5,000 hour of illumination. The power system has an auto-shutoff mode to conserve battery but it also has an auto resume feature to turn the sight back on. I am assuming that’s with a help of build-in motion sensor.

The main change is that the sight is now all metal construction instead of having a polymer hood on the prototype. However, I am not so sure about the new wheel shaped switch is an improvement over the flip-lever switch found on the prototype. Mako told me that’s an IDF required design change. The Mepro M5 now comes with a set of low profile QD levers instead of prototype’s simple dual-screw mount.

The Mepro M5 features a 2 MOA red dot reticle with four levels of brightness control. A unique feature of the Mepro M5 is its ocular window which consist of a single glass prism. This is very different from the typical multiple lens optical design found in majority of the red-dot sights. The optical window on the Mepro M5 seems to be almost clear with just barely noticeable bit of blue color tint.

The Mako Group is the only authorized distributor of the Meprolight optic in the North American market. Beware of buying any Meprolight sight directly from Israel, which shipping it to the US or Canada can be a violation of the ITAR and other arms importation laws.

Timothy G. Yan

Writer and gear editor with articles published in major gun publications. A five year combat veteran of the US Marine Corps, Tim is also part of Point & Shoot Media Works, a producer of photography, video and web media for the firearms and shooting sport industry. Tim's direct contact: Tyan.TFB -at- gmail.com

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Ak1134 on Jan 30, 2014

Heres the problem with this and the Israeli site that was on here a few weeks ago...
If the MSRP is around $4-$600 it MUST be made and function better than the EoTech and Aimpoint. It has to do more. It must be lighter, smaller, more durable, better optic/glass, or have something new that i've never seen before or else your not going to get the average consumer's money. Sitting in a gunshop I'm going to buy something thats tried and true from the military to the average joe once every month gun range guy.
If the product is going to be priced at $100-$200, thats a different consumer than the $400-$600 consumer. At $150 I'm probably going to be an entry level shooter that wants something that doesn't break the bank.
The Meprolight above retails at $550 and the MSE site at $700 is absurd! I def like the Mepro more than the MSE...but at $550?! thats crazy... Its price point should be in the Burris category.
But my biggest gripe with all this is that is that this company came in and brought stagnant technology at a higher price. The outcome is that companies like EoTech and Aimpoint won't change shit and not push technology or at least force them to lower their pricing. Whn i read something comes from Japan, Israel, or Germany; the shit better be good not be something thats stagnant and unimpressive as seen here.

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- Joe Schmoe on Jan 30, 2014
  
  @ak1134 You're missing the entire point behind this optic existing in the first place.
  The IDF sent out a request for a new red dot sight to replace the MARS. While the MARS is a great sight, it eats through battery when on and ended up costing a lot; remember, it's an old sight.
  So we have two Israeli companies competing for this contract (among others from abroad), MSE and Meprolight. The idea was not to come up with a game changer, it was simply to build a damn strong (needed for conscripts) and reliable red dot sight that could replace many of the MARS and some Mepro21 sights in service; that's it. You have sights like the Mepro MOR if you want something a bit more game changing.
  Again, I can't stress this enough; conscripts, conscripts, conscripts. The abuse that the Mepro 21 was subjected to in the IDF (which I've witnessed first hand) and still manage to function is nothing short of miraculous. I myself broke three (3) Trijicon ACOG's in the army while babying them (I really did take good care of them) alone; in my entire service, I've seen only 2-4 Mepro 21's out of hundreds ever go in for replacement.
  I'm not arguing if it is the "best" or most "feature filled" red dot sights on the market, especially for a shooting range or regular shooter, since it probably isn't. Again, if you don't need the extreme reliability and durability, then you are probably wasting your money here paying extra as any cheaper red dot sight would fit your needs just as well. But if you want to equip an army with sights that will last past the first year, then there isn't one I could better recommend than these Mepro's.
  
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- Phil W "Associate Editor TFB" on Jan 31, 2014
  
  @Joe Schmoe I have a Mepro on my Tavor and I do like it. It's been pretty sturdy as well.
  The IDF intends to replace all optics currently in use with this sight. One battery 15,000 hours run time!
  
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- 7.62 Precision on Jan 31, 2014
  
  @ak1134 So you want a MIL-SPEC night vision compatible sight that uses new technology, is lighter, simpler, clearer, and more durable than previous military electronic sights, costs more to build than other MIL-SPEC sights, meets the IDF's more stringent requirements, can handle the heat that kills other electronic sights, and has just spent 5+ years in development, combat testing, and refinement before being released priced at $100 to $200, like a cheap commercial market sight? That is completely absurd.
  If the IDF had wanted an EOTech or an Aimpoint, or a Burris, for that matter, they would have just purchased them. They wanted something that solved the problems they wanted solved and met their requirements. They don't care about cool looks, cool names, or unnecessary features.
  
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- Ak1134 on Jan 31, 2014
  
  @ak1134 Your arguing on behalf of a solution that isn't my problem. Why would I want this over my EoTech or AIMPOINT was the question I posed. I don't need it to be conscript proof with regards to controls, durability.
  If this is product is being featured at SHOT and on this blog it's for my consumption. I'm not a dumb shit recruit trying holding a firearm for the first time. I've owned firearms for over two decades. So when i see a product thats featured for my potential consumption I have to compare its existing competitors and prices with how it affects me and my potential to purchase it.
  What doesn't help this product this product is the fact that this is supposed to help replace the Mars sight... This looks like it was made in the 90's aesthetically speaking and if its way more durable it just means it weighs way more with metal replacing the poly and thicker glass to ensure the whole population of Israel won't damage this site for the next decade and a half.
  
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- Joe Schmoe on Feb 01, 2014
  
  @7.62 Precision By the way, I've seen the EOTech's and Aimpoints in the IDF during my time. The IDF was actually thinking about switching over to the Aimpoints a few years ago but something happened that stopped it (I heard a rumor of some problem with them or something, don't know the details).
  
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- Joe Schmoe on Feb 01, 2014
  
  @ak1134 Then I'll be honest with you, you in particular would probably be better served by that $200 cheaper EOTech then.
  I'm not one for blind company loyalty, I'm just stating it as it is. If you take care of your sights and don't plan on putting in extreme environments or abuse, then there is no point in spending the extra money in my opinion.
  Though I'm sure there will be a bunch of 'preppers' who would. :)
  
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- ASDF on Jul 01, 2014
  
  @ak1134 It has the battery life/reticle of an Aimpoint(almost) with the field of view of an EOTech. It's a better optic.
  
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Will Mclaws on Jan 30, 2014

Does anyone edit these reviews before posting? The author loses most of their credibility the instant the reader sees such obvious spelling and grammatical errors.

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- SAR on Mar 13, 2014
  
  @Will Mclaws Seriously? if it bothers you that much, copy & paste the article to a word doc, then spell check it. Or you can up your meds.
  ;)
  
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