Trijicon SRS
Famous for their ACOG combat gunsights, Trijicon also makes a series of reflex sights for small arms. The first of those is the Trijicon Reflex with the dual-illumination and a 24mm objective lens. Next was theTrijicon TriPower with 30mm objective and the addition of battery power to the fiber optic and tritium illumination. Recently, a new larger 42mm objective lens model was added to the Trijicon Reflex line. While all three are robustly built, however, I am not enthusiastic about the dark green lens color or their illumination systems.
Illumination and Power:
The SRS has a red 1.75 MOA dot as its reticle. I found the dot is extremely precise focused and bright. Its brightness allows me to use the sight up close with great speed, yet the dot is small enough to fit into a torso target at 300 meters. I even used the SRS for subsonic 300 Blackout out to 400 meters with steel torso plates. Even at that distance, the sight’s huge field of view permitted me to observe the impact and make quick correction while keeping the target in view.
All that changed when Trijicon developed their own long-lasting battery-powered illumination system for the battery models of the Trijicon RMR mini reflex sights. Those have clear lens and bright red reticle illumination with a battery life of 2-3 years. Some are using the RMR on rifles and carbines, but I found the tiny RMR offers a field of view which is too small for use as a primary sight. The RMR series is really designed for mounting on pistols or to use as auxiliary optic. It took another 3 years for Trijicon to adapt their new illumination technology to the full size weapon sights.
In mid-2012, Trijicon released the Trijicon SRS, which stands for Sealed Reflex Sight. I was expecting Trijicon would just incorporate their new battery illumination system into the existing 1x42mm Reflex sight. Instead, Trijicon developed a completely new design with a number of unique features.
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Optical Performance:
Trijicon’s main optical design emphasis for the SRS is to have the largest field of view without tunnel effect while keeping the sight housing as short as possible. To accomplish that the SRS features a large 38mm objective lens, and together with the earlier dual-illumination 1x42mm Trijicon Reflex, the two Trijicon sights have the largest field of view among the reflex sights on the market. The SRS’s objective is actually mounted at an angle to help shortening the sight housing. The lens coating has a magenta color from the front and a slight green tint from the rear. When look through the SRS at the operator’s point of view, the lens is clear in all light conditions and there’s no tunnel effect no matter what’s viewing angle or eye relief. As with all Trijicon optics, the lens of the SRS are made from Schott glass, the best optical glass in the world.
Trijicon’s main optical design emphasis for the SRS is to have the largest field of view without tunnel effect while keeping the sight housing as short as possible. To accomplish that the SRS features a large 38mm objective lens, and together with the earlier dual-illumination 1x42mm Trijicon Reflex, the two Trijicon sights have the largest field of view among the reflex sights on the market. The SRS’s objective is actually mounted at an angle to help shortening the sight housing. The lens coating has a magenta color from the front and a slight green tint from the rear. When look through the SRS at the operator’s point of view, the lens is clear in all light conditions and there’s no tunnel effect no matter what’s viewing angle or eye relief. As with all Trijicon optics, the lens of the SRS are made from Schott glass, the best optical glass in the world.
Illumination and Power:The SRS has a red 1.75 MOA dot as its reticle. I found the dot is extremely precise focused and bright. Its brightness allows me to use the sight up close with great speed, yet the dot is small enough to fit into a torso target at 300 meters. I even used the SRS for subsonic 300 Blackout out to 400 meters with steel torso plates. Even at that distance, the sight’s huge field of view permitted me to observe the impact and make quick correction while keeping the target in view.
A single common AA size battery powers the SRS. There’s also a secondary power source from the molded small solar panel on top of the sight housing. The solar photovoltaic cells provide sufficient energy to power the SRS in ambient light. Battery power is still needed to turn on the sight and to powering it in lowlight or indoor. Trijicon claims that the combination of both power sources would give the SRS a 3-year battery life at combat condition.
Sight housing and Mount:
Like all Trijicon sights, the SRS is built to a level of near indestructibility thanks to its forged 7075-T6 aluminum alloy housing. The sight is completely sealed and water submersible to 165 ft. (50m) depth. The SRS is relatively short at 3.75-inches but due to its large 38mm lens, it’s thick at 2.5-inch. The 14.2-ounce weight is not bad for its size which includes the integrated sight mount. The SRS is available with the plain dual thumbscrew mount or for $75 more, with the quick-release Brobo mount.
Like all Trijicon sights, the SRS is built to a level of near indestructibility thanks to its forged 7075-T6 aluminum alloy housing. The sight is completely sealed and water submersible to 165 ft. (50m) depth. The SRS is relatively short at 3.75-inches but due to its large 38mm lens, it’s thick at 2.5-inch. The 14.2-ounce weight is not bad for its size which includes the integrated sight mount. The SRS is available with the plain dual thumbscrew mount or for $75 more, with the quick-release Brobo mount.
What’s my take on the Trijicon SRS?
I think Trijicon has finally created a worthy challenger for the King of the Hill in reflex sights. (Aimpoint). While the Trijicon is more expensive and the illumination technology is not quite as long lasting as the Aimpoint CompM4, but the Trijicon SRS has a significantly larger field of view while being shorter. It also seems to be even more resistant to battle damage because there’s no exposed battery compartment or adjustment turrets.
I think Trijicon has finally created a worthy challenger for the King of the Hill in reflex sights. (Aimpoint). While the Trijicon is more expensive and the illumination technology is not quite as long lasting as the Aimpoint CompM4, but the Trijicon SRS has a significantly larger field of view while being shorter. It also seems to be even more resistant to battle damage because there’s no exposed battery compartment or adjustment turrets.
Excluding the high price, I would like to point out two areas of the SRS that still needs improvement. The angled objective would occasionally catch low angled light and causes some internal reflection. This can be mitigated by use an anti-reflective device. The early production SRS has the problem with internal reflection from the LED illuminator’s square protective window. This issue is corrected on my late 2012 production sample. Trijicon seems to have changed the internal coating to address the problem. If you have one of the early SRS model with this problem, please take advantage of Trijicon’s lifetime warranty.