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Charmedlyfe's Review of DI Optical Raven Series Red Dot Sight, RV1/RV2
I tend to be pretty rough on gear. Truth is, even “ruggedized” gear doesn’t last long with me. This usually means I pay a fortune for my equipment –you generally get what you pay for. As money gets tighter, I’ve started searching out the best deals I can get. Usually, it just means the best prices. Sometimes, I try new products out and get lucky.
Several weeks ago, I purchased the DI Optical RV1 dot sight from Optics Planet. The RV1 is advertised as a “combat-grade” optic that has passed MIL-STD 810G Durability Testing. In plain English, that means this sight is TOUGH. DI Optical is a South Korean company, and the sights are made in South Korea. The RV1 resembles the Aimpoint M4S in appearance and features.
CONSTRUCTION
The RV1 is made out of 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum. It is hard-coat anodized black, and optical surfaces are coated. The sight is listed as waterproof and submersible to 30 feet. Operating temperature range is between -25 degrees Fahrenheit and 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The sight has a bit of heft to it, weighing in at 15.8 ounces with mounting base and lens covers attached and battery installed. The optic is controlled by a rotary switch (I actually prefer these to buttons for ease of use, especially at night). The tube is strong enough to support up to two tons. Fit and finish on the sight are excellent, with even the company logo being rather unobtrusive. Construction on this sight is far superior to anything in the same price range, and I would say on par with the Aimpoint PRO.
The sight mount is a standard SWAN #17 style dovetail secured by two screws. Additionally, a heavy lip overlaps the base both front and rear to eliminate any possibility of the sight moving under recoil. The included base fits a MIL-STD 1913 rail, and is surprisingly secure in lock-up. The standard QD base uses a tensioning knob on one side of the mount, and is reversible for preference. DI Optical also has a lever-type QD base to fit the RV1 sight.
The rotary switch is very positive, but with a “silent” feel. You definitely feel each click as you turn the knob. The windage/ elevation adjustment knobs are well-made and finished, with each click being a 1moa adjustment. Adjustments feel solid and positive.
OPTICAL FEATURES
The RV1 is a collimator LED Red Dot type sight. The initial three settings on the sight are intended for use with night vision devices. The remaining eight settings are intended for low light and daylight use. I’m particularly impressed with the first non-night vison setting. Not everyone has night vision gear, and it is particularly nice when an optic has a setting for use with night-adapted eyes. Quite a few sights I’ve used are simply too bright to use at night.
At the other extreme, the eighth position provides a dot bright enough to easily pick up at high noon in the South Carolina summer. Pretty impressive range of performance for the dot! The dot itself is advertised at 1.5moa. It is crisp and without any distortion or odd shape. The glass itself is obviously coated for reflection and scratch protection, but is without the bluish tint so commonly seen in less expensive optics. Color quality through the glass is excellent.
POWER
The RV1 is powered by a single AA battery. This battery provides approximately 20,000 hours of constant-on life at the daylight number three setting (mid-level brightness). I’ve always preferred sights that used batteries I could get easily no matter where I was, and the AA size is simply the most common battery size in existence. At mid-level settings, the battery will only need changing about once every two years.
ACCESSORIES
One of the things I was initially unimpressed with that I ended up loving was the included lens covers. They are made from a silicone material and fit tightly over the lens. The caps don’t have actual hinges, but rather thick sections of silicone that bend. Molded-in tabs hold the caps open when the sight is in use. I thought this setup was simply DI Optical cheaping out UNTIL the first time I got a solid whack on the open lens cover. It flexed to absorb the impact, and was COMPLETELY undamaged. Had it been a hinged cover, I expect it would have broken off under that impact (as I said, I’m rough on gear!).
DI Optical includes lens covers, a lens cloth, an adjustment tool, and a hex wrench (for the base) in the box, as well as one AA battery.
CO-WITNESS
Perhaps my only gripe with this sight is the co-witness. I prefer an absolute co-witness, and the standard base provides for about a 4/5 co-witness. I am currently waiting on the DI Optical QD lever base to see if that will drop it down enough for me. Seriously, the only improvement this sight needs is a base that allows absolute co-witness, and 1/3 co-witness with a riser.
CONCLUSION
This sight punches WAY above its price range. If you are looking for a quality sight you can trust no matter how badly you beat it up, the DI Optical Raven sights are worth looking at.
Several weeks ago, I purchased the DI Optical RV1 dot sight from Optics Planet. The RV1 is advertised as a “combat-grade” optic that has passed MIL-STD 810G Durability Testing. In plain English, that means this sight is TOUGH. DI Optical is a South Korean company, and the sights are made in South Korea. The RV1 resembles the Aimpoint M4S in appearance and features.
CONSTRUCTION
The RV1 is made out of 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum. It is hard-coat anodized black, and optical surfaces are coated. The sight is listed as waterproof and submersible to 30 feet. Operating temperature range is between -25 degrees Fahrenheit and 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The sight has a bit of heft to it, weighing in at 15.8 ounces with mounting base and lens covers attached and battery installed. The optic is controlled by a rotary switch (I actually prefer these to buttons for ease of use, especially at night). The tube is strong enough to support up to two tons. Fit and finish on the sight are excellent, with even the company logo being rather unobtrusive. Construction on this sight is far superior to anything in the same price range, and I would say on par with the Aimpoint PRO.
The sight mount is a standard SWAN #17 style dovetail secured by two screws. Additionally, a heavy lip overlaps the base both front and rear to eliminate any possibility of the sight moving under recoil. The included base fits a MIL-STD 1913 rail, and is surprisingly secure in lock-up. The standard QD base uses a tensioning knob on one side of the mount, and is reversible for preference. DI Optical also has a lever-type QD base to fit the RV1 sight.
The rotary switch is very positive, but with a “silent” feel. You definitely feel each click as you turn the knob. The windage/ elevation adjustment knobs are well-made and finished, with each click being a 1moa adjustment. Adjustments feel solid and positive.
OPTICAL FEATURES
The RV1 is a collimator LED Red Dot type sight. The initial three settings on the sight are intended for use with night vision devices. The remaining eight settings are intended for low light and daylight use. I’m particularly impressed with the first non-night vison setting. Not everyone has night vision gear, and it is particularly nice when an optic has a setting for use with night-adapted eyes. Quite a few sights I’ve used are simply too bright to use at night.
At the other extreme, the eighth position provides a dot bright enough to easily pick up at high noon in the South Carolina summer. Pretty impressive range of performance for the dot! The dot itself is advertised at 1.5moa. It is crisp and without any distortion or odd shape. The glass itself is obviously coated for reflection and scratch protection, but is without the bluish tint so commonly seen in less expensive optics. Color quality through the glass is excellent.
POWER
The RV1 is powered by a single AA battery. This battery provides approximately 20,000 hours of constant-on life at the daylight number three setting (mid-level brightness). I’ve always preferred sights that used batteries I could get easily no matter where I was, and the AA size is simply the most common battery size in existence. At mid-level settings, the battery will only need changing about once every two years.
ACCESSORIES
One of the things I was initially unimpressed with that I ended up loving was the included lens covers. They are made from a silicone material and fit tightly over the lens. The caps don’t have actual hinges, but rather thick sections of silicone that bend. Molded-in tabs hold the caps open when the sight is in use. I thought this setup was simply DI Optical cheaping out UNTIL the first time I got a solid whack on the open lens cover. It flexed to absorb the impact, and was COMPLETELY undamaged. Had it been a hinged cover, I expect it would have broken off under that impact (as I said, I’m rough on gear!).
DI Optical includes lens covers, a lens cloth, an adjustment tool, and a hex wrench (for the base) in the box, as well as one AA battery.
CO-WITNESS
Perhaps my only gripe with this sight is the co-witness. I prefer an absolute co-witness, and the standard base provides for about a 4/5 co-witness. I am currently waiting on the DI Optical QD lever base to see if that will drop it down enough for me. Seriously, the only improvement this sight needs is a base that allows absolute co-witness, and 1/3 co-witness with a riser.
CONCLUSION
This sight punches WAY above its price range. If you are looking for a quality sight you can trust no matter how badly you beat it up, the DI Optical Raven sights are worth looking at.
Pros:
- toughness
Cons:
- None
Would Recommend:
Yes
16 of 16
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