In this Sig Romeo 5 review, I will assess the build quality, mount compatibility, battery life, and reticle of the Sig Sauer Romeo 5 (SOR52001).
Over the past nine years, I have used numerous red dot sights in a civilian capacity. Recently, I purchased the Romeo 5 to determine if it serves as a high-quality product for newcomers to the red dot market without breaking the bank.
I've discovered several aspects of the optic that impressed me, and I will share my findings in this review. Without further ado, let's begin!
Sig Sauer Romeo 5 Specs
- Magnification - 1X
- Reticle - 2 MOA Dot
- Adjustment - 0.5 MOA / Click
- Mount Footprint - Aimpoint Micro
- Brightness - 8 DL&2 NV (Features MOTAC motion-activated illumination )
- Battery Life - CR2032, 40000 hours with motion activation
- Lens Coating - Fog proof performance
- Construction - 6061 T6 housing + Anodized
- Submersion - IPX7
- Body Dimension - 62.7mm X 38.1mm X 38.6mm
- Window Size - 1X20mm
- Weight - 5.1 oz
As you can see, Sig Romeo 5 will last you for years, and, to my surprise, I could even extend battery life, thanks to the Sig Sauer's MOTAC feature. Apart from that, its build is very durable and tough, ensuring it will serve you well in both good and bad weather conditions. Trust me, I tested it in the rain and sun and wasn't disappointed.
Or compare deals:
Unboxing Sig Romeo 5 Review
I cannot describe my excitement when I received the package. I believe the packaging design says a lot about the brand and the product itself. I could feel the quality of it even before I unpacked the red dot sight.
It feels like buying a $600 product when in reality, I paid a much lower price for it. Once you get your sight, you will immediately notice the well-thought packaging design. It feels like opening a newly released iPhone that you got a good deal on. Simply unreal!
See for yourself. Sig Sauer did a 10/10 job packaging this product in a box like this:
You get:
- Sig ROMEO 5
- Manual
- Rubber lens cover
- Absolute co-witness mount & tall mount
- Cleaning cloth
- 1 CR2032 battery
- Allen key
My First Impression
Very clear front lens and good overall presentation
The Sig Sauer ROMEO 5 is small and lightweight! The construction of the optic looks slick, and the edgy cuts make the sight feels very true to Sig Sauer's brand. To be honest with you, when I was ordering this product for my Sig Romeo 5 review, I thought it would be a failure. I couldn't believe such an affordable red dot would deliver the durability it promised.
The turrets feel solid, the lens looks clear just like any other reflex sights, and based on the specs, the ROMEO 5 can accept Aimpoint Micro mount, so see what that looks like.
My Favorite Features of Sig ROMEO 5
Window Size
The 1X20mm objective lens looks similar to an Aimpoint Micro and other budget options.
No noticeable lens tint. Thumbs up!
Reticle & Clarity
In rain, just crank up the brightness intensity and you're good to go under a cloudy day.
When it comes to red dot devices, I believe their performance in less-than-perfect conditions is crucial to the overall user experience and quality. I’m happy to say that after the tests I’ve done, in the rain, just crank up the brightness intensity, and you're good to go on a cloudy day. Sig Romeo 5 offers 8 different daylight conditions, so you will surely find the one suitable for your situation.
Unlike other red dot sights, this one has crystal clear clarity. Since the sight has no magnification, you can enjoy unlimited eye relief.
In addition, the Sig ROMEO 5 red dot features a simple 2 MOA center dot.
The 2 MOA dot is pretty standard for most red dots this size for close target acquisition.
At 100 yards, once the dot is zeroed, the 2 MOA red dot covers about a 2" circle, and it's just as accurate as an Aimpoint Micro (assume proper mount & zero).
For shooters with astigmatism, the optic has 8 daylight settings and 2-night vision settings to help you adjust the reticle brightness and clarity.
Drawing on my years of red dot shooting experience, I can confidently recommend that individuals with astigmatism consider using corrective lenses and opting for a 6 MOA dot when using reflex sights, particularly for pistol red dot applications. This approach has proven effective in addressing astigmatism-related issues in my professional experience.
For those who are cross-eye dominant, I recommend training to aim with the dominant eye, as this can significantly improve shooting accuracy and comfort. It is important to recognize that no red dot sight, including the Sig Sauer Romeo 5, can entirely eliminate astigmatism-related challenges.
Overcoming these issues requires consistent practice, tailored adjustments, and a deep understanding of one's individual shooting needs and preferences.
By sharing my expertise and offering practical solutions based on firsthand experience, I aim to help shooters of all skill levels improve their performance and make the most of their red dot sights.
Reticle Brightness Settings
On a hot sunny day, the Sig Romeo 5 reticle is visible in the max daylight setting. With many illumination options available, you wouldn't struggle with aiming in bright light conditions.
On a cloudy day, the reticle appears starbursted if the brightness is cranked up too high (I recommend cranking it back down until it's right for you).
Battery Life
The Sig Romeo 5 battery life is about 40K hours on a single CR2032 battery, and the battery compartment can be accessed from the side like an Aimpoint Micro.
The optic at the point of writing this review has already lasted 3 years without dying. Not to mention that it's off when sitting idle, which saves a lot of battery juice.
In addition, the optic features Sig Sauer's MOTAC system that saves the battery juice while it sits idle and reactivates when it senses motion. So, basically, whenever you take a break and lift your rifle later, Sig Romeo 5 automatically turns on by itself.
After the tests I’ve done, I can sat that so far, the optic has always stayed operational, even after multiple range trips throughout the last two years.
Sig Romeo 5 Construction
The body of the Sig ROMEO 5 just look slick. Just look at that!
The body is made of 6061 T6 aerospace aluminum, and it's durable for normal use on carbines and PCC.
As far as holding zero goes, the sight holds zero under normal use. So far, it has not lost zero whatsoever.
As red dot manufacturing technology has advanced in the past few years, more and more optics can perform like some of those expensive ones, and the price keeps dropping as demand increases.
For new and experienced, the Sig ROMEO 5 red dot is a solid product to buy at a great price point.
Turret Adjustment
0.5 MOA / Click is what you get with this red dot sight, and it's pretty standard for 2 MOA red dots across the board.
The Sig Sauer ROMEO 5 provides plenty of adjustment click range (100 MOA for elevation and 100 MOA for windage). On a normal optic to-bore distance gun, there is plenty of elevation dials to zero the dot before the turret dial maxes out.
The elevation and windage turrets are exposed without any extrusion wings around them to protect them. I think it's not a big deal for an optic at this price range, and the part I like a lot is that the turrets are very responsive, and it gives very positive feedback even when wearing gloves in the cold.
The turret cap has built-in flat head extrusion to dial the optic, and it's labeled Up/Right to reference the point of impact shift.
(NOT reticle point of aim)
If you've ever experienced a reticle moving opposite of a turret dial, I wrote a detailed article explaining to help you out.
If you're new to red dot sight, check out this guide on our site that breaks down everything you need to know about a red dot optic.
Mounts
Does SIG Romeo 5 red dot sight come with a low mount?
Yes! The package comes with a low mount.
Will Sig Romeo 5 fit on Aimpoint Micro T1 mount?
Yes! The Sig Romeo 5 fits any aftermarket Aimpoint T1, T2, H1, or H2 mounts. As well as riser mounts
My favorite one is the Scalarworks LEAP. Please check out our review on this mount.
It's lightweight and slick looking for the Sig ROMEO 5.
Features the SCALARWORKS LEAP NVG height (1.93") mount (Optimal cheek weld height)
Works with magnifier combo. The above features the Vortex Micro 3X, read our review here
Pros
- Very solid entry-level red dot product under $150
- Super lightweight for centerfire and pistol caliber carbines
- MOTAC saves battery juice
- Works with all aftermarket Aimpoint Micro mounts
- Waterproof (allows complete water immersion)
- Fog proof
- Has a battery-saving mode
- Easy and quick battery replacement
- Day and night vision compatible
Cons
- Not much for its price range
- No lens cap
- No night vision settings
Sig Romeo 5 Review Verdict
If you're in the market for an affordable red dot sight, the Sig Sauer ROMEO 5 is a great option to consider. It's an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced shooters, and it's well-suited for both training and live-fire use.
At a price of around $170 (or even less on Amazon), it's an excellent value for the price. If you want to see more red dot sight options, check out our comprehensive red dot sight guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which one is better: red dot or iron sights?
Iron sights might not be ideal for beginners as they may find it harder to aim accurately. In contrast, many shooters, including myself, find it easier to hit the target with red dots. This is especially true when you are aiming at a distance.
What guns are suitable for Sig Sauer Romer 5?
The high mount matches well with AR-15, while the low mounting options are better for crossbows, shotguns, and some pistols and rifles.
Does Sig Romeo 5 have a shake awake?
In my Sig Romeo 5 review, I mentioned the sight can turn on and off automatically. It is a similar feature to shake awake, but the brand uses its own MOTAC (motion activation).
How far can you shoot with Romeo 5?
Sig Romeo 5 red dot isn't a sight to shoot at a very big distance. You should have a good aim within 100 yards. Although it may not be ideal for all, some will appreciate hunting or practicing at shorter distances for such an affordable price.
Is Romeo 4 better than Romeo 5?
Both red dot sights are great for shorter-range shooting and, from my experience, both are great optics for defensive use. The only difference is whether you are experienced enough to use Sig Romeo 4. If you feel comfortable with aiming and don't struggle to hit the target, Romeo 4 might be your red dot sight. On the other hand, if you are looking for your first red dot sight, it is better to consider Sig Romeo 5.
As the content creator of badassoptic.com, My background in the firearms industry and shooting sports gives me the experience to recommend tried and true products and keep away subpar ones.
