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  • Post last modified:October 27, 2023

Which one is better, Trijicon RMR LED vs dual?

There is a lot of questions regarding which one to get and why one is better than the other.

In this article, we gonna briefly go over what's different about them, and share our thoughts.

Dual Illuminated RMR VS LED

trijicon rmrcc vs rmr side view

RMR is very popular for handguns, rifles and shotguns.

The RMR Type 2 models offer redesigned and upgraded electronics that are proven to perform when mounted on slide ride pistols and other small arms.

These include the Trijicon RMR dual illiminated 7 MOA and 12.9 MOA RM08

Also check out: Best RMR Footprint Red Dot Sights

How Long Does Tritium Last In RMR?

Tritium lamp lasts about 15 years from date of original manufacture based on Trijicon's website specs. 

The tritium fiber optic gathers the surrounding light to illuminate the reticle in low-light conditions, and fiber optics automatically adjust the brightness level and contrast to available light conditions.

During day time, an RMR with tritium insert works very well. The reticle is bright to see on a sunny day or a cloudy day.

However... in low light, the Tritium is basically useless, and using a weapon light for PID at close ranges can washout the dimmed reticle even more to the point you can't even see.

How Long Does A Dual Illuminated RMR Last?

A dual illuminated RMR doesn't need battery thanks to the tritium and fiber optic illumination. 

Does Trijicon RMR Tritium Work In Low Light?

Trijicon RMR fov

The LED reticle is always visible in any lighting condition without relying on ambient light source. This is great for any home defense and conceal carry guns.

Tritium RMR in the dark

On the another hand, Tritium fiber optic dual illuminated RMR doesn't work well when its in complete darkness. And there is no way in adjust the brightness at all.

Reticle Options

The adjustable LED RMR offers:

  • 1 MOA - Finest dot for precision shooting and shooters with aged eyes
  • 3.25 MOA - Most versatile and popular of all RMR dot sizes
  • 6.5 MOA - Biggest dot available in Adjustable LED-operated models

The Trijicon RMR Type 2 dual illumination offers:

  • 7 MOA - Standard for tritium RMR
  • 9 MOA - Chosen by USMC for use in both the SDO and MDO optics
  • 12.9 Triangle - Use tip of the triangle for precision shooting
  • 13 MOA - Recommended for any CQB and shotgun applications

Lens Tint

Both RMR models have a slight blueish lens tint on the glass, which isn't a big deal in outdoor environments with natural sun light and ambient light.

However, during low light environment the lens tint can slightly reduce the clarity of the lens, and the being able to adjust the reticle brightness intensity is a important feature to adjust relative to the lighting condition, which is why the adjustable LED RMR model is the preferred for conceal carry users and any home defense guns.

Does Tritium Ever Stop Glowing?

A Tritium lamp will eventually lose its brightness over time. However, the half-life of Tritium is approximately 12 years, so if you have a brand new Trijicon RMR with Tritium, you have quite a long time before the need for replacement arises.