Aimpoint Acro C-2 Review: The Compact Carbine Optic Of The Year?

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With the rise in popularity of pistol and rifle optics, the market is flooded with options. No matter your budget, there is likely an optic within it. However, not all optics are created the same. Aimpoint makes that clear by manufacturing some of the most reliable, rugged, and feature-packed optics out there.

The Acro C-2 is one of the newest offerings from Aimpoint, which, like its pistol variant predecessor, the P-2, features a fully enclosed housing that keeps all of your expensive electronic components safe from the elements. However, the C-2 is optimized for carbine use.

The C-2 line offers a variety of mounting solutions, all of which are designed to quickly and easily fit your Picatinny rail system. Aimpoint was nice enough to send this unit out to review, and it came with the Reptilia mount, which, I have to admit, would have been my choice regardless. Later on, we’ll take a brief look at the other mounting options as well.

On paper, the C-2’s features and specifications are impressive, but none of that matters if the optic doesn’t perform in the real world. So, now that we’ve had some range time with the C-2 and plenty of time to fiddle with it, we figure it’s time for a review!

Now that the weather has turned, I haven’t been able to hit the range as much as I’d like, but I made sure that each time I have, the Acro C-2 has been with me, mounted on my PWS MOD-1M.

Reliability

In the relatively short time I’ve had the C-2, I’ve managed to put 390 rounds downrange with its help. Obviously, judging the reliability of an optic as opposed to a rifle is much different, but the more rounds down range with either, the better idea you have.

Once I got the C-2 zeroed, it held true through the next few hundred rounds. I played around with the brightness settings and wound up finding myself staying on daylight level 5 for the most part.

It was the right brightness for indoors and most of my time outdoors, but I did have to kick it up to levels six and seven on a really bright day.

The side-facing buttons were easy enough to manipulate, but they are rather close to flush, so I could see them potentially being hard to use in a hurry with gloves on…nothing training wouldn’t fix, though.

Accuracy

The 2.5 MOA dot is perfect for carbine use and offers plenty of precision potential in addition to quick target acquisition.

I was able to shoot with the C-2 at ranges between ten and 75 yards, none of which were any problem from an accuracy standpoint. Tight groupings were a piece of cake when I shot indoors, and there was no pop can, gong, or paper plate safe when I was shooting outdoors.

Enclosed Design

If you’re running an optic for defensive or duty use, an enclosed design is the way to go. Being fully enclosed, it’s completely protected from the elements, and you can rest easily knowing it will keep running through any inclement conditions.

The C-2 is submersible to 15 feet, boasts impressive vibration test results, and features an impressive temperature rating (see specs below).

The enclosed design leads to a larger housing, but it looks great mounted on a rifle, especially with the Reptilia mount underneath.

Side-facing Battery and Brightness Buttons

I don’t believe any optic should have a bottom-mounted battery that requires you to remove the optic to replace it. Thankfully, Aimpoint seems to agree, as you can easily change the battery from the side.

Directly next to the battery compartment, you’ll find the brightness buttons. They are intuitive to use and not easily bumped on accident.

Flush-mounted Windage & Elevation Dials

I will start with the positives regarding the evaluation and windage adjustments. First, they provide fantastic tactile and audible feedback. With the provided tool, they are easy to adjust and don’t move once you do.

However, you need the tool with you. You can’t simply use the end of a spent casing or standard screwdriver, so you’ll always need to make sure you have an appropriate tool with you.

Scalarworks

Just like the Reptilia mount, the Scalarworks 1.57” mount is made right here in the United States. It’s precision machined from a single piece of 7075-T6 aluminum yet is extremely lightweight at only 1.52 ounces.

If it looks like it’s leaning a bit forward, that’s because it is! This forward lean allows additional space for your favorite magnifier. It also features a patented ClickDrive quick detach system that removes it in under three seconds.

If you’re unsure about it, don’t worry, it’s backed by a lifetime warranty.

B&T

With a more traditional quick detach system, the B&T mount is ready to go or removed at a moment’s notice.

While it may not be as aesthetically pleasing as the others (at least in my opinion), it gets the job done and is ready to tackle any task. It almost looks like a continuation of the C-2 from a quick glance, so if that’s your style, it may be ideal for you.

This small but mighty Acro C-2 is not one that you should sleep on. Sure, it’s far from a budget price point, but often with optics, and especially in this case, you get what you pay for.

The C-2 is a feature-rich, precision-capable red dot offered in a small and compact package. Whether you’re mounting it on your AR-15 or PCC, you shouldn’t run into any problems.

If you’re in the market for a compact red dot ready for anything, I suggest you at least check out the Aimpoint Acro C-2 for yourself.

As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.