Trijicon ACOG TA02… Their Greatest Model and Why it’s Still Relevant

[@deltathirtyfour]

Thanks for the video shout outs. Very well said video !

[@GearAndGuns]

@@deltathirtyfour Means a lot coming from you brother! It’s the least I could do. Your videos helped me a lot through the process of picking an acog and also learned a lot from your videos. You do a great job and I’m sure you’ve helped lots of others. Keep it up man, you’re doing great. I saw your recent video about KZbin restricting your monetization of videos, the same thing has been happening to me for no reason like you said. Pretty ridiculous, sorry it’s happening to you.

[@RobinsonOhio]

You’re the reason I bought my TA-11 thank you.

[@deltathirtyfour]

@@GearAndGuns This video will also help alot of people! TY ! hope the 02 treats you well.

[@GearAndGuns]

@ I hope so. That’s the goal on my channel is to help others. Thank you, I hope it does too. Take care 🤝🏼🫡

[@2AToday]

Really an excellent video. I love your style of presenting and you are doing the best job out of anyone these days providing quality info. One minor thing, at about 1:30 when you say the price, the past tense of ‘cost’ is also ‘cost’. Not “costed”. Keep up the great work, looking forward to the next videos!!!

[@GearAndGuns]

@@2AToday Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I try my best to put out good content. Thank you for the correction and pointing that out, I’ll try not to make that same mistake next time. Still have a few videos prerecorded but I’ll keep that in mind. 🤝🏼👍🏼

[@2AToday]

@@GearAndGunsyou are the best and such a class act!

[@GearAndGuns]

@ Thank you brother. I appreciate our conversations. Sometimes I’ll be thinking one thing in my head but it doesn’t come out of my mouth the right way.

[@brendonhahn7165]

I run my ACOG on my 14.5 with an ADM Cantilever mount, it pushes it back and over back-up iron sights. The mounts with the titanium lever help to bring down the weight of the unit overall. I couldn't be happier with the results this optic gave me.

[@GearAndGuns]

@@brendonhahn7165 Nice. I run mine on a 14.5 as well. That adm mount is nice if you want irons. I didn’t want irons for this setup since the optic is so durable, also didn’t want a riser because of it messing with the bdc reticle. But I’m glad you’re happy with your setup and it’s working for you!

[@bonvaicu]

thanks for making this video

[@GearAndGuns]

@@bonvaicu No problem, hope it helped.

[@RouseDas]

Purchased my TA02 about 4 months ago during Optics Planet's Labor Day Sale for $1053. Currently running a Holosun 515cm on top since I already had that dot. I went with Scalarworks 1.93 mount which just clears my IR laser when looking through the ACOG. I don't own NV atm either, but am saving to get a dual set by June/July timeframe. I do have a gas mask and even though I can't look through the ACOG with it, I can see my red dot. As for as the HOB, I just train with that in mind. Running a cold start drill at the beginning of each range visit will always remind of to keep it in mind.

[@GearAndGuns]

@@RouseDas That’s great you got it on sale. I understand using what you already have, this stuff gets expensive. The scalarworks leap/14 is awesome, I almost went with the 1.75” but didn’t want to disrupt my bdc reticle. That’s awesome you’ll be getting some dual tube night vision! It’ll be awhile for me before I get that. I have a gas mask as well, those higher mounts work well for that. Yeah height over bore can get kind of annoying up close, training helps just have to keep that in mind like you said. Glad it’s working out for you brother! 🫡🤝🏼

[@ImPostedUp]

I started running this exact model with a top mounted T2 for about 3 months now and I really enjoy it. After trying an eotech w G33, and a viper pst gen 2 lpvo on a badger 1.7, I've found that the ta02 with the top dot to be the perfect combination of weight & capability. Hits out to distance feel much quicker with the crystal clear glass & FOV on the ta02 with the thin crosshairs & the HOB on my dot is 4.55" w/ a 100 yard zero.

[@GearAndGuns]

@@ImPostedUp I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I’m going to try the top mounted t2 and the offset with this acog, see which I like more. I don’t have night vision currently otherwise I’d just go top dot. Haven’t had much luck with the top dot so far, had it on top of an lpvo and my chin wasn’t even touching, made controlling recoil more difficult. I’m surprised you didn’t like the Eotech g33 combo. That’s a solid setup. That’s going to be my next optic setup for a 10.3 ar build, probably the mk18 ris 3. I agree with you, I think it is the perfect combination. Yeah the glass is really clear and the bdc helps a lot with fast hits. The crosshair is awesome for accurate shots. Not a fan of the tall height over bore that’s one of the reasons I’m trying the top dot but it’s a nice heads up shooting position and great for nods. Hope it keeps working out for you! You chose well🤝🏼

[@DinsmoreOutdoors]

I have one on my 14.5 sopmod in the red chevron version and love it. Hitting out to 700 on steel just using the drop aperture with 77gr AAC OTM.

[@GearAndGuns]

@@DinsmoreOutdoors That’s sweet man, glad it’s working well for you. 👍🏼

[@GearAndGuns]

@ He’s talking about the ta02 red chevron. If you do a 100 yard zero you can use the holds on the Trex arms website underneath the ta02 listing or the same paper I showed in this video.

[@GearAndGuns]

@ I’m guessing the ta02 or the TA31.

[@DinsmoreOutdoors]

@GearAndGuns TA02

[@EvilWiffles]

I was stuck debating which model to get, TA02 or TA31. Really like the TA31 so I went with that model. Will eventually get a TA02.

[@GearAndGuns]

@@EvilWiffles TA31 is a solid choice.

[@BasementOps]

As a ACOG aficionado I recomend the kram mount or the unity vcog mount.

[@GearAndGuns]

@@BasementOps Good alternatives, but it messes up your bdc reticle.

[@actslore]

My ta02 has the crosshair with red illumination. It’s been great.

[@GearAndGuns]

@@actslore Yes it’s awesome. Great illumination, doesn’t wash out, crisp accurate reticle. Glad you like it.

[@jasonbrody8724]

Another consideration for battery less vs battery. Stated battery lifes are based on a standard temperature, when it gets to below zero those batteries are gonna die a lot quicker And its just slightly less durable than the dual illumination model. Both models are great but I still prefer the dual illumination model

[@GearAndGuns]

@@jasonbrody8724 You’re right. Lower the temperature, faster the battery dies. Lithium batteries help with that but you can always carry a spare battery which I do for optics/lights. How is it slightly less durable? I’ve seen tritium get cut. Which specific model are you referring to with the dual illumination? If it’s the one I think you’re referring to, I’m don’t think that circle do reticle is superior to the crosshair reticle for reasons stated. I understand and respect your preference though. I like the brightness nob for easy on and off finer adjustments and the forward sitting red dot since that’s one of my primary aiming solutions. If you’re not running a red dot then it just comes down to your preferred illumination which I’m not a huge fan of how you adjust tritium illumination but it’s still a great option overall. Thanks for commenting, I appreciate the conversation.

[@thomaskeshel3874]

@@GearAndGunsthe led models are just as durable - other than the illumination. My first match with my ta02 - illumination completely died - something with the electronics. Trijicon fixed it no problem. Don’t get me wrong the optic still worked just without illumination so it was still useable despite breaking. I’ve heard similar reports of this happening from mrgunsngear and I think delta thirty four even as well.

[@TripHawk777]

Or turn it off when not using it

[@jasonbrody8724]

@@thomaskeshel3874yeah thats what I was referring to, the electronics being a potential failure point. The actual prism is still fine of course

[@thomaskeshel3874]

@@jasonbrody8724 yeah it’s an unfortunate issue but that’s the trade off i guess 🤷‍♂️

[@GraizenBrann]

Everything is STILL chasing the TA02, magnified, battery powered Red Dot Brightness, the most Supreme glass Clarity on the planet, anterior top RMR Red Dot for Nvg space 🤌❤️ it truly is the do-all optic.

[@GearAndGuns]

@@GraizenBrann 100% agree. Phenomenal optic setup for a “do it all” rifle build. Lightweight, compact, cheaper then some other options and all the points you made 👌🏼

[@2AToday]

The lithium battery is also important to use because it is not as sensitive to temperature extremes, and it won’t ever leak. A leaking alkaline battery in such a fine (and expensive!) piece of equipment would be a crime

[@GearAndGuns]

@@2AToday You’re right. Lithium is the way to go. Good point though.

[@TripHawk777]

It’s a fiber wire on top not tritium so daylight/lite environment for the fiber wire. Hence, covering the fiber wire when it’s really sunny so the radical doesn’t bloom out. The tritium is encased inside.

[@GearAndGuns]

@@TripHawk777 Thank you for the correction. My mistake. Appreciate the information. Fiber wire on top, tritium inside 👍🏼🤝🏼

[@johnemmert9012]

I noticed that you are referring to the fiber optic tube as "tritium" repeatedly in the video. The tritium lamp on those models of Acogs is internal and is a mildly radioactive material. Only at night is it providing enough illumination to light up your reticle. The acrylic, fiber optic tube is what's on top and uses ambient light. When you put tape on the fiber optic, you are reducing the light transmission through the fiber optic, not the tritium.

[@GearAndGuns]

@@johnemmert9012 I understand. I made a mistake. 2 others already corrected me on this. Fiber optic on top, tritium inside. 👍🏼 Thanks for sharing that information though.

[@RobinsonOhio]

The TA-11 is better in my experience, However every LED acog is highly underrated once you shoot with one on the move and at distance on multiple targets you’ll never want anything else again.

[@GearAndGuns]

@@RobinsonOhio Not a fan of the reticle but the bigger eye relief is nice. I agree in thinking this acog is underrated. It’s a solid optic overall.

[@RobinsonOhio]

@ You can get every reticle on the TA-11 Crosshair,Chevron and the doughnut of freedom. I run the Green cross hair after watching hours of Delta thirty fours videos.

[@GearAndGuns]

@ You said ta-11 which is the circle dot, the others have letters and stuff behind them. I misunderstood sorry. Crosshair is great, I went with red because he showed that the green washed out easier, blends in a little more with nature too but still a decent choice.

[@thomasreisinger2139]

Wish the marines would run this so I don’t have to keep filling out RAM forms 🗿

[@GearAndGuns]

@@thomasreisinger2139 😂 That’s another benefit I didn’t think about. I could see how that would get annoying.

[@WE-R-EVERYWHERE]

It’s called a fiber optic. These kind of errors drive me nuts.

[@GearAndGuns]

@@WE-R-EVERYWHERE My mistake, someone already corrected me on it. Can’t expect someone to be perfect or know everything about a subject. I got them mixed up.

[@WE-R-EVERYWHERE]

@@GearAndGuns Great video brother - I’ll be picking mine up soon.

[@GearAndGuns]

@ Thank you brother. I hope you enjoy it and it serves you well. I appreciate the criticism and correction, helps me learn and get better.