Hey Freedom Gorillas, today we want to talk about the Trijicon RMR Type 2 vs. The RMR HD. We want to discuss the main specifications, how they differ, and how the HD has evolved from the red dot RMR Type 2 models, so you can decide which optic is best for you.
So, let’s get into it:
TLDR
All Trijicon RMR Optics are American Made.
The Trijicon RMR comes in 3 models: the RMR Type 2 Adjustable, RMR Type 2 Dual Illuminated, and RMR Type 2 Automatic. The RMR Automatic has auto brightness only while the RMR Dual Illuminated has no batteries and uses fiber optics and tritium to illuminate the optic.
The RMR Adjustable allows you to toggle between auto and manual brightness. All Type 2 RMRs have bottom mounted batteries, which means you have to take the optic off to change them.
The Type 2 RMRs have a patented housing, which makes them super tough and durable, and they are waterproof up to 66ft. The Automatic and Adjustable come with either a 1 MOA, 6.5 MOA, or 3.25 MOA dot. The RMR Dual Illumination comes with a 9 MOA dot.
The RMRs come in black, FDE, grey, or green. The Dual Illuminated and RMR Type 2 Automatic use auto brightness while the Adjustable has auto and manual brightness and nightvision compatible modes.
The RMR HD is an improvement on the RMR Type 2. It has a top loading battery and advanced downrange sensors. The HD comes in 3.25 MOA or 1 MOA dot comes with a black housing, and has manual and automatic brightness. The big change is that it has a MRS with 55 MOA outer ring and choice of 1 MOA or 3.25 MOA center dot reticle.
The RMR HD has a patented tough durable housing that comes only in black, and overall it’s a bit bigger than the RMR Type 2 models.
Trijicon RMR Type 2 Models Main Specs
The Trijicon RMR Type 2 includes three models of durable open emitters designed for pistols or any mount or adapter plate with an RMR footprint. These optic models are designed for duty and to stand up against the elements. Here are the main specifications for each model:
RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED
- Red and Green Reticle Option
- Reticle Options: 1 MOA, 3.25 MOA, or 6.5 MOA
- RMR Footprint
- Comes in Black, Coyote Brown, OD Green, or FDE
- Adjustable LED
- Button Lock Out
- Battery Conservation Mode
- Battery Type: CR2032
- Battery Life: 35,000 Hours or Over 4 Years (Dependent on Settings)
- Auto and Manual Brightness
- NV Compatible
- 20m Submersion Depth
- Housing Material: 7075-T6 Aluminum
- Window Size: 0.87”x0.63”
- Length: 1.8”
- Width: 1.2”
- Height: 1”
- Weight: 1.2 oz
RMR Type 2 Automatic LED
- Red Reticle Only
- Reticle Options: 1 MOA, 3.25 MOA, or 6.5 MOA
- RMR Footprint
- Comes in Black, OD Green, Grey, or FDE (FDE Only Has a 3.25 MOA Red Dot Option)
- Adjustable LED
- Button Lock Out
- Battery Conservation Mode
- Battery Type: CR2032
- Battery Life: 35,000 Hours or Over 4 Years (Dependent on Settings)
- Auto and Manual Brightness
- NV Compatible
- 20m Submersion Depth
- Housing Material: 7075-T6 Aluminum
- Window Size: 0.87”x0.63”
- Length: 1.8”
- Width: 1.1”
- Height: 1”
- Weight: 1.2 oz
RMR Type 2 Dual Illuminated
- Amber and Green Reticle Option
- Reticle Size Options: 9 MOA
- RMR Footprint
- Comes in Black, OD Green, Grey, or FDE
- Fiber optic and Tritium Powered Reticle
- No Battery
- NV Goggle Compatible
- 20m Submersion Depth (66ft)
- Housing Material: 7075-T6 Aluminum
- Window Size: 0.87”x0.63”
- Length: 1.8”
- Width: 1.1”
- Height: 1”
- Weight: 1.2 oz
For a simplified overview of all available models, check out our Trijicon Pistol Optic Cheat Sheet.
Trijicon RMR HD Main Specs
The Trijicon RMR HD came after the Trijicon SRO (Special Purpose Rifle Optic) and merges many of the features of the RMR and SRO, and adds some features of its own. Here are the main specifications for the RMR HD:
- Red Reticle
- Reticle Options: MRS 1 MOA Dot and 55 MOA Circle, or MRS 3.25 MOA Dot and 55 MOA Circle
- RMR Footprint
- Housing Comes in Black
- Button Lock Out
- Automatic Brightness Mode (Forward Mounted Light Sensor)
- Manual Brightness Lock-in Mode
- 9 Brightness Modes: 3 Night Vision Compatible and 1 Super Bright
- Top Loading Battery
- Battery Type: CR2032
- Battery Life: Over 3 Years of continuous use (Depending on the setting)
- 20m Submersion Depth
- Housing Material: 7075-T6 Aluminum
- Window Size: 0.89”x0.67”
- Length: 2.15”
- Width: 1.27”
- Height: 1.19”
- Weight: 1.69 oz
Mounting
The three RMR models and RMR HD are designed to fit RMR footprints and will simply need an adapter for other footprints. Attaching these optics to a pistol requires you to align the two forward recoil lugs and screw it in using the two screw holes towards the back of the optic.
The main difference between mounting the three RMR models vs the RMR HD is that the standard RMR models may require a sealing plate underneath the optics while the RMR does not. This is to protect the electronics on the bottom from being compromised by moisture. More on the electrical elements later.
Reticle System
A fundamental difference between the Trijicon RMR vs. RMR HD is that all three of the RMR Type 2 models have a dot only. You have your choice of a 1 MOA Dot, 3.25 MOA Dot, or 6.5 MOA dot for the RMR Type 2 Automatic and Adjustable, and only a 9 MOA dot for the RMR Dual Illuminated.
The RMR HD has two dot options, 1 MOA and 3.5 MOA, however it also comes with a 55 MOA circle and has a MRS, or multi-reticle system. The MRS allows the user to toggle between only dot, only circle, or both circle and dot.
The reticle of the RMR Type 2 Adjustable comes available in a red or green color, the Automatic comes in red only, and the Dual Illuminated has green or amber, while the RMR HD only has the red reticle option.
Window Size
When viewing both reticles, you’ll notice that the RMR HD has a slightly larger window than the RMR Type 2 models. The RMR Type 2 Automatic, Adjustable, and Dual Illuminate have a window size of 0.87”x0.63” while the RMR HD has a window size of 0.89”x0.67”.
Battery and Battery Life
When it comes to the Trijicon RMR vs. RMR HD, you will notice a large difference when it comes to the battery and battery life. First, let’s highlight the differences between the RMR Type 2 models. The RMR Type 2 Adjustable and Automatic both use a CR2032 battery, however their life span is different. The RMR Type 2 Adjustable and the RMR Type 2 Automatic both have battery life of around 35,000 hours.
The RMR Dual Illuminated has no battery and relies on fiber optics to light the reticle as well as tritium as a back up.
The RMR Type 2 Adjustable and Automatic have the battery on the bottom of the optic, which means you have to remove the optics from the pistol in order to access or replace the battery.
The Trijicon RMR HD already has a plate on the bottom to protect the electronics and has access to the battery on the top of the optic. A tool is included to help you access and replace the battery, and it means you can do so when the optic is mounted to a weapon
Battery Life Comparison Between RMR Type 2 and RMR HD
The battery life of the RMR HD is rated at 25,000 hours. This is less than the RMR Type 2 of 35,000 hours, however the RMR HD is using the MRS reticle. If you used the dot only, battery life would be similar to the RMR Type 2.
Battery Conservation Mode
The Trijicon RMR Type 2 Adjustable, RMR Type 2 Automatic, and the Trijicon RMR HD use a feature called Battery Conservation Mode. This feature automatically dims the dot after 16.5 hours of inactivity and defaults the optic back to auto-brightness mode.
Button Lock Out
A feature of both the RMR Type 2 Adjustable and its HD counterpart is the Button Lock Out Feature. This allows you to lock out the buttons so it stays in auto brightness mode. This way, your settings won’t be changed if you accidentally press the buttons or if the buttons are pressed from any kind of interaction with the environment.
This feature is activated while the optic is off, by simply pressing and holding both the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons for five seconds with the RMR and 3 seconds with the RMR HD. This will turn the optic on with auto-brightness, and can be switched back to manual brightness by turning the optic back off and pressing either button to turn the optic back.
Both the RMR Type 2 Automatic and Dual Illuminated do not have buttons since they automatically adjust to ambient light.
Composition and Material
The housing on both the RMR and RMR HD are made of 7075-T6 aluminum for a durable and light design. The main difference you will find for the Trijicon RMR vs. RMR HD is that the HD is slightly larger.
This difference can lead to a slight overhang depending on your cut, and some users have mentioned that it could overhang the ejection port. Both optics also have the owl ear design to improve durability and avoid damage from shock.
Lastly, the RMR HD has an index ridge at the top center of the optic that is designed to help you quickly center your dot when you go to line up your sight. All Trijicon RMR sights are also made in America
Side Buttons
The control buttons on the Trijicon RMR Type 2 Adjustable vs. RMR HD are similar in that there is a plus button on the left side and minus button on the right side. However the RMR HD’s buttons are slightly larger to make it easier to make adjustments.
Brightness Settings
The RMR Type 2 Adjustable has 8 manual brightness settings, 2 of which are night vision compatible. The RMR HD has 9 brightness settings, 3 of which are night vision compatible. The RMR Type 2 Adjustable, Automatic, and RMR HD use LED for its illumination source.
The RMR HD also has three auto modes: normal auto, high auto, and low auto, which adjust based on the range of lighting you may experience. It also has a dedicated super bright setting. The HD has more settings than the RMR Type 2 and some users say the settings can be overwhelming
The RMR HD uses a forward facing light sensor so it adjusts the brightness based on where you are pointing instead of just adjusting based on ambient light. This comes in handy if you are using a flashlight.
The RMR Type 2 Automatic uses a sensor to sense the lighting conditions and adjust automatically while the Dual Illumination uses fiber optics to absorb ambient light as its reticle source.
Which One Do I Buy?
With all of that being said, when it comes to the Trijicon RMR Type 2 Models vs. RMR HD, which is best for you? This depends on your preferences. Here’s a breakdown of one of the main deciding factors, pricing, as well as the similarities and differences between these two Trijicon optics:
Price
One main difference to consider is that the Trijicon RMR is more affordable than the RMR HD since the HD is newer and was designed as an improvement of the RMR Type 2. Here is a breakdown of the pricing:
Trijicon RMR Type 2 Adjustable:
- Trijicon RMR 1 MOA (Red Dot): $554.00
- Trijicon RMR 3.25 MOA (Red Dot): $554.00
- Trijicon RMR 6.5 MOA (Red Dot): $554.00
- Trijicon RMR 3.25 MOA (Green Dot): $599.99
- Trijicon RMR 3.25 MOA Red Dot (FDE): $595.00
Trijicon RMR Dual Illuminated:
- Trijicon RMR Dual Illuminated 9 MOA Amber or Green Dot: $609.99
Trijicon RMR Type 2 Automatic
- Trijicon RMR Type 2 Automatic 3.25 MOA: $514.99
Trijicon RMR HD:
- Trijicon RMR HD 1 MOA Dot: $774.00
- Trijicon RMR HD 3.25 MOA Dot: $774.00
Similarities
Since the RMR HD was developed from the foundation of the RMR Type 2, there will be a fair amount of similarities:
- Both the RMR Type 2 Adjustable and RMR HD have the plus button on the left side of the optic and the minus button on the right.
- All Trijicon RMR optics have an RMR footprint
- All four Trijicon RMR models are made of 7075-T6 Aluminum
- All RMR optics that use a battery use a CR2032 battery
- All four Trijicon RMR optics have a submersion depth of 20m (~66 ft)
- All four are open emitters
- All are American made
Trijicon also offers an enclosed emitter alternative to the RMR HD—read our Trijicon RMR HD vs RCR comparison to understand the differences between open and enclosed designs.
Differences
Now, since the RMR HD is the evolution of the RMR, there are going to be some differences, and general improvements or changes from the traditional RMR. Here’s where these optics differ:
- The RMR HD is slightly larger than the RMR which means there may be a slight overhang, even possibly over the ejection port.
- The RMR HD has a slightly larger window than the RMR Type 2 Models
- The RMR HD has an indexing ridge for an index reference when you go to line up your sights.
- The RMR HD has buttons to adjust brightness while the RMR Type 2 Automatic and Dual Illuminated do not.
- The RMR HD has slightly larger buttons than the RMR Type 2 Adjustable
- The RMR Type 2 Adjustable and Automatic have bottom loaded batteries while the HD is top loaded. This means you have to remove Trijicon RMR Type 2 optics from the pistol to replace the battery, while the RMR HD’s battery can be replaced while still mounted.
- The Trijicon RMR HD has a light sensor to the front instead of in the emitter housing which provides more control of lighting when on automatic mode (light shining back to you)
- The RMR HD has a MRS (1 MOA or 3.25 MOA dot with a 55 MOA circle) while the RMR Type 2 models are dot only (1 MOA, 3.25 MOA, or 6.5 MOA or 9 MOA for the Dual Illuminated)
- The RMR HD has more brightness settings than the RMR Type 2, and can be overwhelming for some.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have found this comparison article helpful at deciding whether the Trijicon RMR Type 2 models or the Trijicon RMR HD is best for you.
As you can see the biggest differences are that the RMR HD is slightly larger with a larger window and has a top access battery as opposed to the RMR Type 2’s bottom access battery. The RMR HD also has more options when it comes to brightness settings, and it has a forward facing light sensor for automatic adjustments.
The RMR HD has a MRS with 55 MOA circle and your choice of 1 MOA dot or 3.25 MOA dot while the RMR Type 2 Automatic and Adjustable only come with a reticle dot with your choice of 1 MOA, 3.25 MOA, or 6.5 MOA or a 9 MOA triangle for the Dual Illuminated. The battery life on the RMR Type 2 Adjustable is longer than the HD while the HD has larger buttons and also has an indexing ridge.
Both use the same battery, are made of the same material, and have a similar shape, overall. They are both also recommended for duty use including military and police, but are applicable for training and competitive shooting. For shooters comparing the RMR HD against other competition-oriented optics, see our Holosun 507 Comp vs the World: Trijicon SRO, 508T, EPS, 507C and More Photo & Video Comparison.
If you have any questions, please contact us and we would be happy to help.
Thanks for reading!
