Gear Review: SIG Sauer ROMEO5XDR Red Dot Sight

The SIG ROMEO5 series of red dot sights has become one of the more popular budget red dot optic lines. These compact optics come in various configurations, including my favorite, the XDR series. The ROMEO5X is the more robust design, and the XDR incorporates those same features with dual reticles. 

Two ROMEO5XDR red dots are available, the standard XDR and the XDR Predator. Other than their reticles, the two optics are identical. 

The SIG ROMEO5XDR features an IPX7 waterproof rating that allows the optic to be submerged to 1 meter for half an hour. The the sight utilizes a single, commonly available AAA battery that lasts for up to 50,000 hours.

The red dot has eight daylight settings and two night vision options. You can swap between 1.41 and 1.63-inch risers for your choice for absolute co-witness or lower third mounting. The optic has a 20mm objective lens and weighs just 5.6 ounces. 

The ROMEO5XDR carries MOTAC technology. MOTAC stands for motion-activated illumination, and basically, it’s shake-awake activation. I’m a fan because I forget to turn my optics off all the time. MOTAC shuts the optic off when it remains still for an extended period of time.

When it’s moved, it turns back on and is immediately ready to go. It’s highly functional and works like a charm. Plus, my batteries aren’t dead when I grab the gun and optic out of the safe. 

The ROMEO5XDR Reticles

The standard XDR model utilizes either your choice of a standard 2 MOA red dot or a 65 MOA circle with a 2 MOA dot in the center. The choice of a 65 MOA reticle isn’t a new one. EOTech did it years ago with their holographic sights, and it’s proven to be a popular choice for red dot reticles, too. It offers shooters a very versatile reticle system. 

You can use the ROMEO5XDR reticle for precise shooting with the 2 MOA dot. The 65 MOA dot is much bigger, easier to see, and faster for close-range shooting.

Fill up the dot with your target and let the lead fly. The 65 MOA ring also offers an offset compensation for mechanical offset. If you use the 65 MOA circle’s bottom stadia, you can land precise shots at super close ranges with an optic zeroed for a 50/200 zero. 

 

The 65 MOA circle is also a useful for ranging. At 100 yards, the 65 MOA circle is roughly the same size as an average man. If the man-sized target fills the reticle from top to bottom, it’s about 100 yards away. If the target fills from the center dot to the bottom of the reticle, it’s about 200 yards away.

You can use this method for 300 and 400-yard shooting, too, but let’s be real…at those ranges things are less than optimal with red dots. 

The Predator Reticle

The ROMEO5XDR Predator is entirely different. It packs for sighting options, and uses a green reticle. There’s a standard 2 MOA dot, a dot with a line under it, a 12 MOA triangle with a dot in the center, and a simple 12 MOA triangle.

If you haven’t guessed yet, the 12 MOA triangle design and Predator namesake is from the classic 1980s action film.  If you recall the Predator alien’s first-person from the movie, the Predator utilized a triangle-style reticle to target Dutch and his commandos.

The SIG ROMEO5XDR’s 12 MOA triangle doesn’t offer the same advantages and versatility as the 65 MOA circle and dot, but it certainly look cool. It’s slightly more eye-catching than a standard dot, and for close-range shooting, bigger can often be better.

Mounted And In Action

I’ve used the ROMEO5XDR series for years now. I got my first as a gift from my lovely lady and instantly saw the appeal of this little optic. When I saw the Predator version of the sight, I had to have one because I’m a huge Predator fan and needed it for my collection.

They are the perfect optic for various platforms, and I’ve used both of them on shotguns, PCCs, rifles, and beyond. These compact red dots are very versatile and can function on nearly any long gun or braced pistol with great success. 

Currently, they are mounted on a couple of braced pistols. Their compact and lightweight designs are well-suited for these types of weapons. They are AR height for cowitnessing and easy fitment in an AR15case. 

Zeroing the sights is simple, and the exposed, but recessed controls are easy to adjust, and the 1 MOA adjustment increments make zeroing quick and easy. Those 1 MOA adjustments are also dead-on, as I’ve confirmed with some rudimentary box tests. 

The ROMEO5XDR Reticles and Range

The reticles have different effectiveness at various ranges. At 50-ish yards, the 12 MOA Predator reticle obscures small targets a fair bit and makes them harder to see. At 100 yards, you might as well switch the 2 MOA dot. This isn’t an issue with the standard ROMEO5XDR and its 65 MOA and dot reticle. 

At closer ranges, the 12 MOA triangle is nice and easy to see, easy to put on target, and easy to track when transitioning between targets during drills. However, it doesn’t offer the same advantage as the 65 MOA ring and its mechanical offset compensation.

The Predator reticle is merely a larger than average reticle, and large reticles tend to be easier to see and find. However, the 65 MOA ring is also easy to find and use. This makes the 65 MOA model of the ROMEO5XDR the better option for versatile shooting.

Both reticles are very clear and very crisp. The view through a ROMEO5XDR is also super clear with a slight blue tint in the red reticle model. The Predator model has a slightly purple tint. Either way, the view is clean and clear, and at this price point, it’s impressive. 

Budget Blasting Red Dots

I’ve owned both of these optics for years now and have seen their fair share of lead downrange. Never has either failed to turn on and function as designed. Even when faced with the rapid-fire and forceful recoil of the IWI TS 12, the Romoe5XDR has never blinked or stuttered. Battery connections must be solid and well designed. 

As I said before, the optics of the two models are the same outside of reticle options. I like the Predator reticle more because it’s fun and cool and unique. However, the stock 65 MOA reticle is objectively the better choice. It’s more versatile, better at both extreme close range and longer distances. Either choice is a rock-solid reflex optic at a great price point. 

Specifications: SIG Sauer ROMEO5XDR Red Dot Sight

Magnification: 1X
Red Dot Size: 2 MOA
Overall Length: 63.5 m
Overall Width: 35.6mm
Objective Lens: 20mm
Height: 66mm
Weight: 5.6 oz.
Adjustment Increments: 1 MOA
MSRP: $259.99 (about $230 retail)

Ratings (out of five stars):

Reliability * * * * *
Both optics have seen at least a year of use, if not more, and neither has ever failed. I’m still on the first AAA for each optic and I never remember to shut them off. They seem to take plenty of abuse after being bounced around in my trunk, in my gun safe, and at the range on various weapons. 

Ergonomics * * * *
The control buttons are ambidextrous and easy to access on the top of the optic. The ROMEO5XDR series sights are lightweight and easy to mount. However, the designs are somewhat AR-centric without true low mounts for weapons without in-line stocks. 

Clarity * * * * 
You won’t mistake this for an MRO or an Aimpoint, but it’s plenty clear and provides an excellent sight picture with awesome reticle clarity. 

Overall * * * *
As a budget optic, the SIG ROMEO5XDR red dot sights are one of the best on the market. I’ve used plenty of them, and the SIG represents an excellent middle ground between a TRS 25 and an Aimpoint M5. It’s durable, well-made and likely more than enough for almost any civilian shooter.