By David Crane
david (at) defensereview (dot) com
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April 30, 2014
Last updated on 5/01/14.
While DefenseReview (DR) was booth hopping at SHOT Show 2014, we ran across new combat optic that at first glance looked like a Trijicon ACOG 4×32 combat optic/weapon sight, but wasn’t. It was actually the new 4×32 BROWE Combat Optic (BCO) with Target Light Sensor Technology (TLST), which is basically a photo-sensitive, auto-illumination reticle (or, auto-illuminating, or auto-illuminated reticle) that’s powered by a standard 3-volt SureFire SF12-BB 123A lithium battery. The operator/shooter can enter automatic mode with the press of the SIC (Single Intuitive Control) button. There are 10 day settings and 3 night-vision/near-IR settings in the manual mode, which you get to with a second SIC button press.
The 4×32 BROWE Combat Optic sports a military-grade titanium CP-2 housing, so it should be able to handle some abuse, at least in theory. The housing itself offers multiple mounting positions on the 42mm machined groove on the BCO’s objective bell housing for a mini-red dot sight (12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, etc.) like the Trijicon RMR LED Sights (ironic, huh?), Leupold DeltaPoint Reflex Sight, EOTech MRDS Red Dot Sight, etc. via the the BROWE ACC-009 BCO MRD Mount Adapter.
There’s also a vibration motion sensor which puts the 4×32 BCO into sleep mode after two hours of inactivity, prolonging battery life. Average battery life is over 2000 hours, and at least 775 hours on maximum brightness. The battery’s current level is less than 1uA in sleep mode, giving the BCO a shelf life of over 10 years.
The BCO’s utility port allows the end-user to integrate a pressure switch, update the optic’s operating firmware, or customize the existing program.
The visual (and part of the functional) similarity of the BCO to the ACOG is no accident. BROWE, Inc. founder Brian K. Browe is the former Director of Operations at Trijicon, Inc. The 4×32 BROWE Combat Optic is the result of Mr. Browe believing he could build the ultimate 4-power (4×32) combat optic, and thus a better ACOG–and it appears that he may have indeed accomplished that goal. We say “may”, because DR hasn’t yet had the opportunity to run the BCO at the range, yet, nor have we yet received any Mil/LE assaulter/operator or civilian tactical shooter feedback on it. So, it might be an ACOG killer. Then again, it might not be. Time and testing will tell.
The BCO weapon sight DR handled at SHOT sported what appeared to be an A-TACS AU (Arid/Urban) Camo combat camo (camouflage) pattern finish, which looked good on the optic. It’s possible, though, that it was actually the A-TACS FG (Foliage Green) Camo combat camo pattern, and we just couldn’t tell because of the lighting. Digital Concealment Systems, the company that markets A-TACS, has a page on their site devoted to 4×32 BROWE Combat Optic in A-TACS FG Camo pattern finish.
The following information on the 4×32 BCO’s Optical design comes directly from the BROWE website:
“The BCO optical design is based on an internally adjustable roof prism optical system with an etched glass reticle. This design was incorporated to maintain a short overall length, a platform that has proven itself successful with currently deployed products. All lenses are precision ground of the finest quality optical glass available and are broad band anti-reflective coated possessing excellent light gathering capabilities even under low light conditions. The glass etched reticle incorporates an LED coupled with microprocessor technology and a cadmium-sufide photocell to measure target light levels, automatically adjusting the reticle to match target lighting conditions.”
Just like with the ACOG, there are a number of reticles to choose from. Pricing (currently $1,395.00 USD, as of this writing) is the same, regardless of which reticle you choose.
Defense Review’s been told by Browe’s Director of Operations that the 7075-T6 Aircraft Aluminum-alloy-housed 4×32 BROWE Tactical Optic (BTO) will be available towards the end of July. At $1,175.00 USD MSRP, the BTO will be a little over $200 less expensive than the BCO.
Editor’s Note: Notice the 4×32 Tenebraex KillFlash ARD (Anti-Reflection Device) in the photo on the BCO web page which attaches directly to the (M38x1) threaded objective housing on the 4×32 BCO. The KillFlash ARD can come in real handy if you want to keep from getting sniped or captured.
Company Contact Info:
BROWE, Inc.
30870 Stephenson Highway, Suite C
Madison Heights, Michigan 48071 USA
Phone: 1-800-407-3150
Fax: 248-284-0915
Email Contact Page: http://www.browe-inc.com/pages/Contact.html
Website: http://www.browe-inc.com
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