Sig Sauer Romeo 5 Review: We’ve Set Our Sights On It

If your goal is to see your target with a quality optic, the Sig Sauer Romeo 5 has you covered. It’s a nice sight for the price.

Quick Summary: The Sig Sauer Romeo 5 offers a quality sight for a good price point. However, it’s designed for light use and works best for home defense or recreational firearm users. It is a popular sight and is used by beginners and the more experienced alike. Sig Sauer has produced a quality sight that is quite affordable for most. For those of you in a hurry, check out the Amazon reviews here. 

Introduction

The first thing, and the main selling point to know about the Romeo5 is that it features the company’s own MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination), which is pretty dang cool. It lengthens the life of your batteries by shutting down the system when not being used. 

Then it activates again when it sensed movement in the slightest sense. The sight will be ready to rock when you get into the action. It is easily mounted upon any platform and is made of aluminum, which we know to be tough. It’ll give you years of use when cared for properly.

Overview

It is also worth mentioning that the Sig Sauer Romeo5 has two cool brothers we all should get to know: That is, its XDR variants. You can choose from the XDR Predator and the XDR. The two XDR variants feature a green reticle, instead of the usual red, and features four different reticle patterns. 

There is a 2 MOA dot, a 2 MOA dot with one line underneath it, a 2 MOA dot with a triangle around it, and a 12 MOA triangle (it reminded me of the reticle pattern from the Predator movie series). Users noted that the optic could provide you up to 50,000 hours of battery life on just one AAA battery, which I found to be impressive and also comforting – who knows how long something could take. 

As a supposed budget item for a red dot, it has a few competitors, that it favorably holds up against.

What Do You Get For Your Money

The Romeo5 comes in quite a tiny box, but when you purchase one, things that are included are;

 

• ROMEO5 1x20mm Compact Red Dot Sight
• Low Profile M1913 Torx mount (select SKUs)
• 1.41” Absolute Co-Witness Riser Torx mount 
• Bikini Style Lens Cover 
• Torx installation tool
• Lens Cloth
• CR2032 Primary Lithium Coin Cell Battery

 

Included in the package is an M1913 Picatinny Low Mount Riser, as well as a co-witness 1.41 in riser mount, which is nice, potentially stopping you from having to buy a mount.

Features of the Sig Sauer Romeo5

For a small and budget sight, this unit comes with an impressive amount of useful features. The MOTAC system is particularly useful if you are forever leaving the battery on. 

However, it is made from quality aluminum and is actually waterproof apparently. Not that anyone shoots underwater, but it’s nice to know it shouldn’t stop working during a bit of rain.

Below, I have listed some of the main features of the Sig Sauer Romeo 5 that Sig Sauer themselves seem to be the proudest of.

Sig Sauer Romeo5: The Features

Waterproof -IPX rated for total water immersion up to 1 meter Picatinny Interface allows you to mount this sight just about anywhere 2 MOA Red-Dot gives you 10 illumination settings-2 for night and 8 for day Made of quality aluminum

Light But Powerful

The Sig Sauer Romeo 5 is lightweight and features a tough but light aluminum construction. This particular model has two variants to know about: the 1x20mm and the 1x20mm TREAD. The TREAD is made for use specifically with the SIG M400 TREAD, whilst the 1x20mm model is ideal for use with most firearms. (Just make sure you buy the right one!)

The Sig Sauer Romeo 5 is known for its easy access battery compartment, making replacements a breeze. You won’t have to worry too much about this thanks to the 40,000 to 50,000 hour battery life, however.

It is Durable

If you plan on using this optic in various situations, such as those with high humidity and water, this is going to be a great sight for you. It is constructed to be both waterproof and fog-proof. Thanks it is IPX-7 Rating, it does great in the rain. Perfect for those times when you have a shooting tournament that happens to take place in less than perfect weather!

You Can Adjust Settings

This great sight has ten illumination settings that you can adjust depending on how much light you need in your particular condition. Whether you’re shooting at dusk, dawn, or somewhere in between, this sight will keep you on target. 

Variant: Sig Sauer Romeo 5 XDR

There is a product variant called the Sig Sauer Romeo 5 XDR. There are certainly some differences and similarities between the two. Check them out here:

• The XDR features 2 MOA triangle reticles, while the standard model features 2 MOA Dot reticles.
  
• Reticle color is green for the XDR, while the reticle color is red for the standard.
  
• Power comes from one AAA battery for the XDR, and the standard uses a CR2032.
  
• Both models use the Picatinny/Weaver mounting system.
   
• Both models have a 20mm objective lens diameter.
  
• Both models feature a 1x lens magnification.
  
• Both models weigh in at just 5.1 oz.
  
• The XDR features a limited lifetime warranty and a limited 5 year warranty on electronics. I did not see a warranty offered on the standard model.

 

One of the main questions I always get asked is, “What firearms can I use this accessory with?” The answer is…just about anything you want! This is a closed red dot sight that is perfect for use with any modern sporting rifle, crossbows, shotguns, and even Airsoft guns. 

So long as your firearm uses the MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny Rail or Weaver style rails, you will be good to go. And best of all, the Sig Sauer Romeo 5 has infinite eye relief. You can put it anywhere that works for you. Those of you that have one eye that sees better than the other-rejoice!

And that’s straight from the manual, too!

It’s Affordable

Best of all, this is a great product for shooters on a budget who don’t want to compromise quality. You can opt for the base model, which is $124 at the time of this writing, or $250, which is the Sig Sauer Romeo 5 XDR Predator. It’s an all around good value for the money.

The Sig Sauer Romeo5 Sight Picture

At this point, you’re probably wondering what it is you will see when you actually use this sight. Looking through it before it is activated, you see nothing except clear, green tinted glass on the lens. That’s all you will see if sitting still. Then, when the sight is tapped ever so slightly, the reticle activates. Pretty good stuff!

What Is It Designed For

At this point, you might be wondering if this is even the product for you. The good news is, YES-thanks to how versatile the product is. But let me ask you a few questions before we get too into this review:

• Are you on the lookout for a red dot sight that is durable in nature? Do you want to use it in varying conditions, such as indoors at a range or outdoors for target practice in different weather?
  
• Would you like a model that can be placed upon different firearms? Are you looking for something that fits a variety of guns?
   
• Do you want a sight that is easy to care for, as it has an easy access point for quick battery changes? As in, you could easily change out the battery if you were in the middle of an airsoft match or practicing target shooting with friends?

 

If this sounds like you, then this is going to be a sight worth checking out. After all, the manufacturers bill this as being “a robust 1x aiming solution for any situation.” The best thing about this particular accessory is the sensitivity. Firearms enthusiasts everywhere love the MOTAC technology this sight uses. This enables the device to open when it detects vibrations and movement and closes up when this is not necessary. 

Specifications

The specifications for the Sig Sauer Romeo5 are listed below.

• Magnification: 1x20MM
  
• Reticle: 2 MOA Red Dot
  
• Battery: 1 CR2032
  
• Eye Relief: Unlimited
  
• Illumination settings: 8 for Daytime, 2 for NV
  
• Elevation Adjustment Range: +/- 40 MOA
  
• Windage Adjustment Range: +/- 40 MOA
  
• Adjustment Increments: .5 MOA

How To Install and Sight In Your Sig Sauer Romeo5

It’s pretty easy to install the Sig Sauer Romeo 5. I’ll break it down into a few simple steps, but some of you may find it much easier just to see how to do it for yourself.

 

1. For starters, make sure you have some thread locker. You will need to use it on the screws of your mount. The mount uses a screw to attach the sight onto your rifle, so add a drop of the thread locker onto the threads. This keeps the screw snug once it is tightened down. You won’t have to worry about your optic coming loose.
   
2. Now, place the optic on the forward end of your rifle’s top rail. This gives you extra rail space behind the so you can mount other accessories like a magnifier to really extend your shooting range.
   
3. Now push the optic forward as you tighten it down. Bear in mind it will wiggle thanks to the nature of the Picatinny rail slots. There will always be some wiggle room before you really tighten it down. Push the sight forward, and then tighten it down.

 

And that’s it! Your sight is now mounted and will stay in place.

As you can see, it is a very simple thing to install this sight, and you will be able to use it in no time. 

Customer Impressions

This a popular, established and well reviewed sight on Amazon, and the vast majority of users gave a good review. If you take a look through the many reviews published, most seem to think this is a great value sight, built well, and is naturally useable. Most do like the Motac feature, and think there is a simplicity of use.

There are a few bad reviews, however, mostly relating to quality and some have received poor service. The most common complaint appeared to be that the unit did not work from the moment they received it.

So let’s see what the people had to say about this particular product. After all, it’s common knowledge that everybody reads reviews for things before we take the plunge and buy them. This sight is no exception. We will take a look at the good and the bad, and some of my own personal pros and cons.

Pros and Cons from Amazon Reviews

Here are the reviews I have taken right from the product page. They are paraphrased for length. I encourage you to go read them for yourself.

Pros

“The elevation and windage are easy to adjust….” Alex, USA

“Holds up to the recoil, and I couldn’t have picked a better optic and mount…”-Ryan, USA

“Being right handed with a dominant left eye, it is now possible to shoot with both eyes open…!” -61 Blacklowrider, USA

Cons

“It had to be re sighted twice [during a 3 day Law Enforcement Tactical Rifle course]”. -Amazon Customer, USA

“The dot itself is more like a smudge.”-Tyler, USA

Pros and Cons

 

Pros

• The battery life saving feature is one of the biggest wins on this accessory. The MOTAC is an amazing addition to this because it almost feels like an extension of yourself. I know that sounds crazy, but the sensitivity on this is just awesome. It basically reacts to everything, just as we do when we sense movement during airsoft tourneys and hunting.
• The conditions for this sight can be gentle or tough. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s military-grade, but it can stand up to some pretty inclement weather conditions. Whether you are practicing outdoors in humid or foggy conditions or just target-shooting indoors, you will see everything.
• Replacing the battery is easy. Just open the little door on the right side and change it. This is also where you access the buttons for changing the illumination settings, too.

 

Cons

• Sometimes the MOTAC gets TOO sensitive-yes, I did look at that wiggling tree branch, but I did not need the sight to turn on over it!
• The “Thousands of hours” battery life is true. Yes, the sight will last a while…but not as much as they are offering. You have to use the sight in a very specific manner in order to achieve the 40,000 hours range-I think it is more reasonable to expect about 3,000 to 5,000 hours, especially when you are using your firearm often.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will the Romeo5 stay zeroed on an AR15? Yes, it will. A lot of the reviews mention it stays zeroed very well. It is designed as a robust sight, and most seem to agree.

Can I co-witness? Yes, the unit comes with a low mount, and an absolute co-witness mount.

There is some confusion on the reticule. I’ve seen it at 2 MOA and 4MOA. Which is correct? The box and Sig Sauer say it is a 2 MOA.

Can it handle the recoil of the VR80 12 Guage shotgun? Although designed for an AR15, a few people have mounted them on shotguns and say the unit worked fine.

How high is the dot in millimeters, asking for use with a magnifier? The dot is approximately 52mm high from the base.

Does it come with everything to mount it? Yes. The unit comes with everything needed to mount it. No additional tools are necessary.

Can you mount this optic on hipoint carbine? Yes, you can mount it to any Picatinny rail.

Is the red dot a clear crisp dot or is it blurred? Blurred if you have non corrected astigmatism. All red dots are this way by nature. 

Does it have unlimited eye relief? Yes it does

What maximum caliber can it stand? There is no maximum caliber mentioned anywhere. It is promoted as a robust sight, for use with AR15 style rifles.

Can I mount this on a carry handle? Yes, with the carry handle top rail

Will this work for Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport? If yourM&P15 Sport has a Picatinny rail, it will be a perfect match. 

Will it pair with a 3x magnifier? Yes, this RDS co-witnesses with standard AR height sights. It will also depend on the magnifier mount height though.

What kind of reticle does it have? No reticle. It’s a red dot sight. The reticule is from a Romeo5 variant discussed in the article.

Can you shut the optic off manually? Yes you can. Depress either one of the brightness adjustment buttons for about 2 or 3 seconds and it will shut off automatically.

Can this handle a 12 gauge slug? Yes, it should. The Amazon reviews often state that they have it mounted on a shotgun without a problem.

Can it handle 44 magnum? Yes, if mounted properly.

Can I use it on a spring Air Rifle? Yes, you absolutely can. As long as the air gun has a Picatinny rail. It could be overkill, but it will function.

How long does it stay activated once it feels it’s moved? What if you have the gun propped up will it still shut off? Yes, it will shut off until it is moved again. It must remain motionless for a period of time to shut down. The position does not matter, movement keeps it activated. Inactivity causes it to power down.

Does it have a night vision? Does it say in the description that it is compatible with NV? It has two brightness settings for use with NV devices.

How does night vision work? Turn the dot to the lowest setting. It’s bright enough to see it with night vision, but dim enough that it won’t burn the image on the NV. To the naked eye, it’s barely visible at that level.

What tool do I need to adjust the red dot? The sight comes with a multi-purpose tool, that is used to install the sight and adjust the dot. But a normal flat blade screwdriver will work also. No special tools are needed.

Are batteries included? Yes, there is a battery included. 

Will this work for shooting 500 yards? That is a long way for a red dot sight. At that distance, it would be little different than using iron sights. I sight mine at 100 yards. If you need to shoot at 500 yards, get a scope.

The box says 2 MOA or 65 MOA circle dot. How do I turn on the 65 MOA circle dot? It’s 2 different models. One has the dot, one has the circle

Will this RDS level with a vortex 3x magnifier? It should fit depending on the space you have left on the rail. And should be level depending if you have it on a riser or not.

Does it have any magnification? No, it does not have any magnification.

Is there an online manual? Yes, and it can be viewed here.

Conclusion

If you’re a firearms enthusiast, airsoft lover, or hunter that demands quality but doesn’t want to break the bank, this is the product for you. Sure, the MOTAC gets really sensitive, but this is overall a fantastic sight all shooters can use. 

If you want the high mount only, it’s available on Amazon direct from the manufacturer here.