The Aimpoint CS is an optic designed specifically for the Swedish Home Guard, which wanted a red dot that was extremely durable and also capable of being left on for 10 years on a single battery. This was a very challenging requirement, and Aimpoint considered two paths to meet it. One was a pulsed LED to reduce actual “on” time of the dot, but this did not prove successful. The other was a traditional red dot, with improved design and power circuitry to allow an extended battery life. The new system was integrated into Aimpoint’s other optics (including the US M68CCO contract).
Along with the improved electronics, the CS used a large (approximately AA size) 3.7V battery hard-wired into the case. Per Swedish request, the battery was not user serviceable, and the optics are returned to Aimpoint for battery replacement every 10 years (they are on their third such cycle now). It also includes a set of hard rubber backup sights on top and a small length of picatinny rail that was never really used (it was intended for accessories like laser modules).
The Aimpoint CS was developed in 2001, adopted in 2002, and deliveries of about 60,000 total began in 2003. It was used on Home Guard AK4 rifles, and also on AK5s. They were not sold on the commercial market, and are very scarce in the US.
“They were not sold on the commercial market”…once upon a time they were here in the U.S.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1008709240
I have heard it said there were 200 units in this batch. They were everything you said about them, full feature, built like a tank, and would last forever. The battery in mine is still going strong 16 years later!
Still think a sort of Susat with the laser on the mount, facing you, but bouncing off a mirror towards the target might work – Closer see the dot – Longer already magnified. You move the laser as per the Susat, thus it moves in the magnifier so speak.
So we use the laser as Susat reticule, in essence. Why… Well it is a laser, you looking above the scope, or into it magnified; not saying it is the worlds best thing ever. Might be rubbish, but has anyone tried? No. Try it. Mirror, one sight and or like Project Greyburn Steiner sight have two flip sideways magnifiers. One sight. Regardless – Seems better to me – The magnifiers are attached on that scope “You know the flip thing” Rotates on a mount, one mount – Same scope see.
Battery is the same as the memory one that I was trained to replace in our PLGR GPS’