[REVIEW] Sig Romeo MSR Gen II Red Dot

The Sig Sauer Romeo MSR Gen 2 is here and has set a new standard for affordable optics. The MSR stands for "Modern Sporting Rifle" and was designed specifically for the AR-15 platform. It combines durability, exceptional battery performance, and a lightweight design, all for a cost of $120.

But how does it stack up to its predecessor (MSR Gen 1) and other Sig optics? I've spent time testing the Romeo MSR Gen 2 in various settings—here's my take on the budget red dot and how it compares:

Key Features at a Glance  

• Ruggedized Industrial Design
• Parallax-Free Optical Design
• "See-Thru" Riser Mount
• 12 Settings (10 Day + 2 NV)
• 40,000 Hour Runtime with CR2032 Battery
• Rotary Illumination Dial
• Dependable IPX7 Waterproof and Fog-Proof Performance

Mentioned in This Article:

Romeo MSR Gen II

Sig Sauer Romeo MSR Gen II

A sleek, durable update from the previous generation—Sig's most affordable rifle red dot

Romeo5 Gen II

Sig Sauer ROMEO5 Gen II

Similar to the Romeo MSR, but includes "I-beam" mount, MOTAC, and brightness adjustment buttons

Romeo5 Gen I

Sig Sauer ROMEO5 Gen I

The original, best selling rifle red dot from Sig Sauer—the MSR Gen 2 uses the same mount

Hands-On Review of the Sig Sauer Romeo MSR Gen 2

Sight Picture & Lens

The Sig Sauer Romeo MSR Gen 2 is your typical rifle red dot, but its price sets it apart from the competition. The MSR offers a crisp 2 MOA dot and decent glass, which is impressive considering the $120 price tag.

The sight picture on the MSR Gen 2 is nearly the same as the first generation (MSR Gen 1). The glass does have a slight blue tint—this is pretty common for red dots. The blue tint is usually from manufacturers adding lens coatings to improve battery life.

The blue hue didn't bother me at all while shooting, but I did notice a slight "fisheye" effect at the edges of the glass. I commented on this during our review of the ROMEO5 Gen 2—it looks like Sig Sauer is using the same exact lenses within the MSR Gen 2.

Sig Sauer ROMEO5 Gen 1 vs Gen 2: Comparison & Review

Complete review of the Sig Sauer ROMEO5 Gen 2 vs the ROMEO5 Gen 1. We compare these budget red dots to help you decide if it is worth buying the new second generation ROMEO5.

We'll discuss the MSR Gen 2's comparison to the ROMEO5 Gen 2 at the end, but the sight picture in both optics is identical.

The slight distortion at the edges of the glass didn't affect my target acquisition or aim at all, but it is worth mentioning. If you have the Sig MSR Gen 1, the sight picture is basically the same as the Gen 2.

Design & Durability Updates

The Sig Sauer MSR Gen 2 does feature some nice durability improvements.

Sig has made the Gen 2 MSR more durable than the first generation by building up the areas around the windage and elevation adjustment knobs.

Without the recessed controls, the first-generation MSR (Gen 1) was more prone to damage since the controls would absorb the brunt of any impacts. With the new design on Gen 2, the impact is spread more evenly across the optic, which reduces the chances of damage.

To protect the lenses, Sig Sauer opted to use rubberized hoods on both ends of the optic (mainly noticeable on the front lens) to protect them from damage (we prefer this setup over the included lens caps from the MSR Gen 1).

As a whole, the MSR Gen 2 looks sleeker and has a super durable finish that has held up well against scratches.

Controls

Unlike Sig Sauer's other optics, the MSR is unique because it features a brightness adjustment dial instead of electronic buttons.

This dial is very similar to Aimpoint models like the T2—spinning the dial in one direction increases the brightness, while spinning the opposite decreases it.

The MSR Gen 1 and Gen 2 have "off" settings between each brightness level. If you aren't using the optic, you can turn the dial half a click to turn it off.

This acts like a sort of manual brightness memory—whenever you're ready to use the optic again, just turn the dial half a click, and the brightness will return to the previously used setting.

Overall, I'm not the biggest fan of the dial adjustment. Like the MSR Gen 1, the dial requires a lot of effort to turn. If you need to move from daylight-bright to a dim setting (outside to inside), I could see it being a pain to spin the dial through the 10 daylight settings.

I thought this might loosen up over time, but it hasn't changed since we started testing.

On the bright side, the dial was thoughtfully set up with the "off" settings between the "on" settings. The dial naturally skips past the off settings unless you deliberately turn it half a click, and it has a very tactile feel when switching settings.

For only $20-$30 more, I prefer the ROMEO5 (Gen 1 or Gen 2) controls, offering the typical electronic "plus" and "minus" brightness adjustment buttons.

Mount & Footprint

One thing I found interesting about the Sig Sauer MSR Gen 2 was the mount. The mount that comes with the Gen 2 MSR is identical to Sig Sauer's original ROMEO5 Gen 1.

The mount isn't fancy, but it feels sturdy and gets the job done. I used this mount on my original ROMEO5 Gen 1 for a while, and it never gave me any trouble.

The mount sits at 1.41 inches, meaning the MSR Gen 2's mount will provide an absolute co-witness if you're using backup iron sights.

If you decide to upgrade the mount, there are a ton of options. The Sig Sauer MSR Gen 2 uses the Aimpoint "Micro" footprint, which is a common pattern used by most micro rifle red dots.

Battery

The Sig Sauer MSR Gen 2 is powered by a CR2032 lithium battery, a reliable and widely available option.

Like most modern red dots, the Sig Sauer MSR Gen 2 has impressive battery life, boasting up to 40,000 hours of continuous use on a medium brightness setting.

The side-loading battery compartment allows for quick and easy battery changes without removing the sight from the rifle, preserving zero and minimizing downtime.

Pros & Cons

What is it missing? Drawbacks of the Romeo MSR Gen 2

For $120, you'd think the Romeo MSR Gen 2 would be missing something significant that is present on red dots that are $200+, but this really isn't the case. The optic has decent glass and stays zeroed, which is all you can really ask for in any red dot.

At its lower price, the Romeo MSR Gen 2 comes with a more basic mount and controls, which is a small trade-off for an optic at this price point.

Most manufacturers offer higher-end red dots featuring "plus" and "minus" buttons that adjust brightness instead of the dial on the Romeo MSR.

For example, Sig Sauer's higher-end Romeo 4T offers a more robust quick-detach mount and solar-backup, which is missing from the Romeo MSR... but it also costs $200 more.

One option we think is worth the extra money: the Sig Sauer ROMEO5 is about $20-$30 more expensive than the Romeo MSR Gen 2. It features better controls, a fancy "I-beam" mount, and motion-activation (MOTAC), which is good for preserving battery life.

None of these are dealbreakers for the Romeo MSR Gen 2—overall, $120 is an awesome price for this optic that is impossible to beat.

Comparing the Romeo MSR Gen 2 to Other Sig Optics

The Romeo MSR Gen 2 feels like Sig Sauer fused the original Gen 1 ROMEO5 mount with the updated body and lenses from the ROMEO5 Gen 2. There are a few other minor differences between these optics:

vs. Sig Sauer Romeo MSR Gen 1  

The Romeo MSR Gen 1 features the brightness adjustment dial on the top (instead of the right side) and is less durable than the Romeo MSR Gen 2.

The Gen 2 is polished with a more modern look and sleek edges, and the controls have been recessed to protect it better against impacts and falls.

The Romeo MSR Gen 1 also features removable lens cap covers, which have been removed with the Gen 2. Instead, Sig Sauer has rubberized the area at the front and back of the lens and recessed it within the optic body to protect it from shattering.

vs. Sig Sauer Romeo 5 Gen 1  

The ROMEO5 Series has always been popular among Sig fans, and it is known for its affordability and trustworthy performance.

The ROMEO5 Gen 1 and the MSR Gen 2 feature the same mount. The Gen 1 ROMEO5 has a less blue tint and negligibly clearer glass.

The ROMEO5 Gen 1 also has electronic "plus" and "minus" brightness adjustment buttons instead of the Romeo MSR Gen 2's brightness adjustment dial.

The ROMEO5 also features Sig Sauer's "MOTAC" motion-activation, which helps ensure the optic is always ready while preserving battery life.

vs. Sig Sauer Romeo 5 Gen 2  

When you look at the Romeo MSR Gen 2 and the ROMEO5 Gen 2, it is almost impossible to tell them apart.

The only noticeable difference on the outside is that the brightness adjustment dial on the right side of the MSR replaces the "plus" and "minus" controls on top of the ROMEO5 Gen 2. The ROMEO5 also features the new "I-beam" mount:

Otherwise, the lenses and exterior of these optics are the exact same. The ROMEO5 Gen 2 also features MOTAC motion-activation, which is not present in the Romeo MSR Gen 2.

Final Verdict on the Sig Sauer Romeo MSR Gen 2  

The Sig Sauer Romeo MSR Gen 2 is a powerhouse optic that is perfect for anyone looking for a budget red dot, especially for an AR-15.

While the upgrades from the Gen 1 may seem incremental, the durability changes are enough to make the Gen 2 a worthy investment. If you're looking to balance affordability, reliability, and performance, this optic delivers value beyond its price point.

Although I like the performance and value the Romeo MSR Gen 2 offers, I'm still not the biggest fan of the brightness adjustment dial. My personal preference is the standard electronic buttons that come with the ROMEO5, which can be had for only $20-$30 more.

However, if you prefer the brightness adjustment dial, the MSR Gen 2 features the same glass and exterior quality as the ROMEO5 for less money, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly optic.