Sig Sauer ROMEO2 Review [Hands-On Tested]

Sig Sauer has grown from a company that made premium grade DA/SA, all metal guns, into a behemoth that makes everything from belt-fed machine guns to lens pens.

Somewhere in between sits an optics division, and within that optics division lies the ROMEO2.

The company has been making quite a few handgun red dots, including numerous models of the ROMEO1 — a pretty decent optic, with the Pro variant being one of my favorite optics out there in terms of clarity.

Sig’s ROMEO2 is built as a step up from the ROMEO1 series, competing at that premium-grade red dot price point. But does the ROMEO2 have what it takes to be your next optic?

Let’s dig in and find out if this pricey little optic has what it takes. In this review, we’ll cover specs and features, pros and cons, and get some range time in to see if it can hold up when the range is hot.

Keep reading!

Sig Sauer ROMEO2 Specs & Features

Specs

• Type: Red dot sight
• Magnification: 1x
• Reticle: 2 MOA dot
• Lens Diameter: 34mm
• Light Transmission: >90%
• Parallax Free: Yes
• Battery: CR2032
• Weight: 9.2 oz. (with mount)
• Water Resistance: IPX-8 rated
• Mounting: Various compatible systems

Features

• Durable construction
• Automatic brightness adjustment
• Quick release mount
• Wide field of view
• Scratch-resistant lens coatings
• User-friendly controls

Source: Sig Sauer

ROMEO2 Background

The optic first arrived rather quietly at SHOT 2019, and it took a little time to reach the market.

However, by 2022, they were hitting the streets, and I eventually got my hands on one. Making an optic modular is tough, but Sig is the first to do so, like many of its modular products.

What Sets the ROMEO2 Apart?

Everyone in the world is making pistol red dots, but this is the first time I’ve seen something that truly impressed me…the ability to swap between an enclosed or open emitter is fantastic.

We get an internal shroud with the ROMEO2 and two external ones you can choose from. One is minimalist and meant to be used with the open emitter optic.

The second is a shroud that covers the window and body. When we pair the second shroud with an included polycarbonate insert, we can now convert our ROMEO2 to an enclosed emitter design.

This style is more reliable as nothing can get between the emitter and the front lens, preventing water, snow, dirt, debris, and more from killing your reticle.

At the same time, I don’t have to sacrifice the benefits of an open emitter, which tends to be a lighter, less bulky optic. The biggest benefit with a single lens, open emitter optic, is the clarity with night vision, especially if you use less than fancy NVGs.

For me, I never thought an open emitter was an issue until I found myself on the range with a deadline and a red dot-equipped handgun. Rain quickly killed the dot, which made me switch to irons. This convinced me that enclosed emitters were the way to go, and it’s my preferred way to run the ROMEO2.

Beyond the modularity, the optic retains the excellent clarity Sig red dots are known for via molded glass aspheric lenses.

The optic has Sig’s famous MOTAC technology to keep battery life long. After detecting no movement for a period of time, the optic will shut off automatically. When it senses movement, it springs back to life.

This keeps the optic working and lengthens battery life. Another battery-saving feature is the underrated MAGNETAC feature. MAGNETAC compatible holster will shut the optic off until it’s unholstered and in your hand. Sadly, there aren’t many of these holsters.

The optic comes with a MAGNETAC-compatible cover that can be installed to keep it off until the cover is removed. It’s perfect for traveling and range bag use.

The ROMEO2 uses the ROMEO1 PRO cut, which is like the Leupold DPP, but not really. The Sig cut ditches the recoil bosses, so if your gun has those posts, this won’t work. I tossed it on my custom Sig P320.

At the rear of the optic, we have a notch cut to act as a rear sight. Simply replace the front sight with a taller sight, and you are ready to rock and roll.

Finally, the optic has a great battery tray. It’s spring-loaded and released with a push button. It’s a little feature, but I absolutely love it, and it deserves mentioning, especially when people are still making optics that bottom-load batteries.

Installation

With the attached parts, pieces, and gizmos, I had my ROMEO2 up and running. Sig includes a lens pen and multitool that makes installation simple and effective. The multitool includes a torque wrench to make it easy to properly install the optic.

When I installed the shroud and polycarbonate lens, I ensured it was super dry inside, and I worked in a dry environment. This ensured I would not get any fog. (Which was never an issue.)

I followed the instructions very closely to ensure the shroud was correctly installed. I switched from indoors to outdoors, dealt with humid environments and cold mornings that became hot afternoons, and no problems were present.

The optic remained clear and ready and has remained so over the months I’ve used it.

At the Range

I brought that multitool to the range to help zero the optic, and again, I want to state that it’s super handy. Other companies should take note.

I used a 10-yard zero to ensure I was on paper and then backed it out to 25 yards. At 25 yards, I sat down, got comfy, dodged mosquitos, and let the lead fly.

The big 6 MOA dot is remarkably crisp and clear. I thought it might have been a little too big, but the dot does catch the eye and doesn’t obscure the target in any crazy way, at least at typical pistol ranges.

I love tactile and audible feedback when I zero an optic; luckily, the ROMEO2 provides some. It’s not exceptionally clicky, but you can feel each 1 MOA adjustment as you make them.

Speaking of controls, the brightness buttons are small and recessed. It takes a very deliberate attempt to change brightness levels.

While it’s slightly annoying at the range, in a carry context, you don’t want your buttons pushed accidentally and for the dot to be super bright or super dim when you need it most.

I wrapped zeroing the optic up quickly, and in six rounds, I was zeroed and confirmed at 25 yards. Next, I just shot. I shot with mostly standard 115-grain range fodder but also hit the range with some +P and 147-grain subsonic ammo.

I ran drills and practiced my tactics at different ranges. I drew from holsters, shot with one hand, and committed reloads from slide lock. This wasn’t all for the optic but for training in general, and the optic tagged along.

Every so often, I’d recheck the zero, and I found it never moved. The next step was to go fast…

Competition Shooting

I never go faster than when I compete. Try as I might at the range. I always seem to hit those personal bests in a competition setting. In shooting action steel, I had plenty of opportunities to go fast.

I blasted through several courses of fire that involved swapping from target to target, and I never noticed lag or distortion when I jumped from target to target. It was quite impressive.

It’s also worth mentioning that this great big dot is an awesome addition. I never lost the dot between targets and found it quickly and efficiently from the target. Typically, I use something in the 3 to 3.5 MOA design, but I really like this big bright dot.

These competition settings also allowed me to shoot in various lighting conditions. We began as the sun rose, and it started in our faces before finally getting above us. In the last stage, the sun fell to our right, creating interesting light scenarios.

After the match and at home, I experimented with the sunlight behind me. I didn’t find any odd distortion or issues from any angle.

The dot itself can get very bright, and it’s certainly more than I’ll need outside of an Iraqi desert at high noon.

ROMEO2 By the Numbers

Clarity: 5/5

It doesn’t get much clearer than this. Even with night vision, it is quite clear. The dot is a perfect little circle and competes with the big boys of pistol optics.

Ergonomics: 4/5

Okay, so it is a little big, but for a duty of defensive gun, it’s not absurd and on part with most enclosed emitter optics. The downside is I wish the adjustments were just a little more clicky.

Ease of Use: 5/5

I was a little intimidated by the ROMEO2 at first. I feared messing up the enclosed emitter installation, but lo and behold, I installed everything without issue. The included tool and awesome battery door are fantastic.

Durability: 5/5

Enclosed emitters are tough on their own. However, the ROMEO2 takes it to a different level with a number of little features that make it quite hardy and ready for a life of abuse.

Overall: 4.5/5

Final Thoughts

The more I used the ROMEO2, the more I liked it. Yes, it’s big and a little bulky, but when that’s your biggest downside, you can feel quite secure in your optic.

I’d trust the ROMEO2 for home defense, concealed carry, duty use, and competition.

It might just be my favorite pistol optic. I haven’t used one I like more, and until something revolutionary comes out, I don’t think I need to swap anytime soon.

What do you think of the ROMEO2? Let us know in the comments below. For more red dot recommendations, check out our list of the Best Red Dots for Pistols.