Which EOTech should I get?

[Deegan56]

I currently have a Barska 1-4 IR scope on my AR, which i am planning to remove and replace with Diamondhead flip up BUIS, but I am not sure which EOTech would work best with them. I am looking for one with the largest possible "window," and with the power button on the side. They are going on a Bushmaster ORC with a quad rail.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[happy_gunner]

What sort of reticle are you looking for? They offer a couple of different configurations, from a simple dot to a dot in a circle to multiple dots in the circle. I have the last, and while it is great for longer distance shooting, it's not the best for closer ranges although it is not super prohibitive. Generally, the newer(ish), shorter models have the buttons on the side and the older, longer versions have them on the back. Both work fine but neither generally work great with gloves, although the buttons on the back seam a little easier with gloves on.

[Deegan56]

I was looking at the 512. I believe it has a 65 MOA circle with a single 1 MOA dot in the middle. I have read that that is the one that Police and Military have used. Also, I can deal with the button being on the back of the sight, it would just be more convenient to have it on the side.I would be open to other similarly priced EOTech options.

My other concern is that I would like it to co-witness with the BUIS in the center of the "window," if possible.

[happy_gunner]

I have used the 512 in the military, as it is the used as well as AimPoints. In fact, I have used both. It takes take up a good amount of top rail real estate though if there is nothing else up their, it doesn't really matter. A benefit of this line of EoTech is that it uses regular AA batteries, which are easier to get than the CR123 and the like sometimes.

I don't know about co-witnessing. I have never done it with my service rifle nor with my AR-15 (which also runs a newer version eotech). I have done it with the AimPoint. My only thought would be that the 512 dot sits lower that the AimPoint red dot and so I don't know if you physical can do so without using a riser.

[elwarpo]

the 517 is the updated 512 with buttons on the side. i have one and a 512 and prefer the 517 because of the buttons. The rest is about the same. Also consider the aimpoint pro, also a nice sight and similar in price.

[dougwg]

"Which EOTech should I get? "

The one that says Aimpoint...

[Deegan56]

What are the benefits of an Aimpoint over an EOTech? And the other way around? I believe the EOTech has a larger field of view, which I prefer, but I have also heard great things about the battery life of the Aimpoint.

[happy_gunner]

They are both great optics that for your application (assuming it is not going to need to meet the requirements of swat or military applications) will work great. I would honestly recommend buying whichever one goes on sale for a great deal first. The EoTechs have a great field of view and the AimPoints (especially the newer ones) have great battery life. Neither one will let you down.

[mitommy]

I had a Eotech 512. I had a true co-witness. I liked it but it started randomly shutting off. Sometimes it would take several minutes before it would restart.

That prompted me to get an Aimpoint micro. I haven't regretted that a bit. The Longer battery life is a plus. I had also heard stories about the Eotech not holding zero. I never thought I had that problem, but with my Aimpoint my groups hold a LOT tighter (no other changes to the AR). That leads me to believe the Eotech was not holding zero.

[annade]

I like the reticle of the Eotech better than Aimpoint. If they made an Aimpoint battery life with the Eotech reticle I would be happy. But since I don't need a million hours of battery life, I picked the optic that has a better reticle for me. As far as what Eotech, I would suggest NOT getting a 512 or 517. It takes up to much rail space. One you see an Eotech with an Eotech magnifier, you will want one. But you will need room to fit it.

[JK001]

I like the reticle of the Eotech better than Aimpoint. If they made an Aimpoint battery life with the Eotech reticle I would be happy. But since I don't need a million hours of battery life, I picked the optic that has a better reticle for me. As far as what Eotech, I would suggest NOT getting a 512 or 517. It takes up to much rail space. One you see an Eotech with an Eotech magnifier, you will want one. But you will need room to fit it.


Agreed. I like the center 1 MOA and the 65 MOA helps with identifying the center. The one below has a built-in quick detach 7mm riser which gives you a 1/3 co-witness. By the way the 65 MOA used with the center MOA can be used for range estimation. Go to Eotech's website to use the simulator to see how it would work in real life.

https://4b1e874935ea5d25a97e-f099844d0e354c7ab50c55a966be6870.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.c om/product/XEOTEXPS20b.jpg

[JK001]

Check out this link from the other month.

http://www.migunowners.org/forum/showthread.php?286052-Eotech-co-witness-or-1-3&

[Deegan56]

My ultimate long-term goal is to get my AR running with a good sight, weather that be EoTech or Aimpoint, a 3x magnifier, and Diamondhead flip up BUIS. I had not considered the rail space issue, so thank you for bring that to my attention. I believe I would prefer absolute co-witness, keeping in mind that both my front and rear sights will be flip-ups, so there wont be the issue of the reticle being too "busy."

Anyhow, I think I like the way the XPS takes up less room on the rail. Next question...does anyone know if it is OK to run an Eotech with a cheaper magnifier? I am a college student so I cant quite afford top-of-the-line stuff. Is there a cheaper alternative to the Eotech magnifiers?

[elwarpo]

If you want to try eotech versus aimpoint, meet me at the range and try both.

[JK001]

My ultimate long-term goal is to get my AR running with a good sight, weather that be EoTech or Aimpoint, a 3x magnifier, and Diamondhead flip up BUIS. I had not considered the rail space issue, so thank you for bring that to my attention. I believe I would prefer absolute co-witness, keeping in mind that both my front and rear sights will be flip-ups, so there wont be the issue of the reticle being too "busy."

Anyhow, I think I like the way the XPS takes up less room on the rail. Next question...does anyone know if it is OK to run an Eotech with a cheaper magnifier? I am a college student so I cant quite afford top-of-the-line stuff. Is there a cheaper alternative to the Eotech magnifiers?

Get the sight then save for the magnifier. The cheaper magnifiers typically have real pos mounts compared to the big boys. I looked at the Eotech magnifier at Indy two weeks ago and the quality of the mount was top shelf.

[Kenbow]

I do not think you will have room with a EO tech or aim point and still get a magnifier and BUS on the rifle, it is probably one or the other. Sightmark makes a decent magnifier for around a $100, it is decent for the price but if you plan on joining socom or a swat unit it may not hold up for that but for average range use mine has been fine.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/162572/sightmark-tactical-magnifier-30mm-tube-3x-with-slide-to-side-quick-detachable-weaver-style-mount-matte?cm_vc=ProductFinding

[mp7570]

I have an Eotech 512 with a primary arms magnifier and fts mount in absolute co-witness with my flip up sights on a Ruger SR556. Have had no issues with room on the rail or any type of failures in the magnifier or mount. I do not use the magnifier when I co witness my flip ups and the rear sight fits fine under the magnifier when folded down. Also cannot say enough about the Ruger flip ups, was a little skeptical when I initially bought them, but needed low profile sights and these fit the bill and hold zero even with abuse. Prefer them to the Magpul sights.

[freakinhugebear]

"Which EOTech should I get? "

The one that says Aimpoint...

This

[Cedmonds]

I loved my EOTECH 517, rail space never was an issue for me then again I don't like 23lb ar-15s (mine was darn heavy enough when I finally sold it and moved over to m14's where the caliber constitutes the weight) so naturally I don't need to always run a magnifier or a peq 15 or an ANSV/P whatchamajigger ... I DON'T like having to find CR123 then paying out the butt for them when my 517's and 512's run on AA... I'd rather save the expensive CR123's for my NV's I do recommend the G&G armament flip up dust covers, they are utterly divine and do no wrong!

There are tons of advantages to the smaller eotechs, mostly rail space and weight. I have a smaller XPS .300blk for a AR michigan pistol build i've literally left sitting in the closet for about 2 years now. That one doesn't have NV but my buddy justin who works up there just repaired my buddy JJ's and added NV by switching the back plate which I thought was pretty cool. Guess it helps to know people on the inside.

I also like the side buttons on the 517 and NV compatibility, that was pretty slick.

Also no matter what you get as long as it has all the proper documentation eotech will generally fix even out of warranty which I found amazing. They had mine back to me in less than a week, my head spun. I had a lense delamination from an early 517 that has updates needed.

From eotech public relations facebook profile

" ... We use a LASER to illuminate a holographic reticle that adjusts to the distance of the target plain. Aimpoints use low power LEDs to create a one dimensional static reticle. It's like comparing a Porsche to a Volkswagen Beetle. Totally different technology. Both great but they function at different levels."
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k558/thornejc23/eotech_zps0af32ee7.jpg

Another thing I should add is the coatings on eotech are real Aerospace nasa grade coatings. This company absolutely does not mess around when it comes to doing coatings and nitrogen purging of their optics.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/disorder_in_dminor/AR15s/GEDC0052.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/disorder_in_dminor/AR15s/GEDC0051.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/disorder_in_dminor/AR15s/GEDC0050.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/disorder_in_dminor/AR15s/GEDC0047.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/disorder_in_dminor/AR15s/GEDC0042.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/disorder_in_dminor/AR15s/GEDC0040.jpg

Then again i'm an eotech fanboy and totally myopic about it so my opinion can be completely disregarded on that note :D

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/disorder_in_dminor/M1a%20scout/IMG_1148_zpsd2bfcada.jpg

[amontana086]

I loved my EOTECH 517, rail space never was an issue for me then again I don't like 23lb ar-15s (mine was darn heavy enough when I finally sold it and moved over to m14's where the caliber constitutes the weight) so naturally I don't need to always run a magnifier or a peq 15 or an ANSV/P whatchamajigger ... I DON'T like having to find CR123 then paying out the butt for them when my 517's and 512's run on AA... I'd rather save the expensive CR123's for my NV's I do recommend the G&G armament flip up dust covers, they are utterly divine and do no wrong!

There are tons of advantages to the smaller eotechs, mostly rail space and weight. I have a smaller XPS .300blk for a AR michigan pistol build i've literally left sitting in the closet for about 2 years now. That one doesn't have NV but my buddy justin who works up there just repaired my buddy JJ's and added NV by switching the back plate which I thought was pretty cool. Guess it helps to know people on the inside.

I also like the side buttons on the 517 and NV compatibility, that was pretty slick.

Also no matter what you get as long as it has all the proper documentation eotech will generally fix even out of warranty which I found amazing. They had mine back to me in less than a week, my head spun. I had a lense delamination from an early 517 that has updates needed.

From eotech public relations facebook profile

" ... We use a LASER to illuminate a holographic reticle that adjusts to the distance of the target plain. Aimpoints use low power LEDs to create a one dimensional static reticle. It's like comparing a Porsche to a Volkswagen Beetle. Totally different technology. Both great but they function at different levels."
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k558/thornejc23/eotech_zps0af32ee7.jpg

Another thing I should add is the coatings on eotech are real Aerospace nasa grade coatings. This company absolutely does not mess around when it comes to doing coatings and nitrogen purging of their optics.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/disorder_in_dminor/AR15s/GEDC0052.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/disorder_in_dminor/AR15s/GEDC0051.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/disorder_in_dminor/AR15s/GEDC0050.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/disorder_in_dminor/AR15s/GEDC0047.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/disorder_in_dminor/AR15s/GEDC0042.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/disorder_in_dminor/AR15s/GEDC0040.jpg

Then again i'm an eotech fanboy and totally myopic about it so my opinion can be completely disregarded on that note :D

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/disorder_in_dminor/M1a%20scout/IMG_1148_zpsd2bfcada.jpg
And don't forget they're based in Ann Arbor.

:clap:

[MSUICEMAN]

broke down and got a 512.a65 yesterday, 321.40 out the door, with a 50 dollar rebate coming back to me. this is my first holo-type sight. going to be interesting. I also have a carbine upper coming to throw it on, my SPR upper that I built is for precision work.

eotech (which, in part is in Ann Arbor) is a division of L-3, a large defense contractor, with places around the map.

[Quads]

With the $325 price tag on the 512's right now (several slick guns specials) you really can't go wrong. It's a great HWS at a very fair price.

[siriustock]

Where are u finding that price for a 512 I was looking yesterday and cheapest I could find is $377

[Roadblock]

The new standard is the EXPS3-0 models. That is what the military is going with. They come in black and tan.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj3/roadblockxl/Block%20II%20M4-A1/newestB2jpg_zps91ce6a38.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj3/roadblockxl/Block%20II%20M4-A1/20140205_210845_PerfectlyClear_0001_zpsvdfko4to.jp g

[MSUICEMAN]

woulda loved to get a new xps model, but had a limited budget.

[annade]

Where are u finding that price for a 512 I was looking yesterday and cheapest I could find is $377

https://eotech.rebateaccess.com/promotion.php?p=56182

[MSUICEMAN]

if you have a dunhams that carries eotech nearby, get the 30% off coupon, that makes it like 321, then after rebate it will be 271 according to my math....

[siriustock]

Thank u

[Dirty_Harry]

Are the buis you are planning on getting flip up?

I went with an eotech 512 on my ddm4. I don't regret it a bit. Price was right an I like the reticle better than an aimpoint. I did have to pick up a larue riser to cowitness with my irons. I don't have flipup sights.

[bolonytony24]

I was just in double action last night looking at there dots and scopes. they have a nice selection on hand and you can look at them and decide. close to you as well