Eotech Red Dot is it worth it?

[gguess66]

Looking at a couple of Eotech Red Dots, first let me say that I own a Colt LE6920 fixed front sight. I am looking at either the 517 or the XPS2. Thoughts please, I am looking at putting a Vortex or an Aimpoint 3x magnifier. Ready, Set, Go!

[The Annoyed Man]

I own a 517 and I really like it. I've had it for several years now. About a year ago, I put it on my wife's carbine, simply because the 3X magnifier wasn't enough ooomph for my aging eyes. She shoots without the magnifier.

I can't speak to the quality of the Vortex or Aimpoint magnifiers. Mine is the EOTech magnifier. It is as rugged as the sight itself (VERY rugged), but I don't know if it is any better than the other two. Mine came with a A.R.M.S. flip-to-side mount, for $499.

[carlson1]

I had problems with the Eotech and my eyes. I went with the Aimpoint Pro and I have no trouble.

[cajunautoxer]

I prefer Aimpoint

[Sangiovese]

My wife and I both have an Eotech XPS2 on our ARs and we both love them. For us, they have certainly been worth the price.

I've never used one with a magnifier, so I can't comment on that aspect.

[Abraham]

One of my neighbors has an Eotech and prefers my Mueller 1-4 Speedshot.

[cajunautoxer]

What is the purpose of the rifle. I have a trio of 1-6x, 1-4s, and aimpoints

[ddstuder]

I had problems with the Eotech and my eyes. I went with the Aimpoint Pro and I have no trouble.

Aimpoint PRO is the way to go!

I put one on a new rifle last year and was convinced! I sold my EOTechs and replaced them all with a PRO.

I'm easily hitting a tennis ball at 100' consistently.

[Dreamliner]

Yes, Eotech vs. Aimpoints is personal preference. I have both and both has it's advantages and disadvantages. Aimpoints are a lot tougher and longer batterty life.

[Topbuilder]

I had problems with the Eotech and my eyes. I went with the Aimpoint Pro and I have no trouble.

I have the Eotech. Love it. My eye problem is short distance. You know, I have about six pairs of readers staged where ever I need them (read forgot them). For me the Eotech means I can shoot with regular safty glases. As long as I am looking at the TARGET not the Dot.

[TheDude]

I have an XPS2 and like it. I prefer the reticle on the EOTechs over Aimpoints. However, I am going to buy an Aimpoint Pro as soon as I have the extra money purely because of battery life. Eotechs can't compare to Aimpoints on battery life. You can leave an Aimpoint Pro on for 3+ years and a CompM4 on for like 8 years. I leave my backup Irons folded up in case I forget to turn my Eotech on but I would rather just leave my RDS on all the time.

[The Annoyed Man]

I have an XPS2 and like it. I prefer the reticle on the EOTechs over Aimpoints. However, I am going to buy an Aimpoint Pro as soon as I have the extra money purely because of battery life. Eotechs can't compare to Aimpoints on battery life. You can leave an Aimpoint Pro on for 3+ years and a CompM4 on for like 8 years. I leave my backup Irons folded up in case I forget to turn my Eotech on but I would rather just leave my RDS on all the time.

Get an ACOG, and batteries cease to be an issue. If you don't want magnification, then get a Trijicon Reflex. I totally get what you're saying about batteries, and that is why I got rid of my Burris AR-536 and bought an ACOG instead. For my eyes, I need the magnification, but I really wanted to get away from being tied down to a battery. I really do like my EOTech, but if I had to do it all over again, I'd buy the Trijicon Reflex for that reason.

Also, and I don't know if Trijicon is still making these but they are probably available, but you can get a Trijicon TriPower Reflex Sight which offers Tritium, battery, and fiberoptic power for the reticle. I don't know if they are any good or not, but their other products certainly are, so maybe these are too.

[JSThane]

The Trijicons are nice, but the difference in price between them and an EOTech will buy a LOT of batteries.

Never used an Aimpoint, so I can't offer anything meaningful there. For what it's worth, I have an EOTech 512 on my AR (IIRC, the 512 is lower-profiled than the 517, for easier cowitnessing. I might have that backwards).

[C-dub]

I also have a 6920 and stayed with just the iron sights for several months before getting an $45-$50 RDS. I had not used one before and didn't want to spend the money on a quality one without knowing if it was something I even liked looking through or not. After only a few trips to the range I began saving up for something. I like the idea of the ACOG, but was getting impatient and had enough for either an Aimpoint or EOTech and ended up going with an EXPS2-0. I like it and can see through it just fine.

Your intended use can help you decide and looking through them at a store also can. Maybe you find that you can't see one or the other very well. I wouldn't want to find that out after spending $400+, although there would probably be someone around here that would help you out and buy it from you if that did happen.