EOTech vs. Aimpoint

[jpierce30]

I am looking for the opinions of this group on which sight system to add to my AR. I shoot the 3 gun stuff so I need to shoot close quarters with some long range. I also have a flip up BUIS on the flat top rifle. I realize I will have to spend a lot of cash for either, but just want the best bang (haha) for my buck. I have never used any of these sights, only used iron sights and conventional scopes. I found some stuff on AR15.com, but would like to hear from the CHL Forum group.

Thanks in advance.

[jpierce30]

Wow! The eotech sure looks better for field of view. This might be the way to go especially for the 3 gun. I might not miss so many targets!!

[HighVelocity]

Here's the main thing to remember when using an optical sight on a rifle. DON'T navigate through the sight!

Those pictures are highly exaggerated. If you are moving with your rifle, you should have both eyes open and be looking OVER the sight. Additionally, if both eyes are open and you're looking through the sight, what you see will not be like the first picture.

I am all Aimpoint, All the time. Not because I think the Eotech is an inferior product, but because I've seen many Eotech's SHUT OFF unexpectedly due to low battery. The Aimpoint Comp M sights will not do this. Even if the battery is low, it will take months of being left on for it to actually quit and it's gradual, not sudden.

[XDgal]

First off, I have to say I've used an Aimpoint only once, so I am no expert on them. It was ok, and I shot quite well with it. I do, however, own an EO Tech 557. What I like about it, and why I bought it, is the sight glass is opticly flat and does not distort the image through it, it looks the same as looking over ( or around) it, so, you can keep both eyes open for a better sight picture. It doesn't matter where you look through it, the reticle is always at point of aim. The reticle brightness can be adjusted for the ambient light levels. As far as the batteries shutting off, you have to remember that if you turn it on with the v ( down ) button, the batteries automatically shut down after four hours. If you turn it on with the ^ ( up ) button, it will shut off after eight hours. The retical will blink when you turn it on and the batteries are about to die. Of course, if you put in fresh batteries, or freshly recharged, every time, no problems! I am really pleased with the EO Tech and reccomend it. Just my dos pesos.

[HighVelocity]

XDgal, isn't the 557 a higher end unit? The majority of the EOtechs I see in use are 511/512, which if I'm not mistaken do not have some of the features you describe.

FWIW, I compete with my AR on a regular basis and see a LOT of equipment come to the line. The shooters that are winning are doing it with Aimpoints or ACOGs. I don't recall seeing an EOtech in the top 5, ever. even my home defense rifle is equipped with an Aimpoint CompM2. A few weeks ago, I accidentally dropped that rifle and it landed hard on the floor. The Aimpoint held zero and was unaffected.

Also, in the many photos of our troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan that can be found on the www, take notice of the optics that they're using.

[bpet]

XDgal, isn't the 557 a higher end unit? The majority of the EOtechs I see in use are 511/512, which if I'm not mistaken do not have some of the features you describe.

FWIW, I compete with my AR on a regular basis and see a LOT of equipment come to the line. The shooters that are winning are doing it with Aimpoints or ACOGs. I don't recall seeing an EOtech in the top 5, ever. even my home defense rifle is equipped with an Aimpoint CompM2. A few weeks ago, I accidentally dropped that rifle and it landed hard on the floor. The Aimpoint held zero and was unaffected.

Also, in the many photos of our troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan that can be found on the www, take notice of the optics that they're using.

I use the EOtech 512 and it has all the features that XDgal mentioned in it's post. I believe the only difference between the 51x series and the 55x series is that the latter can be used with night vision equipment and is waterproof to a deeper depth (30 verse 10 feet). I like my EOtech.

[XDgal]

Yes it is a higher end weapon sight. As bpet stated, it is night vision compatible, is waterproof to 30 ft.,it also has the control buttons on the side, which makes it easy to use with a magnifier. Another feature is it has multiple center dots calibrated to the ballistic drop of the .223, 5.56 projectile, the center dot is good to 300 meters, next one down is for 400m, another for 500m, and one for 600m. It can use lithium ion, rechargeable, or regular alkaline batteries.I have noticed a lot of our troups do use aimpoints, some, though not as many, have EO Techs, too. A lot of police SWAT teams use the EO Techs, as well. I've noticed that the Dallas SWAT have more EO Techs than Aimpoints. I'm guessing this is kind of like the Ford/ Chevy thing!

[Purplehood]

Yes it is a higher end weapon sight. As bpet stated, it is night vision compatible, is waterproof to 30 ft.,it also has the control buttons on the side, which makes it easy to use with a magnifier. Another feature is it has multiple center dots calibrated to the ballistic drop of the .223, 5.56 projectile, the center dot is good to 300 meters, next one down is for 400m, another for 500m, and one for 600m. It can use lithium ion, rechargeable, or regular alkaline batteries.I have noticed a lot of our troups do use aimpoints, some, though not as many, have EO Techs, too. A lot of police SWAT teams use the EO Techs, as well. I've noticed that the Dallas SWAT have more EO Techs than Aimpoints. I'm guessing this is kind of like the Ford/ Chevy thing!

Which one you talking about? You confused me.

[XDgal]

I have the 557 model EO Tech.

[CHL/LEO]

Dallas SWAT have more EO Techs than Aimpoints.

FYI - up until about six months ago EOTech was the only approved optics for our ARs and M4s. Aimpoints are now allowed so you will start seeing more of those. It's a Chevy v. Ford thing - some officers love EOT and others love the Aimpoint. One thing we all agree on is that either is better than none.

[Keith B]

Dallas SWAT have more EO Techs than Aimpoints.

It's a Chevy v. Ford thing - .

I think it is more like a Mercedes vs. Lexus thing for what they cost!

[Purplehood]

I was thinking of trading my Z4 up to an SLK, and my Iron-sights up to an Eotech.

[jpierce30]

Everyone, thanks for all the input. I think that I am leaning toward the EOTech 557 with the ballistic dots. I may even save up and get the swing away 3 power magnifier. It all comes down to the financing. From what I gather here and talking to others on the street, I do believe it is a Ford/Chevy (maybe a Cadillac/Lincoln) thing. I would love to have the ACOG sight, but wow I could buy more guns with that amount of cash.
Still not totally committed but close to the EOT.

[propellerhead]

There's a lot of talk about battery life whenever you compare the two. Maybe if you were out patrolling in the sandbox, it matters. Think about it, do you really need 10,000 hours of battery life? Are the batteries that hard to change? For the monthly carbine match, just throw a fresh set of batteries in before every match and never worry about it again. Hands down, it's easier to look through the EOTech than the Aimpoint.