EOTech Military model 512.A65 reviews, and 3x mag questions!

[rdrouant]

Hello, I am currently looking for a red dot sight for my AR. Due to the price of the EOTech Military model 512.A65 on aim.com with free shipping and the mail in rebate I am tempted as I still have many other upgrades I would like for my carbine. What im looking for is some reviews on the reliability and ruggedness on the 512 and its ability to maintain zero for thousands of rounds. If you don't have experience with the 512 please don't post here about how much you love your aimpoint. Im lookin for real world experiences people have had with these sights. Also does anyone run a 512 or other eotech with a 3x mag? how does the dot appear through the magnified optic?

Please post only relevant information about your experiences with eotech optics!

[tibis3383]

The 512 is a great basic eotech. When I had a 512, I had it mounted on a YHM riser so I could get the lower 1/3 co-witness. If you want to achieve the same thing you need to add in the price of a riser. Now when it comes to risers I found two choices that I liked best, a larue QD or the YHM that is fixed. The larue is definitely more money but it is worth the money in my opinion.

Another option I would look at for eotech are the 516/517 models. They both already sit on a 7mm riser so you wouldn't have to buy a separate riser. They also have the buttons moved to the side of the unit which makes it possible to make adjustments if you have a 3x mounted behind the eotech. I never ran a 3x so I cant speak to the appearance of the reticle under magnification. The rebate will get you $50 back for the 516 or 517.

I hope this helps.

Semper Fi

Tim

[ARJJ]

I've been well satisfied with my 512. It has served me well in its role as a patrol rifle optic. I bought it over the Aimpoint because it was about $100 cheaper and came with its own integral mount. (If I'd known then how much money would be tied up in this gun, I probably would've just bought the Aimpoint LOL.)

No, it doesn't have quite the durability of the Aimpoint, nor the extremely long battery life. The latter, however, is easily solved by changing batteries on a regular basis. I normally change mine once a month or at every range trip. I throw the used batteries in a ziplock bag and use them for all the mini-maglites I have laying around, or TV remotes.

The circle and dot reticle on the EOTech looks weird at first; it appears "pixellated." Once you have the intensity properly adjusted for ambient light conditions, however, it will appear sharper. The one-MOA dot is pretty darn accurate at 0-100 yards.

I have mine on an absolute witness with my irons (both front and back Troy flip ups). The sight picture didn't appear cluttered, though, when it was mounted on an upper with a standard front sight base and rear BUIS.