Are EO-Tech's Preferred For Close to Medium Range Engagements by U.S. SOCCOM Guys ?

[mkmckinley]

You'll be hard pressed to find any such physical data because, to date, EOTechs are no longer openly issued. They were recalled due to numerous initial issues and then eventually dropped in favor of the Aimpoint.

Not trying to twist your nipple but with all due respect this isn't accurate. The EOtech 553's are still the RDS that comes with the SOPMOD kit. Any unit running SOPMOD stuff is using that optic or Elcan SpecterDRs if they got those too. A 553 and Elcan come with each SCAR, for instance. The units I know of that are using SOPMOD right now in OEF-A are Army SF and special operations support (CA and PSYOPS), and Air Force TAC-P's. Not sure what the SEAL's and Rangers are running.

Overall guys like the 553's. The reticle is considered superior and we get free batteries.

That said I have personally experienced two 553 battery terminal meltdowns. They were both in pretty hot weather; Thailand and Yakima. However the 120 degree heat in Afghanistan this summer hasn't caused any problems so far. Not that I have anything against it, but the only guy at my fire base running an M68 is an air force generator mechanic nicknamed "fat kid".

[BooneGA]

You'll be hard pressed to find any such physical data because, to date, EOTechs are no longer openly issued. They were recalled due to numerous initial issues and then eventually dropped in favor of the Aimpoint. To my knowledge, the only active EOTech users would be 1) those whose units have allowances to purchase outside of existing contracts to suit their personal needs (which I've personally never seen or heard of), or those who've purchased the optics themselves and have been given the go-ahead to use them. In other words, they aren't used unless that unit 1) asks for them and 2) has the go-ahead (and funding) to purchase them on their own, which is relatively very rare.

Not sure where you get your information, but its WRONG.

SOCOM still issues the EOTech (no clue what model). And every SOCOM guy here that doesnt have a Elcan on his rifle was rocking a EOtech. I havent seen a single aimpoint on any of their rifles.

Rick

[texasfrog]

boonega is right, don't know where your info is coming from. there are also still some aimpoints floating around from original issue as well. the t-1 micro is a big hit with a few select guys with bottomless op $$$.

[Victor]

Some factual data from SOCOM on the 553 a few years ago.


> Warning sent to SOF ref EOtech 553 Reply with quote
> To all concerned:
>
> The SOPMOD Program Management Office (PMO) is issuing this notice to all
> potential users of the EOTech SU-231/PEQ Reflex Sight, NSN
> 1240-01-533-0941,
> also known as the holographic weapon sight.
>
> 1. It was recently brought to the attention of the SOPMOD PMO that there
> exists the possibility that the SU-231/PEQ Reflex Sight made by EOTech is
> susceptible to failure characterized by the sight shutting off in the
> middle
> of weapon fire.
>
> 2. The failure is caused by faulty battery contacts that were incorporated
> by EOTech without government concurrence. (See attached image). These
> faulty battery contacts are susceptible to wear due to shock while the
> weapon is firing. As a result, the batteries may lose contact, causing the
> sight to shut off.
>
> 3. EOTech has qualified a new supplier of these battery contacts and the
> SOPMOD PMO is currently validating this new configuration through testing.
> By mid April 2008, this process should be complete. At that time, SOPMOD
> will institute a 100 percent replacement of the SU-231/PEQs that have
> already been fielded. Maintenance Contact Teams will travel to field units
> to either swap out the sights with replacements or conduct on-site field
> repairs. As an interim solution, the SOPMOD PMO is currently testing a
> field replaceable grommet that will mitigate the risk of failure. Pending
> test results, these grommets will be shipped as part of a field
> replacement
> kits to units that have been issued the SU-231/PEQ.
>
> 4. The SOPMOD PMO has ordered a halt on any further fielding of this item
> until sufficient testing has been performed on sights with the
> incorporated
> part upgrade. For those field units that have already received the
> SU-231/PEQ, the SOPMOD PMO strongly recommends not using those sights
> until
> they can be replaced or repaired.

From what I know the units were repaired and SOCOM (right or wrong) is still using 553's. I can also state there was an article on a survey conducted about a year ago with US Army personal about their preferred choice of optic. Their choice, the Aimpoint Micro T1. Mind you this optic is not standard issue at the moment. Hope this helps.

Vic

[JSantoro]

I havent seen a single aimpoint on any of their rifles.

Before everybody starts taking up sides and wearing matching armbands.......

This means exactly what it says, as typed. YOU haven't seen any on their rifles, but consider that there's more guys that fall under SOCOM than you've seen. So, while the guy you were talking to may be wrong, so are you (macro) while still probably being right (micro), if only because I have no clue what you're seeing on the daily. Aimpoints're out there, all right. I can conclusively say this because I just came away from an evolution where they were being used on both carbines and crew-serves, with a company rep there to conduct classes in their use and generally-not-thought-of capabilities. I also saw them being used in Afghanistan.

So are ACOGs, and all sorts of other stuff, because there's plenty of SOCOM units that can Mommy/Daddy SOCOM and their parent organization, or they open-purchase stuff, or they buy their own, or Santa thought that they were good boys that fiscal year. Pick one.

Bottom line ends up being that there is absolutely no way to conclusively answer the OP's question, from my above standpoint, and the standpoint of the fact that there's plenty of these units in which the optic is swapped out according to differeing mission parameters, as they arise. Some guns have so many paint-pen markings on them that they look like Bozo the Clown blew a load on the things....

[JSantoro]

> 3.....
As an interim solution, the SOPMOD PMO is currently testing a
> field replaceable grommet that will mitigate the risk of failure. Pending
> test results, these grommets will be shipped as part of a field
> replacement
> kits to units that have been issued the SU-231/PEQ.
>.....

DERAIL: Am I reading the word "grommet" to describe a bumper of some sort, like what they did with the battery compartments on the PVS-17B/C retrofit kits?

[NCPatrolAR]

There were plenty of 553s being used by Group when I was doing some work with them earlier in the year.


While I mainly use Aimpoints, I think the Eo reticle allows for more precise shooting.

[Iraqgunz]

I just left working with a team from 1st Group and they had a wide variety of optics. I saw Aimpoints, ACOG's, EoHells, Elcans, etc....

[mkmckinley]

After having the battery compartment issues with my USGI 553's I bought my own XPS model and it's been flawless on this deployment. I haven't seen any 553's go down on this trip, but the new XPS line has put Eotechs in the same ballpark as Aimpoint in terms of durability. Now if they could only get battery life up a little.

[chavez_e_chavez]

After having the battery compartment issues with my USGI 553's I bought my own XPS model and it's been flawless on this deployment. I haven't seen any 553's go down on this trip, but the new XPS line has put Eotechs in the same ballpark as Aimpoint in terms of durability. Now if they could only get battery life up a little.

+1, the smaller models in the xps line is great the Battery compartment is now separated from the base to allow it to hover over the delta ring of the rifle
# Average battery life at brightness level 12 is roughly 500-600 hours, 3X battery life of N cell sights..

aimpoint battery life is by far better,, but eotech is working on it..