Optics Recommendations?

[kaltesherz]

What evidence do you have that current Eotechs still have reliability issues? Other than old anecdotes from "guys who heard from guys who knows someone who had a problem with an Eotech a couple of years ago", I just don't see it...especially in view of my own set of Eotech anecdotes which run to the contrary.

MY anecdotes suggest that the Eotech reticle and non-tube window (better usability and better accuracy) in conjunction with the much lower cost makes the Eotech sights a better buy.

IOW, I reject your reality and substitute my own.


.

My Company started out with 15-12 and in a short amount of time most were deadlined, many without even being used, others with minimal usage. My Platoon had 3 or 4 and only two of them worked, one of our SAW gunners decided he wanted to try one and in short order we had ZERO working EO Techs. Eventually we were able to swap enough parts to get one working again but by that time no one wanted anything to do with them. We used our gear pretty hard, and yes sometimes Aimpoints and ACOGs would go TU but it was fairly rare, EOTechs seem to make it SOP. So no... I didn't just read it online... but there's a lot of other first person stories on this forum and Lightfighter that are remarkably similar to mine.

[Failure2Stop]

Here's my recommendation based off of major feature:

Cost:
1-Aimpoint C3
2-Aimpoint H1

Eye-position forgiveness:
1-EoTech EXPS
2-None
3-Aimpoint 30mm tube optics

Use with Magnifier:
1-EoTech EXPS
2-Aimpoint 2 MOA models
3-T1/H1

Robustness:
1-Aimpoint CompM4
2-Aimpoint 30mm Tubes
3-Aimpoint T1/H1

Weight
1-Aimpoint T1/H1
2-None
3-Eotech XPS (EXPS w/integral mount if desire lower 1/3 cowitness)

Battery Life
1-Aimpoint Comp M4
2-Aimpoint Comp M3
3-Aimpoint T1/H1

Battery Availability
1- Aimpoint Comp M4 (AA)
2- EoTech EXPS/XPS (CR123)
3- None

Reticle Preference
1-EoTech 2-dot with 65 MOA ring
2-EoTech single dot with ring
3-Aimpoint 2 MOA
4-Aimpoint 3 MOA (T1/H1)

Reticle Clarity (for those with astigmatism and such)
1-Aimpoint 2 MOA
2-EoTech (All)
3-Aimpoint 3 MOA
(This is fairly subjective based off of individual issue, but this is what it seems to me to be)

So find which optic ranks in the areas that matter to you, or ranks the highest in the category you care most about.

[arizonaranchman]

"Good point. So in an ideal world, what optic would you have your agency equip? "

Aimpoint Comp M4s.

That's what my agency uses. Very rugged sight and we've been very pleased with them... 16" M&P15 with the M4s sight and Troy BUIS.

[usmcvet]

Failure2stop,

That was a great comparison. I think it is worthy of a sticky. Many folks have the same questions.

[cop1211]

Aimpoint all the way. Had an Eotech, battery life sucked, adjustments sucked, wash out in bright Florida sun sucked. ymmv.

I've had the T1 its nice, but I've gone all M4s (x6) I like the larger fov. battery placement and adjustment placement the best.

[one]

My last remaining Eotech is a 553. It's not on anything. My main issue with the Eotech vs Aimpoint is that I carry my AR up front with me for an entire shift. My shifts can run anywhere from 8hrs. to 12 or 16 hrs. I do not want my optic off at any time. I moved away from the Eo's primarily because of the auto shut off feature.

Nothing I want less than bailing out of my car in a hurry only to find the sight has auto shut down at 4 or 8 hrs. Thankfully I researched long ago and moved to the "always on" Aimpoints and every time I've needed the rifle I've had it in hand and on target far faster than any of my co workers and their various Eotechs.

While the battery life and ruggedness are absolute pluses for me it's the continuous "on" capability that was the deciding factor.

[Nugentforoffice]

I've noticed that Trijicons are rarely in these debates. Why is that? They seem like great products.

[JSantoro]

They are, but between the fact that most folks don't need magnification most of the time and the price....

You'll see them brought up more often when people are to take longer shots more often than not but still need/want something like RDS capability for 50m-and-in shots.

[Failure2Stop]

I've noticed that Trijicons are rarely in these debates. Why is that? They seem like great products.

What Trijicon products are you talking about?
They have several lines, but the products that are the most comparable are the Tri-Power and the Reflex.
When it comes down to it, it's hard to make a claim that they are the equal of the Aimpoints or EoTechs that dominate this segment of the market. They have a small user group, and most people with experience on these offerings merrily switch to a different optic once exposed to them.

The Accupoint 1-4x offerings are very cost-effective, but are about one and a half times the cost of the 1X aimpoints or eotechs. Not a deal-killer, but are usually left out of the conversation since they fall into the low-powered variable class of optics.

[The Solid]

Aimpoint. C3 2 moa w/ a bobro or ADM mount, will be the best value. I would suggest a 2 moa if you plan on using a magnifier, best to look through them though and decide for yourself. I am really partial to the 2 moa dot, and before someone says well the t1/h1 is more like 3 or 3.5, its not a 2 moa and thats what i prefer. If they made the t1/h1 in an actual 2 moa i would be all over it. That being said, go with the C3, an ML3/M3, or an M4, T1/H1. You can't go wrong with any aimpoint really!