Cowitnessing questions

[benw315]

I'm going to build an AR-15 in a couple months when I get my profit sharing check so I've been doing some research and am wondering about cowitnessing. I'm leaning towards an Eotech 2.0 w/ 3x magnifier for my sights but may go aimpoint... But am undecided on getting a free float rail with flip up BUIS or go with the standard FSP. If i get flip ups I want absolute cowitness when flipped up (I would shoot with them down) but lower 1/3 if I go with FSP. So... that being the case... does anybody have side by side comparison pics of cowitnessing and not cowitnessing vs. the same target from a distance? I cannot find any on the internet. I'm also open to suggestions in this aspect of my build. Thanks!

Ben

[militarymoron]

have you read the 'explanation of co-witness' stickied thread at the top of this forum? lots of info there, which might answer your questions.

[lethal dose]

I like the dissy set up. Middy with an fsb pinned at rifle length with a rifle length hg and a lower 1/3 cowit.

[Meplat]

I say stick with the standard FSP. It's one less thing that won't break and you won't have to worry about. No screws to come loose, no mechanisms to wear out, it's just there.
I also advocate using a fixed rear sight for the same reasons, and using a lower third co-witness on your optic.
You get the best of both worlds, the ability to use your optic unobstructed, and the ability to still use your irons immediately.
Read the co-witnessing explanation sticky, it will help you understand.
I suggest using an Aimpoint over an EOTech, and I don't mean to step on anyone's toes, but I find EOTechs to be very "niche" optics. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what that niche is or exactly what the appeal is with EOTechs.

[lethal dose]

To go along with what meplat is saying... aimpoint truely is the finest optic out there if you're going with a 1x. To be honest, I think I'd go trij reflex over eotech... even knowing about the washout issues. Eotech's reliability has yet to be proven to where I'd buy one and battery life is subpar. Also- I agree with the fixed rear buis, too. It's there when you need it. Just some food for thought, bro. Good luck, keep us posted.

[benw315]

Thanks for the help so far... and yes, I have read through most of the explanation of cowitness thread. I think what I need to do is shoot a rifle both ways to know for sure, but figured why not ask people who know. Durability for the FSP wouldn't be my primary concern as I do not plan on beating the hell out of my rifle. The reason I have been leaning towards Eotech is that I've heard aimpoints don't work as well with a magnifier (I may be wrong) and i like the smaller MOA dots. Not that I'm trying to start a "which one is better" thread ha...

[Hmac]

I have both. Nothing wrong with either, but the FSP is just one less thing to break. I prefer lower third co-witness.

I have both Eotech and and Aimpoint Micro T-1. The T-1 is nice for its brightness knob, but I prefer the Eotech for its better reticle.

[lethal dose]

No problem with 2 m.o.a. aimpoints with mag.

[Meplat]

Thanks for the help so far... and yes, I have read through most of the explanation of cowitness thread. I think what I need to do is shoot a rifle both ways to know for sure, but figured why not ask people who know. Durability for the FSP wouldn't be my primary concern as I do not plan on beating the hell out of my rifle. The reason I have been leaning towards Eotech is that I've heard aimpoints don't work as well with a magnifier (I may be wrong) and i like the smaller MOA dots. Not that I'm trying to start a "which one is better" thread ha...

Here is a good picture to illustrate and help you get an idea of what it looks like looking down the optic on an absolute vs. lower third co-witness with irons.

As for the EOTech and magnifier, I can't say with certainty as I haven't used one, but I'm generally not a fan of using a 1x optic and a magnifier. My opinion is that, and it might be unpopular, if you want or need magnification, you'd be better of getting a variable scope or a fixed magnification optic like an ACOG to begin with. It will cost roughly the same, and the difference in quality and performance of a dedicated optic like an ACOG will be miles ahead of a red dot and magnifier combo.
Just something to consider.

[Hmac]

I have an Eotech G23FTS 3x magnifier. It works very well with my Eotechs and 1 MOA dot, not so well with my T-1 as it magnifies the 4 MOA dot into a kind of misshapen blob.