I have been a Aimpoint/EOTech proponent and fan for some time now, with my preference being the Aimpoint. If one has an A1 or A2 upper, then an XS same plane app. is a must have. I am still not 100% sold on the big dot front though. I am still pondering that.
What I am still trying to figure out is a slightly lower cost equivalent of the Short Dot. While I think they are excellent optics etc., I personally just cant spring the $$ for one. I wish there were a vible alternative for a bit less change.