As I am am building my first AR, I’m learning about new (for me) and interesting products and tools have haven’t needed until now. What is the general consensus about reddot sights? The most popular I have seen in my recent research would be the EOTech and the Aimpoint M68 series’. Unfortunately I just sold an ITL M.A.R.S. from Israel…never know what you have until it’s gone…What is YOUR thought as far as the best optics on the open market with Price vs. Functionality in mind? Thanks.
Eotech and Aimpoint are the top of the line. Anyone who has a work gun as in military and LE should put one of these on if they want a RD type optic.
There are cheap optics that you should absolutely stay away from.
There are mid-range that run between just under $100 up to about $200.
The mid range will hold zero with .308 and 12g shot guns. The high end will take a hit with a .308 and keep running
The mid range will be water resistant. The high end are submersible.
The mid will have a 10 day or so battery life. The high end will have a couple year or more battery life.
If you want some way to shoot at night for home defense but don’t want to spend at least $300 for a red dot, you might want to look into Trijicon night sights aperture replacements.
I’m no pro, but that’s what I know.
Edit: a little more… Eotech is mainly a close range optic. Aimpoint is sort of close to medium far range, as far as where each really shines.
I have a Primary Arms red dot. It’s one of the mid range I told you about. 10 day battery life, so I can’t leave it on ready for action when I hear a bump in the night. But it holds zero and has a crisp dot.
I’m looking to spend in the $200-$350 range…If that puts me in the “high end” range, would you recomend the EOTech or the Aimpont? Ans as far as you know, what is the benefit (or downside) to the different models eg. 512, 551, 552? And the Aimpoint Comp M2, M3, etc?
Aimpoint c3. Nothing less.
What makes the C3 so good?
Its just like the ML3 except you cant scuba dive with it.
I like the EOTech, it took some time to decide between the Aimpoint or EOTech too. Luckily I was able to use them both quite a bit before deciding, I think it comes down to personal preference.
I chose the EOTech because I liked having the 1 MOA dot in the middle of the circle. I felt quicker with close range shots.
I like the eotech reticle best but the battery life and reliability are sub standard.
At your budget I’d do this.
Eotechs are a little bit more limited in their use, in my opinion.
Lethal dose I completely agree with you. And I am probably going to piss off a lot of hardcore ‘eotechers’ out there but to me eotech and L3 have just not equalled the durability of aimpoints systems. I do love their 65/1 moa reticle and have owned two in the past ( as well as aimpoint’s m2, ml3,and a currently an m4s and t-1 micro) but the durability is just not their yet. Eventually they will be but not yet. Not to mention I’ve had my t-1 turned on for the last 13 months and no issues.
So it sounds like I am going to probably going with an Aimpoint…Thank you to everyone who contributed.
I will buy eotech the day their battery life is half of that of aimpoint’s… and not just advertised as being so.
Agreed! The compc3 is perfect for non-NV use, and it has the ACET battery technology so it lasts… forever.
SWFA has a cool kit: http://swfa.com/Aimpoint-CompC3-Red-Dot-Sights-C8.aspx
I think SWFA also sells that package on Ebay for ~$20 or so less… I know that is above your budget, but honestly, I think it’s worth it.
Also with the Aimpoint c3, you can get a 2 MOA dot as opposed to a 4 MOA dot, making 200+ yd shooting a lot easier!!!
EDIT: I found the ebay auction for SWFA http://cgi.ebay.com/Aimpoint-CompC3-package-deal-4-moa-red-dot-11402-KIT_W0QQitemZ200386526898QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2ea7f7beb2
Only thing is that is a 4 MOA dot with that specific Compc3, so if you DO want a 2 MOA dot, I guess you can e-mail SWFA and ask if you can get the goodies with the 2 MOA dot… if you don’t care, then that’s a pretty good deal.
Also, this guy on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=380203955226&Category=66827&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1 its a 2 MOA dot, and I heard that he has accepted offers from $320+. So you get three tries, so maybe $320, $350, $370??
I’m also working on my first Ar and been doing tons and tons of reading…
I like to do the studying myself (i do read what others have to say but if i have doubt it good to go do some research yourself)
Anyway i can across some thread talking about how you should stay away from the EoTech’s if you have astigmatism or use bifocals.
I kinda laughed it off because it sounded like something an aimpoint fanboy might try to pitch or someone who just spent over $500 on their aim point and now they
have to justify it is the best ever made.
Being i have astigmatism but refuse to wear my glasses because it’s not that bad.
I found this on EoTech’s F.A.Q. site…
If you require corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) to see things clearly at a distance, you will need them to see the reticle clearly. Remember, the reticle is actually projected out to your target plane, so you will see it like anything else at that distance. Also, if you have astigmatism or use bifocals, you may see the image less distinctly.
http://www.eotech-inc.com/technicalfaqs.php
I had made up my mind on the exact EoTech model i wanted and the difference
in between every model.
I had to take a little dry to find a shop that had them in stock so i could go check
one out before i bought. (a boy was i glad i did)
There was 4 of us in that shop and i had to draw a picture of what i was seeing and turns out all 4 of us did not see the exact same reticle.
I tried 512, 516, 552, and Xps
all blurry as hell… (i tried looking through not at, i tried everything i could - minus useing my glasses i never wear)
Looks like i need to save a few more weeks for an AimPoint.
just saying if you have non 20/20 eye sight you might want to go look for yourself
through an EoTech before you plunk down $400+ on one. 
If you have never used a non-magnified optic you are very likely to see a blurry reticle the first time you look through the optic because you are trying to focus on the reticle at the distance the optic body is from the eye. The optics are designed for a “threat focus, two eyed use” and are therefore focused at infinity. The effect is that if your eye is focused at optic distance the reticle will be out of focus.
Astigmatism will effect the appearance of both.
Ah, the Aimpoint vs. EOTech argument. Kinda like politics and religion.
YES, I have (and had) them all…Aimpoints, EO’s and ACOGS. Personally (and that’s all it is) I have mostly EOTechs. I’ve had 512’s, 557’s and recently, XPS’s. I’ve NEVER had a battery drain issue or the dreaded “turn-itself-off” syndrome. I’m not saying these problems don’t exist or aren’t real, just that they’ve never been a problem to me.
The Aimpoints are obviously a very well-made, rugged, reliable piece of equipment. I have a T-1 on an AR pistol and it is perfect for what I wanted…the smallest, lightest CQB optic available. I have, however sold/traded my other Aimpoints.
Once again, PERSONALLY, I have a hard time justifying the price for a “dot-in-a-tube”. The EO’s offer a true holographic sight, a sophisticated (as compared to a dot) reticle with the ring, dot and BDC, and a wider FOV. Although I’ve never had a problem, I think the re-design of the EO XPS-Series, with the battery orientation change, will solve the battery “contact” issue that’s been reported.
As far as battery life, I’ve never had a drain issue, and simply swap-out the batteries every 6-9 months, as I do with ANY battery-operated device on the weapons. I guess the ability to leave Aimpoints on for months in the safe is appealing to some people, but if I can’t find the time to push a little button in a SHTF situation, I’ve got bigger problems!
It all comes down to what you want, what works for you and what you can afford. Me? I LOVE my ACOGS!!! Those buggers are worth every penny.
Way to choose a side! 
I bet you’d choose a .40S&W if you were given a choice between 9mm or .45ACP, wouldn’t you? 
I’m teasing of course!
I’m with you on the “dot-in-a-tube” thing. The Aimpoint M4s are nice, especially since they take a AA battery. But they are, in my opinion, not worth saving my pennies for when I could by an M2 or M3 for less and get the same reticle, a dot. I’m still torn between getting an Aimpoint, an ACOG or some other scope. Since I’m a bit of a cheap-az bastid, ACOGs are probably not going to be part of my armory any time soon, as well as a Schmitt & Bender anything. I’ve been toying with the idea of a Leupold Prismatic or a Valdada 3x25.
Too many choices, none quite what I want and not enough rail space for all of them! :rolleyes: