I’ll be picking up a Spike’s Tactical mid-length in a couple weeks. At first I was going to run all iron sights, no optics at all - Just the F marked A2 front sight and a Daniel Defense A1.5 rear.
But I’ve read so many good reasons to have a red dot that I’m thinking I’ll drop the cash on an optic after all. Right now I’m looking at the Eotech 517, and running that with the F marked A2 front sight and a Troy Folding Battle Sight rear.
I’m wondering if maybe I’d be better off with different model Eotech, and if I should stay with the DD A1.5 rear.
Personally, I think you’d be better off with something in the XPS or EXPS series. I don’t think I’d buy an inline-model Eotech these days, although I do own a couple.
I would recommend the OPMOD as best bang-for-buck in the Eotech line.
You’ll have to supply the OP with where he can get an Aimpoint PRO that doesn’t require LE or MIL credentials (assuming he doesn’t have any). If he does, I’d agree the PRO is a good way to go given the price.
My experiences with EoTechs is that they are not as durable as Aimpoints, and they suck through battery power at about 5-10x as quickly. What ever sight is chosen, the sight is turned on at the beginning of the tour of duty, and it goes off at the end of shift. The officers I work with that use EoTechs frequently have dead batterys about once a month, or more often if they forget to turn off the sight. The EoTechs sometimes just shut off of their own too. The Aimpoints on the other hand, will run for years. I’ve had the same battery in my T-1 for almost 4 years now, and it gets left on every work day, and sometimes I forget to turn it off at the end of shift.
The places I looked for mine all required I supply LE/MIL credentials in order to purchase. It wasn’t an issue for me so I didn’t look around that much, but how does someone without credentials purchase one (other than used, of course)?
The Aimpoint product is cheaper and far more reliable.
If you arent talked out of it by those simple facts, not to mention the additional superiority of battery life, well… I dont really want to say what I want to say. Gotta keep it kosher yknow.
There ya go…don’t ask, don’t tell. Aimpoint’s requirement for LE/MIL appears to be more of a guideline than a rule ;).
Even at $420 it’s a good deal for a nice, durable optic ready to shoot right out of the box, no additional mount purchase required if you don’t mind that big-ass knob hitting you in the chest when slung. I don’t, but haven’t had to carry it much since I got it. I have a three-day carbine course coming up starting on Tuesday, so we’ll see…
The FSP doesn’t bother me sighting through an optic, but a fixed sight in the rear would be distracting I would think. I’d get a flip up. I like my Troys, but I also have an MBUS and as a backup sight, that one is pretty good. You won’t need anything additional to co-witness in the lower 1/2.
Depending on which Aimpoint product you decide on, LaRue Tactical has complete kits which include the optic, and mount. It saves money on the T-1 line, as it basically replaces the short mount(inclueded when you buy the T-1)with a proper height tall mount. So, instead of buying the T-1 and mount separately, you get all that you need in one package with about $100 in savings.
The 517 isn’t a bad choice for an Eotech, it’s what I currently use as I find it faster and more forgiving of imperfect cheekweld than an Aimpoint (I’ve owned numerous versions of both but YMMV). If it wasn’t for my AA battery preference I’d be using the EXPS 2-0.
If possible I suggest you try an Aimpoint and an Eotech then pick the one that best suits your needs and budget.
Tomac
