Why Eotech over an Aimpoint? Other than the increased eye relief and larger “window” Why would you get an Eotech over an Aimpoint.
I’m alos wondering what exactly is the halo system and how is it different than the Aimpoint red dot?
There seems to be a lot of Eotech “haters” and the Aimpoint seems like the soup de jour right know but the Eotech’s large sight window is what I’m attracted to. Battery life is not really much of a concern with me for my purposes. I’ve seen the “lifecycle cost” chart for the Aimpoints and Eotechs and understand the info but I won’t be using mine in a always on situation.
The window on the Eo is bigger. That said using BOTH eyes open with the AP your FOV will be no smaller. And you will not get the “tunnel” effect some people speak of. Matter of fact there won’t be a “tunnel” if you look through a AP correctly. If you focus on your target with both eyes open you will just see a “floating” red dot.
On top of battery life some people have posted about the following failures with Eo:
-Battery contacts failing.
-The SOCOM unit sent back 100,000 units (553 model) due to non-mil spec battery housings that were failing. IMO that speaks volumes about the company…
-Since most Eo’s have the batteries “in line” with the recoil people have stated the batteries loose their contact with the housing. This will cause the optic to turn off during fire.
-Some people have stated their Eo’s drain the battery while off. In other words they go to their safe pull their gun out and the Eo is drained.
-Some people have complained about the rectile fading.
-Personal complaint, it turns off automatically. Some people want it ready to go. AP you can just leave on. And it will stay on for years.
-Random Shi* here and there. Thats why I went AP. Yes, in a blue moon you here of a problem with an AP but that is rare, very rare. I did not base my purchase on battery cost at all. People will read this and say the xps fixed much of this and it may have, but its a new optic that really hasn’t been tested yet so I would give that one time to “mature” if you will. Just get an AP. My .02
Well guess I didnt really answer your Q lol. You asked WHY Eo… Well IDK if you really want one buy the xps model I think it is the safest bet. Buy a crap load of cr123 batteries though it will run through them quick. Only a 600 hour battery life. Another argument for eo is the fact if the screen gets damaged you can still use the optic. It will work with just the smallest piece of glass still intact.
I personal reason why I like AA batteries though is because they are a dime a dozen. If shtf you could most like find them in anything in a house, office or wherever to use with your equipment.
I personally own a AP Comp M4s with a Larue mount. I made the decision after a good two months of research. I read through evey page in the optics forum on this site and two other forums. Every thread that was EO VS AP or the like I read through ALL OF IT. If the thread was 10 pages I read through all ten pages. I made my descion after all of that. I didnt read one thread/post where one person or a few said “go AP” I read through 100’s and 100’s of posts. That was my conclusion and I feel very confident in my decision. Hope this helps…
I used to be an aimpoint dude. I have switched over entirely to the XPS.
-I have beat the shit out of mine (dropped, hit, bumped, slammed) and have had 0 issues
-I know alot of dudes that are very hard on guns who go with Eo’s.
-I prefer the 65moa and 1moa dot over a 2 or 4 moa dot of the aimpoint.
-I like how with a 100m zero the bottom dash of the recticle will be zeroed for 7-10m.
-I prefer the FOV that you get with an Eo over an Aimpoint.
-I find it easier to be more accurate with the 1moa dot.
-I am faster with an EO.
With that being said, Eo’s do not have the battery life of an Aimpoint.
Thanks for the link but I have already seen and read that info. I was hoping for a users explaination in a laymens type way. I guess the best thind to do is get my hands on one a check it out for myself. I have shot a few rounds through one about a month ago but didn’t really get to spend any time inspecting or “playing” with it.
I have a XPS and love it. Big improvement over the last year for sure. Its rode with me every night I work on my 15T. I recommend it for sure. Just change the batteries every few months.
Eotech recently sold me. I have used most versions of the Aimpoints except the T-1’s. Then my wife purchased an MP-15 for me that had an Eo mounted already. I figured I would run the Eo for awhile and see what all the hoopla was about.
I attended a class with Kyle Defoor instructing. I decided to run the Eo at the class until it failed, which I was sure would happen. So sure in fact, I had a Comp4 in my range bag that I had zeroed prior to the class.
Shooting the Eo was great. we moved from 100m down to 10m and everywhere in between. We fired 1000 rounds in roughly12 hours worth of class time. The 1 moa center dot made for very accurate groups at 100m from both sides. It was very easy to transition right handed to left handed. Up close the 65 moa ring made shots very fast.
I am currently looking at the XPS to take overseas next time.
I don’t have anything specific to add that hasn’t already been said, but I am a big fan of the Eotech XPS series. I like them so much that I brought mine to use on deployment. I think of them as almost a second generation compared to their previous models. I have had two of the Army issue SOPMOD Eotechs develop battery connection problems, mostly in a jungle type climate. The glue that hols the connectors in deteriorates in the heat and the batteries can disconnect under recoil, turning off the site. The XPS solves this completely and is smaller and lighter to boot.
The Eotech reticle is the best close range reticle available from and manufacturer. I’ve seen nothing that’s as fast especially with the Eotech’s big window. You can also use the ring to range and estimate hold-over. The 1 MOA dot is also much more precise at longer ranges that the T-1 4 MOA dot. I like the Aimpoint’s small size and battery life but the 4 MOA dot is less than optimal for me.
FWIW, Ive been shooting Eots for about 5 yrs. I recently purchased an XPS and am very happy with it.
However, on one bright day here in Florida, I took out 2 of my ARs with the Eot 512, and the XPS to compare the two. For some reason the 512 (on highest setting) wasnt as bright as it should be compared to the XPS…I mean it was hard to pick out the reticle on a bright/lighted target in the sun. The XPS’s highest setting was much brighter and easy to find.
I called Eotech, and they said that the 512 shouldnt be doing that. So, even though it was out of warranty, (2006 model), they gave me a repair number. I sent it in and they rebuilt the entire sight, with current upgrades, and got it back to me in a week…NO CHARGE.
I dont know it this contributes to this thread or not, but I thought that kind of service was worth mentioning for anyone considering an EOTech.
Your contribution is apprecitated.
Built in USA by Americans. Warrantied out of warranty product for free. I’m really getting on the Eotech wagon. The more research I do the more I want the Eotech.
The EOTech 553 was my first RDS and my preffered go reticle. I’ve had it problem free for a few years. I also have an Aimpoint M4S, which took some getting use to, but I also like. The edge going to the M4S due to it’s extream battery life. Next purchase will be an Aimpoint H-1.
I have been doing a lot of research between aim-point and eotech…
So far I am sold on the eotech. here’s why, in no particular order.
made in america…
found the 512 for 350bucks online…
not made of money but want good optic… 1st ar15 build…
I mainly hunt and have lots of guns… like the eotech design over aimpoint…
main use of gun is 150yrds or less for plinking and varmint… prefer the eotech small size and fast aquisition. Aimpoint doesn’t come with base? and total cheapest package is arround 600bucks… with nice base 700or so…
I’d rather get the 350$ eotech and see what happens…
plus runs on aa’s…
Thats not the point. Just correcting someones post. If you want to buy just because its made here good for you. Sounds to me like thats whats gonna sell you no matter what…
yes it is part of the point… aimpoint is made is rice patties, china, japan whatever…
don’t get me wrong it’s still good but … um it’s not an eotech… i’ll
get the eotech… aimpoint doesn’t even sell the base with the scope… wtf…
bass pro here has them for 400bucks… I like their warranty’s and return policy just in case… I’ll finish with a stupid comment…
Chineese food is made in America we still buy that.
Well, you kinda started and finished with a bunch of “stupid” comments. Aimpoints are made it Sweden, not in “rice patties”. I like the fact that the Eotech is made here in the USA, but let’s get our facts straight.
While I prefer the Eotech XPS over all other non-magnified optic sighting systems, the Aimpoint is also an excellent sight, and it outperforms the Eotech in a couple of areas. It is up to the individual to decide which key performance features they prefer over the other.
