18 replies to this topic

[rott]

I've been reading up on the Aimpoint vs. Eotech debate.  One thing remains consistent...I'm as confused now as I was before.  I was trying to pick between the Aimpoint PRO and the Eotech XPS2-0.  This is basically a "wish list" post as my logical/responsible side will probably kick in and not allow me to purchase either, but...

Based on my reading, it appears that no one questions Aimpoint's durability, and their battery life is far better than the Eotech.  At the same time, Eotech owners claim their sights are nicer to look through (not looking through a tube), and are on par with Aimpoint durability.

It seems like it boils down to personal preference.  My problem is that I don't think any of the stores in the Rockford area carry either brands for me to look at personally.  I do have a Primary Arms Aimpoint clone, but I've never seen an Eotech.  

So, what do my fellow ICers prefer.  I actually prefer the aesthetics of the EO better, but that shouldn't be what a decision is based on.

For the record, if I did buy one, it would sit in a safe most of the time and go to the range only occasionally.  However, I would eventually want to take a couple of rifle courses with it, so I do care about quality.

[3ddiver]

^{Interested in the replies because I am going through the same thing. I put flip up sights on it and went with that for now.}

Edited by 3ddiver, 12 May 2012 - 08:16 PM.

[Bimmer]

Me to, picking up my first AR tomorrow...

[TyGuy]

Check out the vortex strike fire

[Lou]

I really like my Eotech.  For CQB you can't beat it    You can use it with both eyes open and keep an eye downrange.   If you're. Ear Rockford drop in at KAP guns.   I think Kenny is a distributor for Eotech.    


Either is good but my preference is Eotech mainly because it is easier for me because I wear bifocals.

[rott]

I'll have to check Kenny's place out.  He didn't show up when I looked up dealer's on their website...but I may have screwed up somehow...

[C&R Collector]

I've got both multiple EOTechs and Aimpoints and prefer the EOTech reticle and sight picture to the Aimpoint.  There is no argument about battery life, my Comp M4 is rated for 7 years on versus my XPS2-2 which won't ever come that close.  EOTech also switches itself off after 4 hours to save battery life which may or may not cause you issues based on use.  The other nice thing is the EOTech reticle which is a 1 MOA dot with a 65 MOA circle versus a 2 MOA dot.

I guess in the end it comes down to personal preferences and what you plan on using the sight for.

[FST_Kent]

It's a personal preference.  You can't go wrong with either.  I've got an Aimpoint set-up on my carbine and will be putting a Vortex on my S&W 15-22.

Also decide if you want to co-witness with a rear sight.  I've got a GG&G first generation MAD flip up rear sight that is higher than a standard rear sight and requires a spacer with the ARMS throw lever mount.

With the Aimpoint you do have to make a decision on what you want to use to mount it, well with the older generation units.  I've got a 2nd generation M2 unit.

The LEO Aimpoint model or whatever they call it looks interesting if I were purchasing a new Aimpoint.

[cgs]

Eotech is my personal prefrence. But when it comes to decisions like this I buy both, try both, and sell the loser on Ebay.

However I'd also recommend fixed iron sights as a back up should the electrically powered sight goes down. The rule of thumb I use is flip up BUIS if I have a scope and fixed BUIS if it's a sight like the aimpoint or eotech.  There are various risers and spacers you can use with your sight if you want to co- witness the irons with the red dot/holographic.

There are less expensive alternatives if you don't want to spend $500+ on your sight, sucha s Truglow etc... but you generally get what you pay for... And last peice of advise, LOOK OUT for the Chinese forgeries being sold on Ebay.

[I Hate Gunlaws]

I carried both at one point or another while overseas. Both have great durability, and neither lost zero. Aimpoint has the advantage when it comes to battery life (really there's no contest... YEARS vs. 500+ hours)... but I eventually stuck with the Eotech because of its sight picture... just seemed like it promoted peripheral vision, whereas Aimpoint seemed to almost force tunnel vision with its round FOV. Regardless, both are outstanding. And yeah, be careful with the knock-offs, you really do get what you pay for.

[Bimmer]

Are they good for 200+ yards?

Edited by Bimmer, 13 May 2012 - 12:15 PM.

[rott]

I called Gander Mountain and they have one Eotech on hand.  I'll have to stop by this week just so I can see the sight picture on those...

[milq]

Check Brownells as well, I think they now have an eotech with a "Brownells exclusive" reticle. Typically if the get their name on something like that they offer it at a slightly better price.

[FST_Kent]

Quote

Are they good for 200+ yards?

Depends what MOA your red dot is at 100 yards and how big your target is.  I never thought about it when I bought it, but mine is a 4 MOA.  4" dot at 100 yards.  8" dot at 200 yards.

I shot less than 1" groups with mine at 185 yards with a 50 yard rimfire target.  The dot covered all the rings.  I just centered it in the middle.  For some reason those were the only targets I had with me that day.

[Lou]

I shot the practical rifle match at ASC last month where one stage had 15 yd targets followed up by a 200 yd stop target.  The EOTECH worked great because I have it zeroed at a 50/200 yd. zero.

[bornhunter04]

I've got an Aimpoint pro arriving tommorow. I've looked through acogs and red dots in the past and the bushnell variant of the eotech. I mainly decided on the aimpoint due to battery life and the 2moa simple dot. I fifgure if i need a more 'complex' reticle for ranging to hit a target i'll put out a scoped rifle.  I paid $359 for the aimpoint from palmetto. Needless to say i got lucky, jsut a couple hours after i ordered it was back up to $400. I've also got a Amercian Defense Cantilever mount coming for it too.

[stm]

Another EOTech fan here. I used to have an Aimpoint ML2, but I eventually switched to the EOTech. The sight picture and reticle are much nicer on the EOTech.

If you go to look at the EOTech, remember to look THROUGH the optic, not AT the reticle. If you look AT the reticle, it will appear fuzzy and out of focus. If you focus on the target, the reticle will be sharp and crisp.

I recommend the Rock River Arms Dominator II rear sight for co-witnessing with the EOTech. It will co-witness in the lower third of the optical window so you can look over the iron sights and shoot using just the EOTech, or you can drop down and use the iron sights with or without the EOTech. The Dominator II is much more rugged than most flip up rear sights, and you don't need to stop and flip the sights up if the EOTech goes out.

[vezpa]

Red Dot

Preferably something that lines up or co-witnesses. Peep, to dot to front sight.

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[xmikex]

I prefer EO-Techs and the XPS variants are the way to go if you go with an EO tech.

Aimpoints ARE more durable / less subject to heat / longer battery life.

EO-Techs with the traditional EO-Tech reticle are amazing for cqb / shooting while moving / as well as longer range shooting (using the lower hash of the reticle to account for bullet drop).

EO-Techs do NOT belong on AKs with Ultimak-type rails as the batteries will COOK when the gun gets heated up with longer strings of fire...