Eotech or Aimpoint?

[Mastino177]

I finally purchases my first AR-15/M-4. She's a beautiful RRA Entry Tactical...and a blast to shoot. I've been using the irons, but don't see shooting long distances. If I use the rifle for any hunting situations...I'll but a scope on and zero in, which wouldn't take long. However, I'm wanting something that would be good for close in, HD situations. Short-term there is no need for night vision, but I would like to have that option down the road. I would like to "co-witness" (is that what its called?) with the irons. What are the opinions about EOTECH and Aimpoint, differences and setups?
Thanks in advance.

[MrMurphy]

Eotechs come with a mount. Aimpoints do not.


Both are issued by the military, the Aimpoint more than the Eotech.

The Aimpoint has a single dot. The Eotech has (typicaly, it can be changed) a small dot surrounded by a big circle.

Aimpoint battery life is insane (10-50,000 hours, mine is running on it's original battery from the box after a year of 8-10 hours a day use). Eotechs run considerably shorter depending on the version.

Aimpoints are essentially indestructable. Mine has been slammed into doorways, dropped, slid, rained on many times, rolled over on (230lbs of guy and body armor plus equipment) banged off the interiors of Humvees and buildings. Still ticking.

Eotechs had some problems a few years back of spontaneous Eotech death while you were using it. Couple guys who had them deployed swore off them til they fixed the problem (which appears to have been fixed) but in training courses Eotechs do still apparently go down now and then.

Each has it's pros and cons. Myself from a year of daily hard use and experience I choose the Aimpoint. Plus there's only one knob to roll on/off and it doesn't auto-shut off after an hour or whatever of no playing with the buttons. The Eotech has two buttons (up/down) and you have to hold on both to shut off i believe, with an autoshutoff for battery save. Since Aimpoints have essentially unlimited battery life they don't need that.

If you're going for an Aimpoint the standard military mount is good, the LaRue is the best.

[Stickman]

There is a reason SOCOM switched to the Eotech over the Aimpoint with the new SOPMOD trials.

[Alaskapopo]

The Aimpoint has better battery life by far as was pointed out and it may be a hair more durable.

The Eotech is both more precise and faster to use due to the huge field of view you have. Also the rectical is great you have a 1 moa dot to aim with for long range work and a 65 moa circle for cqb. The eotech can be mostly covered with snow and you can still use the rectical. Half of the glass can get broken and you can still use it. IF the glass brakes in the aimpoint its hosed.

Both are good. I prefer the Eotech. battery life with lithium AA batteries is 1500 hours. The sight shuts off after 4 hours if you use the down button and after 8 hours if you use the up button. Turning it on is not as fast as the aimpoint as far as dialing in the intesity of the dot. But its not that hard either.

Try both out in a gun shop and see which one you like best.
Pat

[bk30]

I have 2 Aimpoints and 1 Eotech. The above info you've been given is very good. The only item I can add is I'm finding the Eotechs dual type reticle quicker to locate and shoot vs just the dot on the AImpoint. Try 'em both if you can, they are both good.

[lumberjack]

Try first, if you can.


I am building/accessorizing/tacticooling my AR now. I will be posting pictures, let me know if there is something in particular you want a picture of. I choose EOtech, but I am also mounting a Aimpoint 3x magnifier.

http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=633008

[epsylum]

I got an Aimpoint because I got a good deal on it. But was wanting an EOTech. I now want an ACOG for my AR and want to put the Aimpoint on my Saiga.

They have their pros and cons. The EO is a bit cheaper due to the fact you have to buy a mount for the Aimpoint. I like my Aimpoint a lot and have shot several EOs and I do not feel one is that much better than the other, it is more of a preference thing.

Bottom line is they are both good, just in different ways.

[OneEyedDrunk]

I appreciate this thread, because it is helping me make the decision on which sight to buy. I am leaning towards the EOTech 512. Is this the one I need?

[lumberjack]

Without a need/want for N batteries or night vision, yes; assuming you wanted an EOtech of course.

[biggl35]

I have both Eotech and Aimpoint, I prefer the Aimpoint.

But, it is a personal preference, so, try both if you can.

[Jerimy]

Originally posted by biggl35
I have both Eotech and Aimpoint, I prefer the Aimpoint.

But, it is a personal preference, so, try both if you can.

Me too!

[switch625]

Eotech is fast up close and precise out far, no exspensive mount to buy.

[jp 19]

i have the eotech 511... (N battries) N batteries are not hard to find i see them at "walgreens" and "pick and save" stores all the time... just you see more AA's
there is less battry life on the N's only 200 hours. but i figure if i a get to the range once or twice a month for an hour or two that is at the max 48 hour in a year. i am not LEO or military. and i have spare battries and know how to use them.... my choice for the 511 was purley aesthetic... i do not like the long profile of the 512. and yes virginia eotech is better then aimpoint. i called eotech and asked...:animlol:

[Tito's Glock]

Originally posted by Mastino177
I finally purchases my first AR-15/M-4. She's a beautiful RRA Entry Tactical...and a blast to shoot. I've been using the irons, but don't see shooting long distances. If I use the rifle for any hunting situations...I'll but a scope on and zero in, which wouldn't take long. However, I'm wanting something that would be good for close in, HD situations. Short-term there is no need for night vision, but I would like to have that option down the road. I would like to "co-witness" (is that what its called?) with the irons. What are the opinions about EOTECH and Aimpoint, differences and setups?
Thanks in advance.

Ginger or Maryann?

[jp 19]

definately maryann grrrrrrrrrr:hearts:

[elcapitan]

this is the same question i had in mind a few months back. get both to stop draining your head thinking which is better. i'm sure you'll be glad. that's what i did and i never asked the same question again.

[GeorgiaGlockMan]

I have both Eotech 552 and Aimpoint ML2 (2X magnification).

I prefer the Eotech even after trying to get the Aimpoint to grow on me more.

I guess that makes me weird.

[Strider47]

I prefer the Aimpoint. I can't deal with the itty bitty buttons on the Eotech. I feel like Moe trying to poke Larry's eyes out when adjusting the Eothing's buttons.

[Richard K]

I've had an EoTech 512 and an Aimpoint. Didn't like the A65 reticle on the EoTech (got a halo/starburst effect with my eyes) and found the 4 moa dot on the Aimpoint too large for precision shooting at distance. My solution? An EoTech 511D1 with a single 1 moa dot and a Streamlight M6 laser/light combo for CQB. Perfect set-up for me, YMMV.

[redduck21502]

I have an EOTech 512, and I really like it. It took me a few minutes to figure out that I needed to look through the big circle at my target to keep it from getting fuzzy. I like the big circle for centering up on a distant target. The 1MOA dot is nice for a more precision shot. The controls don't bother me, except when turning it off. You have to push them both in at the same time. The EOTech can be setup with an absolute cowitness with your irons if you like that. Most people like the lower 1/3 cowitness, I don't. I my sights down anyway, so it usually isn't a big deal.