Which Eotech

[Lou1187]

I'm wanting to place an eotech on my RRA AR. Which one is the best for the money for my AR? I'm kinda of confused on what model does what (512, 552 or 557) Can someone help me sort them out.
Thanks!

[02Mineralgraygt]

i think the 55x models are the nightvision compatable ones. i plan on getting the 512 as it runs on AA batteries and has something like a 10k hour runtime and Grant@ www.grtactical.com sells them for around $380 and i believe offers a discount for gt members. good luck with your search.

[Sikhed]

I like & use the 553.
If it's good enough for our armed forces, it's good enough for me. Those gov't bean-counters & field testers did the research for me:)

[c4igrant]

The 512 is the best option unless you want NV.



C4

[John NYPD]

If you don't need night vision,go with the 512.


John

[Creeper1313]

My 512 in a Larue tactical mount (gives quick detach and lower 1/3 cowitness) has been great.

Unless you are pretty darn sure you'll be using NV, you don't need to spend more for the 55X models. Me, I just bought a house, so toys as fancy as NV are going to be a lonnnnng way off. Your situation/planned uses will dictate which you'd want.

I'm partial to the AA model because of the longer battery life than N size. N size does let you mount it a bit far further on the rail without bumping into your handguard when mounting directly on the top rail. However, the Larue Mount will let you put the AA model further forward by raising it.

[lastevolution]

If you won't be using NV, then get the 512.65 rev.F

About a hundred bucks less than the NV models.

However, the new 557 looks intriguing.

[redduck21502]

NV costs too much, so I bought a 512, they were cheaper last year ($535 or so). This year I went with the Bushnell Holosight from Natchezss. It was only $220 and has the same reticle. It does take the N batteries, however, so i don't get very long battery times. I didn't want to spend the extra money on my second AR, so that's why I went Bushnell. They are refurbished, but it works just as good as my EOTech. They also don't have the protective shroud the EOTech has. I would still go with the EOTech 512 if you have the money, but if budget is tight, I would go for the Bushnell.

[SMSTRICK]

I love my 512 that I have on my M4A3.

[Creeper1313]

Originally posted by redduck21502
NV costs too much, so I bought a 512, they were cheaper last year ($535 or so).

$535 last year for a 512? Are you sure? I bought a 512revF at a gun show in 2005 for $300 even.

[jp 19]

i have the 511 ... strickly astetics... i dont like the looks of the 512... your opinion may vary... "N" battries are highly available i can even get them at the local supermarket... and for what i payed for it i can buy a lot of batteries.... i forgot were i got it but i payed less the $330 shipped with a scopecoat....

[redduck21502]

Originally posted by Creeper1313
$535 last year for a 512? Are you sure? I bought a 512revF at a gun show in 2005 for $300 even.

$335, I hit the wrong key twice.

:embarassed:

[DreamWeaver88]

Originally posted by redduck21502
$335, I hit the wrong key twice.

:embarassed:

If you shop around, you can find deals. I paid $369 for my 552 Rev F from a local gun store.

DW

[ShipWreck]

I second the 512 model - revision "F"

I have the N Battery version - but I also have it on a PS90 - and there isn't much rail space to mount it. That's why I went with the smaller one.

But U get more battery time with the 512 - it's not 10k, as stated above. With lithium batteries, it is supposed to be around 1100 hours or so max. Be aware that this statistic was probably tested at the lowest setting. In actual use, U will probably get slightly less.

I don't get anywhere near 200 hours with the N Battery version - that's why I'll bet that the "max" hour ratingw as done at the lowest setting - to give a better advertising #.

[redduck21502]

Originally posted by ShipWreck
I second the 512 model - revision "F"

I have the N Battery version - but I also have it on a PS90 - and there isn't much rail space to mount it. That's why I went with the smaller one.

But U get more battery time with the 512 - it's not 10k, as stated above. With lithium batteries, it is supposed to be around 1100 hours or so max. Be aware that this statistic was probably tested at the lowest setting. In actual use, U will probably get slightly less.

I don't get anywhere near 200 hours with the N Battery version - that's why I'll bet that the "max" hour ratingw as done at the lowest setting - to give a better advertising #.

I think they usually say at the "default" setting. I figured this was somewhere in the middle.

[jp 19]

i may regret the 511 somewhere down the line...
but at 200 hrs... if i shoot 2hrs a week with just that unit that is only 104 hrs a year... a side caveat .... mine is in for repair...*L* when i changed the battries... which went dead awfully fast it wouldnt power up.... i tried and tried then when i got it home it finally came on but i lost confidence in it.... so it is in the shop... plus the windage know was sloppy feeling couldnt feel the clicks..... i may end up agreeing on the short battery life as previously stated.... but CS at eotech said it could be due to the cold.. or bad battries when they shipped it... we will see...
but either way they are outstanding pieces of glass......

what kind of "real" time have you people with the 512 been really getting anyone not satisfied with battery life on a 512?

oh the brightness turns on at 12 out of 20 and i find 12 to bright

[ShipWreck]

Well, my 511 is accurate - but the battery had to be changed in 3 months. I had MAYBE 25 hours total on it. Lots of short on and offs, though. They were the stock batteries. Now I have a new set - we'll see how long it lasts

[Sikhed]

Luckily, I have none of any troubles described above.
The 553 (manufactured Jan 2007) has been great.
Initial adjustments were minor, and detents were positive. Held zero no problem, even after removing it & re-installing on the rifle. Left it on, in the trunk of my car overnight after shooting the rifle. It had turned itself off, and I'm still on the original set of batteries.
Haven't dropped the rifle nor immersed it in water or any other torture test, but so far the EoTech's been great.

You're right though, the initial setting is too bright; I always turn it down a little after powering it up. In a SHTF scenario, better to be too bright, then too dim when turning it on.

[g27_mengi]

I had a 512. It worked. At some point I'll buy another EOTech for this new AR I'm building/tweaking.

But my advice?

Buy any EOTech that fits your budget. Don't go nuts on crap you really don't need.

They're well built, across the line, but if you don't need night vision capability, bag it. Stick with a "lower-end" model that does the job. And keep an eye on eBay, too. Some good used deals happening there all the time.

Edit: While I have a good supply of the 123 batteries, I'll probably buy an AA battery powered model next time around. Just seems to make sense in a SHTF situation.

[jp 19]

be aware, as i am sure you, are 123 batteries are NOT "N" batteries. be sure it says "N" on the battry because there are some that look the same but have a higher voltage and will ruin the eotech.

from the eotech manual
CAUTION: there is a 12V battery that is approximately the same size as the Type "N" 1.5V battery,DO NOT USE 12V battery. They will severely damage the sight.

oh PS for all you SHTF people.... be firmly stationed BEHIND the fan......:animlol:

[ShipWreck]

Originally posted by jp 19
be aware, as i am sure you, are 123 batteries are NOT "N" batteries. be sure it says "N" on the battry because there are some that look the same but have a higher voltage and will ruin the eotech.

Yea, I thought the same thing when I read his post earlier, but figured he mixed up the names. Yes, U will mess up the device if U use the wrong batteries...

[redduck21502]

Originally posted by jp 19
be aware, as i am sure you, are 123 batteries are NOT "N" batteries. be sure it says "N" on the battry because there are some that look the same but have a higher voltage and will ruin the eotech.

from the eotech manual
CAUTION: there is a 12V battery that is approximately the same size as the Type "N" 1.5V battery,DO NOT USE 12V battery. They will severely damage the sight.

oh PS for all you SHTF people.... be firmly stationed BEHIND the fan......:animlol:

I think 124 batteries are fatter than N, so I don't think they will fit. My flashlight takes CR123, I think, and my Bushnell Holosight takes N. The 123 wouldn't come close to fitting. N batteries are more like a cut down AA battery

[jp 19]

yes you would never fit a 123 into your eothech but there is a battery out there (i forgot the number designation) that is approximately the same size as an "N" and will fit your eotech that is a 12V battery you could slip this one into your eotech and fry it... that warning i posted is right off the eotech manual. just be advised when you buy your battries to look at the package dont go assumpting(quote brian keith fromt he movie the mountain men: "there ya go assumpting again" *L*) .... when i saw this other batty i mistook it for an "N" hanging on the rack til i read the package... a word to the wise is all.