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EOTech 512 Opinions ?

8K views 33 replies 29 participants last post by  Snyper762 
#1 ·
I'm looking for a close quarter combat sighting system for my SAI, NM M1A.

I have been shooting with a Leupold VX-3 -LR scope mounted on a very solid Sadlak mount, that works great for load development and precise long range shooting, but I'm thinking that the EOTech would be much better for fast close up shooting.

I'd like to hear from those who have used the EOTech 512 sight, pro's and con's.

Thanks,
Rich
 
#2 ·
I bought a couple for factory dircet prices they are good for a couple hundred yards or closer but that is about it. I think they are more a novalty than anything else. If you plan on being a door kicker they will work. If not they are more a point and shoot optic for 3 gun games to me.

My boy has them mounted on his ARs now. I am sticking with irons or a traditional scope.

Pros AA batteries get the lithium ones they last forever it seems.
Cons as stated above.
 
#3 ·
i have a 512 and exps2 on 2 of my ARs, I like them, acquire targets very fast, the 1moa dot is 1 moa even with a 3x magnifier because its a hologram not just a dot reflect off a glass like an aimpoint, which a magnifier will magnify the size of the dot.

It uses laser instead of a LED for the reticle, so the battery life is no where near that of the aimpoint. not really an issue unless you use it every day in a warzone.

the 512 bulky and heavy for what it does, the exps is much shorter and little lighter.

the 512 has the battery oriented at the same direction of recoil, on heavier recoil guns like the M1a/M14 it might kill the battery contact springs prematurely from the battery hammering on them during recoil, and was a problem on the older versions.

I have seen multiple older eotech with the reticle that fades on near the edges, I also had to sent my exps2 back for warranty on this issue. it was 1 year old and used for like 30 minutes and sat for a year.

if you have eye problem, the reticle will appear very fuzzy. it will appear a little fuzzy if you have no eye problem focusing on the reticle and it should appear crisp when use as it suppose to, focused on target with both eyes open, and it will appear very crisp with a magnifier behind it.

they are good for longer distances if you get the .308 BDC, i think it has 3 dots for different ranges.

its not for everyone, especially if you have eye problems.
 
#5 ·
I have an EOTec 555 which is similar, 2AA batteries and 1 MOA dot, I think the big difference is the mount, mine has dual throw lever A.R.M.S.mount.
Anyway, I like it for my Socom, short range, about 200 yards or less. Its on my SHTF gun. Decent battery life, not as good as an Aimpoint though, I think its advertised at 1100 hours with Lithium batteries and shuts itself off at 8 hours,I like the 1 MOA dot.
Definitely get a AA battery version if this is will be used for a SHTF rifle as AA batteries are everywhere just in case. +1 dsdmmat, use the best Lithium batteries and keep some spares on hand. Price is good. Its pretty durable, I've even seen a picture of one mounted on a .50 cal. Barrett.
m14brian
 
#8 ·
Honestly if I was to go with another eotech M1A rig I would go with the 552 XM308. It was really nice for extended shots with the bullet drop. The problem I had with mine was it was just too bloody tall. If it didn't have the built in riser it would have been game over top dog in my book. Unfortunately the eotech didn't have the M1 platform in mind when they designed their products. I don't know if that helps your decision or not, or if I just confused us all a bit.
 
#10 ·
Probably not the choice for a Long range gun, for an AR-15 they are perfect but like the above poster said "Good for about 200 yards!" That said the upside of the 512 1nd even the 517 like I have is the fact they take readily available AA batteries. So when Poo hits the bladed rotator you can raid any kids toy for batteries , you cannot do that with CR123's.
 
#11 ·
Great point and shoot optic for up to 200 yards, both eyes wide open for targeting as well as seeing the big picture all at once. Double A batteries for sure for previously stated reasons. Great reticle. I have a National Match rifle set up with Gen 2 "Hubble" scope for long range, and a Socom 2 with a 512 on it for close in. Nice to have single purpose rifles that share mags and rounds.
 
#12 ·
Eotechs are designed for lower ar rails so they are tall on a scout or even an ebr.


Not a big deal. It's important to remember these and other red dots still have Parrallax inside 50 yardss. So keep that in mind when you decide on a cheek piece or not.


The gentleman talking about the aim point being a hologram does not understand what he's saying.

When you view an object through a magnifier it does not change in size no matter what it is (reflection of a hologram or reflection of a led it doesn't matter).

The notion that the dot size changes on an aim point and not on an eotech sounds like typical Internet myth.

Both dots appear larger with a magnifier but so does the image behind them. The eotech is more precise weather or not you have a mag.

I found a 3 x mag to be perfect for small target between 100 and 250 yards and human targets out to 450.
This is with an aim point with brightness such that the dot is see through / translucent.

I would guess an eotech could use a 5 or 6x magnifier with great success. Magnifiers eye relief is worse than an a cog so 24mm obj 30 mm tube scopes are always best
 
#28 ·
I have an Eotech I want to mount on my Scout Rifle but you are correct, too tall for proper sighting when mounted on the front scout rail. Any easy solution for this? I am just getting into M1A rifles and really not certain if the Eotech will work. Sounds like you have experience with this issue.

Thanks
 
#13 ·
I have an astigmatism in my right eye. When I look through my Eotech, I see a single crisp dot. GI1 When I look through my Aimpoint CompM4, I see three dots forming a sort of triangle GI4 (unless I look with my left eye, which results in a single crisp dot.).

I like the battery life on the Aimpoint and it does seem rugged, but the Eotech gives me a better dot and a bigger window.
 
#15 ·
I have a pair of Eotech sights. One is night vision compatible for use with my pvs 14 and the other is a standard Eotech. Both are AA battery models. I prefer the AA (use lithium) over the cr123 version for availability and less boxy. Both are excellent sights for moving targets day or night / low light. I use a 4x magnifier on one for better long range accuracy. No red dot sight is a precision long range sight and seems to work best both eyes open. If you try to stare at the dot for accuracy it tends to float or the image gets set in your vision.
I prefer the Eotech over the Aimpoint but the Aimpoints have much better battery life.
 
#16 ·
We are talking CQB. Eotech is an excellent product. My 512 is a favorite. There is no faster sight alignment/sight picture. No magnification need. We are talking CQB. (That means inside 30yds in my opinion)I will buy another one. I think my next one will be the smaller version. Look around and find a good price on one and have fun with it.
 
#18 ·
I love Aimpoint CompM3s and PROs and even the Micro T-1 for "set and forget" simplicity. But I've chosen the EoTech XPS because I like the larger viewing area. It's like looking at a TV image in front of you rather than looking with a tube blocking some of your target area. But that's really a minor detail. If you shoot both eyes open it becomes less of an intrinsic point.

I don't worry about the CR123A battery issue because I buy dozens of them at a time from SureFire and keep spares everywhere at home and in my car and at work.

To the OP, if you get yourself a 512 EoTech you will get a lot of enjoyment and good service out of it. They are professional grade stuff.
 
#20 ·
I had one and used it overseas. About 6 hours outside the wire it no longer worked and the ACOG went back on. They are fine if you put it on a rifle that you take out of the case, shoot at the range from the bench, then place back into the case. For work or duty I'd pass on it.
 
#23 ·
I am going to put a 512 that takes AA Batteries on my AR-15. For CQB, AA Batts are the most factory made Batts out there or availability is the word. However on my M1A, I like iron sight for the range out to 600 yards. I have shot out to 600yds before in the Marine Corps.


MOLON LABE
 
#24 ·
You guys are making it way to easy to spend $$
I recently purchased my first AR which I hate to say like alot and never thought I would own anything less than a .30 cal but we all change so with that being said I was looking at Aimpoint and Eotech and I do like the AA version as stated batteries are easy to get, now I just have to get the banker to let loose of the funds
 
#26 ·
I put both on my AR with A2 FSB and did not care for all the clutter (reticle was to busy) so I went with the Aimpoint Pro, maybe if I build an AR later this year I can put a EO on it with a flat gas block to reduce the clutter.
 
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