Eotech reliability?

[jdouglas]

For a while I was dead-set on buying an Eotech (512 or 517). However, after more research it appears that Eotechs may have suspect reliability, and that Aimpoints are more durable and reliable. Plus I hear that in the worst cases Eotechs only get a few days/weeks of battery life (sometimes even draining the battery while the unit is off), compared to a couple years of constant on with an Aimpoint. I've also heard that Eotechs can have other problems as well, i.e. not holding zero, unit not even turning on even with fresh batteries, batteries only lasting a few hours of constant on, etc.

Are those problems something that was just in the past, or do current Eotechs also have some/all of those problems? Should I really look into spending a little more for an Aimpoint?

FWIW, I really liked the idea of the A65 reticle, and the larger, non-tube viewport also looked like something I'd like. But if Eotechs are faulty at best, I'll have to pass.

[chiliman21]

Tag for information

[Dave626]

u can't compare battery life with aimpoint. i had two Eotech, both hold zero and no battery drain. Your source of review might based on a fake Eotech from ebay china.

[static808]

newer eotechs with the transverse-mounted battery solved some of the recoil-related problems with the older eotechs.

battery life is no comparison, but so is reticle. basically, if you want ultimate battery life, get an aimpoint. if you want the donut reticle, get an eotech.

i have both, and slightly prefer the aimpoint, but only because the micro weighs next to nothing. wifey prefers the eotech, since the reticle is much easier for her to pick up. both reticles work well for me, and i am no faster with either of them.

[SuperSet]

Best technical info is found on ARFCOM IMO. This post is a little old but still good:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_18/528448_.html

APs are more reliable although my EOTechs haven't failed but I've seen others fail. I haven't seen an XPS model fail yet. Good luck.

[jdouglas]

Hmmm, so it seems at least some of the problems have lessened over the past few years, and the 2009+ years are a little better. Lithium batteries are a must, and make sure to clean out the battery box, particularly the contacts to make sure there is no corrosion. And even then expect the batteries to only last a couple range trips, or 6-12 months, whichever comes first.

I don't know...I'm still not convinced either way. Maybe I should just stick with my Primary Arms red dot till it breaks or something. I'll hate to miss the $60 Eotech rebate though...

[m16]

I saw an EOTech die after being being hit by a sim round, and it wasn't even that old.

Aimpoints are pretty bombproof, I've had a Micro T-1 on setting number 8 constantly for over two years on the original battery and it's still bright.

[OpticsPlanet]

Eotech did have an issues with the battery packs and that is why they came out with the transverse models. They have since corrected the battery packs and i havent seen any issues with those new models.
Absolutely right on the battery life. 500-1000 hours on an eotech and thousands and thousands more on an aimpoint. never have tio worry about leaving them on for a long time.
One big reason I like my Eotech is that it is a true holo sight, its not a red dot. this makes head position much more forgiving depending on your shooting situation.

This is an on going debate, both have big pros and smaller cons. Usually, you end up getting oth down the road.

Trevor B.

[teflondog]

I was a bit reluctant to buy my first Eotech due to all the horror stories I read online. But after seeing this torture test, I made the jump and I'm glad I did. My EXPS has been just as reliable as my Aimpoints.

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread....ure-test-(pics)

[Josh3239]

I am an Aimpoint guy and absolutely believe it is the better optic. If I had to choose an EOTech I'd go with the XPS models. That being said...

My buddy carried an EOTech 512 through 4 deployments with the Army Rangers. He believes it is the best and he doesn't use anything else. He never had a problem with his. He brought it back from the Army and put it on his AR. It still runs like a champ.

YMMV I suppose.

[tonyxcom]

I am picking up my T1 (2moa) this weekend and I have an XPS2 incoming. I will use and probably keep both, but the T1 is my SHTF red dot for sure.

I have an astigmatism so red dots are kinda annoying but I deal. Eotech reticles don't give me those blooming problems.

[stix213]

I own 3 EOTechs, no problems with zero or battery life. I've only replaced the batteries in one of them once. The problems I've encountered are after a while I have an issue on two of them (553 & 557) where when the reticle is in certain areas of the window it gets dimmer. The 557 has an issue where when the reticle is in a certain area I see a fuzzy band that slightly blurs it. I got an RMA # for the 557 to send it in for free replacement, even though the warranty was already expired, but I thought about it and didn't think it was really that big of a deal. When the reticle is toward the center of the window I don't see either issue on either sight anyways.

My 512 is my newest one, and is holding zero even though it is on my .50 Beowulf pistol build, but I have the fewest rounds with that one riding on top so can't say much.

If I wasn't on a light weight kick with my current build (just finished assembling the lower for AR #4 the other night) I'd buy another one. Probably another 512 because they are cheaper and I never ended up getting NV, and probably won't spend the money on it anyway so why waste the money on NV sight compatibility?

I don't have any aimpoint experience.

[MrPlink]

Ive had numerous 512s. Only problem I ever had was on a model I left sitting for quite a while and a battery burst mucking up the terminals quite a bit. A little clp and it was back to normal.

Ran em on an AKM and a SCAR17, no issues with battery connection ever.

All that aside, I have an aimpoint Comp M4 and it is built like a tank. While eotechs are far from fragile the ruggedness of Aimpoint is really on another level.

[jdouglas]

Maybe I should just go ahead and get the 512 or 517 and see how it works. If it doesn't work I'll hope it's still under warranty, and if it does work then great. (Hopefully it doesn't die right after the warranty expires...haha.)

Out of the two, would it be better to get a 512 and a riser (more versatile; both absolute and lower 1/3 cowitness possible), or a 517 (slightly cheaper overall, but lower 1/3 only)?

[SuperSet]

I'd get the EXPS series, just to have the added reliability and integral riser.