EOTech vs Aimpoint question?

[Average Joe American]

In general, why does law enforcement favor the EOTech holo sights while the military favors the Aimpoint? I know the military loves other sights too but I am just focusing on these 2 types of sights and what logic drives their choices? I noticed the military likes to use EOTech sights on some machine guns but the bulk of soldiers are issued some kind of red dot.

I ask this because I know EOTech makes the bulk of its profits from Law Enforcement agencies and was just wondering why this is? Usually LE adopts military trends but why not the Aimpoint/trijicon trend?

Is it the closer ranges cops often engage bad guys?
Is it budget?
What do you guys think?

[SFgiants105]

Well it's not like they had a vote on which they would use. It probably came down to which one the person who had the power to choose liked. They aren't that different in price, but that probably played more of a role than the ergonomic features. LEOs are short on funds as it is.

I liked the aimpoint I looked through better than the EOtech, but thats just me.
I personally think the Leupold Prismatic sight craps on all of them, at least on paper. I haven't had a chance to look through one, but the concept of a reticle sight that doesn't need to be illuminated (but can be) is really cool IMO.

[Boone]

Aimpoints are much more reliable then EOTech, if you search around (including other forums) you will see many EOTechs fail.

For military, they also have to follow standards for the choice in their optics. While EOTech is issued to some units, aimpoint is as well. Things like logistics battery life and a laundry list of other things come into play with the military.

I'm sure some departments also have these steps in place but it is on a much smaller scale.

Also some are personal purchase on both sides of the house.

Stick with Aimpoint.

[Doru]

Aimpoints have the reputation of being bombproof with an unnatural battery life. As such, they are a solid buy.

EoTechs are good, however, their main selling point (to me) is how conducive they are for two eye shooting.

I have one of each, plus an Aimpoint that was issued to me.

Drew

Check out Tactical Response in Los Angeles in Feb 2011

http://www.tacticalresponse.com/schedule.php

[fullrearview]

This is what we have.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=31993/pid=13166/sku/RX01_Reflex_Sight?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=pricegrabber&mc_id=13000&gdftrk=gdfV21820_a_7c187_a_7c828_a_7c892110001_d_892110001_d_598

I like it....No batteries to mess with, 2 eye shooting durable. I do wish it was a smaller MOA (6.5)

[Josh3239]

Aimpoints are much more reliable then EOTech, if you search around (including other forums) you will see many EOTechs fail. .

I've heard some guys from Iraq raving about how great the Aimpoint is and how the EoTech is junk. I have heard some guys from Iraq raving about how great the EoTech is and how the Aimpoint is junk. I'd agree that for the most part the Aimpoint is more durable, but YMMV. Personally, I am one of those weirdos that wishes EoTech could make a more durable sight or Aimpoint would make a model with a different reticle.

[Boone]

EOTech has failed on numerous occasions and A.R.M.S. mounts are terrible. I'd rather stick to an optic that continues to prove itself such as Aimpoint.

From a LEO point of view (which I am Not) having a optic that doesn't need batteries replaced after every shift. Seems much better then one where you might not have a reticle near the end of your shift. But that also means you are running with optics on the whole time. Some do, some don't.

[lrdchivalry]

EOTech has failed on numerous occasions and A.R.M.S. mounts are terrible. I'd rather stick to an optic that continues to prove itself such as Aimpoint.

From a LEO point of view (which I am Not) having a optic that doesn't need batteries replaced after every shift. Seems much better then one where you might not have a reticle near the end of your shift. But that also means you are running with optics on the whole time. Some do, some don't.

I have never had any problems with the 2 Eotechs (553) that I own, including accidentally knocking my rifle off the shooting table at the range. As for batteries both mine are still using the same batteries since 2008 and have seen regular use.

I would like to try an aimpoint but at this point in time I cannot afford it or the trijicon.

[Gnome]

My Dept's range staff told me they prefer the Eotechs over Aimpoints because of the larger field of view. It's a more "open" sight. If that makes sense...?

[Al B.]

EoTech Vs. Aimpoint

Can't speak to Aimpoint's, have never had the pleasure of trying one. But I am a EoTech distributor and I carried a 552 in Iraq on my tactical shotgun. "Changing batteries after every shift" Sounds like FUD to me! If there is a rare failure, then that is a specific item and not a product line. Also, the units turn themselves off (different lengths of time), specifically to save battery power so you don't put it away and "keep the lights on". With recommended lithium batteries the lifespan is outstanding as well as the shelf life. Now...please be aware there are numerous EoTech counterfeits coming in made in a VERY LARGE Asian country. They look very similar if not identical to certain legitimate EoTech models to include magnifiers. Some have the laser sticker on the side and some have ARMS mounts. They are POS's for anyone in the military and LE, as they can fail when you need them the most. If you are just a fun shooter...go ahead and spend $100 on a $10 POS knock-off. For sport shooting, failure is an inconvenience. For military and LE if can be life and death. These counterfeits have gone so far as to be sold and shipped in "genuine" L-3 EoTech packaging. They end up in Ann Arbor, MI for "warranty repair" and EoTech has to tell the owner its' a counterfeit. First clue about a counterfeit is it has the ability for the reticle to be red or green. Those are LED lights....NOT a laser. If you have a personal failure with an EoTech...PM me and we can talk off-line. I'll help you to get it right. I'm retired LE and USMC...the western regional manager for EoTech is also retired USMC. We do care about any failures, as does L-3 EoTech. L-3 EoTech is going after the importers of these counterfeits, their distributors and sellers. Al B. (SOCAL)

[Ron-Solo]

I love my EoTech 517. And no, you don't have to change batteries after every shift.

I've got to call BS on that claim. My batteries are 3 months old and still going strong.

[DAW2432]

I am a current LEO, and I have served search warrants on dangerous people every week. I have also been a tactical rifle instructor for many years, amongst other things, whatever. There are two reasons why I prefer the EOtech. The window is larger; sometimes there is more than one bad guy. Second, the 65 mil reticle is VERY fast, particularly when you're going down a hallway. Put the shoulders in there and viola, accurate, fast deployment. My EOTechs have been through hell and back, and they're absolutely awesome. The Aimpoints are a very fine product too. Our tactical team is on them and they swear by them.

Both Aimpoint and EOTech are in use by the military. Remember this, anything vetted by the military is rock solid. If you give two marines an anvil and a rubber hammer, they'll have them both broke in 5 minutes.

Average Joe...I'm glad you asked the question, but please be aware that people anywhere, including on this forum, can give you a load of opinions, even if they are inexperienced opinions. EOTech vs. Aimpoint is a personal judgment call, one YOU have to make, and not one to rely on from people that say you have to change batteries every 8 or 10 hour shift.

That being said, there is some excellent advice in this thread, my hats off to Al B., amongst others, nicely said.

[1lostinspace]

What? Eotechs are way better than Aimpoint!

Eotech is a Halo sight
Better field of view
Smaller 1 MOA dot instead of 2
Larger 10 MOA dot for CB instead of non!
Better battery life
Co aline with rear and front sight
Better over all quality

I own both and can tell you Eotechs are far superior!

[Jonathan Doe]

My agency tried many types of sights and settled with the EoTech 512. Many field guys tried and gave input and that is what happened.

[KevH]

I see a lot of both. I currently run an Aimpoint T-1.

I prefer the EOTech's reticle and field of view. I prefer the Aimpoint's ruggedness.