- May 22, 2008
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Eotech or Aimpoint...a very spirited and sometimes heated discussion in the world of firearms. When it all comes down to it, it is a matter of personal preference. Both systems are used by people who tote rifles for a living, or more specifically guys who often shoot at a two-way range (you know the type of range where the targets shoot back).
I ultimately chose the Eotech 552 over the Aimpoint Comp M4 and here is why (sorry this might be a long write up).
Eotech Cowitness (not my rifle)
Eotech with a cracked window...shows that it will still project the reticle, and since the reticle is parallax free the bullet will still go where the red dot is projected.
This is actually my Eotech 552 on my rifle. Even though the brightness is cranked up very bright if you were facing the barrel you couldn't see it at all even in total darkeness, that's because the holograph is only projected on the shooter side. I find that to be quite amazing.
This picture shows how the holographic reticule is only viewable to the shooter even in total darkness. This unlike a red dot laser will not give away your position in low light situations.
I ultimately chose the Eotech 552 over the Aimpoint Comp M4 and here is why (sorry this might be a long write up).
- I felt the Eotech had a better and more open sight window area. The huge rectangular mini-screen makes target acquisition VERY fast even with both eyes open. I had to use the Aimpoint in training and I didn't like the smaller tube as much as the rectangular window.
- The reticule... I like Eotech's 1 MOA dot reticule surrounded by the 65 MOA "donut". The 1 MOA (minute of angle which is basically 1 inch per 100 yards) dot is precise enough for a relatively accurate shot out to 150-200 yards, while the 65 MOA donut can allow you to hit an area target or moving target better. It can also be used for rudimentary range estimation. Since Aimpoint uses LED instead of holographic lasers it cannot make a dot smaller than 2 MOA. For some people that doesn't matter.
- Durability...well this is kind of close. The Aimpoint is a tank, and with the aluminum protection shroud that the Eotech's have they are tanks as well. Difference is that since the Eotech's uses laser holography, even if the glass is damaged it can still project onto it. I'll include a picture below so you can see what I'm talking about.
- PARALLAX!!! With the Eotech wherever you see the reticule is where the weapon is going to shoot. That doesn't matter if you are off axis or not. It is almost truly parallax free. The Aimpoint comes close but not quite as much parallax free as the Eotech. This is important for the various shooting positions you may find yourself in like the urban prone. Don't get me wrong Aimpoint still performs in these situations, but in my opinion not quite as well as the Eotech. Your mileage may vary.
- I run a flattop AR with flip up BUIS (back up iron sights), and I like to co-witness my BUIS with my Eotech reticule. I prefer the simplicity of cowitnessing my Eotech as opposed to an Aimpoint.
Eotech Cowitness (not my rifle)
Eotech with a cracked window...shows that it will still project the reticle, and since the reticle is parallax free the bullet will still go where the red dot is projected.
This is actually my Eotech 552 on my rifle. Even though the brightness is cranked up very bright if you were facing the barrel you couldn't see it at all even in total darkeness, that's because the holograph is only projected on the shooter side. I find that to be quite amazing.
This picture shows how the holographic reticule is only viewable to the shooter even in total darkness. This unlike a red dot laser will not give away your position in low light situations.
