A Little Help Here on QA Red Dots

[M@D-M@X]

I have an option at this time to aquire:

Eotech's 516 + Eotech's 3X Magnifier

or

Aimpoint's M3 + Aimpoint's 3X Magnifier

Both deals are available with flip up bases on the magnifiers.

What's your experience with them?
I have used Eotechs before but never an Aimpoint. My concern is which of the two has quicker aquisition property.

Thx. in advance...
Max

[ss1]

Based just on quickness of acquisition, the Eotech is faster for me. I like the 65 MOA circle reticle it has for quick acquisitions. It has range finding qualities as 65 MOA at 100yrds is a good measuring stick for a height of a person making hold over adjustments on the fly easy. Some find the reticle distracting tho. When it comes to length of operations, the aimpoint obviously on paper wins out right. However, I have to run the Aimpoint at close to full power in daylight and the battery drains much more quickly at bright settings. I left mine on by accident and a week later it was dead instead of the few thousand hours it was rated at.

ETA: If you ever plan to add nightvision, the M3 is NV compatible, the 516 is not.

[M@D-M@X]

I kinda knew due to common sense that the Eotech should have an advantage on the field of view since you are just looking thru a thin boxed frame, while on a Aimpoint your looking thru a tube/tunnel.

Have you had the chance of using it with a 3X magnifier?

[ss1]

I have used both magnified set ups although I don't have either set up on mine due to the platforms I currently have. I don't like the eotech magnifier as they have this useless knob-like occular end that forces you to use just about the lowest profile BUIS (Arms #40L). Even the fargin knockoffs have the same damn obtrusive detail. Otherwise, both systems give you the best of both worlds. I have a ACOG TA11F on my gas piston AR. While I love the magnification, the BAC method of aiming is certainly not quite as accurate as the aimpoint or eotech.

[M@D-M@X]

Thx. for this valuable information.
I've read that the Acog is an amazing system but I'm looking for something more close and personal with also the capability of mid-range. With more research I'm leaning more on Eotech.

I've dropped both deals that I was trying to work out earlier. Unfortunately I'm no longer interested in the Aimpoint and the Eotech's magnifier from the other deal, turned out to be a 1st gen which has about 1/2" less of an eye relief than the 2nd gen from what I read.

I'm thinking that I need all that I can get, if it is 1/2" that I can move the magnifier forward the better chances I have of having this system cowitness with my BUIS. This system will also be installed on my SIG556 which does not have a charging handle at the rear of the railing so I can probably set it back enough where I can obtain a comfortable eye relief on the magnifier.
http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz278/MAD-MAX-D-1/guns%20misc/IMG_6941.jpg
I will look into further on the spacing for the rear buis.

I'll keep you posted with final decision.
Thx.

[Cris]

I have used both, I like Aimpoint personally, but with the magnification I have to say stick with Eotech due to its clearer magnification glass. The Aimpoint magnifier is no where close to the clarity of the Eotech. I was going to do the Aimpoint magnifier until I saw the difference in the glass.

[M@D-M@X]

I just learned that the new Eotech's lineup of EXPS models come equiped with a quick throw lever system which also doubles as a 7 mm riser and their 2 gen magnifier comes with a 7 mm riser plate thus allowing enough space for the rear Buis and still have the capability of using them without dismounting the system.

I'm hooked on the EXPS3-2 model (http://www.eotech-inc.com/product.php?id=39&cat=1) which comes with this reticle:

http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz278/MAD-MAX-D-1/guns%20misc/XPSReticleOptions.jpg

but it is a new model so it will be almost impossible to get a great deal on it at this time.

[Cris]

That reticle is probably only usable with the magnifier just like the others.

[M@D-M@X]

Probably so..

That is its purpose anyways once you're downrange.

I just figure that the extra dot can't hurt.

[ss1]

......I'm thinking that I need all that I can get, if it is 1/2" that I can move the magnifier forward the better chances I have of having this system cowitness with my BUIS.....

Hey, I'm pretty sure you know this but to others who may not, cowitnessing thru magnification is pretty much useless as your front sight is no longer a useful sight point even if you can see it thru the glass. That's why the flip to the side option is crucial. I've seen set ups with the magnification fixed and the BUIS under it. By the time they can get the optic off due to some failure in a fire fight, they would have taken their eyes off the threat for way too much time.

[M@D-M@X]

Hey, I'm pretty sure you know this but to others who may not, cowitnessing thru magnification is pretty much useless as your front sight is no longer a useful sight point even if you can see it thru the glass. That's why the flip to the side option is crucial. I've seen set ups with the magnification fixed and the BUIS under it. By the time they can get the optic off due to some failure in a fire fight, they would have taken their eyes off the threat for way too much time.

:iagree:

Cowitnessing optics with battle sights can only be accomplished with 1X/No magnification units.

Reason: If for some unfortunate reason your electronic optic fails, you can flip up the battle sights in a second and use them thru your optics without removing it.

The new EOTech's magnifier comes equipped with a spring activated side flip, which with a flip of a lever the magnifiers flips to the side and away from the line of sight.

[JaxChris]

Fixed irons and a proper co-witness (either absolute or lower 1/3) is the only way to run. If your optic goes down you lean your face in the weapon a slight bit more to align the irons - no time off target.

I even see some people running a fixed FSB and an Aimpoint H-1/T-1 as their rear sight with an absolute co-witness base. They zero in the optic to iron at 100 yards and then run the optic only at 50/200. If the optic goes down they just center the FSB in the Aimpoint and keep going.

Both ideas I think are quite acceptable. And the H-1/T-1's are magnifier compatible, I think the EOTech mag even aligns better with the smaller lenses on the micro dots.

[M@D-M@X]

Well.....

Finally got both the EOTech EXPS3-2 and II Gen. Magnifier.

Pics. here > > > > http://tacticaladv.com/showthread.php?p=30997&page=4#post30997