I am looking at getting one of these 3 for my new M&P15 Magpul Mid Moe, i am just wanting to get some opinions on which one is the best of these two and why. Thanks

EOTech 512 Holographic Weapon Sight 65 MOA Circle 1 MOA Dot Reticle

Aimpoint PRO Red Dot Sight 30mm Tube 1x 2 MOA Dot Picatinny-Style

EOTech XPS2-0 Holographic Weapon Sight 65 MOA Circle 1 MOA Dot Reticle

I just added a poll to this post.

After experience with both, I vote EoTech. I have personally seen several Aimpoint switch failures and prefer the HUD design and reticle of the EoTech.

I'd go with the Aimpoint if you have to limit it to the Eotech 512. I had one and saw battery leakage with some AA batteries. Now I had an Eotech 516 with the CR123 batteries that was flawless. Maybe it was because all that I bought were lithium. I dumped all of it and went back to iron sights. Wish I had all the money I spent finding this out back.

I can't comment on the Aimpoint because I've never used one, but I use the EoTech 512 on my M&P15X and love it. It's solid, accurate, and very easy to acquire targets quickly.

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The Paper Assassin

Go with lithium AA batteries. They last much longer, have a great shelf life, are lighter, and don't leak.

I have the Aimpoint PRO and love it. It's all personal preference, was at the range with a friend who had a Eotech 553 I think and I perfer the Aimpoint. If you can, look through both types before chosing.

Aimpoint all the way!
I don't need some heads up display that looks like I'm lighting off a air to air missle, the battery life is much better, and all I need is to know where the bullet will hit.

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Hold my beer and watch this!

My pick would be the Aimpoint, Eotech is too big and bulky.

I have the Aimpoint PRO on both of my ARs. It's a matter of preference more than anything else. Some folks like the EOTech because they think it provides a less obstructed view. I think it's too bulky (wide), but that's just my opinion.

Find a place that has both, and see which one you like.

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*Aim small, miss small...

Depends, do you want a sight that is simple, super rugged, reliable, that you can leave on for years, that has rock solid customer service or do you want an Eotech. I know of a Aimpoint rep who demo's to police departments, his normal routine is to take his M4 off his rifle, throw it down on concrete, pick up and reinstall and proceed to shoot the center out of the target. Last I heard which was some time ago he was approaching 900 throw downs with no issues other than cosmetic, try that once with the Eotech. Go to the Daniel Defense website and look for the M4 torture test video, that rifle had a T1 installed and it took being thrown down a hill, out the back of a moving truck, dropped from a helicopter and finally being blown up all without losing zero. The blast did break one of the lens, but site still worked and maintained zero.

I only have hands on experience with the EOTech. I have has a XPS2 mounted on my M&P 15 for little over a year. It has been flawless and very accurate. I swap it out with my Nikon scope on occasion, and when I remount it on the rail it still is Zeroed. I went with the XPS2 because of its size and because the battery sits across the rail so it can't be affected by recoil. Plus, because of the open design I don't have to be directly behind the sight to see the dot...not sure if that can be done looking down a tube sight.

Product: XPS2 | L-3 EOTech Holographic Weapons Systems

I think I'll throw a monkey wrench into all this. All so consider the Lucid HD7. It has been getting good reviews and is half the price of either. It has four choices of reticules so you can get the Aimpoint or EOTech looking reticules.

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Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

From the Lucid web site:

(Q) Where are the LUCID products made?

(A) All of our products are designed and engineered right here in Riverton Wyoming, in efforts to keep some of them at a price point that is acceptable by the market we have them assembled in China. We are also proud to have some items made in the U.S.A.


That would be a deal breaker for me.

both the eotech and aimpoint are highly used in the military. reading online, it appears some of the main differences are:

eotech is larger, heavier, less sight obstruction, 65moa circular reticle with a 1moa dot and holographics are more visible at extreme angles.

aimpoint is lighter, smaller, larger moa dot without the circle.

both are rugged and reliable, just depends what features you personally prefer.

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od: xd9 3"&4", 15-22, 1911 .22

True, both are military spec and great optics.

The EoTech push button controls seem to be more reliable (in my experience) than the Aimpoint rotary switch and I like the steel shroud around the optic for added protection.

Both are fast, but nothing touches the HUD design of the Eotech for pure speed.

Aimpoint battery life is much better, but the EoTech gets 1000 hours on lithium AA batteries and that is fine. I also like using the common AA battery.

I did some research and picked the Aimpoint Pro for my wifes rifle. I didn't like the sparkly look of the Eotech reticle, the bulk or the short warranty period. I also read of several complaints with problems regarding the battery compartment, contacts and such.

For all of my rifles I am still using iron sights but I expect that to change as I get older

I have an Eotech XPS 2.0 mounted on my M4. I like it a lot.

Unobstructed FOV, rugged, reliable and robust. For some arcane reason it appears to me as it "fits" the looks of the carbine. Should the lens shatter and as long as you have a small portion of un-cracked lens, the holographic dot will still be visible and the sight operational.

I have zero experience with the Aimpoint but if it's good enough for the military, well...

One of the chief reasons I bought mine is that it's made in the USA.

I'm not to sure that if the red-dot goes out on the Aimpoint you can still use it with BUIS, as you can with the Eotech.

I like the features of the holographic dot system. It IS VERY FAST!

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JWS3
1SG, USA (Retired)

I have an Eotech EXPS2 and an Aimpoint PRO. The Eotech has a better sight pattern and access to the azimuth and windage settings, but the on/off/brightness settings are combined in up/down arrows, and not that easy to operate - impossible with gloves. The sight turns off automatically after 4 or 8 hours, and always comes on bright. It uses the same 3V batteries as my Surefire - I buy them in bulk. It has a high profile, and is easy to use heads up, with both eyes. It is too high, in general, for coaxial iron sights, but easy to remove.

The Aimpoint can be left on for 3 years or longer (they recommend changing batteries yearly). The off/on/brightness control is a single knob, which gets progressively brighter in 10 steps from nightvision level to blinding. I use it on level 7 or 8 for daylight. It has a low profile, and is best mounted fairly far forward. It can be used on a flat top AR with coaxial sights if a medium spacer is used (the one which comes with the PRO). The 2 MOA dot nearly covers the bullseye at 100 yards, but is easy to see and use. The objective shines like a ruby, but is threaded for a honeycomb sun shade. The Eotech objective is non reflective.

Both can be used with an auxillary scope ahead of the sight. The Eotech center dot barely changes with a scope, but the 2 MOA Aimpoint is significantly magnified (still 2 MOA).

The Aimpoint PRO is a good buy at $400. If I buy another red dot sight, it will probably be an Aimpoint.

A red dot is a red dot, and they all work the same regarding sight picture, regardless of whether they're holographic or projected.

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*Aim small, miss small...

I've never heard anything bad said about Lucid's product. My Burris PEPR scope mounts are made in China too. I have three of them, and they've all been perfect.

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*Aim small, miss small...

True statement, however with the EOTech you don't have to be directly behind the sight to see the dot. I can hold the gun either high or low and as long as I can see the dot I can hit the target.

As far as your China comment...as long as I can buy American made and assembled products I will do so, even if the price is higher than a similar MIC product.

Eye position matters if the target is closer than 100 yards for the Eotech or 80 yards for the Aimpoint. That's the plane on which the red dot is projected. Most cheaper reflex sights are not as well corrected for parallax as the Aimpoint. It's good practice to center the dot in the finder, just like you would with a peep sight.

I don't have to be behind my aimpoint either. The eotech does have a slightly larger objective, but like I side before, it all works the same regarding sight picture. If you can see the dot, you can place it on the target.

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*Aim small, miss small...

Before you tossed out the "Eotech is too big and bulky" comment, did you actually look at the two models the OP asked about?

The Aimpoint is 1" longer and weighs slightly more than the EOTech unit. I realize less than an ounce makes little difference to most, but the length might. Regardless, I find it hard to agree with your ""Eotech is too big and bulky" comment when the EOTech is lighter and smaller.

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Stu

While the EoTech may not have the same elegant look of a tube type sight, it may seem a bit "clunky" looking at first. As correctly pointed out, the actual dimensional difference is minimal. The proof is in the pudding though. After using both, the EoTech is the superior tactical (in my case match) rifle optic. It is soooo fast and is great for unorthodox shooting positions. The 1MOA dot also gives great accuracy at longer distances (compared to other unmagnified optics).

There are some very accomplished tactical shooters (think elite US spec ops) that seem to love the EoTech. There are real world reasons for that.

I mostly agree BUT when the difference in price is almost a 1000 rd case of ammo I have to pick the lower price IF the item will meet my needs and has a proven track record. Is it an Eotech or Aimpoint? Nope, but it has been considered one of the better optics under $500.

Neither the Eotech (2 yrs) or the Aimpoint (2 years for professional or competition use and 10 years for personal use) have limited lifetime warranties. The Lucid HD7 does. For my non-military, SHTF, local competition it will meet my needs perfectly.

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Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

Thanks for all of the input guys, i just added a poll to the question, maybe we will see what gets the most votes of the 3 choices a put up there.

Aimpoint micro is what you really want.

I dont have experience with either so I cant help you, and I dont know which one my nephew has on his that I shot.

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Grover Oathkeeper

I run an EOTech on another long gun.....and my range partner has an Aimpoint micro on his AR.

Having shot mine a lot and his enough to be comfortable with his rifle, I'll take the EOTech. IMO, the 1 MOA dot in the 65 MOA circle is much better than Aimpoints dot when it comes to getting on your target in a hurry. Yeah, I know the micro will run for 5 years without a battery change. That's OK....I can afford to drop a new battery in my EOTech each year, even though it isn't dead. So that becomes a moot point.

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Stu

I kinda asked a similar question..... didnt get any replies so just I got the eoTech 512

LOVE It.... i am a reflex/Halo guy so it fits my style perfect....

yet to shoot it with the 512... but will this week


....

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--Stav--

I see MORE Aimpoints mounted on the high speed low drag guys weapons than EoTech. Though I do seem some EoTech's, which always surprised me, as we had nothing but trouble with them at the LE level of use.

Emory

i run the 512 dimmed to a 1/3 moa so its still a 1 moa with my 3x magnifier behind it. no complaints

They all have their merits; I have an AimPoint PRO on my Sport. It is not unlike what most of the Army and Air Forced used on their M-16 A2s and M-4s when I was contracting in Afghanistan. Army and Navy Special Ops favored the EoTechs, while the Marines used ACOGs exclusively.

If I had more to spend I may have gone with an ACOG but do not feel like I compromised by going with the AimPoint.

I shake my head when I see folks at the range with high end ARs (> $1,500.00) with (< $100.00) optics clamped to the upper rails.

Cheers,
W-W

I've got an Aimpoint Pro in a Larue mount on my M&P 15TS and my dad has an Eotech EXPS 2-0 (XPS with built in QD mount and side intensity controls) on his Sig/Sauer M400.

Having shot both rifles a fair bit - I gotta admit that I prefer his Eotech to my Pro. My only concern with Eotech vs. Aimpoint is the durability and battery life. I'd rule out the 512 simply because of the size and battery orientation and get either the XPS or EXPS (personally I'd pony up the extra $ for the EXPS simply for the added plus of QD and side controls).

I purchased the EOTECH XPS2-0 recently because:

My brother's dept. issued him one. I have used it and love it, and 2,

It works better with glasses because the focal plane of the hologram is 50 yards downrange. I am approaching the age when I will need to wear glasses. :/

This is SO TRUE!!! lol

and people buy high $ rifles with cheap scopes and wonder why they can't shoot. Parallax and heat shift are killing them. lol

Well, Id have to try an Aimpoint, and it would be the PRO, before I could say for sure, but I like my low end Eotech quite a bit. Just not a fan of N size batteries and short life from them.
Maybe one of these days Ill get the XPS sights, but for now my Bushnell Holosight works just fine, albeit without a guard.

The nice thing about the PRO is you put a battery in it, turn it on, and never have to worry about turning it off.
For me, it would depend on the look of it and how large an area is blocked by the outer body of the sight. Thats one thing I like about the holosight vs the hooded versions, no hood. Of course its also more likely to be damaged too....but if you can handle them both, preferably on a rifle, that would be best.

I would suggest the EXPS 2.0. Includes the QR base. Had an Aimpoint Pro. 2 MOA dot is small and it washed out in bright sun even on max setting. Prefer the big circle small dot of the Eotech.

I didn't like the "sparkly" or pixilated look to the EOTech I had either. Never could get used to it. Sold it to a friend for most of what I paid for it and bought an Aimpoint PRO. Very happy with the PRO.

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CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990

What I don't understand is EOTech's warranty period. 2 years? Top Drawer item w/only 2 years? Kinda like Harley Davidsons.

Aimpoint's warranty states 10 years for citizens.

Votex has a lifetime warranty period. Which I've used and seems to be rock solid.

Being a citizen and not affiliated with any Law Enforcement or Service connection, I was brung up on a farm and hunting and firearms were part of life. Now, I'm just a 'hobbiest, recreational shooter', no more hunting.

So, alltho I likes the features of the EOTech's, I myself would be interested in quality optics with a desirable warranty period of more than two years so I think Ima gonna go with the Aimpoint Pro and their 3x magnifier with twist mount.
Anyone?

Also, I seem to have a l-o-n-g neck. By the time I hunker down to absolute co-witness for the EOTech, the stock of the weapon is practically off my shoulder!
I need optics that stand off the weapon so I can be comfortable while acquiring my target.

EDIT: Just purchased the Aimpoint Pro and Aimpoint magnifier with twist mount.

Cheese and rice, the optics cost me more than the weapon did!! (15T)

So, Ima gonna remove the Vortex StrikeFire and VMX-3T magnifier and move it over to my M&P 15/22.

I've finally settled on the Aimpoint Micro H-1. I bought two from LaRue with their incredible detatch mounting system.

That combination is as good as it gets on a S&W M&P 15, for sure.

God Bless,

Steve

out of the 3

aimpoint
bomb proof
battery life is better

neg. weight
.............................................................................................

the XPS2 would be my 2nd choice
field of view
weight factor.. great for CQ room to room sweep

neg.
outdoors the halo tended to blossom in certain lighting
battery life
too square, lots of str8 edge to scratch/rub off to leave shiny spots for others to see you before you see them

I have them both for different reason .. on two different rifles

If'n I had my druthers, I'd have one of each, too!!

Wow! That is the closest poll I've ever seen on ANY internet forum

Yes, but if you add the two EOTech scores together, because they are basically the same sight technology but powered by a different battery, it's 2:1.

Aimpoint all the way. Loved my Eotech until I test drove my buddies AR with the PRO. Eotech has since been sold.

I use the Eotech 516 with the CR123 batteries that is flawless and the Eotech 3x with flip (to either side). Wouldn't trade it.

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THIS WE'LL DEFEND ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ