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- Alfred Mendoza
- June 1, 2023
You’ve been eyeing that EOTech holographic sight since the first quarter of the year. You have finally saved up enough money to invest in your new sighting device. However, you get confused about which of the EOTech sights would best suit your hunting rifle. Guess what? We decided to find the best EOTech sight for you.
- Best for day and night
- Side button operation
- Easy to use
- Gen I - Gen III compatible
- Has 30 brightness settings
- It takes up minimal rail space.
- Quick-release lever attachment
- Has outer targeting ring
- Easy to pick up even with both eyes open
- 1MOA dot
- Most affordable
- Most popular
- It fully adopts “both-eyes open” shooting.
- It uses easy to find double-A batteries.
- Easy to dial-in coin slot adjustment knobs
Table of Contents
Top 5 EOTech Sights in 2022
1. EOTECH XPS3
The XPS3 is the shortest and lightest Holographic Weapon Sight, which is night vision compatible and features a 1MOA dot. This sight is powered by a single CR123 battery that lasts up to 600 hours to 1,000 continuous hours at a nominal setting of 12 at room temperature. The XPS3-0 is also water-resistant and is submersible up to 33ft.
This red dot sight is also NVG compatible, making it an ideal choice for day time and night time use. This Holographic Sight only weighs 9 oz. and mounts to 1” Weaver or MIL-STD-1913 rail. This red dot sight features 20 daylight settings and ten additional settings for Gen I through III+ NVGs. It also features an unlimited field of view and generous eye relief.
PROS
- Best for day and night
- Side button operation
- Easy to use
- Gen I - Gen III compatible
- Has 30 brightness settings
CONS
- It does not self-adjust brightness.
- Short battery life
2. EOTECH XPS2
The EOTECH XPS2 is the smallest, shortest, and lightest Holographic Sight available. Its compact size and weight provide convenience for shooters and law enforcement officers. Like the XPS3 model, the XPS2-0 also runs on a single-lithium CR123 battery, leaving more rail space for rear iron sights or magnifiers. It uses a quick-release lever attachment and outer targeting ring to acquire targets at close ranges quickly.
The XPS2-0 offers lightning-fast target acquisition using its multiple brightness settings in standard operating mode. The XPS2 is ideal for a 12 gauge shotgun for turkey hunting and coyote hunting. Depending on how the shooter turned the sight on, it shuts off after either 4 or 8 hours after use.
PROS
- It takes up minimal rail space.
- Quick-release lever attachment
- Has outer targeting ring
- Easy to pick up even with both eyes open
- 1MOA dot
CONS
- Less battery life than other models
- NVG incompatible
3. EOTECH 512
The EOTECH 512 is considered EOTech’s most popular Holographic Weapon Sights without night vision compatibility. This optic is ideal for tactical/recreational shooters and personal defense. The 512 also features rear buttons for easy access for both right and left-hand shooters.
This EOTech optic also has 20 brightness settings for dawn-to-dusk hunting and competitive shooting in standard operating mode. This HWS is powered by two 1.5 Volts double-A batteries. However, it also supports alkaline, rechargeable batteries, or lithium that may last up to 2,200 – 2,500 continuous hours.
PROS
- Most affordable
- Most popular
- It fully adopts “both-eyes open” shooting.
- It uses easy to find double-A batteries.
- Easy to dial-in coin slot adjustment knobs
CONS
- Requires two fingers to shut it off
- Heavier than other models
4. EOTECH 552
The EOTECH 552 model is another Holographic Weapon Sight that is night vision compatible and works with all Gen 1 – 3 NVGs. It also features a 68MOA Ring and 1MOA dot reticle. The EOTech 552 is also compatible with both 1” Weaver and MIL-STD 1913 Mounting Rails.
This battle-tested optic is powered by double A batteries and supports CR123, alkaline, or rechargeable batteries. The 552 also comes with side buttons and an adjustable, quick-locking, and quick-detach lever for easy installation and removal.
PROS
- Powered by double A batteries
- Waterproof up to 33 feet
- Fogproof lens
- Automatic shut down
- Features a 68MOA Ring and one MOA dot reticle
CONS
- Drifts with the temperature
- Has a bit of parallax
5. EOTECH EXPS3
The EOTECH EXPS3 is an operator-grade Holographic Weapon Sight built for close-quarter engagements with fast-moving targets. This particular model delivers two eyes open shooting while providing a 7mm raised base for lower iron sight access. This optic is also night vision compatible.
Like the EOTech HHS, the EOTech EXPS3 also comes with side buttons and a quick-release locking lever for easy installation and removal, ideal for use with a G33 Magnifier. This HWS comes with a 68MOA Ring and 1 MOA dot reticle. Its battery life may last up to 1,000 continuous hours.
PROS
- 30 levels of illumination
- Just as lightweight as the EXPS2-0
- Features a quick-release lever
- It can be used with a G33 magnifier like the HHS.
- Delivers two-eyes open shooting
CONS
- Most expensive option
About the Brand
EOTECH is a technologically advanced optic company that provides high-quality optics and scopes for the military, law enforcement organizations, and sporting applications. EOTech launched in 1995 but was first introduced by the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM) at the University of Michigan in 1996.
ERIM created some of the military’s first-ever remote sensing and holography technology for small firearms. According to reliable reviews, EOTECH is notorious for being top-tier. It’s no wonder most reviews from AR enthusiasts state that they are satisfied with this brand’s performance.
Aspects to Consider
Battery
The battery is one of the elements one must consider well when buying the best EOTechs for your AR 15. There are two types of batteries that most EOTech red dot sights use.
AA
The most common battery type is AA. AA batteries are typically dry cells, which are made with an electrolyte that is inside a paste. An electrolyte is a solution that conducts electricity. [1]
Generally, the AA batteries feature top-tier steel casings and are typically alkaline, producing 1.5 volts. AA batteries are easier to find and, most likely, less expensive than lithium batteries.
CR123
CR123 batteries are typically lightweight and compact cells with relatively large voltages. Compared to AA batteries, CR123 batteries are somewhat lighter and smaller. These batteries are generally used in digital cameras as their bright flashes, LCDs, and various other functions require high voltage that lithium chemistry batteries could provide.
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Mounting Options
Optics need to be compatible with a mounting system fit for your weapon choice to secure stability and reliability against harsh recoil. There are two mounting options that EOTech red dot sights commonly use for AR 15 rifles.
- Standard Picatinny Mount – The Standard Picatinny rail mount, also known as a MIL-STD-1913 rail, is a military standard rail interface system that provides a mounting platform for firearm accessories. This mount was initially used for mounting scopes atop the receivers of larger caliber rifles such as AR-15 rifles.
- Quick Detach Picatinny Mount – The Quick Release Picatinny mount provides shooters the ability to quickly remove and reattach their scopes by hand with minimal loss of zero. The QD mount generally uses 1 or 2 levers instead of nuts, thumb screws, or Allen head bolts to secure themselves onto rails. A QD mount can also be taken out and stored separately. According to reviews, getting this mount seems to be a better choice.
Night Vision Compatibility
It is also best to consider the night vision compatibility of the optic you intend to buy.
However, it would only be beneficial to get an NVG compatible optic depending on your choice to use the HWS for your night hunting sprees.
Otherwise, we suggest that you just buy a non-night vision compatible optic to save money.
Reticle Types
EOTechs use the classic 1MOA dot inside a 65 MOA ring, two 1MOA dots inside a 65 MOA ring, and 4-dot .223 ballistic reticle designed for long-range use with a magnifier. However, it is worthy to note that most shooters choose the class dot and ring reticle. If you plan to use a magnifier, the 2-dot or 4-dot reticles could be an excellent choice. Understand the meaning of MOA here.
Accessories
Well, accessories are also essential aspects that need to be considered when buying the best EOTech sights. Some EOTech sights can be well-partnered with a top-quality magnifier like the G33 magnifier. These added accessories allow quick transition from short-range to mid-range functionality. EOTech also offers laser battery caps for use with the AA battery red dot EOTech sights.
And Our #1 EOTech Sight is...
Based on our research, our #1 EOTech sight is the EOTECH XPS3 model because it features a 1MOA dot reticle ideal for long-range shooting and faster target acquisition. It also has 20 daylight settings along with ten additional settings for Gen I through III+ NVGs. This EOTech Holographic Sight is also the shortest, smallest, and lightest EOTech HWS that is compatible with night vision. Besides featuring an unlimited field of view and generous eye relief, this optic also features a battery that may last for a long time.
Our #1 Recommendation
EOTECH XPS3
- Night vision compatible
- Side button operation
- Gen I - Gen III compatible
- Has 30 illumination controls