About to start a custom build on an AR

[Goochman270]

I'm about to start a custom build on my first AR, but the only thing I can't really figure out is optics. I'm not really a fan of the standard iron sights. The rifle will be used for carry in the woods, doing some short range (50-135yd) predator and pig hunting. It will also be used more tactically such as 3-Gun, run and guns, and if needed civilian sheepdog. I do not plan on using night vision or swimming with it. It needs to try and stay ~$500 or less. I was looking at the EOTech and Aimpoint; leaning to the EOTech, but weary about the retical size and being able to keep groups tight at the 100-125yd range. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[IndianaBoy]

The eotech is actually better for shooting tighter groups than the aimpoint because the center dot of the reticle is 1MOA.

The aimpoint dots are available in 4 and 8MOA, and possibly 2moa. I am not 100% sure.


The advantage of the aimpoint over the eotech is battery life. Otherwise I think the eotech is a nicer optic.

 

[Thomas2]

I have two Eotechs on my AR's. One has an Aimpoint (older military version). With availability of AA batteries I would take the Eotech 512 ten to one over the Aimpoint for what you say youre using it for. Just my opinion.
Also the Eotech is much more stable and shock resistant than the Aimpoint with the mount that comes with it. And as was said above, 1moa dot equals better accuracy at longer distances. Recticle on the Eotech is holographic and will stay on target no matter how you move your head up or down or side to side while sighting. Excellent optic as far as I'm concerned.
best wishes in choosing and take care,
Thomas

 

[kyle04]

The few reviews i have seen done with side by side comparisons of the Eotech xps2-0(1moa dot and 65 moa ring) and Aimpoint t-1(4moa dot) seem to show the Aimpoint with slightly better groups which is odd because the smaller dot one would assume would make for a smaller group.

Aimpoint does have 2 moa models such as the Aimpoint pro which runs about $400 with the qrp2 mount also i believe the m3 and 4 models have 2 moa. I also don't think you will have any problems with accuracy out to 150 yards. I can consistently hit a 16inch gong at around 300 yards with the 4 moa Aimpoint T-1.

The aimpoints do win out on battery life and i think durability but for very close quarters shooting i can see the 65 moa ring of the Eotech to be beneficial. Either way they are both quality optics which are very similier in price depending on the models.

 

[Frankl03]

I have the XPS 2.0 works great! So far battery has been OK too. I used it on some silhouettes at 100 yards, all the rounds were center mass.
I normally use it more for 50 yard distances.

 

[taliv]

the N and AA cell eotechs earned a reputation for failures during the mid-'00s. mostly this was due to the battery box on the eotech not dealing with recoil very well after 1000 rnds or so. these problems are well documented by many military units.

most people who used a shot timer thought they were slightly faster on the clock due to the bigger lens on the eotech, but MOST people have never even seen a shot timer and don't practice enough to be able to tell the difference.

i've personally witnessed several eotech failures, and not just in classes. while my personal eotech never actually failed, pretty much every time i took it out of the safe, the batteries would be dead. aimpoints on the other hand, have an undisputed 50,000 and 80,000 hour battery life. just leave them on and they will be ready when you need them.

reports i have seen of the new eotechs using the 123 battery sideways seem to be much improved, but i will say this... if you run an eotech, make sure you have your BUIS zeroed.

though my eotech and aimpoints were on different kinds of rifles, i think i could shoot about the same accuracy with both. my eyes halo pretty bad (astigmatism and lasik) so both reticles 'bloom' to me and neither looks round to me. but it doesn't really matter as long as you get a consistent sight picture.