Eotech 516?

[amprecon]

Okay, I did the search and nothing came up for it, but on Eotech's website they're now listing the model 516.A65/1 which uses "better"? CR123 batteries and also places the control buttons on the left side of the unit. Does anyone have one of these yet? If so what do you think?
Also I've been trying to find out the performance differences between the N, AA, and CR123 batteries but haven't had much luck. Apparently Lithium is the way to go performance-wise all-around.

 

[jmancini]

IIRC, the run times are something like N = 150hrs, AA = 200hrs, AA Lithium = 400hrs, CR123 = 1100hrs.

I think the 516 is brand-new, I don't see them in stock anywhere yet. Which is a shame, because I really want one.

 

[Omnivore]

We recently got some of the 557s in, which are essentially the same thing but with a .223 BDC reticle (four dots inside the circle, for different ranges) instead of the standard A65 reticle. I think they're great. They have, IMO, an improved, fixed crossbolt, and a captivated thumb knob. They also have a different design for the rail grabber, which allows it to be mounted further forward on an AR flat top, and clear the delta ring and handguard. You can see that feature better here:
http://www.ultimak.com/EOT557.htm
(doesn't work with the taller, double heatshield handguards, as explained in the text)

I prefer the side controls anyway. I never knew why they went to the rear controls, except maybe to make it "ambidextrous". I don't think using a left finger to push a button is all that complicated for a righty or for a lefty. I'm a righty and I like the left-hand buttons .

The main idea for the side controls was to allow access to them when mounted closely in tandem with a magnifier or NVD, but I like it better regardless. That's also the purpose for the overhang feature-- makes more room on the receiver rail.

I still have an old, circa 1997, Bushnell Holosight, and they had side controls originally.