Just finished building an A3, need sight

[Lobotomy Boy]

I just purchased a DPMS lower with a collapsable stock to go with a DPMS flat top 16-inch upper with a full-length tube and handguard. It's a bit on the freaky looking side but highly functional. I'm now shopping for optics. I like the EOTech 550, but have some questions.

1. Does Bushnell own EOTech? I've had a hard time finding the EOTech website, though there is a Bushnell EOTech site.

2. Will I need a riser? The DPMS folks had a EOTech 550 mounted on a flat top without a riser and it looked like it worked pretty well.

3. The cheapest 550 I found was at RB Precision, for $300. It appears that the version that takes AA batteries is $50 more. I tried to verify this, but as I said, the EOTech website is pretty confusing.

I thought I'd wait to get optics and take my time, but after assembling the gun I now want to hit the range ASAP.

 

[OEF_VET]

Whatever electric sight you purchase, make sure to buy some form of back-up iron sight (BUIS). I assure you , the one time your electro-sight will fail will be the one time you really need it. I'd suggest something like the ARMS #40, or a YHM flip-up rear sight. There are cheaper versions available, but they won't fold-down, out of the line of sight for when you don't need them. (Make sure you train with your irons, in addition to your electro-sight. There's no substitute for training.)

Here's the EOTech website: http://www.eotech-inc.com/index2.php

It's not a very good site, but it'll give you a starting point. They also have a new version, the 553, which uses CR123 batteries. It's priced somewhere north of $500.

Personally, I use the 551 A65 Rev.F, which is the night-vision compatible version, powered by N size batteries, with rubber-coated buttons. I will, in the future, be replacing it with a 553. I already have a Surefire M900A on my carbine, which uses CR123's, so I will have a common power source. I don't use a riser on my EOTech, and it works just fine.

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

Thanks. A fellow High Roader who guided me through the process of building the gun (and saved me a few hundred dollars in the process) also suggested a flip-up backup sight, so I plan to get something like that. I may even do that before getting the EOTech because now I can hardly wait to get the money for an EOTech before I start shooting the gun.

 

[pcf]

2. Will I need a riser? The DPMS folks had a EOTech 550 mounted on a flat top without a riser and it looked like it worked pretty well.

You do not need a riser, I use a LaRue mount, but it's certainly not needed.
The best thing is the quick detach capability, I can take the sight off while cleaning, mount a scope, etc, and return the sight with no shift in zero.

3. The cheapest 550 I found was at RB Precision, for $300. It appears that the version that takes AA batteries is $50 more. I tried to verify this, but as I said, the EOTech website is pretty confusing.

EOTECH has a MAP policy for their products. www.brighflashlights.net and www.bravocompanyusa.com will be able give you a decent amount off if you order over the phone. When I bought my EOTECH 512 last year it cost $307.

I think the price, availability, and convenience of AA batteries is more than worth the extra money. Unless you're out of rail space I don't see any reason to buy the "N" battery models.

Whatever electric sight you purchase, make sure to buy some form of back-up iron sight (BUIS). I assure you , the one time your electro-sight will fail will be the one time you really need it. I'd suggest something like the ARMS #40, or a YHM flip-up rear sight. There are cheaper versions available, but they won't fold-down, out of the line of sight for when you don't need them. (Make sure you train with your irons, in addition to your electro-sight. There's no substitute for training.)

Read the original post wrong never mind...

 

[Gewehr98]

Tells you how old one is...

When I saw the topic line, I thought he had just finished building a 1903A3, and needed a rear sight. I was ready to hop in and volunteer a spare one I have.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

EOtech is a separate company from Bushnell; but they have a deal with Bushnell where Bushnell will market their sights for hunting/recreational shooting under the Bushnell name.

EOtech also recently released its new 553 sight at the 2006 SHOT Show, so I imagine if you wait a while, you should be able to get a good deal on the older EOtechs by checking the "For Sale" forums on various boards.

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

That sounds like wise advise. I might just get a BUIS and wait for a deal on an older EOTech.

Thanks.

 

[OEF_VET]

That sounds like wise advise. I might just get a BUIS and wait for a deal on an older EOTech.

Thanks.

That right there is probably the wisest way you could choose to spend your money. Give it a month or two and there will likely be a flood of used EOTechs available. In the meantime, you can practice with your irons.