Optic Debacle

[Winkman822]

Okay gang, I've been shooting with my EO Tech my AR15 for a few weeks now and while I really like it most of the time, I find that for the reticle blurs a little bit. I attribute this to my astigmatism having bad eyes. I selected the EO Tech because the reticle is better/faster for me than a standard red dot. Now for close distances, it's brilliant with no reticle blur out issue, but as I start to move the target out beyond about 30 yards, I start to lose clarity on the reticle between my eyes straining slightly to keep the target in focus and also trying to simultaneously get the optic on the target.

1 - Does anyone else with an EO Tech optic and bad eyesight have this issue when trying to engage a target beyond 30 yards?

2 - Would a flip to side magnifier help relieve some eye strain for the longer shots?

3 - Would another company's (Vortex specifically) magnifier work with the EO Tech 512 that I use assuming that the answer to (2) above is in the affirmative?

4 - Assuming (2) above is answered in the negative, would I be better served with a magnified optic/micro red dot setup in the ilk of an ACOG/RMR or Burris LRS wiht a Fast Fire for something a little more budget friendly?

5 - Any other viable option that I may be missing as I'm relatively new to shooting a rifle with any kind of optic system.

 

[chicharrones]

I have an AR with an EOTech 517. My eyesight sucks as I am almost 50 and wear either line cut trifocals or progressive trifocals to shoot with.

For my eyes and lenses, red dots are in perfect focus if I tilt my head back to see through the "middle" lens of my glasses. The trouble is, I really can't do that with a rifle.

So, I deal with the slightly blurred red dot for rifle or even handgun shooting. For me, what I do is just focus on the target and for more precise type of shots, I actually use the red dot in a 6 O'Clock hold. I just put the target on the tippy top of the dot. It works better for me than trying to cover the target with the dot when attempting precise shots.

This is for any red dot I have, not just EOTech.

I would like to try a magnifier, but I'd get one with an eyepiece that will adjust for focus like a scope. That way I could actually sharpen the dot on the EOTech. Otherwise, I think all I'd have is a larger blur of a dot.

 

[OpticsPlanet]

1 - Does anyone else with an EO Tech optic and bad eyesight have this issue when trying to engage a target beyond 30 yards?

I have a 512 and an EXPS2-2, and I find that reducing the brightness helps to sharpen the reticle for me.

2 - Would a flip to side magnifier help relieve some eye strain for the longer shots?

I use the Vortex VMX3 (old version) and the VMX3-T (new version, vastly improved mount) and it definitely sharpens the reticle.

3 - Would another company's (Vortex specifically) magnifier work with the EO Tech 512 that I use assuming that the answer to (2) above is in the affirmative?

When I was in the market for a magnifier, I pulled one of everything we carried from inventory and made comparisons on a dummy gun, with both my 512 and my EXPS2-2. I came home with the Vortex VMX3, and then upgraded to the VMX3-T when it was introduced. Is the EOTech magnifier better? It wasn't so much better as to justify the price difference, to my 50-something eyes. If I were fast-roping from helicopters, or if someone else was paying for my gear, I'll take the EOTech. Otherwise, I feel like one smart feller for buying the Vortex.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-vmx-3t-magnifier-with-flip-mount.html

4 - Assuming (2) above is answered in the negative, would I be better served with a magnified optic/micro red dot setup in the ilk of an ACOG/RMR or Burris LRS wiht a Fast Fire for something a little more budget friendly?

Maybe - only your eyes can answer that. I really like the 1 MOA dot/65 MOA circle on the EOTech, so I'm probably not impartial.

Mark H.

 

[boricua9mm]

Wearing your corrective lenses is a perfectly viable, if not highly recommend option to using red dots and holo sights when you have poor vision.

 

[RainDodger]

I also had the same problem as the OP, but I found the EOTech reticle kind of blurry all the time. I know it's probably not what you want to do, but in my case I found that the single red dot of the Aimpoint PRO is absolutely clear and distinct.

I happened to have a buddy that likes the EOTech more than the Aimpoint and we did some straight-across trades. Now we're both happy.

 

[Skylerbone]

Winkman, I'm not sure if this will help but it couldn't hurt (if you wear corrective lenses) to talk to an opthamologist about the issue and see what, if anything they can do. My 11 year old has astigmatism in his right eye, something I was not aware of until a week ago when I took him in for new glasses.

Walmart, yeah I'm cheap like that, offered Zeiss digital smart lens coatings that can reduce eye fatigue, specifically targeted toward smartphone users but it may be of some benefit and costs nothing to ask next time you're shopping. I believe the up-charge was $50, not horrible for anything carrying the Zeiss name. They also offered coatings from Nikon as well though I didn't investigate them further as I'm still at 20/15 in my 40s.

 

[Winkman822]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I do indeed wear either contact lenses or glasses when shooting, and for purposes of my home protection setup, a pair of glasses is right in the nightstand safe along with the HD pistol and another pair is in the big safe with the HD shotty.

For the time being, I think I'll give the Vortex 3x magnifier a try, and if I like it or find I need a little more magnification, I'll upgrade to the EO 5x magnifier sometime down the line.