Trying to decide - Eotech 512 vs. Aimpoint Micro H-1

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Skribs

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I'm looking for an RDS for my HD long gun. I don't need cowitness, and I wanted something that already came with a mount and was made by either Trijicon, Eotech, or Aimpoint (I got a $89.95 RDS and it shattered after 8 rounds, so I'm shelling out for brand name). I decided against Trijicon because this is for my HD weapon, and I've heard that if you're in the dark looking in a bright setting (normally in the shade looking a target in the sun, but I'm thinking in a dark room looking at a target illuminated by my Surefire) the dot is hard to see.

So I've narrowed it down to the aimpoint and the eotech. My problem is this: I like almost everything about the Eotech better. Wider sight, better reticle (especially at 10 feet, where 65 MOA = 2.167 inches), and the 512 is roughly $130 cheaper than the H-1. However, the one thing Aimpoint has is battery life - you can just leave it on for years. The eotech I would have to turn on when grabbing my gun. While it is only 1 extra step, I want as few steps as necessary to get my gun and get back to a good defensible position.

Anyone else got any ideas between the two? Or any experience using an Eotech in an HD situation (not on duty, but grabbing it from the safe and needing it then-and-there).
 
In my opinion, the eotech is superior for all the reasons listed. Battery life and that "one extra step" shouldn't be that big of a problem. If you plan on waking up to a gunman standing above your bed, you're SOL anyway. That can be prevented by better planning. Also, just to play devils advocate, ever thought of a shotgun or handgun for HD?
 
I said "long gun", not rifle. It's going on my Benelli Supernova.

My long gun is close, but not immediately handy. I prefer it to be in the safe in the closet (it's a digital safe, so I can get to it in the dark) than at home. My handguns are in a handgun safe right next to my bed. So...if you're the devil's advocate, I'm the devil, because I already thought of both :p
 
I have a 512. It's been giving me problems. I love the reticle, but when it randomly disappears while shooting it does not inspire confidence. I also go through batteries about once per month and I only leave it on for about 24 hours during that time. Yesterday I bought an H1 with mount for $449 at PSA. Well worth the difference IMO. I'll make up the price difference just in batteries here before too long!
 
Wow, gunowner, I hadn't heard of that happening! But Liquid, I have heard of problems with them using a lot more battery power. I had a gameboy when I was a kid that used full battery power even if it was off, I wonder if that's what happened to yours.

I am most likely going aimpoint.
 
I used an EOTech in Iraq for 2 years and never had a problem with reliability. They were the gunsight of choice for special forces for about 10 years. Not sure how their commercial products compare to milspec.

If I was getting a night sight for a shotgun, I would probably go with a tritium or fiber optic front sight post. You don't need the accuracy of an EOT/Aimpoint for a scattergun, and tritium never needs batteries. The weapon would be easier to handle too, and your visibility over the top would be better. You might also consider a muzzle-mounted surefire light with a pressure switch on the pistol grip. A good combat light will blind an opponent, and may also stop you from making a terrible mistake in the dark.
 
I've owned both and I've always been a big fan of the Eotech's reticle, but after many years I've come to realize that the buttons are slow to adjust, battery life is very poor (comparatively) and the reliability isn't as good (loss of nitrogen purge, delamination, loss of zero, mounts canted/breaking, batteries draining when turned off, battery contacts coming loose or compressing over time, etc).
Some users have zero problems while others have problems immediately or after months/years.
I find the Aimpoint Micros to have much less of that "looking through a tube" effect I get w/30mm Aimpoints and the switch to be faster/easier to adjust. Of course, the weight savings are nice as well.
Bottom line for me is that I'd take an H-1 over a 512 any day of the week and right now Palmetto State Armory has a killer H-1 deal w/QD mount for $449:
http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/9081.php
Tomac
 
Yeah it's a good deal if they've still got any. They had three on 12/23. My buddy and I relieved them of two of them.
 
I like the eotech for hog hunts in close brush. I think it's a very quick reticle.

My home defense gun however has an aimpoint micro t1. Indestructible and the battery just stays on at all times- not possible with the eotech.
 
Ed, I have a light, and that's the problem I've seen with regard to the tritium/FO options - depending on how they calibrate themselves, when standing in the dark and pointing towards a bright area, the dot can dim itself (because of the dark) to where you can't see it amongst the brightness.

Also, I don't know if you've shot a scattergun before based on your post, but at 10 feet I expect 1-2" of spread. I'm not going to magically hit my target, so I still need some sort of sight. I'm not choosing an RDS based on accuracy, so much as I am on the fact I don't need to be perfectly lined up with the sight to get an accurate shot.
 
I'm a fan of the EOTech, I have a 512 on a Rock River, and an EXPS2 that moves from gun to gun.

The reticle was the deciding factor for me - the EOTech was just more useful than a single dot. The addition of magnification has only made it better.

I've had the 512 for about 7 years, I believe, and the EXPS2 for just short of a year. No problems with either.

The Aimpoint has phenomenal battery life, and if I was somewhere where batteries were not widely available, that would be a consideration for me. You can get AA batteries at 2:00am in a gas station in Resume Speed, Iowa, and odds are you already have something that uses AA's or CR123A's anyway, so you have your own resupply options.

Hitting the button on the EOTech when my thumb goes on the safety is routine now.

Big circle, little dot. Works for everything I'm likely to need it for.

Mark H.
 
My 512 is now eating batteries at a rate of two per week. I just put brand new Energizers in it last week and last night when I went to work it gave me the flashing reticle. That's just flat out unacceptable, especially because it has only been on for 8 hours and 15 minutes during that week. I still like the reticle, but I won't be buying any more EOTechs. Aimpoint for me from now on.
 
Maybe we should go to Aimpoint's customer service and suggest they make a model with a 65 MOA ring and a 1 MOA dot?
 
I have a 512 and a CompM3 4MOA. While the EOTech has a the cool holo reticle, I like the simplicity of the single Aimpoint dot.

If you're not going to use this sight in a CQB situation or anything that requires you to quickly acquire targets, the Aimpoint wins. For plinking/target use only, the reticle in the EOTech surely is distracting.

Also, you can leave the Aimpoint permanently on at about 50% brightness, and the battery will last you at least 3-4 years ALL THE TIME, not so with the Eotech, where you have to turn it on.

In terms of ruggedness, I will never test any unit under any combat situation, so such an assessment is pointless. From my point of view, however, I might think that the Aimpoint is tougher than the EOTech.
 
This thread interests me too, since I'm looking for a red dot for my Mossberg.

Since EOTechs are more expensive, and the battery issue, my choice is between two models of Aimpoint:
the Micro and the 9000SC (with 2MOA dot).

Any advice/coment on these models?
 
I cane back from out of town the other week to find it had caused the batteries to leak down the side of my RRA AR15.
Click to expand...

Please explained how the EOTech "caused" the battteries to leak? I would be yelling at the battery company if that happened to me.

That being said, I wouldn't opt for a 512 model. It is a much older style EOTech. In February of 2010, I bought an XPS2 model, stuffed a new CR123 battery in it, and started using it (a lot). I finally replaced the battery last week. I can't being to tell you how many thousands of rounds I shot with that battery in the 22 months it was on my shotgun, but I can tell you I put nearly one thousand through my shotgun just last week when it failed.

My range buddy has an Aimpoint....on the same shotgun as I have. Every ime I shoulder his shotgun, I spend time looking for the little dot. When I bought my EOTech, I was fortunate enough be able to borrow one from a friend to try on my shotgun. After using it and my buddy's Aimpoint, it was no contest for me.....the EOTech was the choice for me.

Check out the XPS2 design. The battery is mounted crossways....so no battery contact bounce. The XPS2 will automatically turn itself off after either 4 or 8 hours (if no controls are touched), depending on which button is used to turn it on.

I like the EOTech.....YMMV.
 
I am on my second set of batteries in my 512 and its at least 5 yrs old. I haven't seen a faster sight for 0-50 yds yet and I have no problem keeping under 3" at 100 off a bench.
For HD or any close up encounters I can't think of a better faster sight.
 
I'd say in a home defense scenario, finding the 4MOA dot is going to be a lot faster than turning on your EOtech and then finding the dot.
YMMV
 
I've got the eotech 512 and I really like it. My next optic purchase will be another eotech but this time an xps model.
 
I'd say in a home defense scenario, finding the 4MOA dot is going to be a lot faster than turning on your EOtech and then finding the dot.
YMMV
Click to expand...
There is no doubt that you will need to turn the EOtech on but you will also want to check the function and brightness on any powered/adjustable sight in a home defense situation.
The EOtech is at its best up close and is very quick to pick up when you use the outer 65MOA ring and both eyes open. I think you would find the ring very good out to 50 yds for a man sized target which exceeds most HD needs and the 1MOA at 100 without magnification is superior to the Aimpoint.
I think Aimpoint probably holds the edge on durability but neither of them come close to the Trijicon ACOG or REFLEX in simplicity or durability.
 
Micro and the 9000SC (with 2MOA dot)
Click to expand...

Bit late to the thread, but the Micro is the better sight. The 900SC is a bit older technology. That being said, I purchased the 900SC for about half what a H1 would cost.
 
Wanted to bump this with an update regarding my 512. EOTech customer service has now advised me that it will be $79 to repair it. This puts the total amount of money I'll have in the thing between the cost of a PRO and an H-1 not counting the massive number of batteries I've gone through - and that's only because I got a really good deal on it when I bought it. If I had paid normal price for it, I would be out MORE than the cost of an H-1.

If I'd gone with an Aimpoint to begin with, the problem 1) probably wouldn't have happened in the first place and 2) would have been covered under warranty.
 
I went with the eotech and I love it. I'm not worried about having a battery that lasts for 34 months, I change the AA batteries every few months and just rotate the old ones to remote control duty.

That 1 moa reticle is great and the 65 moa outer circle makes it fast to acquire.
 
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