I find it hard to believe somebody did unbias online research comparing eotech and aimpoint and didn't come up with these issues.
A few examples, quickly found. There are many many many more, but I won't want to overrun this thread.
I'll leave it alone after these.
http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1433474&page=4
(at least two of the three quoted below, from that thread, are people who I would consider to be reliable sources)
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=111470&highlight=eotech
Here is a supposed fix somebody came up with for one of the EOtech problems
http://www.kyledefoor.com/2009/12/mounting-tips-and-eotech-secret.html
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=660746&highlight=eotech
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=645239&highlight=eotech
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=632682&highlight=eotech
A few examples, quickly found. There are many many many more, but I won't want to overrun this thread.
I'll leave it alone after these.
http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1433474&page=4
(at least two of the three quoted below, from that thread, are people who I would consider to be reliable sources)
EoTechs come in two flavors, much like Olympic rifles.
The ones which run forever (from experience, typically a 512 or 552) and the ones which are unreliable.
Problem is how many bad ones you go through to get a good one. On a large scale order, having 80 553's result in 50+ of them being replaced within 6 months is entirely within the norm for Eo's. I'll use one if it's issued (not an option anymore) but ***** mightily about it. I had one given to me for free.99 and as soon as I could, it was sold for a H-1.
2/3's of the Eotechs we have owned have crapped out within a couple of days of shooting. One after 5 or six shots. Aimpoints or Trijicon for RDS and Leupold for illuminated reticle scopes. I especially like the etched reticle VX-3 in 1.5-5 and 2-7. With a little practice in the Bindon aiming concept, 3-4x can be as fast as an RDS. I love my Trijicons, but they need to have the Tritium replaced every 7 or 8 years and that costs a couple hundred bucks. A couple hundred bucks buys a lot of batteries.
It's been a couple years, but in a former job I spent a lot of time in military warehouses across the US. I saw FAR more dead EO Techs sitting in the RTM and destroy containers than either Aimpoints of ACOGs. In fact, I think the only time I saw either of the latter two as a failed item was after they ate an IED or bullet.
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=111470&highlight=eotech
I have an Eotech 512NV that has suddenly started burning through batteries, even when off.
Does Eotech take these back? Service? Suggestions?
Thanks
Jeff
Here is a supposed fix somebody came up with for one of the EOtech problems
http://www.kyledefoor.com/2009/12/mounting-tips-and-eotech-secret.html
I don't think that's right. Here are some pictures of an old EOTECH of mine that failed in the usual way with the "good" battery box.
I was at the range the other day and my 512 wouldn't turn on. I thought maybe the batteries were dead. When I got back home I put in new AA's but still no a no go. I noticed one of the contacts was blackened and one of the rubber bushings and spring in the battery box had come loose. I contacted EOTech's customer support on Tues and yesterday I received the repair kits in the mail for both issues at no cost. Installed this AM and now I'm back is business. Three cheers for EOTech's support team.
Known problem with those Eotech variants. Eotech is aware, and has gotten a lot of practice at dealing with the claims. If you continue to run the Eotech, check your zero often, keep spare batts around, and have a BUIS system.
I too, prefer the H1/T1 but the larger Aimpoint models aren't going anywhere and still sell out. Look at the popularity of the PRO.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=660746&highlight=eotech
I purchased one of these used and have had several problems:
- just a bear to get sighted in. Usually I'm close after 6 shots or so, but we were talking boxes here...
- once sighted in, if I don't shoot the rifle very regularly, the drift gets way off (always to the left). Elevation gets off a little, but not much. Drift may be off 8 or 10" at 100 yards.
I've got it on an AR15 and shoot standard 55gr ammo. I used the same ammo; even from the same case. The rifle shoots consistantly, just never in the same place 2 days in a row. I"m not after 1 or 2 MOA, but would at least like to keep it on the paper.
I'm thinking the reason I got a deal on it, was it was having problems. Has anyone had similar issues? Has anyone sent one back to Eotech to be serviced? If so, how did they do and what was the approximate cost?
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=645239&highlight=eotech
My experience with EOTech 511's, of which I've had 4, has been less than stellar regarding battery life. I love everything else about the sight, but the battery life is a joke. I always turn off the power when I am done shooting, but no matter what, I find myself changing batteries (stupid, expensive "N"-batteries, no less) every 3 or 4 months, with only a couple of hours of use in between.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=632682&highlight=eotech
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: