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Posted: 12/27/2011 7:23:14 AM EDT
| I want to buy an Eotech this week for my 16 inch BCM midlenght. Im looking at the 512. Seems like a good deal for the money and I like the idea of using AA batteries. Do you guys who actually use them prefer a 1/3 cowitness or absolute? I can order from larue and get there mount but it jacks the price up 120 bucks. If that is the preferd hight is there a solid mounting option that is cheaper or should I just bite the bullet and get the larue mount? Just interested in knowing how you guys like to run your eotech. Thanks guys |
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Personally I like my GG&G mount and it gives me an absolute cowitness +1 They have the 512 with their QD and lens covers for $420.00 plus S/H. GG&G |
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Quoted: I know you prefer AA, but I STRONGLY recommend going with an EXPS2 Model. I believe the design presents significant improvements over it's older siblings. It comes with a QD mount as well as lower 1/3 cowitness. Word. The EXPS is worth the extra coin. Buy once, cry once. |
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I know you prefer AA, but I STRONGLY recommend going with an EXPS2 Model. I believe the design presents significant improvements over it's older siblings. It comes with a QD mount as well as lower 1/3 cowitness. Word. The EXPS is worth the extra coin. Buy once, cry once. Gotta' say EXPS also as its almost the same price. I've got both the 512 and EXPS. C123's are cheap if you buy them bulk. They last for 10 yrs on the shelf (for good ones) IF you get the 512, you really need lithium batteries (Energizer Ultimate or similar). One of the big problems is the alkaline batteries leaking and screwing up the contacts. I had a Larue rail already so I just went with that, but the stock mount is good also. (except for that screw knob....) I'm a 1/3 cowitness fan myself. |
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Why do you think CR123's are the way to go? Is the XPS that much better a sight over the 512 (I am considering a 517 due to having a fts magnifier)? My initial thought was that AA's would be available during a crisis... but I'm open to other views. Thanks! I'm not bashing the 512 with these remarks. I own two of them that I have never had a problem with on both a 9mm carbine and 5.56 for a few 1,000 rds each. Two major issues that the XPS addresses which were the primary failure modes of the Eotechs. 1. Alkaline batteries may leak. If they do, they ruin the contacts that are integral to the body of the unit. Dead Eotech. Hence the recommendation to use lithium, but people don't listen and then blame the sight for going bad. 2. The batteries and contacts on the 512 and similar generation are in line with the recoil. This has led to some of the units having loose contacts after a lot of use (recoil related) and the batteries not making contact. Various fixes such as o-rings, silicone and outright replacement of the battery compartment from Eotech to resolve the issue. The XPS theoretically addresses these problems by using the 123's which are thought to be a more robust design than Alkaline AA's to start. The battery is also mounded transversely (sideways) from the recoil impulse. That should keep the contacts from smashing or wearing down. So the changes are there to address the two primary failure modes seen in the prior generation. Some say it does, others not as you can imagine. YMMV as they say.... |
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Why do you think CR123's are the way to go? Is the XPS that much better a sight over the 512 (I am considering a 517 due to having a fts magnifier)? My initial thought was that AA's would be available during a crisis... but I'm open to other views. Thanks! I'm not bashing the 512 with these remarks. I own two of them that I have never had a problem with on both a 9mm carbine and 5.56 for a few 1,000 rds each. Two major issues that the XPS addresses which were the primary failure modes of the Eotechs. 1. Alkaline batteries may leak. If they do, they ruin the contacts that are integral to the body of the unit. Dead Eotech. Hence the recommendation to use lithium, but people don't listen and then blame the sight for going bad. 2. The batteries and contacts on the 512 and similar generation are in line with the recoil. This has led to some of the units having loose contacts after a lot of use (recoil related) and the batteries not making contact. Various fixes such as o-rings, silicone and outright replacement of the battery compartment from Eotech to resolve the issue. The XPS theoretically addresses these problems by using the 123's which are thought to be a more robust design than Alkaline AA's to start. The battery is also mounded transversely (sideways) from the recoil impulse. That should keep the contacts from smashing or wearing down. So the changes are there to address the two primary failure modes seen in the prior generation. Some say it does, others not as you can imagine. YMMV as they say.... Thanks! I appreciate the explanation. |
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I use an Eotech 512. I really like being able to use readily available AA batteries. I have taken note of the advantages of the XPS over the 512's system. I would have to do my own soul searching now if I were ready to buy another one.
I prefer to mount directly to the rail. The FSB does not get in the way if you don't want to co witness. Just lift your head a little higher and go to town. Depending on your BUIS choice and/or if you use a magnifier, you may HAVE to use a riser to get more rail space or clear the BUIS or both. Larue everything is wonderful. However the YHM #2093? has worked just fine for me but does not have a QD function. |
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Personally I like my GG&G mount and it gives me an absolute cowitness +1 They have the 512 with their QD and lens covers for $420.00 plus S/H. GG&G Oh my i like that mount! 
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| Check out Primary Arms in the "optics section" for sale. Get an EXPS2 with QD throw lever and "buttons" on the side, and if they are still having their sale they will include a "free" flip to the side magnifier. This sits on the top rail of my flat top. My buis are folders so your needs may vary. Bob |
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I went with a 517.A65 (AA battery model with 7mm riser for lower 1/3 co-witness, no NV compatibility). I *almost* went with the EXPS, but AA batteries are obviously a lot easier to find, and the rifle has a continuous top rail, meaning no worries about rail space if I want to add a magnifier. If the batteries leak and screw up the battery compartment, I can live with paying for a repair.
I prefer a lower third co-witness, but I actually needed/wanted the 7mm riser model for another reason. I have astigmatism in my right eye, and I shoot right handed...having the EOTech sitting up another quarter inch (7mm) or so seemed to help my weaker right eye pick up the reticle more naturally with my left eye open, without having to adjust my head position when I lift up the rifle (pushing my cheek into the stock, etc.). In a home defense scenario, I want my eye to pick up the reticle as soon as I lift the rifle, and I want to be able to scan a room with my head in a more natural, upright position. SOCOM went with the EOTECH 553, which is basically the same thing, but it takes two CR123 batteries (rather than AA) and has NV compatibility. I'd be curious to know why they went with the 7mm riser if anyone here knows. 
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| I picked up an Eotech EXPS 2-0 from a friend, has the quick attach/detach lever and side mounted buttons, which make it convenient if you decide to add a magnifier at any point in the future. Very high quality optic, and it's very small, so a lack of rail space isn't as much of a concern as with the larger models in the previous generation models. |
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I went with a 517.A65 (AA battery model with 7mm riser for lower 1/3 co-witness, no NV compatibility). I *almost* went with the EXPS, but AA batteries are obviously a lot easier to find, and the rifle has a continuous top rail, meaning no worries about rail space if I want to add a magnifier. If the batteries leak and screw up the battery compartment, I can live with paying for a repair. I prefer a lower third co-witness, but I actually needed/wanted the 7mm riser model for another reason. I have astigmatism in my right eye, and I shoot right handed...having the EOTech sitting up another quarter inch (7mm) or so seemed to help my weaker right eye pick up the reticle more naturally with my left eye open, without having to adjust my head position when I lift up the rifle (pushing my cheek into the stock, etc.). In a home defense scenario, I want my eye to pick up the reticle as soon as I lift the rifle, and I want to be able to scan a room with my head in a more natural, upright position. SOCOM went with the EOTECH 553, which is basically the same thing, but it takes two CR123 batteries (rather than AA) and has NV compatibility. I'd be curious to know why they went with the 7mm riser if anyone here knows. I believe SOCOM has moved onto the SU-231A/PEQ aka the tan EXPS Eotech. |
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I went with a 517.A65 (AA battery model with 7mm riser for lower 1/3 co-witness, no NV compatibility). I *almost* went with the EXPS, but AA batteries are obviously a lot easier to find, and the rifle has a continuous top rail, meaning no worries about rail space if I want to add a magnifier. If the batteries leak and screw up the battery compartment, I can live with paying for a repair. I prefer a lower third co-witness, but I actually needed/wanted the 7mm riser model for another reason. I have astigmatism in my right eye, and I shoot right handed...having the EOTech sitting up another quarter inch (7mm) or so seemed to help my weaker right eye pick up the reticle more naturally with my left eye open, without having to adjust my head position when I lift up the rifle (pushing my cheek into the stock, etc.). In a home defense scenario, I want my eye to pick up the reticle as soon as I lift the rifle, and I want to be able to scan a room with my head in a more natural, upright position. SOCOM went with the EOTECH 553, which is basically the same thing, but it takes two CR123 batteries (rather than AA) and has NV compatibility. I'd be curious to know why they went with the 7mm riser if anyone here knows. I believe SOCOM has moved onto the SU-231A/PEQ aka the tan EXPS Eotech. I didn't realize that, but the EXPS still incorporates a 7mm riser....still curious to know why they're going with the riser if anyone knows.
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I have a 512 and an EXPS2-2. I like the EXPS2-2 for the minimal real estate it takes up on the rail, when I use a magnifier behind it. I like an absolute co-witness, so the 512 sees more use. You might consider combining them in the XPS2... absolute cowitness (no quick release) and CR123A transverse battery. The -2 reticle is my favorite. Zero at 50 yards, and the center dot gives you 50 and 200 yards, the lower dot gives 500 yards and the bottom of the 65MOA circle, 7 yards, with with a 62 grain .223 at 2900 fps. http://www.opticsplanet.net/eotech-transverse-red-dot-site-non-nv-compatible-xps2.html  Mark H. |
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I picked up a 512 hologram on ebay for 380, new in the box, from someone who went with a scope after buying it. Very happy with it, except one thing, that i don't even know is a problem or paranoia.
First time i sighted it in, got ready to turn it off, and it felt like what i pushed moved slightly. the allen screw didn't seem as tight as when i'd first installed it. i sighted in last weekend (it was a little off, but i was also indoor with no wind and much closer range). just now i turned it on to show someone, turned it off, and it felt like it moved slightly again. The thumb screw i'm now using felt not as tight as before again..i think. does that small electronic box move in that thing? is there some kind of a detent on the rail i have to find? (stock rail on colt MIL/LEO rifle) do i need to use some red loctite on the threads? any ideas you have are appreciated. thanks. |
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You need to loosen the sight on the rail, push it toward the muzzle, then tighten it down. I use a coin on my two XPS models. I also witness paint the screws to give a quick reference whether they move or not. so do you use loctite on the threads at all? it's a lot of vibration, so i wouldn't be surprised if i need to. that's a small screw so i get nervous about cranking down too hard on it. almost wondering if one of those lock over levers would be better. thanks. |
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You need to loosen the sight on the rail, push it toward the muzzle, then tighten it down. I use a coin on my two XPS models. I also witness paint the screws to give a quick reference whether they move or not. so do you use loctite on the threads at all? it's a lot of vibration, so i wouldn't be surprised if i need to. that's a small screw so i get nervous about cranking down too hard on it. almost wondering if one of those lock over levers would be better. thanks. The screws are pretty tough. I usually hand-tighten it, then go another 180 degrees or so with a coin or hex wrench (depending on which mounting method you used). Mine stays in place. Also, if you choose an obvious thumbscrew orientation (i.e. the slot is straight up or sideways), then you can semi-reliably re-mount the sight later on. |
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