EOTech 517 or Aimpoint PRO?

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NYH1

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I have always wanted to put a EOTech 512 on my AR. Now they have the 517 which has the controls on the side of the optic instead of the back of the it. I like that better then the controls on the 512. I've read a lot of really good things about the Aimpoint PRO lately. Now I'm on the fence as to which optic I want to get.

What are the pro's and con's with each of the two mentioned optic's? Which ever one I go with, I'm going to mount it so it will always co-witness with my iron sights in the bottom 1/4 or 1/3 of the optic. I'm going to use a rear A2 sight that will always be there and not be a flip up sight. My front sight is a "F" marked fixed sight.

Give me your opinions of both sights. My AR is a 5.56mm carbine with a A4 flat top, A2 buttstock and 16" barrel.

Thanks, NYH1.
 
The Aimpoint PRO is simple, reliable, has 30,000 hours of battery life and costs $400-410. However, it comes mounted in a mount that is absolute co-witness, so that may be a negative for you.

The EOTech 517 costs more, has much less battery life, and doesn't have quite the same reputation for reliability. It does have the mount height you want and a more complex reticle (for good or bad).
 
I've had my EoTech 517 on my AR for going on 3 years. Still running the same batteries, simple to use, is a "eyes wide open" aiming device with dual red dots, one for precision and one for CQB and they are both always visible. I like the EoTech... and the kids in the desert like them also!!

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I'm sure 99.9% of EoTechs works perfectly fine.

But, EoTechs are the optic that drain batteries, quit working while firing, and have other problems that prevent me from trusting them for serious use.

Will EoTech replace a effective sight? Sure. Might that be small consolation if it craps out on you when you need it?

Personally, I've seen 2 EoTechs die while shooting and a new XPS that had apparently drained the battery. I've yet to see a dead Aimpoint that wasn't completely mangled.

BSW
 
I have only seen one EOTech die while being used. Removing/installing the batteries fixed it. That doesn't prove anything, but I am definitely sold on Aimpoint's ridiculous battery life.
 
Until the Aimpoint M3 series came out I didn't trust battery powered optics. It was irons or tritium power for me.

I want a optic that ready to go 27/7/365. Leave the Aimpoint on all the time and it will always be ready for you.

BSW
 
Will EoTech replace a effective sight? Sure. Might that be small consolation if it craps out on you when you need it?

Personally, I've seen 2 EoTechs die while shooting and a new XPS that had apparently drained the battery. I've yet to see a dead Aimpoint that wasn't completely mangled.
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One of the big reasons I no longer own an EOTech (I used to have a 552 and XPS) is the super short 2-year warranty. I know that in some cases they will fix or replace one that breaks past warranty, but my understanding is that you cannot really expect them to do so, it's luck of the draw.

I haven't seen any broken EOTechs, but people I compete with have seen so many it's a running joke, and I have seen two EOTechs that drained their batteries in storage (not mine - older N-cell models owned by friends).
 
Aimpoint PRO all day long.

The simple fact that you can turn it on and leave it on (for years) makes all the difference. Pick it up and go. Always ready. No fumbling with switches.
 
Z-Michigan said:
The Aimpoint PRO is simple, reliable, has 30,000 hours of battery life and costs $400-410. However, it comes mounted in a mount that is absolute co-witness, so that may be a negative for you.
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I didn't know that. I thought the mount worked as a co-witness setup. If not, I can alway's get a different mount for it.

Thanks, NYH1.
 
I didn't know that. I thought the mount worked as a co-witness setup. If not, I can alway's get a different mount for it.
Click to expand...

The PRO comes with a QRP2 mount with spacer, all installed (I bought one a month ago). As it arrives it has an absolute cowitness height with AR15 sights. You can remove the spacer for use on a shotgun, FAL, etc. where a lower height is preferable. I don't know if you can get a higher spacer to produce a lower 1/3 cowitness.

BTW, while a lot of people prefer lower 1/3, the absolute cowitness is pretty much the textbook definition of cowitness.

You can easily get another mount - I like the ADM AD-68H. It adds to the cost, but the PRO is the lowest price Aimpoint anyway so you come out OK.
 
If you get an Eotech, get the newer XPS. Much beefier. Try it as is first, but you may need a riser to get lower 1/3 cowit.


I like the 2moa Aimpoint Comp ML3, M3 in a Larue Lt129. Good all around sight. For closeup CQB work the T1 in a Larue tall mount is better.
 
Depends on your eyesight. I LOVED my EOTechs (512 & 557), but my astigmatism DIDN'T. :eek: So I went with Aimpoints, and even after fighting the need for bifocals for 3 1/2 years, I still like 'em even AFTER getting my vision corrected.

So choose what you like, but make sure your eyeballs like 'em, too!
 
Z-Michigan said:
The PRO comes with a QRP2 mount with spacer, all installed (I bought one a month ago). As it arrives it has an absolute cowitness height with AR15 sights. You can remove the spacer for use on a shotgun, FAL, etc. where a lower height is preferable. I don't know if you can get a higher spacer to produce a lower 1/3 cowitness.

BTW, while a lot of people prefer lower 1/3, the absolute cowitness is pretty much the textbook definition of cowitness.

You can easily get another mount - I like the ADM AD-68H. It adds to the cost, but the PRO is the lowest price Aimpoint anyway so you come out OK.
Click to expand...
So with the mount that comes with the PRO, will I be able to just look through the big aperture on my rear A2 sight and see the dot? Will the dot be pretty much in the same place as my front sight ("F" marked) if they are both zeroed at the same distances?

NYH1.
 
So with the mount that comes with the PRO, will I be able to just look through the big aperture on my rear A2 sight and see the dot? Will the dot be pretty much in the same place as my front sight ("F" marked) if they are both zeroed at the same distances?
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Yes, exactly.

The red dot will be centered in elevation and windage when zeroed the same as the irons.

BSW
 
Same reply as briansmithwins.

I prefer absolute cowitness but I always use it with a fold-down rear BUIS (sometimes a fold-down front BUIS as well). For someone who wants to have irons up at all times, the lower 1/3 is probably a better option.
 
Ok, thanks. I guess I can try it with the mount it comes with and my A2 sights and see how I like it. If I don't, I can get a mount that will put the iron sights in the lower 1/3 of it.

Thanks again, NYH1!.
 
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