EOTech 556 or 557-anyone have experience?

[basicblur]

Still doing research, but narrowing down my choices and wondered if anyone has any experience with the EOTech 556 vs 557?
I read the entire 14 pages at AR15.com? regarding the problems with the 557 display-sounds like EOTech may finally have it corrected.
My main reason for considering the 556 over the 557 is the shorter length of the 556-I'm a bit ambivalent at this time AFA the difference in the displays-will be mounted on a Colt LE6920 with stock hand guards at this time (rails may be in the future).

I'm pretty close to deciding on the EOTech 4x magnifier, but still can't make up my mind AFA 556 vs. 557.

Anybody?

 

[Omnivore]

The difference in length is minimal. I wouldn't even consider it a factor. The batteries are different, but they're both widely available, with the AA having a slight advantage.

The main difference is the reticle. The separate dots of the 557 aren't easy to resolve separately with the naked eye, at least for most people, BUT, even so they act more like the old German post reticle, and that's not bad. It's with a magnifier that the BDC reticle begins to shine. The single dot A65 reticle is EOTech the standard, and it's a great one. Having used both reticles with and without a magnifier, I'd go with the BDC. Others will have different opinions, but the way I see it the BDC gives you more options. You may avail yourself of those options, or you may ignore them. Either way it's a great sight.

 

[basicblur]

Thanks for the info-I found some pix at one o' the AR sites that show exactly what you're talking about AFA dot resolution with/without magnifier-fella had taken a couple of good pix looking through the 557, then through both 4x magnifier and 557.

'Bout decided to go with the 557.4FXTS package-everybody seems to sell 'em at $1,099, but nobody has 'em in stock. Maybe that's a good thing-if I go ahead and order one, maybe their backordered units will have the 557's problems rectified by EOTech before they ship?

Looks like it's going to be the 557 as the package deal is cheaper than buying separately, and this thing's kinda getting outta hand pricewise!

 

[kurts_armory]

if you have the space for the 557, i would go for it. batteries are widely available, and not as expensive as for the 556. other than that they are about the same