Great video, the UH1 G2 battery drain is not a myth. I own 8 of these things, bought them from different sites in the past 2 years with my own money. So far 5 of them have worryingly short battery life while turned off sitting in a temperature controlled safe, they each have less than 100 hours of on time because I diligently turn off anything not in use. The ones that are still using original batteries are probably the ones I got more recently, my estimate is that they can sit in a safe for 9 months or so before phantom drain depletes the battery. In contrast, my EXPS2 that sees quite a bit of use since 2020 is still rocking the battery it came with. I got these because I just absolutely love their look, it flows well with many designs, Vortex has good lifetime warranty but it’s unfortunate that I’ll have to use them.
I don't know if this applies to you, but several (shake awake) type red dots have been found to turn on inside people's safes because of safe dehumidifiers and other nearby appliances that vibrate. I guess I'm going to have to check mine too because it's in my garage not far from my air compressor.
I had a Gen 2 that had absolutely horrible drain. Would kill a new battery in about ten days or less. They replaced it and I haven’t had an issue yet. I do prefer Eotech still
Eotechs that more gooderer? I have a Romeo 5, a Crossfire and a Romeo Zero, so all I've shot are dots. Rmr footprint for a glock is next. Its between the holo 507c and trijicon. I have to buy a goddamned triji dont I....
I dropped to the comments to type a much longer worded version of this. You put it much better. Switching almost all of my tools from reds to just low power fixed or quality variables was such a quality of life change I thought I became James Reeves himself.
I respect how well you were able to get the actual reticle and show parallax ON camera. A lot of people I see struggle to get such a clear image through the camera lens. Nice work my guy
Damn, Hop. This is absolutely the most comprehensive and entertaining comparison vid for EOTechs out there. Everything that I would state was in there with addition of so much more info that others may need. I won't even bother explaining to others and just link moving forward.
Thank you for all the honest reviews, you've honestly helped me understand so much more about many accessories without sinking hundreds or thousands of dollars and tons of regret into learning for myself. you the real MVP.
That was a genuinely good video. Maintained my attention with consist, direct information without being wordy, losing focus or talking in circles. Very informative and detailed. Subbed for sure.
I decided to take a chance on the Vortex UH-1. I've got an Eotech EXPS3 as well. My attraction to Vortex is their lifetime warranty, over just 2 years with Eotech. My UH-1 example doesn't suffer parasitic drain, so I guess I'm lucky in that regard. The rest of what you said is true and all, and I agree that I look forward to a gen 3 model to revise the shortcomings it does have. Albeit the criticism of the NV capability is a bit harsh. I enjoy it under NODs. I hunt with it under NODs. I also run gen 3 WP tubes, so it might make a difference compared to GP or gen 2 tubes. Well worth the money IMO. The vortex warranty makes it even more so worth it.
I got a used gen 1 for cheap, probably a little lower than 200 usd. Ive been using it heavily for the last 3 years without needing to change the battery once. It has been absolutely worth the price I paid for it. I am waiting for it to break for whatever reason so I can get it replaced with a gen 2.
Same..I like my UH-1 a lot. Super solid. And, I don’t have any parasitic drain issue either.🤷♂️ The thing is nice. You can tell it’s a nice optic when you use it.
@NoneNone_ I don't trust Sightmark outside of a rimfire range toy. For what the Volta goes for, I'd recommend saving a little more for something more reputable, or at the same price, you can get a Holosun 510 or 512 series.
Something not covered here is the UH-1 has windage adjust by moving the base of the optic itself. Meaning you can wiggle it side to side *by hand*, and dirt/dust *may* get underneath the windage screw mating point with the adjustment block. EOTechs adjust, but internally I think. I have a video showing this; Vortex RMA'd that UH-1 Gen2.
@@Devilman666 th-cam.com/video/cReteUE_KMw/w-d-xo.html This shows QD base is properly torqued/adjusted, but housing itself moves (like an ELCAN). Spring was weak.
I've had a few red dots through the years, but EoTech has always been the one I come back to. My ExPs 3 has been truly amazing. If they fix the battery life issue then they will be perfect to me.
They can't "fix" the fact that a laser projected reticle uses a lot more energy than an LED. If they make it an LED for better battery life, it's not going to have the performance characteristics that make it a true holographic sight. We can't have it all, there are limits to the technology.
@@картошка-т5э if they add shake awake to an optic with already short battery life, and every little jostle and bump turns it on, you're going to be wasting a lot of battery vs just turning it on when needed, and off when not. And there's already auto off.
@@ReticentIndignation Mine cracked at the mounting base after firing a few shots, not from a drop. I originally bought it because I saw other channels do drops and the thing took it like nothing.
@@MagicalTrout can you get replacement parts or something like that? The optic still worked just the base broke? That's terrible for an optic as expensive as this one.
@@ReticentIndignation I havn't seen them sell 8t parts individually. Not even the little lens flaps! But the entire housing cracked, right under the brightness adjustment buttons, not a small part. Yeah, the optic still worked but I'm sure it wouldn't have held zero over time, never got the chance to zero it in. Thankfully sig has good warranties so I sent it back and just exchanged it for a Romeo2 after waiting in backorder for 3 months.
I got my UH-1 on sale for less than 400 and I don't have NV yet so I think I will be alright. Plus mine doesn't seem to have the parasitic drain issue, I didn't take the rifle it's on out to shoot for a number of months and it turned right on last time I checked it. However thanks to this review and the refresh rate issue I will likely go EOtech for my next one. Thank you for your time Hop.
I have the Vortex 1x prism, and it has parasitic drain. I've been hoping they come out with a newer, better version before I send it in. I also have a PA 1x and I much prefer it.
@@almostontimehero5415 get a 512 or 552 eotech they take AA batteries and have longer battery life than the models that take cr123’s plus they’re cheaper
I think I've discovered your channel just in the last few months for one of your thermal videos which was so on point. Your content is absolutely perfect. No b***********. Comprehensive understanding of the product. Salient practical points. Really could not be better. Outstanding job man
Your friend Brass Facts did a great review of the Holosun AEMS and showed it was very comparable to Eotech in nightvision performance. And, it only weighs 3oz with solar tech.
In another words, the EOTech isn't as bad as some believe it to be. I have two. They are very impressive and your did a great job of covering their features which are all true btw 👍
I think they're a bit overkill without running nods ( i say this as an owner) but it's not like I'm going to spend the money to replace it. For all the arguments about battery life the cheapest reasonable optic is worth at least 300 CR123s and a comparable optic is worth like 800 CR123s. I'm just gonna buy extra batteries.
There is a reason why many Special-Forces worldwide are using them (Navy SEALS, KSK, GROM etc.) - and these guys are actually using them at absolute limits.
@@sonatine3266Because they get to pick and choose exactly when they fight, and don't have to mess with batteries 😂 Is there a reason they are using an optic with inferior light transmission though?
I have 2 EoTechs EXPS2 with the two dots and love them. Never had a problem. I also have an Aimpoint Comp M4S and an LPVO with an offset RMR. Different tools for different jobs. Excellent video Hop.
I bought a 512 for my foray into EoTech. Knowing what I know now...I should've just held out for an EXPS3-0. BUT, the 512 reticle works better with my slight astigmatism. It's always clear. My Aimpoints will get the slash/constellation thing going on. I've noticed if I take a few deep breaths, the Aimpoint dot clears up, tho.
I have an XPS3-2 I'm looking to get rid of. With my eyes regular red dots are clearer. Things I wish I knew before buying lol. It was my first red/holo type optic so I didn't know what to expect
I have the Holosun 510C (FDE color) paired with the Vortex Micro 3X magnifier. Best practical setup ever (didn't need aftermarket mounts), 100% satisfied!
I've got an HS512C and an EXPS2-0. The Holosun is no Eotech, but it's still really nice. Probably my second favorite optic I've used behind only the Eotech.
I did two deployments in 2nd Ranger Battalion with an EOTECH on a MK18 10.5 upper, as well as on a SCAR17. the things are just fucking rugged, reliable optics, the glass got shattered the last few days of deployment and the optic still functioned fine until I put a replacement on there. They’re bulletflproof, do well in rain, heat, Cold, sand and obviously under NODS they’re un paralleled, as well as suffering from zero parallax issues. People can talk all the shit they want about them but American SOF has killed a LOT of dudes over the years with EOTECH. They’re probably one of the only things in the firearm industries I genuinely believe garner the high price point for them. Shell out $500 and you’ll have an optic that you can Stake your life on guaranteed I get LPVO’s are the new cool kid on the block, but durability wise they’re like styrofoam when compared to an EOTECH. Worked with a Certain tier 1 group overseas aswell, not an LPVO in sight, but I bet you can guess what kind of glass was being run on MP7’s, SIG MCX rattler’s, as well as open bolts….
I’ve always loved EOTECHs. I moved away from them a few years ago to try an Aimpoint T2 for the battery life, then to a Kahles 1-6 to try out the LPVO goodness, and finally circled back to a EXPS 3-2 and G45 in a Unity FTC mount. I also used an ACOG in the service during this timeframe too. I’m glad I tried all the things to know how much I love/appreciate the EOTECH. The only thing it needs is a programmable shake-awake feature for my home defense gun.
IIRC, the "refresh rate" is actually the PWM duty cycle used to dim the reticle. The frequency is fixed, but the power pulses will be longer or shorter, depending on the brightness setting. That's more power efficient than voltage regulation, and is also more LED friendly.
The question is why Vortex red dots have worse battery life than equivalent SIG/Holosun dots despite using the more efficient technology. Maybe has something to do with SIG's point source emitter tech.
The other question is if SIG/Holosun/Trijicon/Aimpoint also use PWM but have smarter refresh rates, or if they use voltage control? I didn't pay attention in my microelectronics class.
@@Hoplopfheil Isn’t it because the huey is a holographic sight with a laser emitter, not an LED like Aimpoint/Holosun/Sig? Even with PWM, a laser is going to use significantly more battery charge than an LED. And this is even assuming that Vortex designed and manufactured everything to a high degree of fidelity. I know you know all of this already, so maybe I’m missing the point haha. Anyway, has anyone ever told you that you look like Marty McFly?
I love my Eotechs, all three of them...and the Holosun 512 is pretty neat...and the UH-1 Gen 2 (back when it could be had for like $400) is also lovely on an AK. And I use predominantly magnifier/dot setups, so the holos are perfect for me. Long story short, I'm broke. Oh, and the tint on the UH-1 is partly what nets you the extra 500 or so hours of battery life over an EXPS-3. Really wish that thing had side mounted buttons too.
I didn't know you had done a full review on the Romeo 8. I was so close to getting one on sale recently, but ultimately went a completely different route. Might need to revisit that decision. Thanks Hop!
I have the 8T paired with the J4X and absolutely have zero buyers remorse. The glass is exceptional in both units and as far as the red dot, I cannot imagine how it could be any better. As far as the weight I don’t see where a couple ounces one way or the other is such a big deal. This is a robust unit and is backed up by a great warranty as well.
@@raymonddowns6064 I agree. I'm really becoming partial to LPVO's on "rifles", and for "pistols".... I'm not worried about a few extra ounces if the tradeoff is durability and overall quality. This thing seems to check all the boxes.
I have a Romeo 8T and a Juliet 6 magnifier. I love the different reticle modes and the lens glare cover that comes with the 8T. The Juliet 6 seems to really pay off at 100 yards up to 800 yards, which is much farther than I could possibly shoot.
Really enjoyed the video and pretty much everything stated here reinforced the general opinion I had come to about the state of the optics market at this time. EOtech is the go to duty optic with intent to have NVG use out the box but comes at a cost that’s not friendly to “the poors”. The Sig 8T is really good but currently at that $700+ market price not enough a value prop to choose over the EO. I know some places had em going for $600 in 2020 which at that price eliminates the AMG from any consideration. Holosun 510 is outstanding for the price and on a budget delivers like 90%+ the performance of significantly more expensive options and the feature set and quality but China so for some that’s a problem
Got a holosun 510c red a few months back. I absolutely LOVE the thing. Zero complaints. I ran it with no battery for a while and have never had any issues. Full brightness for a 3 hour outdoor session. On the whole time, no failure. Can't reccomend them enough!
Excellent video! I would also like to see a gen 3 UH1!!! I personally haven't noticed the refresh flicker, but I can see that being an issue for low light or night vision. They should fix that along with getting rid of the blue tint for the same reason. The big thing for me is the battery drain and the lack of a shake awake and auto off. I haven't noticed it on mine but any battery drain is just unacceptable for any electronic firearm accessory. And even cheap red dots have shake awake now. Time to step up your game Vortex!
Holosuns are being used extensively in the war in Ukraine on both sides, along with Vortex optics. So we'll see about performance under adverse conditions from there.
The AK12 didn't stack up, funny enough i'm sure holosuns outlive the AK12s (or, really, their owners) they're attached to......or could be attached to. Funny, actually, is it's hard to find an optic mounted to the rifle that the russian military purchases solely to out optics on it.
@@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz😂😂. The russians are more modern than what you’re tiny brain thinks. Holosun are not russians level, its Ukrainians level cause its cheap. The russians use Eotech. And of course not a lot of Ukrainians could see the use of Holosun cause wheter they died too early or they cant even use a gun at all😂
I stayed away from Eotech for a long time, I regret it. Been really enjoying my Xps2. Great video! You did a great job showing the reticle on each reticle!
I like the B.L.U.F. (bottom line up front) format. Short and to the point. Lots of channel's love the sound of their own voice and will talk talk talk. Keep up the good work👍
@@slowmo7500 Well the one I looked at had wasaay more edge distortion than just 1mm. It was more 3-4mm. Especially at the top of the glass. Maybe I looked through a bad one. I'm going to find another one to look through .
@@nutsnfancy mine has basically zero edge distortion. It’s topping off a $4k B&T APC10 build and looks/functions perfect on it. I was a big Holosun skeptic for many years, but at this point I have them on pretty much every gun I own that takes an optic
I got the EXPS3-3 with the double dot center for my rifle. It's not standard but I paired it with a used Magnifier found in a strip mall gun shop in Colorado. I'm so happy with the optic set up. I know I'm set for a long time
I still have the first busnell/eotech ,thing is still going strong and the old models had the ability to change out the glass for different red dot patterns and MOA .
The AEMS is a better sight than the 510c. Smaller, lighter, enclosed emitter. It literally gives all of the same features as the 510c, but with updated circuitry, and supposed better durability. Time will tell on that, but having an enclosed emitter alone provides better durability, so that's a win. The only drawback I see is the lack of mounts, but that will change.
Haven't even finished the video yet, but came here to see if anyone else left comments about the AEMS.. I love mine! And they say light transmission is better than an EXPS3
From my personal experience on the UH-1 parasitic battery life, I received mine in early June; left for a deployment from July to September and the battery was still fine. I still haven’t replaced it, however I am only running the optic maybe 15hours a week. Take that with a grain of salt I’m sure other experiences will differ.
Mine had really bad parasitic drain initially, without using it at all except for one range trip, the next time i took it out of the safe maybe a month or so later the battery was dead. Vortex is awesome though and had it back to me within a week and its good to go now.
@@shaneciccarelli-palmer2962 no idea, especially since that drain was faster than what it should have for battery life with the optic constantly on nonstop at medium brightness. Pretty strange, definitely glad they sorted that out.
One thing not mentioned is that a true holographic reticle isn’t affected by astigmatism. In recent years I’ve started transitioning all my optics to prisms and holographics to avoid the smeared, starry dot I get through a red dot optic.
Im a big fan of the 8t as well, even though i do also own an exps3, i run the 8t on my dedicated nv rig. The 8t an is absolute beast, extremely rugged. My only complaint with the 8t is the lack of aftermarket mounts for it, really wish adm would make a qd mount for it.
the 8T is what I have on my .300 black out for shoot subsonic at night. I think its just as good or better than eotechs. Andy yeah not worried about breaking it.
I'm pretty sure the 8T sits at the same height as an EXPS3. ADM makes a QD NV height riser eloquently named AD-1700-XLR that brings the centerline height to 2.33". Worth checking out.
@@AncientGloom yea ive seen them, theyre a .6" rise. I already have a really solid .5" riser on that rig and if for some unearthly reason i had to take the optic off to inspect later, id much rather stoe just the optic rather than the optic + a whole rail.
0:10 I also stumbled on some pictures of EOTech inner reflective lens falling off, rendering the sight unusable since the laser cannot be reflected towards the shooter's eye anymore. People sent them back to EOTech and got a replacement free of charge. Might be a problem if you're out there using it and it happens though.
I will say in very niche cases "good FOV" is useful in a red dot when you don't have two working eyes or have sight issues with your off eye. I tend to shoot better with my bad eye closed simply because keeping it open does actually make it difficult for me to properly focus on things close to my face.
Cool video, a lot of knowledge in short time, Great! I'm running Holosun, but I planned to change it to Vortex. Now I'll have to go with Eotech I guess :)
The 510c on my 1993 Colt Government Carbine has been dropped, banged, thrown on the ground, dropped in sand, used in the rain and has never given me a problem. Recital always works and the lenses are still scratch-free. **your results may vary though**
Thoughts on the Holosun AEMS? I've been running that for about a year and I REALLY like it. Large window, crisp reticle, lots of features, but surprisingly not chonky.
EOTech's are great but for those us us who are a bit more budget conscience, I went with the Holosun with the green reticle and it works great. Cost less, weighs less and gets the job done.
The "We have Eotech at home" video. I have two Eotech EXPS-3s which I like. The battery life isn't great, but I am not spending hours upon hours with the optic on and have only had to replace one battery between the two. A lot of my other rifles still get Aimpoint, Sig Romeo 5s, or Holosun. It just depends on if I find an excellent deal on a PRO, or whatever is cheaper of the Sig or Holosun when I am about to buy.
great video. I run Holosun on EVERYTHING! I honestly i feel the glass clarity is great. The price point is great. i have rifle optics, pistol optics. IR lasers, all from holosun and would recommend them to everyone. Then I also have an astigmatism in my eye and holosun also works well for me. ive become a big fan of Holosun.
Great review and comparison, I'm a newer follower and loving what you're putting out. I take issue with one comment, about the enclosed vs open emitters. While I would agree that dirt and debris will rarely obstruct your emitter, I'll say that I switched from the Trijicon SRO to the Holosun 509t due to rain getting onto my emitter and starbursting my reticle, whereas my buddy with a 509t was able to keep shooting without issues. This was at night, under nods, and was probably worse than a day incident, but stuff obscuring the emitter is legit, even if abnormal.
I’ve been beating the hell out of a 510c going on 4 years now. Solid option! I also have eotechs, but the reticle on the 510 is way crisper for me (guy with an astigmatism) I’ve also seen a lot of guys with them mounted on their AKs in the Russo/Ukraine war, so you can say they are definitely being battle tested as we speak. Want to get my hands on a Romeo8T next.
How long have you been running the EOTech? I was told some people had the inner reflective lens fall off after a dozen of years or so, rendering the sight unusable (luckily, EOTech sends a replacement; free of charge if it's still under guarantee, or a discount on next purchase if it's a discontinued model).
Eotech has been fantastic for me personally. They paid out for the old models that suffered from thermal drift, and have been GTG. I have tried other dots, but always come back to EOTech due to glass clarity and the holographic benefits. There is a reason that DOD continues to purchase them.
Thank you! I can't get away from far too many "comparison" videos having a biased marketing feel... This seems as unbiased and honest as I've come across... Unfortunately, I bought a Sig about 5 years ago. 😕 But this honest comparison will help when I decide that the Sig isn't good enough, anymore.
Agree. I use the 510c on my training, competition and home defense guns. They're NVG compatible and the shake awake is nice for the home defense role. But I only buy them because I can't afford to put EOTechs on everything. Got me interested in trying the Romeo8t now.
As someone that wasn't aware of the pros and cons of the Eotech, the video was very informative. But due to my own personal bias's I would still pick the Sig Romeo 8T. Not because it's Sig, but mostly from it performing well and just having a more appealing appearance, the weight aside.
@@wildcat8598 I have both a Gen1 and gen2 (in which I admittedly haven't shot nearly enough) but I have honestly never really been bothered by the tint. While shooting/training I guess my smooth brain kinda tunes it out?
Thanks for showing all the different reticle types. A big thanks for mounting them with an EOTECH on the same rail. I can really appreciate the difference
I appreciate this video a lot, I was browsing opticsplanet with filters trying to narrow down to these same requirements just last night and realizing there are not many options. With the military now focusing on LVPOs for special forces I am wondering if we will see much more development in this mailbox red dot space.
My first ar build I didn't have a ton of money, I put a sightmark on that was NV compatible and so long story short I've been rocking sightmark for 4 years. For 200 bucks they're awesome
Beautiful summary of holosun... it is my optic brand of choice for most of my go fast guns but that is primarily due to price. However it is not the optic on my go to war rifle
As some others have said the Holosun AEMS seems to be a great choice. I've been very pleased with the two I have so far. Weight, durability, battery life, etc. are all excellent. NV is on par with 8t in my opinion.
On the holosun, as you said hop I would be worried about field use. Their pistol optics seem to be perfect for duty use, but the larger optics have issues. I bought a 503R Gold dot that started not working after about a year of range use. They sent me a replacement and out of the box it had the same issue (for whatever reason the reticle will sometimes "die" and disappear, you have to cycle through the settings to get it to reappear, and then it's super dim for a second before it gets back to the real brightness) out of the box. Definitely something to consider.
honestly the 510c is my favorite budget optic. i run them on pretty much all my rangetoys and other guns i dont have eotechs on. for they money they are great
@@typhoonjenkins8330 what you mean? for the performance it gives, and its price of 200$ (thats what ive paid for most mine, on gafs) id say thats super budget. not many optics that give that price to performance ratio
@@rustyshackelford6372 They run about 350 new, not super low budget but cheaper than an EoTech if buying new. You can find them lower than that usually though
Hey Hop, look at the Lead and Steel presentation of the new Promethean Duty optic. They're on sale for first adopters for $275. Please try and get one and give us a look
I love my 510C & I don't have NV at the moment so the lack of settings don't really apply to me. By the time I can spring for NV though, getting an EOTech would seem like a drop in the bucket in comparison.
I would have loved to see the legacy versions of the eotech compared as well, ive seen the long boy eotech on sale for a price that puts it in line with the budget offerings on this list and id love to see how they stack up.
Agreed, I got a 552 (NV compatible) for less than the 512 has been going for, Euro Optic rocks. Got an ADM QD riser so my EOTech and magnifier are 1/3 height (I have short head so NV 1.93 & 2.04 heights are too much for me, 1/3 height I have a loose chin weld), and I can swap day optic package for night vision optics package on the same carbine while knowing my zero will hold true.
I have a 512 I’ve had for 7 years now that’s suffered some horrible abuse and still functions flawlessly. It’s sat on top of tiles and had about 8k rounds fired jnernesth and it still runs perfect
Great video, the UH1 G2 battery drain is not a myth. I own 8 of these things, bought them from different sites in the past 2 years with my own money.
So far 5 of them have worryingly short battery life while turned off sitting in a temperature controlled safe, they each have less than 100 hours of on time because I diligently turn off anything not in use.
The ones that are still using original batteries are probably the ones I got more recently, my estimate is that they can sit in a safe for 9 months or so before phantom drain depletes the battery.
In contrast, my EXPS2 that sees quite a bit of use since 2020 is still rocking the battery it came with.
I got these because I just absolutely love their look, it flows well with many designs, Vortex has good lifetime warranty but it’s unfortunate that I’ll have to use them.
I don't know if this applies to you, but several (shake awake) type red dots have been found to turn on inside people's safes because of safe dehumidifiers and other nearby appliances that vibrate. I guess I'm going to have to check mine too because it's in my garage not far from my air compressor.
Fancy seeing you here! Have you used the Romeo 8T?
Holy fingers!
You should do some reviews as well!
sheesh
I had a Gen 2 that had absolutely horrible drain. Would kill a new battery in about ten days or less. They replaced it and I haven’t had an issue yet. I do prefer Eotech still
This USPS episode is great! Finally I can know which mailbox is best!
Titanium Mailbox Shroud all the way!
Man... An Eotech-shaped mailbox sounds cool. Only if HOA would... "DENIED!!!"
@@machinis Imagine choosing to actively live in a HOA community
@@RipRLeeErmey you couldn't pay me to live in an HOA community
@@axelmilan4292 I haven't personally bought a house but I'd take a dumpy one bedroom apartment in Section 8 housing before I'd live in a HOA community
The buyers remorse of buying ANY dot sight is worse than the worse dot sight itself.
Eotechs that more gooderer?
I have a Romeo 5, a Crossfire and a Romeo Zero, so all I've shot are dots. Rmr footprint for a glock is next. Its between the holo 507c and trijicon. I have to buy a goddamned triji dont I....
I dropped to the comments to type a much longer worded version of this. You put it much better. Switching almost all of my tools from reds to just low power fixed or quality variables was such a quality of life change I thought I became James Reeves himself.
I can agree with that, buying a swamp fox for 200 when I could've gotten a holosun for 250....smh.... I'm still upset and it's been almost a year lol
@@backlogfrog no go with the new holosun or the one that's a small enclosed emitter but same size as a regular pistol rds
How is this comment from four days ago on a seven hour old video?
I respect how well you were able to get the actual reticle and show parallax ON camera. A lot of people I see struggle to get such a clear image through the camera lens. Nice work my guy
Damn, Hop. This is absolutely the most comprehensive and entertaining comparison vid for EOTechs out there. Everything that I would state was in there with addition of so much more info that others may need. I won't even bother explaining to others and just link moving forward.
He kills cats though
@@compliantpleb4712 I don’t believe this 😅😅😅
Thank you for all the honest reviews, you've honestly helped me understand so much more about many accessories without sinking hundreds or thousands of dollars and tons of regret into learning for myself. you the real MVP.
That cat is like, " look at what they need to mimic a fraction of my power! "
That was a genuinely good video. Maintained my attention with consist, direct information without being wordy, losing focus or talking in circles. Very informative and detailed. Subbed for sure.
I decided to take a chance on the Vortex UH-1. I've got an Eotech EXPS3 as well. My attraction to Vortex is their lifetime warranty, over just 2 years with Eotech. My UH-1 example doesn't suffer parasitic drain, so I guess I'm lucky in that regard. The rest of what you said is true and all, and I agree that I look forward to a gen 3 model to revise the shortcomings it does have. Albeit the criticism of the NV capability is a bit harsh. I enjoy it under NODs. I hunt with it under NODs. I also run gen 3 WP tubes, so it might make a difference compared to GP or gen 2 tubes. Well worth the money IMO. The vortex warranty makes it even more so worth it.
They can offer that warranty because they’re saving so much money by producing the majority of their optics in China
I got a used gen 1 for cheap, probably a little lower than 200 usd. Ive been using it heavily for the last 3 years without needing to change the battery once. It has been absolutely worth the price I paid for it. I am waiting for it to break for whatever reason so I can get it replaced with a gen 2.
Same..I like my UH-1 a lot. Super solid. And, I don’t have any parasitic drain issue either.🤷♂️ The thing is nice. You can tell it’s a nice optic when you use it.
Is sight mark volta good or meh
@NoneNone_ I don't trust Sightmark outside of a rimfire range toy. For what the Volta goes for, I'd recommend saving a little more for something more reputable, or at the same price, you can get a Holosun 510 or 512 series.
0:48 Jokes on you because I bought an eotech 512 because of my love for modern warfare 2.
MW Reman !
Something not covered here is the UH-1 has windage adjust by moving the base of the optic itself. Meaning you can wiggle it side to side *by hand*, and dirt/dust *may* get underneath the windage screw mating point with the adjustment block. EOTechs adjust, but internally I think. I have a video showing this; Vortex RMA'd that UH-1 Gen2.
You have a video showing this you say?
@@Devilman666 he just doesn't know how to adjust the lockup.
@@Devilman666 th-cam.com/video/cReteUE_KMw/w-d-xo.html This shows QD base is properly torqued/adjusted, but housing itself moves (like an ELCAN). Spring was weak.
Holy cow that dig at vortex 😂
However shocked about how far Sig has come with their sights in such a short time period.
the 8t is the best optic I have ever had a chance to use.
Military contracts are a hell of a drug
it's cause they actually wanna be the market leader not some bullshit JUSTASGOOD memefacturer
@@luke8995 I just wish it wasnt so ugly. Also, if it had an NV button
It costs more than the eotech so what's the point
I've had a few red dots through the years, but EoTech has always been the one I come back to. My ExPs 3 has been truly amazing. If they fix the battery life issue then they will be perfect to me.
They can't "fix" the fact that a laser projected reticle uses a lot more energy than an LED. If they make it an LED for better battery life, it's not going to have the performance characteristics that make it a true holographic sight.
We can't have it all, there are limits to the technology.
@@d3ltaohniner261 yeah but they can add auto off and shake awake
@@картошка-т5э if they add shake awake to an optic with already short battery life, and every little jostle and bump turns it on, you're going to be wasting a lot of battery vs just turning it on when needed, and off when not.
And there's already auto off.
Personally, battery life is not even a concern when I am choosing an optic.
@@d3ltaohniner261 every little shake or bump doesn't happen when it's sitting in a corner for HD
Most concise, thorough, articulate, and unbiased comparison I’ve seen… Thank YOU!
Very happy with the HS510C… sincerely surprised by the quality.
I've beat the hell outta mine and it's still chugging.
Same, and they are used by the Ukrainians against Russia so the Sig fanboys can't cope anymore about how Holotech stuff isn't "battle tested" anymore.
@@Idratherbeonvacation Unity Fast or bust.
@@Idratherbeonvacation How does the riser improve the optic? Isn't the original mounting hardware on the optic stable enough?
I love mine as well. So much that I bought another for my AK.
Love the mailbox-esqueness of the Romeo 8T. Robust boxy drip, succulent edges.
Mine was really cool until it cracked on my first range day with it, probably a one-off thing might get another one someday.
@@MagicalTrout interesting, thanks for sharing. I might do a drop on mine to see if it breaks. Ideally it shouldn't, right?
@@ReticentIndignation Mine cracked at the mounting base after firing a few shots, not from a drop. I originally bought it because I saw other channels do drops and the thing took it like nothing.
@@MagicalTrout can you get replacement parts or something like that? The optic still worked just the base broke? That's terrible for an optic as expensive as this one.
@@ReticentIndignation I havn't seen them sell 8t parts individually. Not even the little lens flaps! But the entire housing cracked, right under the brightness adjustment buttons, not a small part. Yeah, the optic still worked but I'm sure it wouldn't have held zero over time, never got the chance to zero it in. Thankfully sig has good warranties so I sent it back and just exchanged it for a Romeo2 after waiting in backorder for 3 months.
I got my UH-1 on sale for less than 400 and I don't have NV yet so I think I will be alright. Plus mine doesn't seem to have the parasitic drain issue, I didn't take the rifle it's on out to shoot for a number of months and it turned right on last time I checked it. However thanks to this review and the refresh rate issue I will likely go EOtech for my next one. Thank you for your time Hop.
Lucky git. Every where I checked has them for $700. Wanted it as an Eotech alternative with better battery life and a common battery type.
I have the Vortex 1x prism, and it has parasitic drain.
I've been hoping they come out with a newer, better version before I send it in.
I also have a PA 1x and I much prefer it.
@@almostontimehero5415 get a 512 or 552 eotech they take AA batteries and have longer battery life than the models that take cr123’s plus they’re cheaper
Same. I bought the uh-1 gen 2 and the 3x magnifier for 400. I consider this a win.
I think I've discovered your channel just in the last few months for one of your thermal videos which was so on point. Your content is absolutely perfect. No b***********. Comprehensive understanding of the product. Salient practical points. Really could not be better. Outstanding job man
Dude you are cranking out some great content, loving it
Your friend Brass Facts did a great review of the Holosun AEMS and showed it was very comparable to Eotech in nightvision performance. And, it only weighs 3oz with solar tech.
this, shocked it was left out
@@Bursar60 same.
In another words, the EOTech isn't as bad as some believe it to be. I have two. They are very impressive and your did a great job of covering their features which are all true btw 👍
They are outstanding. The clarity and sharpness of the reticle and lack of parallax will always make them my "go-to" rifle red dot.
I think they're a bit overkill without running nods ( i say this as an owner) but it's not like I'm going to spend the money to replace it. For all the arguments about battery life the cheapest reasonable optic is worth at least 300 CR123s and a comparable optic is worth like 800 CR123s. I'm just gonna buy extra batteries.
I loved the whole EOTech drama a few years ago, myself and a buddy bought up all the "trash" eotechs people were ditching at crazy low prices.
There is a reason why many Special-Forces worldwide are using them (Navy SEALS, KSK, GROM etc.) - and these guys are actually using them at absolute limits.
@@sonatine3266Because they get to pick and choose exactly when they fight, and don't have to mess with batteries 😂 Is there a reason they are using an optic with inferior light transmission though?
Moral of the video: if you want an Eotech, just buy a damn Eotech. If you can’t afford it, get a Holosun.
And if you have any sense just get an aimpoint
@@acemace3618lmo😅
Yup
💯!!!
Or just save up an extra $100-150 and get a used eotech off of tacswap instead of a holosun
I have 2 EoTechs EXPS2 with the two dots and love them. Never had a problem.
I also have an Aimpoint Comp M4S and an LPVO with an offset RMR.
Different tools for different jobs.
Excellent video Hop.
My Holosun AEMS was a great purchase. Robust and very clear reticle.
@@nutsnfancy perhaps you had a 1 off experience with it. I’m pleasantly surprised with the quality for the money.
LOVE MY AEMS
I bought a 512 for my foray into EoTech. Knowing what I know now...I should've just held out for an EXPS3-0.
BUT, the 512 reticle works better with my slight astigmatism. It's always clear.
My Aimpoints will get the slash/constellation thing going on. I've noticed if I take a few deep breaths, the Aimpoint dot clears up, tho.
I have an XPS3-2 I'm looking to get rid of. With my eyes regular red dots are clearer. Things I wish I knew before buying lol. It was my first red/holo type optic so I didn't know what to expect
I have the Holosun 510C (FDE color) paired with the Vortex Micro 3X magnifier. Best practical setup ever (didn't need aftermarket mounts), 100% satisfied!
I've got an HS512C and an EXPS2-0. The Holosun is no Eotech, but it's still really nice. Probably my second favorite optic I've used behind only the Eotech.
What an amazing breakdown video. Concise, informative, and a little humor sprinkled in! Subbed!
I did two deployments in 2nd Ranger Battalion with an EOTECH on a MK18 10.5 upper, as well as on a SCAR17. the things are just fucking rugged, reliable optics, the glass got shattered the last few days of deployment and the optic still functioned fine until I put a replacement on there. They’re bulletflproof, do well in rain, heat, Cold, sand and obviously under NODS they’re un paralleled, as well as suffering from zero parallax issues.
People can talk all the shit they want about them but American SOF has killed a LOT of dudes over the years with EOTECH. They’re probably one of the only things in the firearm industries I genuinely believe garner the high price point for them. Shell out $500 and you’ll have an optic that you can Stake your life on guaranteed
I get LPVO’s are the new cool kid on the block, but durability wise they’re like styrofoam when compared to an EOTECH. Worked with a Certain tier 1 group overseas aswell, not an LPVO in sight, but I bet you can guess what kind of glass was being run on MP7’s, SIG MCX rattler’s, as well as open bolts….
Lmao why would anyone put a lpov on a mp7 or mpx… ever. Besides maybe testing accuracy on a range.
@@Outdoors_nomad_life yea no shit, not what I’m saying, there were no other optics of any kind on the long rifles, red dots or otherwise
@@ViktoriousDead thank god civilians aren’t limited to military acquisitions and budgets…
Well said.
I haven’t seen lpvos on any devgru rifles other than the 14.5 super duty’s they’re testing. Noveskes, mcxs, etc are all red dots or eotechs
I’ve always loved EOTECHs. I moved away from them a few years ago to try an Aimpoint T2 for the battery life, then to a Kahles 1-6 to try out the LPVO goodness, and finally circled back to a EXPS 3-2 and G45 in a Unity FTC mount. I also used an ACOG in the service during this timeframe too.
I’m glad I tried all the things to know how much I love/appreciate the EOTECH. The only thing it needs is a programmable shake-awake feature for my home defense gun.
Love these comparison videos. You’re doing god’s work.
IIRC, the "refresh rate" is actually the PWM duty cycle used to dim the reticle. The frequency is fixed, but the power pulses will be longer or shorter, depending on the brightness setting. That's more power efficient than voltage regulation, and is also more LED friendly.
The question is why Vortex red dots have worse battery life than equivalent SIG/Holosun dots despite using the more efficient technology. Maybe has something to do with SIG's point source emitter tech.
True. I should have said "generally speaking" it's more power efficient. But that efficiency can be squandered.
The other question is if SIG/Holosun/Trijicon/Aimpoint also use PWM but have smarter refresh rates, or if they use voltage control? I didn't pay attention in my microelectronics class.
@@Hoplopfheil Isn’t it because the huey is a holographic sight with a laser emitter, not an LED like Aimpoint/Holosun/Sig? Even with PWM, a laser is going to use significantly more battery charge than an LED. And this is even assuming that Vortex designed and manufactured everything to a high degree of fidelity. I know you know all of this already, so maybe I’m missing the point haha. Anyway, has anyone ever told you that you look like Marty McFly?
@@MasterChief773 Albeit a MUCH more DANGEROUS one.....
I bought an EoTech because my sock full of Kirkland brand AA batteries doubles as a melee weapon in a pinch
Big fax. Laughing all the way to the remote robbing future in the apocalypse. I feel you.
Hoplop is the highest quality reviewer right now. I appreciate everything you do.
I love my Eotechs, all three of them...and the Holosun 512 is pretty neat...and the UH-1 Gen 2 (back when it could be had for like $400) is also lovely on an AK. And I use predominantly magnifier/dot setups, so the holos are perfect for me.
Long story short, I'm broke. Oh, and the tint on the UH-1 is partly what nets you the extra 500 or so hours of battery life over an EXPS-3. Really wish that thing had side mounted buttons too.
He trashed on the UH-1 lol. A little more than is warranted, imo.
Great video, very informative! I use the Holosun 510c green on my Ar15s and they work so well for my use and price point. Very happy with Holosun
I didn't know you had done a full review on the Romeo 8. I was so close to getting one on sale recently, but ultimately went a completely different route. Might need to revisit that decision. Thanks Hop!
It's a great optic. I like it as much as or better than my eotechs.
I have the 8T paired with the J4X and absolutely have zero buyers remorse. The glass is exceptional in both units and as far as the red dot, I cannot imagine how it could be any better. As far as the weight I don’t see where a couple ounces one way or the other is such a big deal. This is a robust unit and is backed up by a great warranty as well.
@@raymonddowns6064 I agree. I'm really becoming partial to LPVO's on "rifles", and for "pistols".... I'm not worried about a few extra ounces if the tradeoff is durability and overall quality. This thing seems to check all the boxes.
I have a Romeo 8T and a Juliet 6 magnifier. I love the different reticle modes and the lens glare cover that comes with the 8T. The Juliet 6 seems to really pay off at 100 yards up to 800 yards, which is much farther than I could possibly shoot.
@@raymonddowns6064 8h with J3. I agree. Have several dots including Romeo 5 and the 8 is just incredible
Really enjoyed the video and pretty much everything stated here reinforced the general opinion I had come to about the state of the optics market at this time.
EOtech is the go to duty optic with intent to have NVG use out the box but comes at a cost that’s not friendly to “the poors”.
The Sig 8T is really good but currently at that $700+ market price not enough a value prop to choose over the EO. I know some places had em going for $600 in 2020 which at that price eliminates the AMG from any consideration.
Holosun 510 is outstanding for the price and on a budget delivers like 90%+ the performance of significantly more expensive options and the feature set and quality but China so for some that’s a problem
Love my he510c. You can pull the battery out of it and it will run for about a week with little to no light to charge it.
Got a holosun 510c red a few months back. I absolutely LOVE the thing. Zero complaints. I ran it with no battery for a while and have never had any issues. Full brightness for a 3 hour outdoor session. On the whole time, no failure. Can't reccomend them enough!
Exactly me too. I bought the 510c with the magnifier. Its a great budget optic. I dont see the issue.
I appreciate his effort to spend all year with each individual optic to get all the right footage in every season.
King of mailbox mountain usurped by a Romeo? That's where we are now. Good rundown. 👍
It was like looking at a small fleet of die-cast VW Buses and probably weighed as much.
Excellent video!
I would also like to see a gen 3 UH1!!!
I personally haven't noticed the refresh flicker, but I can see that being an issue for low light or night vision. They should fix that along with getting rid of the blue tint for the same reason.
The big thing for me is the battery drain and the lack of a shake awake and auto off. I haven't noticed it on mine but any battery drain is just unacceptable for any electronic firearm accessory. And even cheap red dots have shake awake now.
Time to step up your game Vortex!
Holosuns are being used extensively in the war in Ukraine on both sides, along with Vortex optics. So we'll see about performance under adverse conditions from there.
The AK12 didn't stack up, funny enough i'm sure holosuns outlive the AK12s (or, really, their owners) they're attached to......or could be attached to. Funny, actually, is it's hard to find an optic mounted to the rifle that the russian military purchases solely to out optics on it.
@@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz😂😂. The russians are more modern than what you’re tiny brain thinks. Holosun are not russians level, its Ukrainians level cause its cheap. The russians use Eotech. And of course not a lot of Ukrainians could see the use of Holosun cause wheter they died too early or they cant even use a gun at all😂
Thumbs up for this video just for the simple fact that he said “suffice to say” instead of “suffice it to say”.
I agree that EOTech is a great optic, definitely worth the money, and definitely consider getting their magnifiers.
I stayed away from Eotech for a long time, I regret it. Been really enjoying my Xps2. Great video! You did a great job showing the reticle on each reticle!
I like the B.L.U.F. (bottom line up front) format. Short and to the point. Lots of channel's love the sound of their own voice and will talk talk talk. Keep up the good work👍
Great review Hop, love the comparison, very thorough. Much appreciated!
I am pleased to find that you have your own channel. I have always liked your to-the-point, no bs dry sense of humor!
Awesome comparison. Thanks for taking the time to review these optics.
I’m really happy with the AEMS from Holosun
I just got one yesterday. It’s pretty cool ..so far.
@@nutsnfancy it’s like a millimeter around the very edge. I don’t even notice. Nothing at all that would make me pass on it or consider “awful”.
@@slowmo7500
Well the one I looked at had wasaay more edge distortion than just 1mm.
It was more 3-4mm. Especially at the top of the glass.
Maybe I looked through a bad one.
I'm going to find another one to look through .
@@nutsnfancy mine has basically zero edge distortion. It’s topping off a $4k B&T APC10 build and looks/functions perfect on it. I was a big Holosun skeptic for many years, but at this point I have them on pretty much every gun I own that takes an optic
I got the EXPS3-3 with the double dot center for my rifle. It's not standard but I paired it with a used Magnifier found in a strip mall gun shop in Colorado.
I'm so happy with the optic set up. I know I'm set for a long time
I love my EOTechs and my Holosuns both. Holosun with the AGSS on a pistol are incredible.
I’m digging the budget comparisons. Thanks
I still have the first busnell/eotech ,thing is still going strong and the old models had the ability to change out the glass for different red dot patterns and MOA .
One of the best channels on YT. Thanks Hop. Good vid.
Happy to see the 510c do so well! If the AEMS were to be added to the list, where would it fall? Trying to compare it vs the 510 for future setups.
The AEMS is a better sight than the 510c. Smaller, lighter, enclosed emitter. It literally gives all of the same features as the 510c, but with updated circuitry, and supposed better durability. Time will tell on that, but having an enclosed emitter alone provides better durability, so that's a win. The only drawback I see is the lack of mounts, but that will change.
@@joshuareed3999 Adams makes several tall mounts for it already and I've seen their mounts do pretty well so we do have NV height options already!
Haven't even finished the video yet, but came here to see if anyone else left comments about the AEMS.. I love mine! And they say light transmission is better than an EXPS3
AEMS is fantastic. Got an ADM QD mount for it.
Incredibly solid overview dude!
From my personal experience on the UH-1 parasitic battery life, I received mine in early June; left for a deployment from July to September and the battery was still fine. I still haven’t replaced it, however I am only running the optic maybe 15hours a week. Take that with a grain of salt I’m sure other experiences will differ.
Mine had really bad parasitic drain initially, without using it at all except for one range trip, the next time i took it out of the safe maybe a month or so later the battery was dead. Vortex is awesome though and had it back to me within a week and its good to go now.
@@LîNkxUSMC I wonder what the cause of that phenomenon is, glad to hear Vortex took ownership and fixed it though.
@@shaneciccarelli-palmer2962 no idea, especially since that drain was faster than what it should have for battery life with the optic constantly on nonstop at medium brightness. Pretty strange, definitely glad they sorted that out.
One thing not mentioned is that a true holographic reticle isn’t affected by astigmatism. In recent years I’ve started transitioning all my optics to prisms and holographics to avoid the smeared, starry dot I get through a red dot optic.
my astigmatism is fine with EOTech552. I use it quite a bit. Fixin o go use it momentarily with my mantis blackbeard. 😂
Im a big fan of the 8t as well, even though i do also own an exps3, i run the 8t on my dedicated nv rig. The 8t an is absolute beast, extremely rugged. My only complaint with the 8t is the lack of aftermarket mounts for it, really wish adm would make a qd mount for it.
the 8T is what I have on my .300 black out for shoot subsonic at night. I think its just as good or better than eotechs. Andy yeah not worried about breaking it.
I'm pretty sure the 8T sits at the same height as an EXPS3. ADM makes a QD NV height riser eloquently named AD-1700-XLR that brings the centerline height to 2.33". Worth checking out.
@@AncientGloom yea ive seen them, theyre a .6" rise. I already have a really solid .5" riser on that rig and if for some unearthly reason i had to take the optic off to inspect later, id much rather stoe just the optic rather than the optic + a whole rail.
Check out the mepro rds pro v2
ever seen the LP-1? It's like the 8T. I did a comparison video. It comes with a qd at lower 1/3
0:10 I also stumbled on some pictures of EOTech inner reflective lens falling off, rendering the sight unusable since the laser cannot be reflected towards the shooter's eye anymore. People sent them back to EOTech and got a replacement free of charge. Might be a problem if you're out there using it and it happens though.
I will say in very niche cases "good FOV" is useful in a red dot when you don't have two working eyes or have sight issues with your off eye. I tend to shoot better with my bad eye closed simply because keeping it open does actually make it difficult for me to properly focus on things close to my face.
This is often overlooked tbh, especially for someone with astigmatism. Bigger windows just help.
Cool video, a lot of knowledge in short time, Great! I'm running Holosun, but I planned to change it to Vortex. Now I'll have to go with Eotech I guess :)
You bought an authentic Eotech for a real gun; I bought a $30 fake Eotech for airsoft, we're not the same.
The 510c on my 1993 Colt Government Carbine has been dropped, banged, thrown on the ground, dropped in sand, used in the rain and has never given me a problem. Recital always works and the lenses are still scratch-free. **your results may vary though**
Thoughts on the Holosun AEMS? I've been running that for about a year and I REALLY like it. Large window, crisp reticle, lots of features, but surprisingly not chonky.
Two bots under a single comment, hell, must be one popular guy.
5:35‐ I think you need more accessories on that setup, I only counted like 7 😆 🤣
EOTech's are great but for those us us who are a bit more budget conscience, I went with the Holosun with the green reticle and it works great. Cost less, weighs less and gets the job done.
Try sightmark . They're made in Texas, I love mine.
They aren't made in Texas.
@@ROOSTER333 bruh
bahahah@@ROOSTER333
I'll NEVER buy another sightmark.
The "We have Eotech at home" video. I have two Eotech EXPS-3s which I like. The battery life isn't great, but I am not spending hours upon hours with the optic on and have only had to replace one battery between the two. A lot of my other rifles still get Aimpoint, Sig Romeo 5s, or Holosun. It just depends on if I find an excellent deal on a PRO, or whatever is cheaper of the Sig or Holosun when I am about to buy.
great video. I run Holosun on EVERYTHING! I honestly i feel the glass clarity is great. The price point is great. i have rifle optics, pistol optics. IR lasers, all from holosun and would recommend them to everyone. Then I also have an astigmatism in my eye and holosun also works well for me. ive become a big fan of Holosun.
Primary arms.... Hold my beer lol
Great review and comparison, I'm a newer follower and loving what you're putting out. I take issue with one comment, about the enclosed vs open emitters. While I would agree that dirt and debris will rarely obstruct your emitter, I'll say that I switched from the Trijicon SRO to the Holosun 509t due to rain getting onto my emitter and starbursting my reticle, whereas my buddy with a 509t was able to keep shooting without issues. This was at night, under nods, and was probably worse than a day incident, but stuff obscuring the emitter is legit, even if abnormal.
I’ve been beating the hell out of a 510c going on 4 years now. Solid option! I also have eotechs, but the reticle on the 510 is way crisper for me (guy with an astigmatism) I’ve also seen a lot of guys with them mounted on their AKs in the Russo/Ukraine war, so you can say they are definitely being battle tested as we speak. Want to get my hands on a Romeo8T next.
How long have you been running the EOTech? I was told some people had the inner reflective lens fall off after a dozen of years or so, rendering the sight unusable (luckily, EOTech sends a replacement; free of charge if it's still under guarantee, or a discount on next purchase if it's a discontinued model).
Thanks!
Eotech has been fantastic for me personally. They paid out for the old models that suffered from thermal drift, and have been GTG. I have tried other dots, but always come back to EOTech due to glass clarity and the holographic benefits. There is a reason that DOD continues to purchase them.
Thank you! I can't get away from far too many "comparison" videos having a biased marketing feel... This seems as unbiased and honest as I've come across... Unfortunately, I bought a Sig about 5 years ago. 😕 But this honest comparison will help when I decide that the Sig isn't good enough, anymore.
Agree. I use the 510c on my training, competition and home defense guns. They're NVG compatible and the shake awake is nice for the home defense role. But I only buy them because I can't afford to put EOTechs on everything. Got me interested in trying the Romeo8t now.
ever seen the LP-1? It's like the 8T. I did a comparison video.
As someone that wasn't aware of the pros and cons of the Eotech, the video was very informative. But due to my own personal bias's I would still pick the Sig Romeo 8T. Not because it's Sig, but mostly from it performing well and just having a more appealing appearance, the weight aside.
Yes, the UH1 is bigger, but it also looks cooler which is more important
Never owned one but always liked the way they look just not a big fan of the tint on the glass
@@wildcat8598 I have both a Gen1 and gen2 (in which I admittedly haven't shot nearly enough) but I have honestly never really been bothered by the tint.
While shooting/training I guess my smooth brain kinda tunes it out?
Thanks for showing all the different reticle types. A big thanks for mounting them with an EOTECH on the same rail. I can really appreciate the difference
I appreciate this video a lot, I was browsing opticsplanet with filters trying to narrow down to these same requirements just last night and realizing there are not many options. With the military now focusing on LVPOs for special forces I am wondering if we will see much more development in this mailbox red dot space.
This is great to watch as my UH-1 is on the ups truck to be delivered today. As the poor I am excited for my first “expensive” gun part purchase.
My first ar build I didn't have a ton of money, I put a sightmark on that was NV compatible and so long story short I've been rocking sightmark for 4 years. For 200 bucks they're awesome
Unless you drop it.
Sightmark is monkey mode
Beautiful summary of holosun... it is my optic brand of choice for most of my go fast guns but that is primarily due to price. However it is not the optic on my go to war rifle
As some others have said the Holosun AEMS seems to be a great choice. I've been very pleased with the two I have so far. Weight, durability, battery life, etc. are all excellent. NV is on par with 8t in my opinion.
Same. I have the AEMS on my home defense gun. It’s been fantastic. Its the one that got me into larger-window dots.
On the holosun, as you said hop I would be worried about field use. Their pistol optics seem to be perfect for duty use, but the larger optics have issues. I bought a 503R Gold dot that started not working after about a year of range use. They sent me a replacement and out of the box it had the same issue (for whatever reason the reticle will sometimes "die" and disappear, you have to cycle through the settings to get it to reappear, and then it's super dim for a second before it gets back to the real brightness) out of the box. Definitely something to consider.
honestly the 510c is my favorite budget optic. i run them on pretty much all my rangetoys and other guns i dont have eotechs on. for they money they are great
Rusty, they ain't exactly "budget" priced or made. I consider Holosun to be as good as it gets for civilian shooting sports people like moi.
@@typhoonjenkins8330 what you mean? for the performance it gives, and its price of 200$ (thats what ive paid for most mine, on gafs) id say thats super budget. not many optics that give that price to performance ratio
@@rustyshackelford6372 They run about 350 new, not super low budget but cheaper than an EoTech if buying new. You can find them lower than that usually though
@@typhoonjenkins8330 thank you lol the best budget optic is romeo 5 no comparison
Hey Hop, look at the Lead and Steel presentation of the new Promethean Duty optic. They're on sale for first adopters for $275. Please try and get one and give us a look
I do like my eotech. You won’t know how good and how fast the target acquisition is until you shoot with one. Excellent video!
Hop, I don't know how I didn't find your channel until now. Subscribed and looking forward to binging
I Absolutely love my Vortex Huey Gen2!
1:57 the ATF agent inside this man's head TOOK over
I love my 510C & I don't have NV at the moment so the lack of settings don't really apply to me. By the time I can spring for NV though, getting an EOTech would seem like a drop in the bucket in comparison.
This was awesome - thanks for the thorough reviews
I would have loved to see the legacy versions of the eotech compared as well, ive seen the long boy eotech on sale for a price that puts it in line with the budget offerings on this list and id love to see how they stack up.
Almost no point to buying an EOTech if you aren't using NV. The 512 doesn't have NV settings.
@@Hoplopfheil but the 552 does, got one here and can confirm
Agreed, I got a 552 (NV compatible) for less than the 512 has been going for, Euro Optic rocks. Got an ADM QD riser so my EOTech and magnifier are 1/3 height (I have short head so NV 1.93 & 2.04 heights are too much for me, 1/3 height I have a loose chin weld), and I can swap day optic package for night vision optics package on the same carbine while knowing my zero will hold true.
I have a 512 I’ve had for 7 years now that’s suffered some horrible abuse and still functions flawlessly. It’s sat on top of tiles and had about 8k rounds fired jnernesth and it still runs perfect
I reckon the 558 is the one you want, but it's very expensive and weighs in at a solid 14oz.
Dude.
Love your narration.
It has a Joe Friday vibe to it.
"Just the facts ma'am"..
I really wanna see how a meprolight reflex holds up to these, they looked so much better on paper back in the day but nobody uses them in the states.
there are several good reasons for that
Just like all Israeli products, you get much less than what you pay for
They are soooo blue
Your VDOs are Top Shelf - Thanks.