Not sure which EOTech holographic weapon sight to get?
There are a lot of models with some confusing naming conventions…we’ll help clear it all up.
By the end, you’ll know the perfect EOTech model for your end-use.
But first…if you aren’t caught up on holographic sights vs red dots sights…check out our comparison to make sure you know the pros/cons.
If that helped, please subscribe to our YouTube channel since we’re adding new videos every week!
Now let’s get on with the best EOTech models!
THE QUICK LIST
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EDITOR’S PICK
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ENTRY-LEVEL PICK
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ALSO GOOD
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NIGHT VISION CAPABILITY
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BEST GREEN RETICLE
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3X MAGNIFIER
Table of Contents
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Best EOTech Models
1. EXPS2-0
My favorite pick and what I run on my competition PCC rifle (Best Pistol Caliber Carbines) is the EXPS2-0.
- Newer short model
- QD Mount
- Standard reticle
Not as heavy, easy to take on and off while maintaining zero, able to easily accept a magnifier because the buttons are on the side, and comes with the fast standard reticle.
We recently had a high-end optics torture test and included an EXPS holosight.
Water submersion…easy.
Cooling it from -40 degrees to heating up to 140 degrees? It held zero.
We then shot it…starting from rat shot to .410 #9 birdshot, 12ga #7.5 birdshot, and finally .22 LR Mini-Mag where it finally sort of failed.
The glass cracked in the front… but due to the holographic tech…it was still serviceable but we found it likely had a few shots left since glass was falling out all over the place.
But don’t worry…practically every other optic failed on the Mini-Mag. See more damage in the full High-End Optics Torture Test article.
And that’s another reason why we love EOTechs…and the EXPS line.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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What’s your take on the EXPS2-0? Rate it below!
2. Model 512
My entry-level pick if you want to enter the world of holographic weapon sights is also EOTech’s best-seller….the Model 512.
- Classic AA battery design
- Screw mount
- Standard Reticle
No frills if you don’t mind a few more ounces with the classic design and a slower screw mount.
But if you don’t plan on moving around your optic, that last point doesn’t matter that much.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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3. XPS2-0
We go back to the newer/smaller design and go with the screw mount system on the XPS2-0.
- Newer short model
- Screw mount
- Standard reticle
What I would get to save a few ounces but don’t need to magnify or quick-detach.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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4. EXPS3-0
If you need night vision capability…go with the EXPS3-0.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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- Newer short model
- Screw mount
- NVG compatible
- Standard reticle
I recommend going with the short model for night vision so you save rail space in case you need to mount around your optic.
5. EXPS2-0 Green Reticle
Want the fastest acquisition speed?
You’ll want EOTech’s new green reticle optics since green is supposedly picked up 6x faster by the human eye.
I have the XPS2-0 to test out the screw-mount system…but I’d instead recommend the EXPS2 QD version.
Keep in mind that green is great if your lighting conditions are constant (like competitions). But if you might be clearing the first floor and then entering a basement…you’ll want to stick with red.
- Newer short model
- QD Mount
- Standard reticle in green
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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6. HHS Hybrid
Looking to have the highest quality 3x magnifier plus your regular EOTech?
Take a look at the HHS Hybrid models.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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We go over our favorite 3x Magnifiers Under $200 but EOTech’s are in a class of their own with clarity and flip-mount.
Things to Consider
Style and Battery
First thing is which style of EOTech…the “classic” longer model that uses 2 AA batteries…or the newer smaller model that uses 1 CR123 battery.
Classics are designated with a Model # that is three digits and starts with a 5 (eg Model 512).
Newer models are XPS# or EXPS# and then followed by a dash and another number (eg. XPS2-0).
- Price: Classic is more affordable by about $75
- Weight: Classic weighs more
- Length: Classic is longer at 5.6″ compared to 3.8″ (important if you plan on adding a magnifier)
- Battery Life: Classic is more with 1,000 hours with lithium batteries or 600 with regular alkaline compared with 600 hours of the newer version
Reticle
Ah…the famous EOTech reticle. I love it for its speed with its large 68 MOA circle and a precise 1 MOA center dot.
Its official designation is the model number and then a dash zero (-0)…example is EXPS2-0.
When you zero the center dot at 50 yards…you get something that works for 200 yards and 7 yards.
There are also other versions but my second favorite is the -2 reticle which works well with a magnifier to reach out to 500 yards.
Night Vision
This one is easy…
If you don’t plan on using night-vision goggles…save some money and don’t get the models that have night vision mode (dimmer settings that won’t burn goggles).
Learn more in our Best Night Vision Goggles article.
Mounting Options
There are two options…standard with a screw or a QD (quick-disconnect) mount.
The screw system weighs less (save about 2 ounces) but takes longer to take on and off. And you’ll save around $25 bucks.
Also…the screw system sits lower and gives you an absolute co-witness compared to the QD mount which will be lower 1/3 co-witness.
If you have backup irons that you can move up and down…the choice doesn’t really matter that much. But if you are running fixed irons…I prefer the lower 1/3 so the front post doesn’t get in your way all the time.
Plus the height matches up better with most common magnifiers. Check out our favorite ones.
Here is the reticle behind a 3x magnifier.
Lastly…the QD mount versions (EXPS) have buttons on the side which make it easier for manipulation if you have a magnifier behind your optic.
Even without irons…I prefer the QD mount version since I tend to move my optics around a lot and have gotten used to the buttons on the side.
Durability
We abused an EXPS model in our High-End Optics Torture Test series and it survived until the bitter end.
From water submersion to drop testing (no POI shift), hot/cold cycling (no POI shift), and finally different loads until destruction.
I wouldn’t hesitate to have an EOTech on my duty rifle…and several of them do!
Here’s the destruction and how it compares to others…
Conclusion
There you have it…my favorite EOTech models.
Again…if you’re still stuck between choosing a red dot or holographic…check out our comparison article.
If holo sounds right…my top pick is the EXPS2-0.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
And my most affordable pick is the Model 512 which takes AA batteries.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Did you end up choosing a favorite EOTech? Let us know in the comments. Looking at red dots or magnified options? Check out our super comprehensive Best AR-15 Scopes & Optics article.
16 Leave a Reply
Thanks for all the excellent info on the holographic optics. Just zeroed my EXPS2-0 at 36 yard on my AR15 5.56. Best optics purchase ever. Not cheap but well worth it. I'm an old guy so next is the Eotech G45 magnifier.
Can anyone tell me how much rail is used by the combination of the exps sight with the EOTECH magnifer (the HHS)? I wanted to make sure I have enough rail before ordering the sight package.
Thanks
I have the exps-2-0 on my service 556. Quick noob question, it is sighted in at 50yrds per the center dot. When I go to shoot at 100 to 150yrd is the sighting method simply using the center dot? Reason Im asking is I have yet to shoot out to those distances using any eotech or holograpic for that matter. If you could give a little insight that would be appreciated. My main rifle Ive shot in my years has either been a 300wm or 338lm, so getting use to the smaller 556 is still a slight learning curve for me
EOTECH website says, “The increased height of the EXPS provides iron sight co-witness access in the lower third of the viewing window.” Yet the review here says absolute. I am confused.
The XPS model sits lower since it has no quick detach mount. This lack of a risen mounts makes it sit at a standard height that makes it an absolute co-witness with your iron sights.
The EXPS model has the quick detach mount installed which makes it sit higher than your iron sights. This gives it a lower 1/3rd co-witness. I hope that helps clarify it for you.
Just bought the 518 non night vision. Haven't received it yet but after looking at all the features and price I went with this one for the side buttons and the quick disconnect mount to get the lower 1/3 co witness for my MK 18. Brand new on eBay for $399.
The 518 night vision model with buttons on the side and a laser battery cap seems like a winner to me. Best part about a holographic site when using a magnifier is the target gets bigger but the red dot stays the same 1 MOA.
I get why these things are so expensive but ughh… I feel like if I got one of these I wouldn't spend for a regular scope. For people who are obv more into shooting sports and don't have to consider these things, is it completely common to have several different types - such as a holo *and* scope?
Also, I have an ar15 and ar10; will it work on both or will the recoil from ar10 knock it out of alignment? are there ar15 scopes that won't work on an ar10? does an ar15 reticle "match" the ar10 reticle in terms of ballistics or are they specifically matched for a certain weight/caliber?
Thanks, meng. Keep up the good articles.
It's totally normal to have many different scopes! It just depends on what you want to shoot and how you want to shoot it.
Any good quality scope will work for both an AR-15 and AR-10, stay away from super cheap scopes off Amazon - but any Vortex, Leupold, Sig Sauer, EOTech, Trijicon, etc. will be good to go on both.
Some reticles are set up so their Bullet Drop Compensator marks correspond with a set caliber such as 5.56 or .308 Win. But those are guidelines, not rules. You can always use a different BDC and just adjust your zero/DOPE to match. Our Best AR Scopes & Optics article should help!
How about the 553?
I have to throw this out there. For people with astigmatism, you might want to try out someone's Eotech before you buy one. The way the EOTech's reticle is formed are by using thousands of individual dots of light, which all become ghosted and star-bursted for people who have significant astigmatism. As much as I love my 512, it's simply isn't practical for me. A Prismatic Optic might be a better choice for those like me.
If you have astigmatism even a simple red dot while starburst on you. It is worse with the Eotech because the 68 MOA circle is made up of individual dots so all of them will starburst making it a mess, like a big fuzzy cherry.
Glasses will fix the issue for both.
I have very light astigmatism and I've found EOTechs do a little better than red dots. Be sure to check! And like Larry said...it goes away with correct prescription.
Leupold Lco is best for astigmatism.
What are the recommended night vision devices to pair with the 558
Update: check out our Best Night Vision Goggles article!