The Eotech models of red dot optics made by L3 Communications have been an iconic piece of military hardware since the Global War on Terror started in 2001. These sights have been issued to hundreds of thousands of members of the police, military and law enforcement communities throughout the world. It is almost as popular in the civilian shooting community as well. That might all be changing in the very near future with the announced lawsuit and subsequent settlement between L3 Communications and the United States Government (US gov vs L3 communications case # 15cv-09262 United States District Court).
Those of you who might have not heard the news when it came out in November can read all about the 25+ Million dollar settlement that was agreed to by both parties in the case by following the links at the bottom of the page. In a nut shell Eotech maker L3 Communications lied and hid data that related to accuracy and thermal drift information during its extreme cold and hot testing of their optics.
Some people will say that they trust their Eotechs with their lives and that the problems that L3 and the United States Government have agreed to are exaggerated. That is not a debate that this article will wade into, instead we shall look into options for those Eotech owners who choose to follow the recall options that were laid out in the settlement. Eotech has agreed to buy back any and all Eotech red dot optics that users wish to return for the original purchase price plus $15 for shipping. If you are an Eotech owner what options now are available to you in the same price range? That’s where we here at the site can maybe shed some light on other brands and styles of optics. We narrowed it down to four choices.
Choice #1 : Vortex SPARC AR
Video courtesy: Vortex Optics Youtube Page
Price: $250 Estimated
SPARC AR Highlights:
- Cheaper than EOTECH
- Lifetime Warranty without a lawsuit
- Waterproof
- 2 MOA dot
- 22mm objective lens
- 10 brightness settings
- Weight 5.9 oz
Choice #2 : Aimpoint Patrol Optic (PRO)
Video Courtesy: Guntalk.tv Youtube Page
Price: $390 Estimated
Aimpoint Patrol Optic Highlights:
- 38 mm objective
- 2 MOA dot
- Tested effectiveness -49*F to +160*F
- Long battery life
- Comes with mount
- Waterproof to 150 feet
- Weight 7.8 oz
Choice #3 : Trijicon MRO
Video Courtesy: Haley Strategic Youtube Page
Price: $493
Trijicon MRO Highlights:
- Waterproof 100 feet
- 25mm Objective lens
- 2 MOA dot
- Up to 5 year battery life
- 4.1 oz weight
- Off position between each setting allowing the user faster turn on times to favorite setting
- Three different height mounts available
Choice #4 : Primary Arms MD-ADS
Video Courtesy: Primary Arms LLC Youtube Page
Price: $169
Primary Arms MD-ADS Highlights:
- Up to 30,000 hours battery life
- Great price
- Weight 3.9 oz
- 2 MOA dot
- Easy to use top mounted illumination control
- 3 year warranty
- 14 different mounting options
Thoughts and Conclusions
This isn’t a one size fits all list by any means, we chose to keep any possible replacements for the Eotechs in the same price range as the Eotech 512 model which was one of their least expensive and most sold models. The exception to that was the Primary Arms MD-ADS which although cheaper than the competition held up to the hardest tests that most users can throw at it. Evidence of this is seen in the now infamous video by RobSki of the AK Operators Union Local 47-74 in which he drags the Primary Arms optic behind a truck and it still hold zero, check at about 1:00-1:35 of the video.
Since this is a developing story with more people being effected, including myself we would love your input into the Eotech debate. If you are a Eotech owner and are choosing to swap out your sight which optic are you looking at ? If you love your Eotech we also want to know why you won’t be taking advantage of L3 Communications offer. Stop by and let us know where you are in the debate and show us some pictures of what you are currently running on your rifles.
Is there something specific you would like to see us review ? drop us a comment in the section below and let us know
Rick D
Featured image courtesy of http://www.eotechinc.com/
Why no talk about the Leupold LCO?
Nice summary but would love to see products that have the same large square window like the Eotech. I’ve used Eotech but couldn’t stand the fuzzy dot. I looked at the Mepro but it took up too much rail space so I eventually settled on Leupold’s new LCO. To me it’s the perfect Eotech replacement: more precise dot, way better battery life and no thermal issues.
Leupold LCO should be on this list.
MacGraysen Agreed that the Leopold LCO is a great optic but my price point for the article for the Eotech replacements was to be close in price. The LCO goes for almost twice what the Eotech 512 costs. I would love to try one out
code3driver Costs twice what a 512 does, I was trying to give a person the same price range options , or cheaper
slowsqueezer agreed the LCO appears to be a hell of an optic but its twice the cost. I explained by thought process in the other responses. BUT that said I’m trying to get an LCO to demo . Thanks for the suggestions
I will add to this that I have found ZERO actual people who have received a refund. There are talks of a class action suit since Eotech fails to reply or refund for anyone including me after 2 months