Tactical Rifle Optics

Introduction To Tactical Rifle Optics:

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Red-Dot and Holographic Optics For Mil-Style Weapons:

Philosophy:

M1Surplus.com’s Red-Dot FAQ’s

Non-magnified red-dot optics are great when you need to quickly acquire and fire at targets. Red-dot sights reduce the number of points in a proper sight picture from three to two. Instead of aligning the target with the front post and rear notch, it is only necessary to place the dot on the target. At night, when used in conjunction with a weapons mounted light, the red-dot is highly visible against the dark background. They are especially effective when shooting at moving targets, such as when hunting.

Red-dot and holographic optics are designed to be used with both eyes open and focused on the target. They red-dot appears as an illusion on the target. Although the red-dot is only a few inches from your eye, the dot appears as if it is floating on the target many meters away. Simply place the red-dot on the target (or lead a moving target if necessary) and press the trigger.

What To Look For In a Red-Dot Or Holographic Optic:

The fifteen essential criteria to consider when selecting a red-dot or holographic optic for a military style firearm are:

Magnification
Clear Aperture
Dot Angular Spot Size
Parallax
Azimuth and Elevation Adjustments
Housing
Mounting
Weight
Power Source
Endurance-Live Fire
Reattachment
Illuminance
Equipment Compatibility/Operability
Height Above Bore
Environmental Testing (for Temperature Extremes, Sand and Dust, Thermal Shock, and Sealing).

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Eotech Heads Up Weapons Sight (HWS):

The holographic patterns have been designed to be instantly visible in any light, instinctive to center regardless of shooting angle, and to remain in view while sweeping the engagement zone. Reticles are designed as large, see-through patterns to achieve lightning quick reticle to target acquisition without covering or obscuring the point of aim.

The HWS employs a true Heads-Up Display that eliminates blind spots, constricted vision, or the tunnel vision associated with tube sights. All user controls are flush to the HWS’s streamline housing with no protruding knobs, battery compartments or mounting rings blocking vision at the target area.

All the information required to reconstruct the reticle image is recorded everywhere in the Heads-Up display window. If the window is obstructed by mud, snow, rain, etc., the HWS remains fully operational , with point of aim/impact being maintained. Even in such extreme cases where the laminated window is shattered, the HWS is fully functional. As long as the operator can see through any portion of the window, the entire reticle pattern is visible on target.

Eotech Tricks and Cheats:

Center dot = 1 MOA (dot covers 1″ at 100 yards).
Ring = 65 MOA (height of an average man at 100 yards).
Zero red dot first, then co-witness BUIS.
Use Energizer brand lithium batteries. These are the best and should last between 600-1100 hours.
When the unit is first turned on the reticle will blink for five seconds if the batteries are less than 20%. This will be your only indication that the batteries need to be replaced.
If you turn the unit on with the up button it will auto-shutoff after eight hours. If you turn it on with the down button it will auto-shutoff in four hours.
If you look into the sight the reticle will appear fuzzy. This is because it is focused to infinity. Instead, look at the threat or target downrange with both eyes. Raise the weapon until the Eotech sight is between you and target. Maintain your focus downrange and the target reticle will appear sharp and clear.
Do not worry about trying to move you head to center the reticle inside the Eotech’s glass window. Instead, simply put the red dot where you want to hit and press the trigger. Regardless of the red dot’s position within the glass, if it where the bullet will impact.
When shooting at CQB distances (<25 yards), use the bottom of the circle where the hash mark intersects it as your aiming point rather than the dot. With the Eotech zero’d at 50 yards you simply use the red dot as your aiming reference from around 40 yards to out past 250 yards. The point of impact should never be off than +/- the height of the front sight tower.

Eotech Holdover:

Zero at 50 yards: POA = POI at 50 yards and 250 yards, POI 1.5” high at 100 yards, and .7” high at 200 yards.
Using .223/5.56 at point black range (house clearing) use bottom of ring as POS = POI.
Using .223/5.56 at 25 yards aim ½”, or 2 dots high.
Using .223/5.56 at 50 yards aim POA = POI.
Using .223/5.56 at 100 yards aim 1.5 inches low, or 1.5 dots low.
Using .223/5.56 at 225 yards aim POA = POI.
Using .22LR adaptor at 25 yards aim 2 dots high (aim at top edge of small paper plate target).
Using .22LR adaptor at 50 yards aim ¼ ring diameter high.
Using .22LR adaptor at 100 yards aim 1/3 ring diameter high.

Eotech Reticles:

Eotech Models:

Eotech 512:

Reticle: 65 MOA circle with 1 MOA aiming dot.
AA Battery model (supports Lithium and Alkaline).
Use Energizer brand Lithium batteries for best results.

Eotech 552:

Compatible with Gen I-IV Night Vision Systems (Tandem Operation)
65 MOA ring/1 MOA dot reticle.
AA Battery model (supports Lithium and Alkaline)
Use Energizer brand Lithium batteries for best results.

Eotech 516:

Buttons on left side of sight (not in back) to work specifically with magnifiers.
CR123 Lithium batteries.

Eotech 517:

Buttons on left side to work specifically with magnifiers
AA Battery model (supports Lithium or Alkaline).
Use Energizer brand Lithium batteries for best results.

Eotech 553:

USSOCOM standardized, Type Classified SU-231/PEQ.
Locking, quick detach lever for easy attachment and removal.
66ft. submersion rating.
CR123 Lithium battery.

Eotech 556:

Buttons on left side of sight (not in back) to work specifically with NV or magnifiers.
CR123 Lithium batteries; model with 65 MOA ring/1 MOA dot reticle.
Compatible with Gen I-III+ Night Vision Systems (tandem operation).

Eotech EOLAD-1V:

65 MOA circle with 1 MOA aiming dot reticle pattern.Compatible with Gen I-IV Night Vision Systems (tandem operation).
Visible Laser (635nm) (5mW).
AA Battery model (supports Lithium or Alkaline).
Use Energizer brand Lithium batteries for best results.

Eotech EXPS2:

Reticle is a 65MOA circle with 1 MOA aiming dot.
Single transverse 123 battery to reduce sight length.
Shortened base only requires at most 2 3/4 inch of rail space.
Battery cap and latch are eliminated and replaced with a simple O-ring, tethered cap; better sealing is achieved.
Battery compartment is now separated from the base to allow it to hover over the delta ring of the rifle.
Average battery life at brightness level 12 is roughly 600 hours.
Side buttons with an adjustable, locking, quick detach lever for easy attachment and removal.

HHS II:

3x magnifier with Switch-To-Side mount works with all existing HWS units.
Reticle is a 65MOA circle with two 1MOA aiming dots.
Single transverse 123 battery to reduce sight length.
Shortened base only requires at most 2 3/4 inch of rail space.
Battery cap and latch are eliminated and replaced with a simple O-ring, tethered cap; better sealing is achieved.
Average battery life at brightness level 12 is roughly 600 hours.
Side buttons with an adjustable, locking, quick detach lever for easy attachment and removal.

Problems With Older Eotech 512 and 552 Models Shutting Down When The Weapon Is Fired:

Older 512’s and 552’s models (those that use two AA batteries aligned with the longitudinal axis of the sight) may develop issues with the spring connections inside the battery compartment. Repetitive weapon firing recoil causes the batteries to slam fore and aft which may cause bad connections and the optic to shut down when it loses connection at the moment of recoil. If this happens you can contact Michael Kroll at Eotech: (734) 572-2176, option 8. Explain your problem, be nice and say please, and he will be glad to send you the replacement parts. It takes five minutes to pull out the old spring and rubber grommet pieces and replace them with a newly designed part. 512 and 552 models produced in the past few years will have the newly designed battery compartment and you should not have any problems.

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Aimpoint:

More Soon!

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Philosophy of Magnified Optics for Mil-Style Weapons:

Magnified optics on tactical rifles are beneficial when shooting past 200 meters. While some magnification can help you identify and prosecute threats at intermediate distances, too much magnification can limit your peripheral vision and affect your ability to detect threats.

It is recommended to limit the magnification power of optics intended for tactical / fighting rifles to 4x.