Posted: 5/2/2010 7:45:28 PM EDT
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Within the last month there was a thread (can't find it now, would appreciate it if someone could link to it) about a $40 EOTech clone from China. Since I can't afford the real thing I decided to order one of these Chi-Com clones and put it to the test, see how it stands up. I have seen real EOTechs first hand but have never shot with one, so I'll just tell you what I know about the clone.
I placed my order at dealextreme.com. I have found other places that sell the same clones but they are more expensive (up to $80). A week after I placed my order the clone left Hong Kong and it took another week for it to reach me here in Iowa. It came in a plain black box with no company name or logos of any sort. I still don't know who made it, since everything inside the box was as plain and devoid of company names as the box itself. In the box were two AA batteries, a lens cover, a cleaning cloth, an allen wrench and the clone itself, all packed securely in styrofoam. 
First impression: it's heavier than I expected. The exterior frame and body are made of aluminum and polymer with some rubberized coating and the finish is surprisingly nice. It feels durable and well built. The two windows are glass and both are clean and devoid of blemishes. The lenses also have a reflective coating on them. 
"MLITARY" 
The battery pack throw arm is aluminum while the batter pack itself is plastic with a rubber coating. This battery pack is fairly cheaply made but works. The battery pack fits snuggly against the frame when locked in place. 
The button panel is made of rubber and the buttons are sensitive to touch and easy to use. Push either the up or down buttons to turn on and then to adjust brightness; push the "NV" button to change reticle color between red and green; press both the up and down buttons at the same time to turn off. The reticle will turn off automatically 2 hours after the last adjustment. 
Turning the thing on, we see the standard EOTech reticle, in both green and red. In bright daylight the reticle is easily visible on the brightest setting, red being more visible than green. The reticles themselves are fairly sharp, though there does appear to be some 'shadowing', especially when the reticle is red. 
Crappy photography making the reticle blurry: 
It is very easy to use with both eyes open, whether in high or low light situations. As for the lens cover, while a nice idea it is poorly executed. 
I had mine on for several days but the plastic is cheap and the springs got all wonky after some use. It was difficult to install and while it did protect the lenses, it was a hassle to deal with. Had it been made with better materials it would have been great. Onto disassembly. I won't say much here, mostly just post pics and let you see the guts. Also, I've never seen the guts of a real EOTech so if anyone wants to chime in or point differences/similarities out, please do. Button panel minus the rubber cover: 
The lens housing was attached to the bottom frame with four screws. The inside circut board has two springs that press against the bottom frame, allowing the shooter to vertically adjust the reticle. 
Closer view: 
Range report I mounted the clone onto my Mossberg 500 and headed to the range. The mounting screw will not hold the clone tightly onto the rail unless you use a scewdriver to tighten it down. Once it is tight, though, it will stay put. I've put it through roughly 150 12 gauge shells and is still as tight as it was when I first put it on. Today I brought along 50 rounds of 12 gauge bird shot as well as some 00 buck shot. Right out of the box the clone was accurate: where the reticle covers is where I'm killing. I had no need to adjust the reticle at 25 yards. However, of the 60-65 rounds I put through today the clone gave me trouble 1/3 of the time. Either it would turn off and freeze after a shot, the color would change or it would stay on and freeze when I tried to turn it off. The on/off problems required the battery pack to be removed and put back to fix. The color changing problem was simpler and only required the button to be pushed to change it back. These problems are unnacceptable for any serious shooter, whether in a self defense situation or at the range. It appears this Chinese clone is not shock resistant. It gave me trouble with nearly every buckshot shell I fired, mainly shutting off. Closing thoughts Pros -inexpensive -well made, nice finish -looks like a real EOTech -easy to use controls -reticle is easy to see Cons -some parts are cheap, like the lens cover -not shock resistant, major issues with heavy recoil You get what you pay for. For $40 you get a decent holographic sight that is not shock resistant, so it's a no-go for your home defense shotgun. It would be great for plinking with your .22 rifle. If you're like me and can't afford a real EOTech you might want to consider going this route. But I would not use it for home/self defense and not on guns with a fair amount of recoil. This is pretty much a range queen and for impressing your friends. Soon I will stick this clone on my S&W M&P 15 and give another range report. Cheers |
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If you're like me and can't afford a real EOTech you might want to consider going this route. I respectfully disagree. You're better off with irons than airsoft optics. +1 I'd put a clone on a .22, but not on a centerfire rifle. Maybe one of the budget optics from Vortex on a range plinker, but not the least expensive clone I could find.
OP, nice review, BTW. 
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If you're like me and can't afford a real EOTech you might want to consider going this route. I respectfully disagree. You're better off with irons than airsoft optics. Fuck respectfuly, thunder WTF is wrong with you? As I said, for plinking with a .22. I just wanted to see what it could and couldn't do. |
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Quality review, thanks. This thing may prove solid for rim fire work.
As far as AR's and the like I don't see why so many folks want to believe there is a discount product that can perform. If you are tight on funds get quality irons and then buy a Bushnell red dot for $100 bucks. Both are well proven. |
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Quoted: As far as AR's and the like I don't see why so many folks want to believe there is a discount product that can perform. As someone who runs a $60 Primary Arms red dot and an ACOG on a rifle at the same time (See video in signature), I do believe that there is a discount product that can perform. These sights are not designed for real rifles. I've owned the sight in question and used it on numerous airsoft guns. It isn't very adjustable and the electronics are fragile. |
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As far as AR's and the like I don't see why so many folks want to believe there is a discount product that can perform. As someone who runs a $60 Primary Arms red dot and an ACOG on a rifle at the same time (See video in signature), I do believe that there is a discount product that can perform. These sights are not designed for real rifles. I've owned the sight in question and used it on numerous airsoft guns. It isn't very adjustable and the electronics are fragile. No disrespect but the red dot I was advocating is not exactly expensive. Nice marketing by the way. |
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http://i44.tinypic.com/16k6vbc.jpg The clone you just bought was manufactured almost 7 years ago? The PCB was. That doesn't mean the item was built or assembled that date. |
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If you're like me and can't afford a real EOTech you might want to consider going this route. I respectfully disagree. You're better off with irons than airsoft optics. They should work great for .22 rifles. No need to drop $300 for a .22. If you want to use this on a home defense weapon, drop $280 for a real used Eotech. |
