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Posted: 7/21/2005 10:18:55 PM EDT
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I'm pretty much an armchair commando and range plinker who hopes that I'm prepared in the unfortunate event of TEOTWAWAKI, but I like to have the best equipment I can afford. I don't hunt, nor do I engage in any kind of routine combat with my rifle. It's really mostly a toy I enjoy and practice with in the unlikely even of... yadi yadi yadi. So... I'm considering upgrading my EOTech 552 to a ACOG TA11F or TA31RCO, but still have not decided (although leaning more toward the TA11F). Since I really don't use my rifle that much, I'm wondering what kind of life expectancy I'd get out of the ACOGs. I've noticed many of the used ones have the tritium 'tubes' crackling and wonder how that affects the performance and if that's any indicator of how long I could expect it to last. Is it the same, like 12-14 years of the Trijicon Night Sights I have for my Glock, which I've owned for around 20 years? Just to clarify, I pretty much keep all my weapons as 'safe queens' (with exception to my CCW pieces) when I'm not using them at the range. They stay well cleaned and lubed after each use of usually only a couple hundred rounds. I baby them pretty well and store them comfortably. Does the cracking on those tritium tubes result from exposure to the 'elelments', and is that something that can be prevented by keeping and storing them in comfortably in their case with minimal exposure to the 'elements', or should I just expect these things to last anywhere from 10-15 years period. Also, what happens when the tritium begins to lose effectiveness. Is it reasonably inexpensive to repair, or do I have to go out and buy a new one? Do you think that an EOTech (guven unlimited battery supply) will outlast an ACOGs effectiveness, or is it worth it to spend the nearly double cost on the ACOG. If so, I've got a barely used 552 I will be listing on the EE pretty soon. Thanks for all your input in advance. ETA: I know that the EOTechs and the ACOGs serve 2 different purposes, but I'd like to have one ALL PURPOSE sight/scope and that's why I'm leaning towards making the upgrade. Thanks. |
link to their faq page which is at their website, they also have a banner at the top the cracks are purely cosmetic issue along with the occasional bubbles. i think it has to do with the surrounding climate of the acog cause when i got my first one it wasnt even mounted, just sitting there and it started to form cracks but since it didnt hinder function of the illumination it didnt bother me so much. imo the cost of batteries for the eotech along with the cost of the optic itself would be close to the cost of an acog at the end of it's life, 25yrs if not more. of course depending on how much you use it but think about it this way the acog is always on.  also the tritium goes out but the fiber optic rod is there to stay the only one you would have to worry about is the tao1 models which only have tritium. you could always send it back and have the tritium replaced along with anything else on the scope. if you compare the eotech and acog on the same level (apples to apples, oranges to oranges) i think the acog wins hands down. this is just my .02 |
The site will be come useless before the 25 years hits. It will be half as bright in 11.5 years meaning already useless in some situations. You cannot replace the element yourself. At the same time, who knows if the batterys for the Aimpoint will even be around 11-25 years from now. Think about batterys from 11-25 years ago. Nothing uses those kind of batterys anymore and they dont even make them. So its a crap shoot. |
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I love EoTechs but the ACOGS to me are the best all around scope for an AR15. www.csgunworks.com [email protected] Here’s some testimonials about CS GunWorks for AR15 Board What do YOU have to say about CS GunWorks |
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I have a mid 1980s ACOG that is still lit, Not as bright as my 2001 model but still good enough for use. Even after it dies it is still useable as an excellent optical sight, Or you can just send it to Trijicon for repairs every 20 or so years, Beats changing batteries in combat! |
Ummm... we still use C, D, AA, AAA batteries. We will still use 1/3N, 123, 2032, in 20 years. The answer though is this... the scope will last untill something better comes out. Then you will sell your old scope and buy the new one. It took several years to learn this valubale lesson. Buy with confidence. |
the tritium will be useless but not a main means of illumination for the acog, the fiber optic rod is what is used the majority of the time. again depending on your type of shooting, if more low light shooting is done then yeah but if not then the fiber optic would suffice. even if all else fails it is still not useless, the reticle does not rely on the fiber optic or tritium to function the reticle is still a reticle just not illuminated anymore. but again there is still the fiber optic rod research a little before posting 
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I have both an EOTech and a Compact ACOG. I use them for different purposes. EOTech for the very fast CQB stuff, and the ACOG for more of a general scope. That being said, the EOTech shoots very well at 200 yard ranges. Dead on at 200 when sighted in at 50 Yds. with M193. If TEOTWAWKI happens, I kind of see the EOTech being used if I have to stay in my house, or fight my way out of the neighborhood to a more "Less Crowded" environment far, far away. After that, I would switch to the ACOG. However...if I had to choose only one, it would be the ACOG. Tack |
Is this what you mean by your slogan "If you don't know, SWAG it"? Even if the scope totally burns out of all tritium, it is far from being useless. Fiber optic will still work in the day, glass will still be great, the reticle wont be lit in the darkness, but there are many scopes without illuminated reticles. Are they useless as well? What batteries from 12 years ago are obsolete now? 
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Lot's of good points here. Thanks for all the feedback. I stupidly forgot that about the it's both fiber optic and tritium powered, and so even if one were to fail, it would not become uselss... and even if BOTH failed, I'd still have a good optic. I think you'll be seeing my EOTech 552 on the EE soon. Thanks everyone. |
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