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The EOTECH 512 Holographic Weapon Sight (2021 Review)

For the hunter in your life, here is our review of the EOTech 512 Holographic Weapon Sight. We present to you the top features, the pros, the cons, and our bottom line recommendation.

Spoiler alert, we like it.

What is the EOTECH 512 Holographic Weapon Sight?

The EOTECH 512 is a holographic 1 MOA red dot sight with a 68 MOA red ring. It has several important features, including 20 different brightness settings, a clean design, and is powered by two AA batteries.

It comes with a mounting rail, which works for both Weaver or MIL-STED 1913 bases, and is particularly sturdy, built to be water resistant, and endure in extreme environments and with heavy use.

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Key Features

  • Advanced holographic technology
  • Compatible for right and left handed shooters with buttons on the rear
  • 20 brightness settings
  • Rapid target acquisition
  • Solidly engineered for toughness
  • Built for hostile environments
  • Can work when shattered/obstructed
  • Two-eyes-open shooting
  • Dimensions: Length/Width/Height 5.6” x 2” x 2.5” (143 x 51 x 64 mm)
  • Weight: 11.5 oz
  • Water resistant up to 10 ft. (3 m) depth
  • Mount: 1” Weaver or MIL-STD-1913 rail
  • Night Vision: No
  • Power Source: Two 1.5 V AA batteries, also supports CR123, alkaline, or rechargeable
  • Battery Life: 1,000 hours continuous use

Pros

  • Extremely accurate at multiple ranges
  • Target acquisition is a breeze, with a fully visible reticle and a large viewing area
  • Simple and clean design
  • Lightweight and durable
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • No night vision
  • Rear facing buttons a little awkward to use
  • A bit expensive
  • Lacks windage and elevation dials

Our Review

The EOTech 512 is one of the most competitive holographic sights on the market right now, serving as one of the more definitive entry-level sights. Let’s walk through some of the key features.

The Reticle

The EOTech 512 is not that different from other red dot sights that you might know. Unlike many other cheaper products, however, this sight uses holographic technology, instead of glass or a constructed part of the lends, to project the dot and red ring.

This provides a much higher stability and reliability than a physical reticle, and increased visibility due to the illuminated nature of the holographic reticle and its 20 different brightness settings, which provide increased customization depending on your lighting level.

That said, the EOTech 512 does not have any form of magnification, remaining at 1x, but it does act as an efficient accuracy enhancer, based on your own current level of accuracy.

One great feature of the EOTech 512 is that the holographic technology makes it easy to keep both eyes open when firing. 

Range

Since the sight does not have magnification, it is only useful at up to 100 to 200 yards, depending on your own accuracy, the weapon platform you use, and your own experience.

It is, however, quite useful for close-range engagements, and helps with low-light environments due to its illuminated reticle, although a lack of night vision does prevent it from working well in truly low-light environments.

Battery Life

The Battery life is comparable, if not slightly less, than some other similarly priced sights, however, it still offers 1000 hours of continuous charge at the highest setting. 

This is decent, seeing as it only uses two AA batteries. And using AA batteries at all is quite convenient, seeing as AA batteries are quite common.

Design/Construction

The design of the EOTech 512 sight is, perhaps, its strongest attribute. It is sleek, minimalist, and made with a mixture of steel and aluminum to make it quite sturdy. You can feel it too.

It is waterproofed up to 10 feet, which is not the most water resistant sight on the market, but decent for the price. It operates fine in just about any environmental situation you’re likely to take it.

One of the best features is that the holographic sight will continue to work even if the glass is cracked, and it still works great when partially obscured by mud, rain, or snow. This is one of the best evidences of its sturdy design.

Price

While there are plenty of sights in the same price range as the EOTech 512, few have the same level of durability, high-tech features, etc.

That said, when you get to this higher price range, one can begin to expect even better features. For example, you might expect lens protectors, a quick release mount, side buttons, and a slightly better battery life. This one doesn’t, but it still has incredible value for the price. 

If you’re looking for even more features, you will be paying for it. That makes the EOTech 512 one of the best entry-level sights of this level of quality.

Bottom Line

The EOTech 512 is a solid holographic site for incredibly accurate shots over large distances, and is a great option for hunting and self-defense, despite no night vision, and a hefty price tag.

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