EOTech is an invincible brand name when it comes to the best holographic sights on the market.
Widely used by the military and trusted by many pro shooters. A spectacular sight from their line of holographic red dots is the EOTech 512.
This review will cover in detail the pros and cons of this sight and if it is worthy enough to be on your purchase list.
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EOTech 512-A65
Pros
Cons
EOTech 512 Specs
Eye Relief: Unlimited
Adjustment Options (Parallax, windage, elevation): Parallax free. W/E: 40 MOA (0.5 MOA clicks)
Type of Reticle: 0 reticle with 1 MOA dot
Image of Reticle
Magnification: 1x
Objective Lens: 24 x 32 mm
Field of View: 90 feet at 100 yards (4-inch eye relief)
Pros
It’s better to look at the good first. Since it gives you an idea about what this sight can do best. The EOTech 512 has quite a few pros and we’ll mention the best of them here:
Reticle Offers Fast Acquisition
EOTech has come up with an amazing reticle design for their holographic sights. Known as the O reticle, it features a big 65 MOA illuminated ring that encompasses a 1 MOA red dot.
The benefit of this ring is quick target acquisition at ranges up to 100 yards on human-sized targets. So basically, if you manage to bring any part of the target inside this ring and pull the trigger. You’re sure to hit something on target.
That may not be great from an accuracy’s point of view. But when you’re facing armed hostiles, landing a shot anywhere on the enemy can buy you some time. Plus, the reticle also has 20 brightness settings.
Robust Build and Works When Partially Damaged
The 512 has a strong aluminum housing that encloses the lens and illumination electronics. This housing has been built using the best grade aluminum used for building aircraft. So the EOTech 512 is sure to pass the drop test, stomp test, and hammer-the-nail test.
Another very great feature with this sight that since it is a holographic optic. It will continue to function even if the lens is partially shattered. So basically, if you can see the reticle clearly on any part of the aperture, you can hit the target.
Water Resistance, Easy to Mount and Good FOV
The 512 can be submerged under water up to a depth of 10 feet of 3 meters. Which is great if you have to put it up against rain, shallow lakes, or any other waterbody. The sight comes with an built in tool-less attachment mount that can be mounted on any 1-inch Picatinny or weaver rail. The generous 90 feet field of view and both-eyes-open shooting concept are also helpful features.
Cons
The 512 is a good sight, but it also has a few drawbacks that limit its performance to some extent. Let’s check out if these are painstaking problems or mere considerations.
Slightly Heavy and Less Battery life than Competitors
The EOTech 512 weighs close to 11 ounces. That's about 0.7 pounds or 312 grams. A couple of hundred grams will be touching the weight of many medium to long range scopes. But then, it’s not a simple reflex sight and has some complex electro-optics inside it.
The use of 2 AA batteries to power up the optic is a very big contributor to the weight of this optic. Now as AA batteries have entered the chat, let’s talk about battery life as well.
The EOTech 512 was recently upgraded by the company to deliver a battery life of 2500 hours with lithium batteries and 2250 hours with alkaline batteries. Now that’s nowhere close to a 50,000-hour battery life Aimpoint. But the technically advanced design of the 512 is what extracts battery.
The company however added 20 brightness settings and 4/8 hour auto-shutoff to counter this issue.
No Night Vision Compatibility
A big drawback when using this optic for tactical applications is the lack of night vision compatibility.
Maybe all holographic sights should have that. Hmm. But then what about the wallet-impaling price?
Maybe that’s why this EOTech doesn’t have night vision compatibility. Since it’s priced way lower than the common company norms. But eventually, this scope is not for you if you’re planning to use NOD’s.
Best Uses For the EOTech 512
A part of this question has already been answered in the aforementioned discussion on cons. But then, let’s talk about the best this EOTech 512 can be used for.
First, let’s consider the most common uses most people will ever have for their optics. Whether fancy or not. Hunting and range use!
The EOTech 512 has somewhat limited uses for hunting because it’s only good for distances as far as 200 yards and it’s not a fine reticle with holdovers. So don’t shoot a coyote that far as you may just wither its fur and scare it away.
However, this sight is still good for hunting turkeys, ducks (when mounted on the shotgun), elk, moose, deer, bear, and anything you find at close range. Anything here refers to critters, of course. Four or two legs is a different story altogether.
It’s especially great for ATV or helicopter hunting activities for the eradication of hogs.
The sight is very easy to use. If you’re a pro, the 1 MOA dot will give you fine groups. If you’re a noob, anything inside the 65 MOA ring will feel your trigger finger.
This sight is also perfect for range use. Especially training if you’re into tactical operations or home defense classes. It can also be coupled with a magnifier to increase the effective range.
Is the EOTech 512 Compatible With Any Rifle?
The EOTech 512 will work best with modern sporting rifles like the AR-15, M&P15 Sport, AK series, and other similar rifles. You can also use this sight with shotguns and also scout rifles for better peripheral awareness.
Handling recoil is not a problem with this scope due to its rugged design. Also, remember that the battery housing is positioned perpendicular to the lens housing and occupies rail space. So make sure you have ample rail estate to mount it over.
What Do I Need to Know About Mounting the EOTech 512?
The EOTech 512 offers tool-free mounting. The base has an inbuilt mount that can be placed on any 1-inch weaver or Picatinny rail and simply be mounted by tightening the mounting bolt. The bolt is included in the hard polymer case along with a pair of AA batteries and an Allen key. So practically, you don’t need anything else from outside for installation.
The design is rounded and doesn’t have any sharp corners to injure the user or snag onto any object like clothing. Plus, the turret dial screws are also recessed to prevent accidental change. You may use any soft object like a guitar pick to change azimuth and prevent marring the finish on the screws.
The sight auto turns off after 4/8 hours so don’t worry if you’ve forgotten to switch it off.
What Makes the EOTech 512 Stand Out From the Competition?
The EOTech 512 is an entry-level holo sight from the company. The fact that it offers a 65 MOA ring reticle makes it stand out from other optics in its class. Additionally, this is not as exorbitantly price as some other optics like the Aimpoints or Trijicon. However, that’s against the common pricing of EOTech. But it is still a good buy and value-for-money choice.
Comparison Overview
Comparing the EOTech 512 with similar scopes from its product line and other manufacturers will set a better horizon to understand if it offers good value for your money.
EOTech 512 vs 552
The most important and probably the only difference between EOTech 512 and 552 is night vision compatibility. The 552 is night vision compatible and the 512 is not. Additionally, the 552 is a predecessor of the 553 which is widely used by the U.S Military.
EOTech 512 vs 518
The 518 is an evolved 512. The 512 has rear mounted ambidextrous controls whereas the 518 has easier access side-mounted controls. The 518 is about 3 ounces heavier than the 512. Apart from this, an important difference is the availability of reticles. The 512 offers only the -0 reticle, whereas the 518 offers the -0 and -2 reticles.
EOTech 512 vs XPS2
The two basic and most important differences between these optics is the size and battery type. The XPS is the most compact optic EOTech has to offer and uses a CR123 lithium battery. The 512 uses two AA batteries and is heavier than the xps2. However, the latter is better if you need a compact optic.
Aimpoint Pro vs EOTech 512
The EOTech 512 is a more complex optic than the Pro. It offers you a holographic sight that can work even if the lens is partially broken. The 512 offers more complex reticles with fast acquisition but the Pro offers only a simple red dot. The Pro on the other hand offers an amazing battery life of 30,000 hours. However, in the long run, the 512 will be more affordable than the Pro. If we include the cost of accessories.
EOTech 512 vs 517
The 517 is almost similar to the 512. It just has a curved design and is about 7mm higher than the 512 to suit standard handguards without a mount. It helps with obtaining a ⅓ co-witness with BUIS.
EOTech 512 vs 516
The 516 features a redesigned hood compared to the 512 and has brightness adjustment controls mounted on the side. The 516 is shorter, saving rail space, and also has a 7mm higher base compared to the 512. However, both these sights differ about $100 in price.
Conclusion
The EOTech 512 is an amazing, easy to use, and affordable sight from EOTech. The sight has a -0 reticle that offers quick target acquisition. The battery life is good for what it is and the inbuilt mount with tool-less installation is a great added feature. The unit comes packaged in a pre-organized hard polymer case which is a plus.
People Also Ask
Whether you are a dedicated reader of this article or just a passerby. This FAQ section will inform you about some important aspects to help you decide your purchase of the EOTech 512.
What Kind of Warranty Does the EOTech 512 Come With?
EOTech 512 is covered by the company’s Prestige Warranty. Under which, the scope is covered against workmanship and material defects for a period of 10 years. The warranty is transferable and doesn’t need a receipt. However, the last 5 years of this period will incur a $79 bench fee.
How Much Does the EOTech 512 Weigh?
The EOTech 512 weighs 10.9 ounces or 0.68 pounds or 309 grams. That’s a considerable weight for a low profile holographic red dot sight.
Can You Use EOTech 512 in Low Light?
Yes. The EOTech 512 works very well in low light. It has 20 brightness settings to help you adjust the optic according to the ambient lighting. The sight, however, does not offer compatibility with night vision devices.
How Long Does the Battery Last on the EOTech 512?
The claimed battery life by the company is 2500 hours with lithium and 2250 hours with alkaline batteries. That’s when you don’t turn off the power and rely upon the auto-shutoff feature. This figure can be more or less depending upon the brightness setting and power-off attentiveness.
Is the EOTech 512 Waterproof?
Yes. The 512 is submersible underwater up to a depth of 10 feet or approximately 3 meters. That’s a significant amount of water resistance and makes the sight suitable for use in marine environments.
Is the EOTech 512 Night Vision Compatible?
No. The EOTech 512 is an entry-level sight from the company and is not night vision compatible. This is also a reason why the sights cost less than some of its counterparts.
How to Spot Fake 512 EOTech
The most basic and reliable method is to check the lenses for glare. A fake EOTech will reflect too much light and may also have a visible LED inside the lens housing. Other factors are lack of serial number/branding, uncommon batteries, and NV switch that changes the color of the reticle instead of the NV mode.
