EOTech’s holographic sights have been around for many years, it was one of the first duty “Red Dots” I deployed.
Founded in 1995, my introduction came at SHOT show in 1996. Quite the hit, the world was introduced to the Holographic Weapon Sight and seemed to like it. Many mistakenly called it an RDS (Red Dot Sight) resulting in improper use.
While we know better now it was common to see the dot as nothing more than a replacement for the front sight. Front Sight Focus was a thing and while it can work on a dot the holographic sight is not a dot. Over time we learned the EOTech and all RDS require a threat focus to work properly making the holographic sight even more effective.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Owned by L-3 Communications since 2005 use in the military and LE world expanded. Following some issues with the sights EOTech separated from L3 and are currently owned by Koucar. EOTech is back in the fore front and their latest, the EXPS3 HD provides a few well received upgrades.
Features Of The EXPS3 HD
The HD is really more refinement than change. The design has been well proven over years of use in the military and law enforcement. There were just a few things that most professional users did not like and appear to have been addressed.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
For many the “hood” was seen as antiquated and an inherent weakness in design, much like hooded PMO (Pistol Mounted Optics). With modern manufacturing there should be no need to “protect” the housing, it should hold up on its own. EOTech’s EXPS3 HD addresses that with a refined all-aluminum hoodless design. Not only is it stronger it provides for better awareness of the periphery of the screen providing a better field of view.
Maybe the most useful change from a user’s perspective is the rotary dial for reticle intensity. Pushing buttons with gloves on is a royal pain and one of the reasons the Aimpoint combat sights are so popular. No need to come off the gun, just dial up what you need no matter the conditions and with no interference with your magnifier. Included quick mount provides a 1/3 co-witness of irons.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Adaptive auto-brightness as well as “shake-awake” technology should increase battery life. Grab your long gun out of the bag, trunk, or safe and it turns back on to the previous setting. Listed battery life for continuous use (setting 12) with the highest quality CR123 battery is 1000 hours. That is continuous use, with auto shut down and shake awake that should go up. Even my older model lasted well over a year of constant duty use, and I change mine every year. Reticle is the standard 0-reticle a 68 MOA outer ring with a 1 MOA center dot.
On the Range
Testing was largely completed on my Lewis Machine and Tool (LMT) MARS-L with a 10.5 inch 5.56mm barrel. One of my first personally owned duty rifles it is an absolute workhorse. Accurate, robust, with one of the best duty rated two stage triggers on the market it is built to last.
Tested over a couple months both at my home range and Gunsite Academy the HD performed flawlessly. To my eye at least the screen did seem “bigger” without the hood. Glass was clear and the reticle appeared “sharper” although still holographic. I could lower the intensity and still use as designed while maintaining a hard threat / target focus.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Loved the dial, with my old 4X magnifier attached it was easy to change intensity with gloved hands. Weight difference from the standard EXPS3 is 0.4 ounces and unnoticeable. Factory mount co-witnessed my Troy Industry irons perfectly. Return to zero when removed and installed was all but negligible on the 50 yard zero. Used as a test mule for a couple suppressor tests it has performed without issue. CQB work using the circle / dot is about as fast as it gets and hold overs even with the 10.5” barrel were unchanged out to 300 meters using 62 grain ammunition.
Bottom Line
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Have not used an EOTech in a bit, was fun to get behind one again. This sight is lined up for a couple of other rifle tests, and I am looking forward to it. Cost difference from the standard EXPS3 is only $150.00 and the improvements are useful. The EXPS3 HD offers better field of view, rotary dial, shake awake and auto-brightness with a stronger housing and virtually no weight difference. That is a ton of upgrades for the price and to me well worth it. As professional grade sights go this is among the top tier and should be on anyone’s list looking for a sight your life can depend on.
WHY OUR ARTICLES/REVIEWS DO NOT HAVE AFFILIATE LINKS
Affiliate links create a financial incentive for writers to promote certain products, which can lead to biased recommendations. This blurs the line between genuine advice and marketing, reducing trust in the content.