EOTech 512 Review – 2022 Report

EOTech 512-A65

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. 

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.