[ShelledPants]

Originally Posted by Crunchmeister

Most replicas use either standard AA or N-type batteries just like the real ones. A few use the shitty button batteries though.

And on dim settings with the red reticle, there's little difference in the effect on night vision between a real EOTech and a replica. Red light, holographic or not, has very little effect on night vision. It's why in astronomy we use red flashlights. It's why militaries issue flashlights with red filter inserts. It's why red goggles are used for operatives that are primarily outside at night and need to briefly step into a bright room. Red light, because of its wavelength, won't affect night vision. The holography has nothing to do with night vision.

What holography does so is give the illusion that the reticle is about 25-50 yards out in front of your gun. And it eliminates parallax, which means you can accurately aim when you're not looking straight into your sight. If you can see the dot, that's where your projectile will hit. With a replica, the more off-centre your are from the sight, the less accurate your aim will be. With the range and accuracy of airsoft guns, parallax has minimal impact on performance. I will totally agree that the real one will never be washed out by daylight though. You could stare at the sun through your sight and you'll still clearly see your reticle when it's on it's brightest setting.

And the cheapest I've managed to find a real EOTech for in Canada new is about $450. They're usually closer to $600. US sites sell them for about $400+ US. For a limited few that may have access to the US or a seller that's willing to disregard ITAR and illegally ship one to Canada, fill your boots. But for airsoft, it's serious overkill. I got mine used for $350 Cdn shipped, so I jumped on it. For that price, I could resell it for more if I ever wanted to get rid of it. But you can regularly get used Hurricanes for $150 Cdn, so in that scale, I don't see the EOTech as being a necessity for airsoft.

So if you have the money and have access to one, then by all means, fill your boots. But for most people, it's not worth the cost and the hassles.

Yeah, you're right, go buy a repro. Totally worth it.