Magnifier for Eotech

[Paraguy]

I have an Eotech for my AR-15 and am considering getting a 3X magnifier for it.  I also have a fixed front site which I do like, but am not sure if I would have an issue keeping it with the magnifier.  I am fine with the Eotech and fixed front site w/out the magnifier but am concerned what would happen if I increased the magnification.

Also, I do not want to put anything to raise it up, I find it difficult to dial in for both short and long ranges when it is up a couple of inches.  Anyone have experience with a magnified Eotech and a fixed front site?  Guess I could buy a gas block with a picatinny rail for a BUIS, but after blowing $500++ for the magnifier it may be some time before I buy something else.  Anyone have experience with the cheap knockoffs as well?  I am afraid to spend 80% less and expect good results.

[MikeBjerum]

Front sight will not be an issue with the magnifier.  It will just blur out of the sight picture.

[twyacht]

Just makes me continue to support the AK and keep it simple platform... OK,,granted, the AR is the Barbie kit for gun folk, it can be tweaked 6 ways from Sunday. I have found my Burris red dot, on my AR, gives me a handicap that I don't find when I just use the BUIS.  Just another "thingy" on an otherwise CQB carbine.

As Col. Jeff Cooper stated, Invention is the Mother of all Necessity. Keep that in mind as the gadgets maybe prone to impact, dents dings, and otherwise a tough deployment,....iron sights won't fail you. Moreover, nothing wrong with a magnifier and optic package, just be aware of its form over function.

Not the other way around....The world may not become a pretty place.

[les snyder]

re BUIS....if you leave a little room on your Picatinny rail, a roll over system similar to the one from Dueck Defense is extremely fast... I have something that looks like a PPC rib (BoMar and front dovetail sight on a 3/4" x 1" piece of aluminum stock screwed to my forend) allows a transition from the 4x32 ACOG to close range targets...since I shoot primrily pistol, the location and sight picture is very similar to my handguns.... the Dueck system has a peep rear

[MikeBjerum]

Just makes me continue to support the AK and keep it simple platform... OK,,granted, the AR is the Barbie kit for gun folk, it can be tweaked 6 ways from Sunday. I have found my Burris red dot, on my AR, gives me a handicap that I don't find when I just use the BUIS.  Just another "thingy" on an otherwise CQB carbine.

As Col. Jeff Cooper stated, Invention is the Mother of all Necessity. Keep that in mind as the gadgets maybe prone to impact, dents dings, and otherwise a tough deployment,....iron sights won't fail you. Moreover, nothing wrong with a magnifier and optic package, just be aware of its form over function.

Not the other way around....The world may not become a pretty place.

Reminds me of one of the several gun reality shows out there.  Someone wanted his beloved reliable AK, but he wanted the versatility and accuracy of a AR.  They first rebarrelled the AK with tighter chamber and bore tolerances.  Next they did a complete furniture upgrade.  As I watched it all I could think was take your AR, and put a piston system on it ... Or better yet, just buy one of the piston operated AR's on the market.

The entire transformer, lego, erector set issue with AR's is all contained within the owner/user's self control.  Just because it has rails does not mean we need to fill them with gadgets.

[Sponsor]

[Paraguy]

M58, thank you for the feedback on the magnifier and how the fixed front sight will not be an issue, that was my primary concern.  Where I beg to differ is on your other point, I do not want to be able to see the rails on my AR-15 so view the magnifier as a way to see things that are further away, but also take up space on my rail system.  My other concern is that the steam from the coffee maker may cloud my optics;-)

Thank you for the ideas on the BUIS, I was only thinking Magpul, I should look at others like Dueck Defense, good suggestion!

Also, I do need a weapon light system and like the one from Insight (you know, one of the sponsors of my favorite show.)  Would be great if they had a sale or rebate for loyal viewers (hint, hint MB):-)

[billt]

The only EO-Tech I have is mounted on a AR pistol my wife is holding in my avatar. While it's not a "bad" sight, I wouldn't put one on an AR-15 rifle. I think the average civilian shooter would do much better with a moderately priced scope. They are simply more useful, and you can extract greater accuracy out of a rifle with one than you can with a holographic sight or an Aimpoint, which are basically short to medium range battle sights. For around $400.00 or so you can pick up a good piece of glass that is capable of taking you out to as far as the .223 / 5.56 MM will hit with any authority. By the time you purchase the EO-Tech, the magnifier, all the expensive flippity-floppity mounts, you will be in Leupold Mark IV territory. A scope of that quality will provide you with much more usefulness out of your rifle. As with anything, your mileage may vary.

[tombogan03884]

I agree with what Bill posted.
EoTech plus magnifier is 2 pieces of optical gear to do the job of one you could get for half the money.
And it will not do the job as well since the basic EoTech that you are depending on for your sighting is not designed for long range precision.
Another consideration is that unless your AR is a full size rifle it's long range performance is going to be at best marginal.
So basically you are spending twice as much to do the job half as well.
Your best bet would be a second rifle built specifically for precision or long range shooting and scoped accordingly .

[Paraguy]

As usual, Bill is right.  Should have bought a good scope like you said, or for the same money bought an ACOG.  Problem is getting all that money at once and the patience to get the right item at the right time instead of somethig neat at the wrong time.  Hope to have pics up of the new setup soon regardless.

[tombogan03884]

As usual, Bill is right.  Should have bought a good scope like you said, or for the same money bought an ACOG.  Problem is getting all that money at once and the patience to get the right item at the right time instead of somethig neat at the wrong time.  Hope to have pics up of the new setup soon regardless.

If we patients we would be doctors and money would be no object