I was at a gunshow recently and I was pretty amazed at how many vendors were selling fake EOTech optics, I was even more amazed that people were actually buying them! Now if you just need a cheap red dot to put on top of your airsoft or .22 rifle ok, a knock off will do. If your like depends on your rifle however you should do your homework and make sure you’re buying the real deal.
Other than the price, there’s a few tell-tale signs whether an EOTech optic is fake or not. While some obvious knock offs can be had for under $100 and come in a generic looking box, other fakes out there are more elaborate copies. EOTech actually put together this guide on how-to spot counterfeit EOTechs.
When I was shopping for an EOTech sight I made sure I bought it from an authorized dealer just to be safe, I snagged my real deal EOTech 512 at just $365 shipped from Amazon.
the counterfeit link was dead but it is changed to the following: http://www.eotechinc.com/counterfeit-alert-how-to-spot-a-fake
I like Eotech better for a number of reasons, one of them is the price. You get the same if not higher quality of a optic than aimpoint in my opine for a honest price with the same guarantee. I got a great deal on my Model 552.A65 for $409 with free shipping and the site had 512’s for $329 with free shipping.
the BIGGEST clue is the size of the glass relative to the frame.
Real ones have a thin frame around the glass, while the fake ones have a thick one.
Another clue is the ‘dot’ itself. If the dot makes a crisp clear circle for the 65 MOA ring, then it’s a fake. Real ones project small pixles to create the image of the 65 MOA ring, the fake one uses a ‘shape tool’ to project the image.
Fake ones also fail to hold zero over long periods of time.
You have to play to pay, I don’t see how so many people buy cheap fake optics
Good article. I’ve seen some fakes as well at gun shows.
But to 45acpshooter’s question… Not everyone is made of money to drop 3-500 on an optic and secondly the optic isn’t doing the shooting, you are.
I’m not saying don’t buy a quality optic but these prices are getting just ridiculous for optics.
I understand what you’re saying, but these expensive optics have higher build quality and are battle proven.
That said I have some budget optics from Primary Arms that work just as well.