The EOTech “HOLOgraphic Diffraction Sight” (HDS) is beyond a doubt the highest-speed, lowest-drag optical sight for tactical shoulder weapons that is currently available. Utilizing the same technology as the Heads-Up Display (HUD) in modern fighter jets, the HDS projects a red holographic circular reticle with center dot directly onto the target. This is very different from standard red dot and reflex sites, which do not use holography.
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The holographic reticle will not obscure the target in any way, and is not subject to parallax. Therefore, the HDS is best utilized while keeping both eyes open. As long as the operator is looking through the sight with one eye, the reticle will naturally be projected wherever the weapon is pointed. Now, here’s the kicker--according to the company, “in holography, all the information required to reconstruct the reticle image is recorded everywhere in the Heads-Up display window”. Even if the window is almost completely obscured, whether it be by mud, snow, rain, etc., the HDS will remain fully operational(with point of aim/impact being maintained), as long as at least some part of the window remains unobstructed--even if it’s only one of the corners. Even in such extreme cases where the laminated window is shattered, the HDS, again, will remain fully functional as long as some part of the window is left intact. In practical terms, as long as the operator can see through ANY portion of the window, the ENTIRE reticle pattern will still be visible on the hostile BG that needs to be neutralized.
Eotech’s top units are their M551 and 552, which are only available to military and law enforcement. The M552 was specifically developed for the United States Marine Corps. Where the M551 takes N cell batteries, the Marine Corps version, the M552, takes AA batteries (which are cheaper and more available), and only extends the length of the unit by 1.3 inches. Both units are also fully compatible with Generation I - III+ night vision intensifier tubes. They also has a neat feature that allows the operator to immediately drop the brightness intensity of the holographic reticle to eliminate any "halo" affect and saturation of the night vision device. One can position them behind a night vision scope without any "bloom" of the target area. Conservatively the AA version should give the operator roughly 350 hours of operation at default setting “12”. Most people do not actually use the site at the “12” setting. Anyware from “8” to “10” is much more common. With minor electronic mods, either version can be made compatible with Gen IV night vision devices.
DefRev looks forward to acquiring one of these units for testing sometime in the very near future. In the meantime, to learn more about EOTech's products, you can visit their website by clicking on this link.
