In the world of electronic weapon sights, there really is only one EOTech. No matter how hard other companies try, they still just can't quite seem to compete. While there's no doubting the quality of EOTech holographic sights, the problem lies in their price, as most people either can't or aren't willing to spend the $400+ that a new EOTech XPS2 or 512 costs. For this reason, this guide will take a look at some of the best EOTech clones, allowing you to experience some of the same benefits of an EOTech red dot sight for a fraction of the cost.
Here are the top 4 cheaper alternative EOTech clones/replicas (read on for more details on each):
EOTech vs EOTech Clones
Although it’s a term you'll find used quite frequently online and amongst shooting enthusiasts, the term EOTech clone isn't all that accurate. Despite the number of companies that have attempted to recreate the EOTech design, none have succeeded in replicating its quality. This is because EOTech remains the only company to produce a true holographic red dot sight. Most EOTech replica sights are actually miniaturized reflex sights designed to mimic EOTech's innovative 'heads-up display' (HUD).
We've previously covered the differences between reflex and holographic sights extensively, so there's no need to go into too much detail again, except to say that they offer far better image clarity and brightness than reflex sights. The style of holographic reticle offered by EOTech also far outperforms those found on most reflex sights.
The fact that these reflex sights require a mirror to reflect the illuminated reticle inevitably means that the image is slightly darker than that offered by a holographic sight, which uses a holographic image of the reticle sandwiched between two pieces of crystal-clear optical glass. With a high-quality reflex sight featuring multicoated optics, the difference in brightness is actually quite minimal, so much so that it makes it hard to justify spending several hundred dollars more on an EOTech. However, when it comes to the cheaper reflex sights, the difference becomes almost like night and day.
Another issue with reflex sights can come up if you decide to want to use a 3x or 6x magnifier with your red dot sight. This is no problem with an EOTech, as both the image and the reticle look just as bright and clear with magnification as they do without. However, when you attempt to use a magnifier with some of the cheaper EOTech knockoffs, you'll find that the reticle tends to look blown out and not nearly as crisp. Still, by incorporating the same style of 'heads-up display' made popular by EOTech, these other sights are able to offer some of the same benefits typically reserved for holographic sights.
Installing any of these sights on your rifle, shotgun or handgun allows for quick targeting with both eyes open. The 'heads-up display' also offers an improved field of view as compared to the tube-style reflex sights. Buyer beware though, as this display is available on a huge range of different sights, many of which are garbage. You can easily find a cheap EOTech clone made by some unknown Chinese company on numerous websites, but if you're looking for something that's built to last, you're definitely better off sticking with something slightly more reputable.
These cheap EOTech clones may be perfectly fine for a paintball gun or air gun, but if you plan on using your sight on something a bit higher caliber, you need to pick one that's been proven to be capable of standing up to the recoil. Unfortunately, this seems to be a problem on many of the cheaper models, with numerous people complaining that their EOTech clone won't hold zero. Many of these cheaper sights also tend to have problems with shutting off after each shot due to the inferior design and construction.
Nonetheless, there's a decent number of higher quality, more reliable EOTech clones on the market. It just takes doing a bit of research to find them, as unfortunately, many of the products you'll find on other lists of the so-called best EOTech clones are basically junk. So to help you out in your search, below you can find reviews of several popular models.
Burris Fastfire III
Although it still costs less than half the price of an EOTech, the Burris Fastfire III definitely isn't the cheapest sight out there. However, it's more than worth the price due to a range of excellent features. The Fastfire III is available with either a 3 MOA or 8 MOA red dot reticle, and it features both an automatic brightness function and three manual brightness settings to ensure the reticle remains fully visible in any light condition you might encounter.
This sight is small, lightweight and designed to be used on a wide range of different weapons, including Glocks and other handguns. The Fastfire is also extremely durable and well-built. Even if it can't quite match up to MIL-SPEC sights like EOTech, it's more than sturdy enough to handle the recoil of a 12-gauge, AR-15 or other high caliber firearms. In addition to being shockproof, it's also fully waterproof, fogproof and comes with a lifetime replacement warranty that covers the sight no matter whether you bought it new or used.
While the small size of this sight ensures it won't add too much weight to your weapon, it also means that it has quite a small objective window at only 21mm x 15mm. Still, this shouldn't be much of an issue as the heads-up display allows you to shoot with both eyes open. The Fastfire III offers a fairly bright, clear image in most conditions thanks to its special HiLume index-matched multicoating that works to eliminate glare and increase light transmission. However, like most EOTech clones, the optics on the Fastfire III still can't compare to the crystal-clear, ultra-bright image offered by the original.
Still, in terms of overall quality and durability, the Burris Fastfire III easily ranks as one of the top EOTech clones - especially for those looking for a small, lightweight red dot sight similar to the EOTech XPS2. For an in-depth review of the Burris Fastfire III click here.
C-MORE Systems Railway
One of the more interesting red dot sights on the market, the C-MORE Systems Railway takes the HUD design and completely turns it on its head by using a round objective window instead of the square window found on EOTech sights and most EOTech clones. At 29mm in diameter, this objective window provides an unlimited field of view and allows for super fast targeting in any lighting.
The Railway is available in a range of different colors, as well as numerous different reticle sizes. Choose from a 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 or 16 MOA red dot reticle, enabling you to find the perfect size for your specific purposes. However, you won't be limited to only one size, as C-MORE Systems also produces interchangeable diode modules that can be easily installed should you desire a different sized reticle.
The sight attaches to any Picatinny or Weaver rail in a matter of seconds and makes a great choice for shotguns, rifles and handguns, as well as paintball guns and crossbows. Positive locking screws also allow the Railway to offer nearly unlimited windage and elevation adjustment of 800 MOA.
Despite its slightly larger size, the Railway is still quite lightweight due to the fact that it's made out of a special polymer. However, the polymer construction combined with its more open, rounded design means that this sight might not be able to stand up to the same level of rough handling as an EOTech or some of the other clones with more compact, square designs.
All in all, the C-MORE Systems Railway is undoubtedly a great sight. It might be the most expensive sight on this list, but again, it's still more affordable than an EOTech.
Bushnell Trophy First Strike
The Bushnell Trophy First Strike resembles the Burris Fastfire III in many ways, as both sights are small, lightweight and can automatically adjust the brightness of the reticle based on lighting conditions. However, while the Fastfire III offers three manual brightness settings as well, the Bushnell Trophy First Strike isn't quite as versatile.
The automatic brightness setting is quite accurate and should ensure you can see the reticle in most any condition, but it still doesn't hurt to at least have the option to manually adjust the brightness should you need to. Despite this minor issue, the First Strike is overall quite a decent scope, especially considering its price.
The sight is fully waterproof, shockproof and fogproof, ensuring it is built to stand the test of time. As well, its integrated mount makes it simple to attach it to a range of weapons. However, at 5 MOA, the red dot reticle is a bit large if you're looking for more precise aiming. As well, although it features multicoated optics, the image does tend to be a bit dimmer than on either the Railway or Fastfire III. Still, its low cost makes it a great option for anyone looking for an affordable EOTech clone sure to get the job done.
Sightmark Ultra Shot QD Digital Switch
The Sightmark Ultra Shot is undoubtedly one of the most popular EOTech clones on the market, as evidenced by its number-one bestseller status on Amazon. However, it's actually the best-selling paintball sight, although Sightmark does claim it can handle the recoil of larger caliber weapons and advertizes it as a more affordable alternative to MIL-SPEC sights like EOTech.
Unfortunately, this one seems to suffer from a number of minor design flaws which can be seen by user reviews. Many users have mentioned issues with it continuously shutting off or not holding zero. On the other hand, many people have had nothing but positive experiences with this sight.
In terms of overall image clarity and brightness, this sight is a far bit behind the others on this list. Its larger objective window allows it to somewhat overcome this issue, and the image is still better than that found on most other sights in the under $100 price range.
Considering the hit-or-miss nature of this product, if it were me, I'd spend my money on something slightly more reliable. Nonetheless, if price is your most important concern, the Sightmark Ultra Shot QD Digital Switch is worth a shot.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, there is probably no such thing as the best EOTech clone. Simply put, any EOTech 552 clone or XPS2 clone won't be able to live up to the quality found on the original. That being said, if you're looking for a quality red dot sight with the similar heads-up display, all of the above products are definitely decent options.
