Eotech 511 Vs 512

farmall · September 9, 2013, 10:28 AM

Looking to add a holosight to my M4. Don't anticipate being overrun by a zombie horde, or having to use it for any life or death situations, plus, I am cheap!

Found a NOS Eotech 511 for sale for $200, and am wondering what the differences are between the 511, and later models, and if there are enough improvements to justify the difference in price for the 512.

Fishbed77 · September 9, 2013, 11:43 AM

I prefer Aimpoints myself (for the insane battery life and no need to fumble with controls) but I would never pass up a new EOTech for $200!

By the way, here's the answer to your question:

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.ht...&f=18&t=422036

Only major difference between a 511 and 512 is the batteries they use (N versus AA).

Ridge_Runner_5 · September 9, 2013, 02:37 PM

511 uses N-cell batteries, 512 uses AA batteries. You're better off going with the AA model because the batteries are plentiful. You'll need them, as both models with burn through batteries in about a month.

XPS has better battery life, but still lasts about a blink of an eye in comparison to an Aimpoint, who's battery life is measured around a decade.

DubC-Hicks · September 9, 2013, 02:54 PM

The battery life isn't really an issue if it isn't a duty rifle. And what's so hard about pressing a button to turn the sight on? Why do you need to leave the sight on 24/7? It has an auto shutoff for 4 and 8 hours, too, so the batteries won't die if you leave it on.

ShipWreck · September 9, 2013, 04:01 PM

I had a 511 model. Sold it as soon as the XPS line came out.

I would not buy it again. It NEVER lasted even remotely close to the battery life they claimed. Plus, it drained the battery even when off. I would venture that I might have 8-10 hours of actual use everytime the battery went out or the reticule flashed - meaning that it needed to be changed. Otherwise, it sat in the safe. I used it maybe 4x a year.

The 511 was very famous for this issue. I'd get the 512 over the 511. But, the XPS is the best, IMHO. The suggested battery life seems to be much more realistic. And, parasitic drain doesn't seem to be an issue.

Fishbed77 · September 9, 2013, 04:54 PM

Quote:

And what's so hard about pressing a button to turn the sight on? Why do you need to leave the sight on 24/7?

You don't press a button to use iron sights do you? That's the beauty of Aimpoints. You can just pick up the rifle and go.

With a battery life measured in years, there is no need to ever turn them off. In fact, the models with NVG compatibility are never really ever turned off. You just set up a schedule change the batteries after how ever many years.

All that said, since the OP has already said he doesn't plan for the 511 to be mounted on a defensive rifle, why not? $200 sounds like a good deal for any EOTech, and N-cell batteries are pretty cheap, assuming it's legit.

.

Old Stony · September 9, 2013, 06:27 PM

A new one for 200 bucks would leave me very suspicious, as it's way below wholesale price. Are you sure it's not one of the Chinese counterfeits? I've seen the phonies selling at gun shows for as little as 135.00 and it's hard to tell them from the real ones.....other than price.
I have 3 of the 512's and have no complaints. Batteries are cheap and easy to change. I have no complaints with the battery life of mine.

DubC-Hicks · September 9, 2013, 07:31 PM

If you can see the eotech in person, make sure the reticle is grainy, not one solid picture. If its solid, its not real.

I would also recommend the 512 because of the AA batteries, but $200 for the 511 is hard to beat.

Now if you raise your budget to the $400-450 range, you can get an Aimpoint Pro or an XPS series eotech. I have an XPS2-0 and really like it. While I do prefer Eotechs because of the reticle and field of view, Aimpoints are great too.

Fishbed77 · September 9, 2013, 10:28 PM

Indeed, as Old Stony and Dub-C mentioned, there are some very elaborate fakes out there:

http://www.eotech-inc.com/documents/...hts%204-09.pdf

Bamashooter · September 9, 2013, 11:49 PM

The last set of AA Lithium batteries I bought for my 512 was August of last year and they are still working just fine. Some batteries are better than others.

farmall · September 10, 2013, 09:32 PM

Moot point....Eotech turned out to be a Bushnell. Figured it was too good to be true!

Fishbed77 · September 11, 2013, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Moot point....Eotech turned out to be a Bushnell. Figured it was too good to be true!

The Bushnell Holosights are made by L3, as are the EOTechs. They are basically a consumer-grade EOTech meant for hunting/range use/etc. They are not bad sights at all. Don't expect it to be a bombproof combat optic, but for other uses, it should be fine. $200 sounds about right if new.

tank1949 · September 11, 2013, 01:48 PM

save battery by turning around in slot.

tank1949 · September 11, 2013, 10:03 PM

Fishbed, are the target acquition properties as quick on Aimpoint as Eotec? If so, which is best Aimpoint for combat? You are all right about Eotec lousy battery life.

Ridge_Runner_5 · September 11, 2013, 11:43 PM

Quote:

And what's so hard about pressing a button to turn the sight on? Why do you need to leave the sight on 24/7? It has an auto shutoff for 4 and 8 hours, too, so the batteries won't die if you leave it on.

I turned my 511 off between range trips, and it still burned through the batteries in a month or less.

DubC-Hicks · September 11, 2013, 11:51 PM

I have heard about problems with the 511. I guess the batteries for it are the problem? I haven't had a problem with my XPS-2 though. None of my friends have had problems with their Eotechs either. I think 2 have 512's and one has an EXPS. All have been great sights.

SmokyBaer · September 13, 2013, 11:22 AM

Go with the double AAs.... There's a reason that 511 is half price.

September 9, 2013, 10:28 AM	#1
farmall Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2004 Location: Beatrice Nebraska Posts: 613	Eotech 511 Vs 512 Looking to add a holosight to my M4. Don't anticipate being overrun by a zombie horde, or having to use it for any life or death situations, plus, I am cheap! Found a NOS Eotech 511 for sale for $200, and am wondering what the differences are between the 511, and later models, and if there are enough improvements to justify the difference in price for the 512.

September 9, 2013, 02:54 PM	#4
DubC-Hicks Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Location: Backwoods, Northern MI Posts: 1,035	The battery life isn't really an issue if it isn't a duty rifle. And what's so hard about pressing a button to turn the sight on? Why do you need to leave the sight on 24/7? It has an auto shutoff for 4 and 8 hours, too, so the batteries won't die if you leave it on. __________________ ”Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” ~Unknown

September 9, 2013, 07:31 PM	#8
DubC-Hicks Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Location: Backwoods, Northern MI Posts: 1,035	If you can see the eotech in person, make sure the reticle is grainy, not one solid picture. If its solid, its not real. I would also recommend the 512 because of the AA batteries, but $200 for the 511 is hard to beat. Now if you raise your budget to the $400-450 range, you can get an Aimpoint Pro or an XPS series eotech. I have an XPS2-0 and really like it. While I do prefer Eotechs because of the reticle and field of view, Aimpoints are great too. __________________ ”Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” ~Unknown

September 11, 2013, 11:51 PM	#16
DubC-Hicks Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Location: Backwoods, Northern MI Posts: 1,035	I have heard about problems with the 511. I guess the batteries for it are the problem? I haven't had a problem with my XPS-2 though. None of my friends have had problems with their Eotechs either. I think 2 have 512's and one has an EXPS. All have been great sights. __________________ ”Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” ~Unknown

September 9, 2013, 11:43 AM	#2
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	I prefer Aimpoints myself (for the insane battery life and no need to fumble with controls) but I would never pass up a new EOTech for $200! By the way, here's the answer to your question: http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.ht...&f=18&t=422036 Only major difference between a 511 and 512 is the batteries they use (N versus AA).

September 9, 2013, 02:37 PM	#3
Ridge_Runner_5 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,925	511 uses N-cell batteries, 512 uses AA batteries. You're better off going with the AA model because the batteries are plentiful. You'll need them, as both models with burn through batteries in about a month. XPS has better battery life, but still lasts about a blink of an eye in comparison to an Aimpoint, who's battery life is measured around a decade.

September 9, 2013, 04:01 PM	#5
ShipWreck Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1,744	I had a 511 model. Sold it as soon as the XPS line came out. I would not buy it again. It NEVER lasted even remotely close to the battery life they claimed. Plus, it drained the battery even when off. I would venture that I might have 8-10 hours of actual use everytime the battery went out or the reticule flashed - meaning that it needed to be changed. Otherwise, it sat in the safe. I used it maybe 4x a year. The 511 was very famous for this issue. I'd get the 512 over the 511. But, the XPS is the best, IMHO. The suggested battery life seems to be much more realistic. And, parasitic drain doesn't seem to be an issue.

September 9, 2013, 06:27 PM	#7
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	A new one for 200 bucks would leave me very suspicious, as it's way below wholesale price. Are you sure it's not one of the Chinese counterfeits? I've seen the phonies selling at gun shows for as little as 135.00 and it's hard to tell them from the real ones.....other than price. I have 3 of the 512's and have no complaints. Batteries are cheap and easy to change. I have no complaints with the battery life of mine.

September 9, 2013, 10:28 PM	#9
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	Indeed, as Old Stony and Dub-C mentioned, there are some very elaborate fakes out there: http://www.eotech-inc.com/documents/...hts%204-09.pdf

September 9, 2013, 11:49 PM	#10
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,860	The last set of AA Lithium batteries I bought for my 512 was August of last year and they are still working just fine. Some batteries are better than others.

September 10, 2013, 09:32 PM	#11
farmall Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2004 Location: Beatrice Nebraska Posts: 613	Moot point....Eotech turned out to be a Bushnell. Figured it was too good to be true!

September 11, 2013, 01:48 PM	#13
tank1949 member Join Date: November 12, 2012 Posts: 243	save battery by turning around in slot.

September 11, 2013, 10:03 PM	#14
tank1949 member Join Date: November 12, 2012 Posts: 243	Fishbed, are the target acquition properties as quick on Aimpoint as Eotec? If so, which is best Aimpoint for combat? You are all right about Eotec lousy battery life.

September 13, 2013, 11:22 AM	#17
SmokyBaer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 272	Go with the double AAs.... There's a reason that 511 is half price.