Not to mention that the real, laser-based HWS' are more than bright enough to use outdoors on the sunniest, brightest day against the most well-lit backgrounds you can imagine. Whereas, the LED-based replicas will totally wash out in those situations. Conversely and as already mentioned, the genuine HWS' emit absolutely zero light forward toward the enemy unlike their LED counterparts. Definitely a comfortable advantage in none/low-light ops.

What it boils down to is a simple acquistion cost (affordability) vs. desired performance equation that only you as the shooter can solve for yourself. Whichever way you go though, take heed of the lens protector advice already offered...you do NOT want your optics to be shot out.

Personally, I have both a genuine 551.A65 and one of DragonRed's clone LED-based versions, but that's just me. :cool:

Good luck with your search,


'Fly

Ya I was the one with the Digipat VSR-10 that used an AK later on.

Get an eotech after you get a gun that works well. I mean really, RS EOTECH on a Kraken is just... eh

The Bushnell Holosight is actually the EOTech 502 and went into production in 2000 (mine was manufactured in 2001). The history timeline on EOTech's web site pretty clearly spells out the evolution of their sights. Up until the late 90s, all EOTech sights were produced by Bushnell USA. The 502 was their flagship sight until the release of the 551 and 552 in 2001.

And when referring to the Bushnell holosight, I mean this one:

http://images.aandhmarketing.com/big...ell/510023.jpg

This is the EOTech 502, identical in every way to the Bushnell model except the trademarks.

http://www.popguns.com/images/aracce.../Eotech502.jpg



And not this one, which is also called the Bushnell Holosight.

http://www.nightvisiongear.com/image...30021_2757.gif




I just received my EOTech 552 (real steel) today. I'll eventually do a side-by-side comparison with the Huang 552, Hurricane 552, and Bushnell Holosight and post the review.

I'll beat you to it Crunch. I have a real 551 and 552, and the 552 compared to the clones is night and day. Not only does the real one weigh about twice as much as the clone, but you can carry your gun with it, beat it against a wall, and it will be fine. Try it with a clone, and it's finished.

The EoTech reticle is a laser, pulsed and has a weird aura on the outer ring when viewed with no mag, but is crystal clear on 3x and 4x, and the dot is well defined. Also, for night use, the real one does not bleed any light out, and all clones do, especially out the front. This is not good when in close quarters and light discipline is an issue.

Also, the AR coating on the real Eotech means that under direct sunlight, you see the reticle clearly, not a reflection of your eyeball and lashes, and even under the brightest sun, the reticle can be viewed no problem.

55X series are also NV capable with an IR reticle, no clones do that to my knowledge

551 and 552 were the only models of the 55X series approved for export from the US, so those are the most likely you will see.

I've had the Bushnell for a while now and the reticle is identical to the 552, only not as bright. I've have been playing around with my 552 for the last little bit. Brought it outside in the bright sunlight and it was easily visible, even when pointing it close to the sun. And it feels a lot more solid than the Huang model. The Hurricane 552 seems very solid too, and weight-wise, is quite comparable.

And you're correct about the NV settings. On replicas, that switches between a red and green reticle.

My Hurricane 552 is quite a bit lighter than the real 552, it almost feels like a cheap toy by comparison. It's enough of a difference that I notice it when mounted on the gun.

Note the battery box, much more robust on the rel one, even with battery markings on the bottom for easy install.

I noticed the more robust battery cap as well. But weight-wise, they feel quite close. The Hurricane is definitely lighter, but not by a whole lot. The Bushnell is about the same weight as the larger Hurricane. And comparing the weight of the EOTech to the Huang model... well, there's no comparison. You can definitely tell which one is the 'toy'.

And polarity indicator was nice too. Neither the Hurricane or Huang models have it, and in their instruction manuals, both have it listed backwards than they way the batteries actually should be installed.

And I'll add I've never doubted for a second the real thing was superior to the replicas.