OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Scopes > Tactical Scopes
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - EO Tech 552 vs 556
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

EO Tech 552 vs 556

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
sholling View Drop Down
Optics Professional
Optics Professional
Avatar

Joined: May/24/2008
Location: Hemet CA
Status: Offline
Points: 944
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sholling Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: EO Tech 552 vs 556
    Posted: July/06/2009 at 13:23
This is for my SHTF Bravo Company middy in 5.56. I'm torn. The 552 has the buttons in the rear, is 100% co-witnessed, and uses readily  available AA batteries.

The 556 has the buttons on the side to clear a magnifier, is more compact and has a 7mm riser to give 1/3 co-witness, and uses smaller CR123 batteries. The rifle already has a CR123 powered weapon light and my Vltor EMOD stock can carry 8 CR123 batteries or 3 AA and 4 CR123 batteries in the sealed compartments. I'm wanting to save the non-sealed compartment for oil and such.

I already keep 200 or so alkaline AAs plus a 1/2 dozen lithium AAs, and 50-100 or so lithium CR123s on hand for emergencies.

I'm really torn. 1/3 co-witness vs 100%? The 556 would require the use of their new (as of May) G23 magnifier with 7mm riser instead of an Aimpoint magnifier. I'd actually save money with the 7mm riser because I wouldn't have to replace the front sight with a flip down. Then again that 7mm is 7mm more bulk.

Thoughts and opinions?
NRA, SAF, & CRPA life member
Member Madison Society & Revolutionary War Veteran Association (Project Appleseed)

Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill. ;)
Back to Top
Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar

Joined: January/19/2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 9318
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/06/2009 at 13:38
I prefer 1/3 co-witness, personally; it makes the optic easier to acquire with the sites up.

As for the AA vs. CR123: if you already have storage for the 123's, that is a plus, the optic run longer with the AAs (in my experience) and the AAs are easier to get in a pinch.

In contrast, the 123-version is smaller, easier to mount, and has side buttons, which is good if putting something behind the scope bt no real advance if not using a magnifier.  (I like the back buttons, easier to get to, easier to see what changes you are making.)


It's a tough call, depends on what is most important to you.


Personally, I prefer the 552.
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.
Back to Top
BeltFed View Drop Down
Optics Retard
Optics Retard
Avatar

Joined: February/12/2008
Location: Ky
Status: Offline
Points: 22268
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/06/2009 at 15:36
Hmmm?
+2 for the tough call, but I lean to the 552 for the same reasons stated by RC. I do like full witness though. Are you going to mount a magnifier?
Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
Back to Top
sholling View Drop Down
Optics Professional
Optics Professional
Avatar

Joined: May/24/2008
Location: Hemet CA
Status: Offline
Points: 944
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sholling Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/06/2009 at 15:37
Eventually it will get a removable magnifier. 
NRA, SAF, & CRPA life member
Member Madison Society & Revolutionary War Veteran Association (Project Appleseed)

Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill. ;)
Back to Top
Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar

Joined: January/19/2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 9318
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/06/2009 at 15:40
Don't underestimate the value of having plenty of AA batteries around - AND your capacity to get more when they ain't around.
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.
Back to Top
sholling View Drop Down
Optics Professional
Optics Professional
Avatar

Joined: May/24/2008
Location: Hemet CA
Status: Offline
Points: 944
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sholling Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/07/2009 at 09:40
It appears that EO Tech had a model that I'd missed. The 557 AR223 which has the features that I like from both. It uses AA batteries, and it has the 7mm riser for a 1/3 co-witness and the side buttons. It adds a ballistic reticle calibrated for the M4 carbine. Basically 3 additional 1 MOA dots. I figure they cant hurt to have. Anyway that's what I've decided to get. The 100% co-witness was really bothering me. I'm just not fond of it with a fixed front sight. Now I won't have to go to the expense of replacing the front sight and I'll have more options for the magnifier.


NRA, SAF, & CRPA life member
Member Madison Society & Revolutionary War Veteran Association (Project Appleseed)

Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill. ;)
Back to Top
Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar

Joined: January/19/2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 9318
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/07/2009 at 09:44
Great choice.

Let us know how you like it.
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.
Back to Top
sholling View Drop Down
Optics Professional
Optics Professional
Avatar

Joined: May/24/2008
Location: Hemet CA
Status: Offline
Points: 944
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sholling Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/10/2009 at 01:13
The 557 arrived today and I'm planning a range trip for tomorrow. It arrived very nicely packaged in a molded box with a small manual, registration card, and batteries. Construction seems solid and a few light taps plus my educated ear tells me it's constructed of aluminum.

I wasn't surprised at the height or length but I was surprised at the width. It's a big sucker. The reticle is every bit as pixelated as I'd heard but nothing I can't live with. The secret seems to be to run it at as low an intensity as possible. That just makes sense. I'll take that as a trade off for the speed of a circle-dot and the 1 MOA dot size.

I'll update this tomorrow with my shooting impressions and maybe a new picture. I've added a Vltor EMOD stock which has storage for two changes of batteries for the sight and two changes for the TLR-1 weapon light.
NRA, SAF, & CRPA life member
Member Madison Society & Revolutionary War Veteran Association (Project Appleseed)

Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill. ;)
Back to Top
Urimaginaryfrnd View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Resident Redneck

Joined: June/20/2005
Location: Iowa
Status: Offline
Points: 14962
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/10/2009 at 01:39
I went the other route  Aimpoint Comp M4s I figured I'd just buy a new battery in ten years.

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger
Back to Top
sholling View Drop Down
Optics Professional
Optics Professional
Avatar

Joined: May/24/2008
Location: Hemet CA
Status: Offline
Points: 944
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sholling Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/10/2009 at 02:11
I came really close to a 2 MOA CompM3, I even spent some time on the phone with a really sharp combat veteran. I gave him my scenario (peaceful small town homeowner just being prepared) and then I shut up and got educated. For my situation he advised compact size and especially speed on target over post apocalypse/Mad Max scenario durability. He just about had me talked into an Aimpoint T-1. If they were 2 MOA instead of 4 MOA I'd have bought one. Besides at my age if I wear out 3 sets of 1000hr batteries I'm in waaaaaaaaay over my head. Besides I like circle-dot reticles.


Edited by sholling - July/10/2009 at 02:13
NRA, SAF, & CRPA life member
Member Madison Society & Revolutionary War Veteran Association (Project Appleseed)

Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill. ;)
Back to Top
cheaptrick View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar

Joined: September/27/2004
Location: South Carolina
Status: Offline
Points: 20844
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/10/2009 at 14:36
Originally posted by sholling sholling wrote:

 He just about had me talked into an Aimpoint T-1. If they were 2 MOA instead of 4 MOA I'd have bought one.
 
The dot on the T-1 is more like a 3 MOA dot. I know the Aimpoint folks list it as 4 MOA, but it really appears smaller than that to me and others.
 
Good luck with your Eothingy....Smile
If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
Back to Top
Urimaginaryfrnd View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Resident Redneck

Joined: June/20/2005
Location: Iowa
Status: Offline
Points: 14962
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/10/2009 at 15:25
Spend a little time with it and report back on it so we can hear more about how you like it.

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger
Back to Top
TominCA View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: September/04/2008
Location: Campbell, CA
Status: Offline
Points: 38
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TominCA Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/12/2009 at 00:25

I have the back button AA battery EOTech and love it - I also have the magnifier on flip mout which is okay - but would be better w/ a side button model because of mounting distance for the rear of the EOTech.  Also the 1/3 co witness also means that the 3X magnifier will line up properly (its taller that the 552 100% co-witnessed)  

For about $35 you can get a Yankee Hill riser that lifts the 552 (or any 100% co-witnessed) EOTech) up about 1/4 " lining everything up just fine! Really worth it!
Tom in CA
Back to Top
sholling View Drop Down
Optics Professional
Optics Professional
Avatar

Joined: May/24/2008
Location: Hemet CA
Status: Offline
Points: 944
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sholling Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/12/2009 at 01:08
I need a lot more trigger time to figure out how to properly use this thing but I can give first impressions - just first impressions for now. I had 2 AR15 and a Mini-14 to sight in and new sights on an old 1911 to test and the range was packed so all I tried to accomplish was getting on paper at 25m. The EO took a bit of adjustment but zeroed fine. Yesterday was very hot and very bright and sunny and I found myself futzing to try and find a brightness that showed up well without blurring the 4 dots. I suspect that's my aging eyes and not the sight and a consequence of my farsightedness. Strangely enough as I much trouble as I thought I was having telling the center dot from the 400yd dot I was getting nice tight groups so I was doing something right. Again just a first impression I think the 557's Circle-4 dot reticle would be ideal for someone with better up close eyesight.

In less than blazing sun the 1 MOA dots can be turned down and things clear up completely. Thinking out loud I'm thinking that the best "CQB" method for me to use this in bright sunlight is to crank it up and let it blur and use the 4 dots like a vertical bar. Again in less than blazing sun or with a magnifier it's looks like perfection.  Bottom line I have a learning curve that's a bit steeper than I think you'd have with a 552, but in the end I think it'll be worth it.

The built in 7mm riser gives the promised 1/3 co-witness and it's very usable for close range shooting. In fact while the cheek weld isn't as perfect as with 100% co-witnessed sights the slight heads up cheek weld feels like it gives just slightly better all around visibility. I'll be going back to the range late next week and shooting at 50 and 100m and should know more then.

Edited by sholling - July/12/2009 at 01:09
NRA, SAF, & CRPA life member
Member Madison Society & Revolutionary War Veteran Association (Project Appleseed)

Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill. ;)
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.336 seconds.