EOTech
EOTech, LLC is an American electro-optics company specializing in the design, development, and manufacture of holographic weapon sights and other advanced optics for military, law enforcement, and civilian applications.[1] Founded in 1995 as a subsidiary of the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM), EOTech pioneered holographic sighting technology for firearms, enabling rapid target acquisition through a projected reticle generated via laser-etched holograms.[2] Headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, the company produces models such as the EXPS and XPS series, which feature night-vision compatibility, durable construction, and reticles like a 68 MOA ring with a 1 MOA dot for precise aiming.[3] These sights have been adopted by elite U.S. military units and professional operators for their speed and reliability in combat environments.[4] EOTech's products emphasize ruggedness and performance under demanding conditions, with innovations including magnifiers, thermal devices, and night vision systems expanding its portfolio beyond initial holographic sights.[1] The company marked 30 years of operations in 2025, having established facilities for research, engineering, and production, including a new tech center in Orofino, Idaho, to advance sensor and electro-optics development.[5][6] However, EOTech faced significant scrutiny in 2015-2016 over thermal drift in its sights, where extreme temperatures—particularly below -40°F—caused reticle shifts of up to 4 MOA or more, compromising accuracy by over 20 inches at 100 yards.[7][8] This issue prompted the U.S. Special Operations Command to suspend procurement and usage, leading to a multimillion-dollar settlement with the U.S. government and an extended warranty program for affected models, though some reports indicated persistent concerns with post-fix performance in certain conditions.[7][9]History
Founding and Early Innovations
Electro-Optics Technology, Inc. (EOTech), was established in 1995 as a subsidiary of the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM) to commercialize holographic sighting technology for small firearms.[1] ERIM, founded in 1972 by the University of Michigan as a non-profit research organization, had been advancing holography applications, including laser-based imaging for military uses.[1][2] Early development traced back to ERIM's work in the 1960s and 1970s on laser holography, with a prototype holographic sight completed under U.S. military contract by 1971, though ERIM's formal establishment followed in 1972.[10] By 1986, ERIM demonstrated holographic sights designed for helicopter gunships and anti-aircraft artillery, addressing challenges like wavelength instability in laser diodes to project stable reticles.[1][2] EOTech's founding enabled the miniaturization of this technology for handheld weapons, leveraging ERIM's patented holographic etching processes to create compact, durable sights.[10] In 1996, EOTech unveiled its first Holographic Weapon Sight (HWS), branded as HOLOSight in partnership with Bushnell, at the SHOT Show, earning the Optic of the Year award for its innovative use of a laser-etched hologram reticle that provided parallax-free aiming and rapid target acquisition.[1][2] This early model featured a diode-pumped laser projecting a holographic image onto the viewing window, allowing unlimited eye relief and resistance to environmental stresses, marking a departure from traditional etched reticles in reflex sights.[2] By 2000, a second-generation HWS improved battery life and reticle options, followed in 2001 by military-grade variants adopted by U.S. Special Operations forces, elite Army units, and the Marine Corps for close-quarters battle.[2][1] These innovations established EOTech as the pioneer in holographic firearm optics, with proprietary manufacturing ensuring precise reticle projection under varying conditions.[10]Military and Commercial Adoption
EOTech holographic weapon sights (HWS) gained significant traction in military applications starting in the early 2000s, with initial deployments to U.S. forces in 2001 for evaluation and combat use. By 2005, the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), select elite Army units, and the U.S. Marine Corps adopted the HWS as their preferred optic for close-quarters battle, valuing its rapid target acquisition and parallax-free aiming in dynamic environments.[1][2] The SU-231/PEQ variant, a militarized version of the commercial 553 model, became standard for mounting on MIL-STD-1913 rails in special operations and infantry units, with thousands of units supplied for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.[7] USSOCOM reaffirmed this adoption in 2018 by selecting updated EOTech models to replace earlier units, and in 2019, EOTech secured a $26.3 million contract from USSOCOM for HWS and magnifiers, underscoring ongoing procurement despite competitive alternatives.[11][12] In the commercial sector, EOTech sights penetrated law enforcement, hunting, and civilian tactical markets from the late 1990s onward, with models like the XPS and EXPS series marketed for their durability and speed in non-military scenarios. Law enforcement agencies adopted them for patrol rifles and SWAT operations, citing advantages in low-light performance and compatibility with magnifiers.[13] By 2008, military and defense sales accounted for approximately half of EOTech's gun-sight revenue, implying a substantial commercial share driven by hunters and recreational shooters seeking alternatives to traditional iron sights.[14] As of 2017, commercial hunting and civilian sales formed the mainstay of EOTech's business, reflecting broader market demand for holographic technology in sporting and self-defense applications amid growing popularity of AR-15 platforms.[15] This dual-market presence positioned EOTech as a leader in tactical optics, with ongoing expansions into civilian accessories like magnifiers and thermal overlays.[16]Ownership Transitions and Expansions
In November 2005, L-3 Communications acquired EOTech for approximately $49 million in cash, integrating the company into its defense electronics portfolio and enabling scaled production of holographic weapon sights for military applications.[17] This transition marked EOTech's shift from independent operations to a subsidiary of a major defense contractor, later restructured as L3Harris Technologies following the 2019 merger of L-3 and Harris Corporation.[17] On March 24, 2020, L3Harris signed a definitive agreement to divest EOTech to American Holoptics, a privately held U.S. company affiliated with Koucar Management, with the transaction completing on July 31, 2020.[18][19] The sale returned EOTech to private ownership, allowing renewed focus on innovation and market responsiveness outside the constraints of a large public corporation's priorities.[20] Under American Holoptics, EOTech pursued facility expansions to address surging demand, establishing new manufacturing operations in Traverse City, Michigan, in 2021 after outgrowing its Plymouth Township site, followed by a dedicated headquarters building in 2022 for enhanced production, warehousing, and development capacity.[21][22] In February 2025, the company opened a 4,200-square-foot engineering technology center in Orofino, Idaho, equipped with an optics lab, cleanroom facilities, and prototyping capabilities to support research and development.[23] Further expansion occurred on August 5, 2025, with the acquisition of VK Integrated Systems, a Tennessee-based firm specializing in weapon electronics and battlefield networking, broadening EOTech's scope into tactical sensor integration and vertically integrated defense systems.[24][25]Technology
Holographic Weapon Sight Mechanics
EOTech Holographic Weapon Sights (HWS) utilize a laser diode to emit a coherent light beam that reconstructs a pre-recorded holographic reticle pattern via diffraction. The system includes a laser light source, beam-splitting mirror, collimating reflector, holographic diffraction grating, and output lens. The laser beam is directed by the mirror onto the collimating reflector, which parallelizes it before it illuminates the grating encoded with the reticle image, such as a 68 MOA outer ring and 1 MOA center dot.[2][26][3]
This holographic projection creates a virtual reticle image at optical infinity or an effective plane of 200 meters, superimposing it on the target without requiring precise eye alignment. Unlike reflex sights that reflect a LED-generated dot from a coated lens, HWS avoids coatings, minimizing light distortion and enabling a larger, clearer viewing window for enhanced situational awareness. The fixed grating ensures the reticle remains centered relative to the bore axis regardless of head position, providing unlimited eye relief and parallax error limited to a maximum of 4.5 cm at 23 meters.[2][27][2]
The design incorporates no internal moving parts for reticle positioning, with the laser beam routed via internal mirrors to prevent external visibility, reducing detectability. Brightness is adjustable across 20 levels, including modes compatible with night vision devices, allowing the reticle to maintain visibility in varied lighting while preserving battery life through automatic adjustments. This mechanism supports rapid both-eyes-open shooting, as the shooter focuses on the target while the holographic reticle appears inherently aligned without refocusing.[26][27][2]
Electro-Optic Advancements and Variants
EOTech's holographic weapon sights (HWS) utilize electro-optic technology where a laser diode emits a beam split by a mirror, collimated into a parallel ray, and directed onto a holographic diffraction grating etched with the reticle pattern, reconstructing the aiming mark at optical infinity for parallax-free viewing and unlimited eye relief.[2] This design, derived from 1980s research by the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, enables rapid target acquisition through a wide rectangular window that maintains reticle visibility even if the glass is shattered or obscured, outperforming traditional reflex sights in dynamic scenarios.[2][3] Key advancements include the integration of night vision compatibility in select models, adding 10 lower-intensity settings to prevent blooming under image intensification devices, first commercialized around 2001 in military variants.[3][1] Green reticle options, introduced in models like the EXPS2-GRN, enhance visibility by up to 5 times in daylight compared to red due to the human eye's sensitivity to green wavelengths, while specialized reticles such as the two-dot pattern for .300 Blackout accommodate subsonic and supersonic ammunition trajectories.[3] Battery life improvements feature CR123 lithium cells offering approximately 1,000 hours or AA batteries extending to 2,200–2,500 hours, with transverse mounting in XPS series for reduced profile.[3][28] Variants are categorized by power source and form factor. The 5 Series, using dual AA batteries for field reliability, includes the 512 (basic 68 MOA ring with 1 MOA dot, no night vision), 518 (with side controls and quick-detach mount), 552 (night vision compatible), and 558 (adding quick-detach).[3][28] The XPS Series emphasizes compactness with single CR123 power: XPS2 (1,000-hour life, 10-foot submersion resistance), XPS2-300 (ballistic reticle for .300 BLK), and XPS3 (night vision ready with transverse battery).[3] The EXPS Series builds on this with raised bases for lower 1/3 co-witness: EXPS2 (CR123, side buttons for magnifier pairing), EXPS2-GRN (green reticle), and EXPS3 (7 mm raised base, night vision).[3] Hybrid variants like the HHS combine HWS with 3x or 5x magnifiers on quick-switch mounts for seamless transition between close and extended ranges.[3]The 68 MOA ring and 1 MOA dot reticle, standard across many variants, projects via holography for rapid both-eyes-open aiming.[3]
Products
Core Optics Lines
EOTech's core optics lines center on its Holographic Weapon Sights (HWS), which utilize laser-etched holograms projected via a heads-up display for rapid target acquisition in close-quarters combat. These sights pioneered non-reflexive reticles resistant to damage from impacts or debris, distinguishing them from traditional red dot optics. The primary series include the legacy 5xx line, the compact XPS line, and the tactical EXPS line, each optimized for different operational needs with variations in size, battery life, and mounting compatibility.[3][29] The 5xx series, such as the models 512, 518, 552, and 558, represents EOTech's foundational AA-battery-powered sights, offering up to 2,500 hours of runtime with lithium cells and dimensions around 5.6 inches long. These models feature night-vision compatibility in the 552 and 558 variants, with waterproofing to 33 feet, and reticle options like the 1 MOA dot-in-circle or XR308 ballistic reticle for .308 platforms; the 518 and 558 include side-mounted controls and quick-detach levers for enhanced field usability. Weighing 11.5 to 13.8 ounces, this series prioritizes ruggedness for general military and civilian applications but occupies more rail space compared to newer lines.[29][3] The XPS series delivers EOTech's smallest and lightest HWS at 3.8 inches long and 9 ounces, powered by a CR123 battery for approximately 1,000 hours of operation, with back-button controls and absolute co-witness mounting. Key models include the XPS2 (reticles such as 1 MOA dot or circle-dot, water-resistant to 10 feet) and XPS3 (night-vision compatible, waterproof to 33 feet), alongside specialized variants like the XPS2-300 for .300 Blackout with dual-dot ballistic holds. Designed to maximize Picatinny rail space for night-vision or magnifier pairings, the XPS line suits users requiring minimal footprint without quick-detach features.[30][29] The EXPS series builds on XPS compactness with a slightly taller 7mm raised base for lower 1/3 co-witness, weighing 11.2 ounces and using CR123 batteries, while incorporating side buttons and quick-detach levers standard. Models like the EXPS2 (10-foot waterproofing, reticles including green dot for 5x better visibility in low light) and EXPS3 (33-foot waterproofing, full night-vision modes) target professional tactical users, with 4-dot reticle options for faster acquisition in dynamic environments. This line's enhanced ergonomics and durability make it prevalent in military contracts.[3][29]| Series | Battery & Runtime | Weight | Key Features | Waterproof Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5xx | 2x AA (~2,200-2,500 hrs) | 11.5-13.8 oz | Side buttons/QD on select; NV on 552/558 | 10-33 ft |
| XPS | 1x CR123 (~1,000 hrs) | 9 oz | Compact; back buttons; specialized reticles | 10-33 ft |
| EXPS | 1x CR123 (~1,000 hrs) | 11.2 oz | Raised base/QD/side buttons; green reticle | 10-33 ft |