USSOCOM Issues Safety of Use Message for EOTech

[TSiWRX]

From:

http://soldiersystems.net/2015/09/30/so ... /#comments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

...On 14 September, the SOF Weapons Program Management Office at NSWC Crane released a Safety of Use Message regarding issues with EOTech’s Enhanced Combat Optical Sights (ECOS), which is how they refer to HWS....

...While there is a great deal of information in the SOUM, two glaring issues stick out. The first is the reliability of the HWS in extreme temperatures, referred to as “Thermal Drift”. The PMO has noted a +/- 4 MOA shift at -40 Deg F and 122 Deg F. Second, is the concern over the claim by EOTech that their HWS are parallax free which was the subject of a previous Safety of Use Message from the same office issued 16 March, 2015. In this case they noted between 4 and 6 MOA parallax error depending on temperature conditions. Despite the PMO working with EOTech to rectify the issues, they still have not been resolved.

While I don't think that this affects those of us who use this sight on our range-toys - or even in a HD role (given that one would, very reasonably, most likely zero with the rifle at "comfortable" temperatures) - if I were an LEO, I'd have some reservations about a gun set up with the affected sights that sits in a patrol vehicle.

One commentator on the discussion thread noted that a good working solution was to be sure to zero the BUIS and to routinely perform a co-witness (no live fire is necessary) as a quick and dirty check.

And one should remember that even at the extremes of the shifts noted in the article, at typical HD ranges of 25 yards or less, even if your sight was one of those that's worst affected by the problem, it's still probably going to be more accurate than one's shooting capabilities under stress.

What do y'all think?

[Brian D.]

I think the small percentage of law enforcement officers who give more than passing thought to their equipment will pay some heed. The rest...no.

That is not stated from some personal ivory tower, either. When I get back to this I'll make an analogy from my gig in the fire/EMS racket.

Okay here goes. My department just got in new self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for all hands. You know, those pressurized air tanks we wear on our back, attach a mask to, and operate inside buildings that are on fire or other environs where the atmosphere is compromised by hazardous materials etc.

Well, we ended up buying a BRAND new model offering from a longtime manufacturer. I was not asked for any significant input during the process, and that's fine because once I saw we were heading towards being guinea pigs, I wanted no further part of the conversation.

So now that I have to live (literally) with what I believe an imprudent decision, I have bookmarked some internet sites in which larger agencies are discussing such gear, focusing of course on this new model. So far there have been a few minor reported glitches, and when I read of such I first take note for my own well being, then pass the information along to my immediate boss. Sometimes he and his bosses look into it further, and may or may not share the data with the rest of my coworkers. Not an abundance of cooperation there.

And I'm quite certain NONE of my peers are looking at those websites for themselves, nor do they care enough to even ask where I'm getting the information. Sort of lackadaisical on their part, to put it mildly.

Along the same lines I don't imagine 10% of the cops give much of a rip about THEIR issued life saving equipment, either. if somebody gives them a heads up on these scopes--along with some quick and easy way to handle the problem--they may be motivated to do something about it occasionally.

[CCIman]

Like DEFLATEGATE, or worse the "real, but not" recall on airbags

You can't escape the laws of physics - temperature is one big variable.

To put in perspective: +/- 4MOA in combat is not that bad. Then there are other variables, that aren't necessarily addressed by this memo: shooter astigmatism, visual defecicits, ammo choice, barrel condition and temperature, fire control mechanisms and springs, test equipment used.

Interesting though. If it were indeed bad, why don't they just say "these are bad, don't use them".

[Believe That]

I have an Eotech 552 and an Aimpoint H1 and use the Eo as my go-to sight. The damn reticle is just so "right." Was able to vet it recently running it through TDI's Tac rifle class. Made me even more of a fan. Very fast, accurate and reliable, despite the ribbing I kept getting from Bowie I know there is really no arguing that the Aimpoints have more qualities all around, but for my uses (HD and training) the recent "issues" don't bother me at all. In fact, if the market reacts very negatively to this and gets flooded w/ used ones, i'll look at getting another if the prices get really cheap!

[TSiWRX]

^ There's been a few knee-jerk dumps already.

Let's just say that I wasn't surprised at the type of people who knee-jerked and dumped. One was a noted online fanboy poseur.