Holographic Weapon Sight (red dot) VS ACOG

J

jg0001

New member
So, I've been researching a red-dot sight, referred to as a Holographic Weapon Sight by EOTech, and also came also Trijicon's ACOG sight. It seems to me that these are probably the same thing, just with different "names" applied to them.

What are the key differences, bearing in mind my useage will be on a HANDGUN for plinking and perhaps on an AR-15 style rifle (if I ever manage to find one in NJ)?

(The Handgun's in question are a S&W500 with 10.5" barrel and a Browning Buck Mark with a 7.25" barrel; both have factory rails up top, ready to receive such sights).

I'm not overly concerned with cost. I figure $300 to $600 no problem as I don't have issues buying quality products, so long as they are built well. My only "requirements" that I don't want to flex on are: (1) open sight (i.e. not a tube), (2) dot with circle setup (i.e. not just a dot), (3) variable light setting (w/ battery boost available), (4) not ungainly large.
 
Also, can someone explain to me WHY a Holo sight works? i.e. how is it that I can get any advantage in going from a long sight radius on my S&W500 down to a flat circle sight? How is it that everything else lines up when I'm looking only at one thing and not with reference to anything else (i.e. compared to using iron sights, lining up the 'dots'/fins, and keeping everything level).
 
Red dot sights such as the EOTech and Trijicon Reflex (not the ACOG) allows faster target aquisition. There's also an advantage in low light situations. The reasons why they are better than iron sights is fairly complex. It has to deal with parallax. Perform a google search on parallax and red dot sight and you'll find a host of explanations.

The Trijicon ACOG is also a wonderful sight but it's vastly different than the EOTech or Trijicon Reflex. The ACOG works like a scope.

EOTech's and Trijicon Reflexes run around $300-350.00
 
Here's a photo of my M4 with a Trijicon ACOG AND a JPoint Reflex sight. This combination allows me the best of both worlds, long range and quick CQB target aquisition.
 

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ACOG is a magnifying optic.
EOTech is not a magnifying optic.
That's the functional difference.
I've never seen or heard of an ACOG mounted on a pistol.
Red dot sights are common in competition.
Either would be a good choice for an AR 15.
Depends on your use for the weapon.
Your opportunity to buy a new ACOG for $600 might be limited.
 
That isn't a RedDot+ACOG, it's a red dot + flip to side magnifier. Both parts are made by EOTech.

I'm still under the impression that ACOG is just Trijicon's name for pretty much the same thing, though they may have more models with magnification.

**That said, that's a pretty sweet setup...**
 
jg - no ACOG''s are different. Aimpoints and Eotech have no magnification and unlimited eye relief. They are set up so that it doesn't matter where you position your eye behind the scope. So even if you change the relationship of your eye to the target, your point of impact will always be where the red dot appears on your target. That is why they are so great for CQB.

An ACOG is more like a traditional scope. They have a specific eye relief and they are not paralex free at all ranges. (I think I am expressing this correctly). They also offer a variety of reticles, from traditional cross hair to chevrons to the famous "donut of death". Many are calibrated to the .223 or .308 round, allow you to zero and 100 yards and then show you the correct holdover out to (I believe) about 5-600 yards.

They do share some characteristics with the Aimpoints and Eotechs though. Both offer an illuminated reticle/dot. Also, both are designed to be shot with both eyes open.

Finally, as others have said, you will not generally find ACOGS on handguns. This is because they do not offer unlimited eye relief, so you would have to hold the gun about 3" from your face to use the scope.
 
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