In this EOTech EXPS3 review guide, let's check out its specs, battery life, field of view and its overall performance. Since this is a top tier holographic sights already with a tons of reviews online. This guide will show more pictures and point out some unobvious things to give you the best helpful info available.
I purchased the the EOTech EXPS3-2 for this review, and here it is:
Disclosure: All products have affiliate links for earning commission to support the website when you purchase
What We Liked
- Rock solid construction as expected
- Big viewing window for great passive aiming performance
- Most iconic optic aesthetics
- QD lever mount can be removed for aftermarket riser mount
- No glass glare filling up the entire FOV in low light conditions
- QD lever mount with locking feature & adjustable tension screw
- Mil-spec grade quality from the top to bottom
What We Disliked
- Shorter battery life compared to red dot sight
- 3 reticles options are sold separately
- NV mode isn't exactly night vision
- Different reticle options are sold separately
- 11 oz weight (not too heavy on a light rifle)
Best Uses
- Centerfire carbine
- Pistol caliber carbine
- Shotgun
- Law enforcement and military
Verdict
If you seek a top-quality holographic sight for a favorite rifle, the EOTech EXPS3 is among the best, making it worth saving up for.
This pioneering sighting system has inspired many modern optics designs even though the battery life isn't the best for someone who never wants to swap battery for 5 - 7 years, but once or twice isn't too big of a deal.
With its durability, exceptional aiming capabilities, tactical aesthetics, and proven real-world combat performance, the EOTech holographic sight is a staple in the optics world, commonly found among professional users.
Why Trust Me
I've purchased most products using our own money, therefore the review is unbiased and there isn't any time constraint or outside influence on how I test them. After 15 years of shooting experience I have seen what works, what doesn't and what's complete waste of money.
My first EOTech was the model 517 back in 2012, so I have some experiences using the EOTech to give my feedback on the EXPS3 model.
EOTech EXPS 3 Specs
- Magnification - 1X
- Reticle - 1 MOA + 68 MOA Ring (68 VS 65 MOA? Learn more here)
- Adjustment - 0.5 MOA / Click
- Brightness - 20 DL & 10 NV
- Battery Life - 1,100 hrs
- Lens Material - 1/8" solid glass(Front) 3/16" Laminate (Rear)
- Construction - Aerospace Grade Aluminum
- Body Dimension -3.8" X 2.3" X 2.9"
- Window Size - 1.26" X 0.91"
- Weight - 11.2 oz
EOTECH EXPS3 Unboxing
This is overall a very rock solid product just by picking it up for the first time. EOTech did a great job presenting the product and for the price you pay, it's very satisfying when opening the box.
You get:
- EOTECH EXPS3
- Manual
- Stickers
- Plastic Carrying Case /w Foam
- LE Support Welcome Card
- 1 CR2032 Battery
EOTECH EXPS Window Size
The broad rectangular window of the HWS enhances, rather than restricts, peripheral vision. The HWS promotes maintaining both eyes open for shooters.
EOTECH 68 MOA Reticle
Features Vortex Micro 3X magnifier
The EOTECH EXP3 series holosight now offers a 4 reticle systems including a single 1 MOA dot model, but they are all sold separately. The user can't cycle through 4 reticles using just one optic.
Different reticle options have different model numbers:
So it will be something like Eotech EXPS3-2
The effective range of the EOTECH EXPS3 is up to 600 yards with the help of a magnifier scope.
- -0 [1 MOA dot]
- -2 [2 BDC dots]
- -4 [4 BDC dots]
The 1 MOA center dot with a 68 MOA ring around it is for fast combat target acquisition and precise aiming point for long range engagement without covering up too much of a standard size target.
If you have bad eye sights, I recommend pairing the EOTECH EXPS3 with a magnifier scope to zoom in on the target and also crystalize the reticle clarity for a better aim.
Brightness Settings
The push button controls let the user adjust the setting
20 Day Light & 10 NV - It's very easy and intuitive to use.
The EOTECH EXPS3 night vision mode isn't exactly IR, but it's dimmed enough to have a crisp reticle under night vision goggle when the user presses it.
For using a holographic sight at night, please adjust the reticle brightness to a happy medium so the glowing reticle doesn't obscure the target in low light, or filled the POV with glare even if you're using a high candela long gun light.
Please contact EOTech for more technical questions regarding the NV mode.
Reticle Clarity
Most shooters out there have astigmatism will see reticle starburst if the brightness is dialed up too high.
The holographic reticle is projected differently than an reflex red dot, and users with poor eye sight will see a blurry reticle until their vision is corrected.
That's unfortunately the reality of using a red dot sight with poor vision.
For this review, I worn corrective lens and I also used a camera to check the clarity of the reticle. The result is that the reticle is very crisp, and if there is anything that looks blurry it will be an eyesight problem.
Try this fixes for astigmatism
- Dial the brightness setting down
- Wear corrective lens
- Co-witness with the iron sight peep hole
Parallax Performance
A parallax free reflex sight is something companies often market to the users, but...
No optic is 100% completely parallax free
Generally the parallax shift is more noticeable when aiming at a target close up at about 5 - 7 yards.
The further away the target is, the less noticeable parallax shift. At about 10 - 25 it's not noticeable at all
EOTech EXPS3 Battery Life
The EOTech EXPS3's battery life is less than 1,000 continuous hours at a standard setting 12, at room temperature, using a single CR123A battery. Compared to the 50,000+ hour red dot sight on the market, the EOTech EXPS3 doesn't quite measure up in terms of battery life because holographic laser emitter uses up the battery way faster than LED.
Nonetheless, when you switch on or adjust the optic with the down arrow for brightness, it automatically shuts off after 4 hours. The 8/4 hour shut off is determined by the last button pressed and resets when a button is pressed again. If the battery is low or if the battery access cap isn't tightened properly, the reticle will flash to alert the user, helping with troubleshooting.
Construction
The construction of the EXPS3 is rock solid.
You can view as many images online as possible, but once you hold one in your hands close up, you will very quickly realize this thing is something you want to keep on your favorite rifle.
The lens and holographic emitter screen are safely enclosed within the durable unit. It's full weatherpoor, and it has the lens hood protection to divert impact stress from the main glass body.
The front lens is made of 1/8-inch solid glass, while the rear lens is a 3/16-inch laminate glass, providing users with top-notch sturdiness.
Moreover, the optic comes with a lens hood that covers it, giving added protection against drops and bumps.
Mount
The EOTech EXPS3 comes with a quick release integrated mount for fast optic attachment and detachment.
The base mount indicated by the two screws can be removed. So the user can pair it with a optic riser that may provide higher optic height.
In the case the user move optic from one receiver to another with a loose fit, the adjustable QD tension screw provides a rock solid installation in order to hold zero and prevent the optic from falling off the rifle.
The QD mount can be removed, and the new 2023 Unity Tactical Eotech riser mount work with their FTC magnifier at the 2.26″ optic height.
The zero repeatability based on our field testing gives us confidence. We on and off the optic on different rail slots and the zero is retained while using a magnifier.
(We zeroed the optic at 100 yards before testing)
There were tons of drop & torture tests done on the EOTech, so you can check them out here.
We have seen what it can do and we want to keep it intact.
The mount sits just at 1/3 co-witness height, which works for most shooter providing the best cheek weld height.
If the shooter still felt the optic mount height is short, we recommend using a mount riser to lift the optic up when using night vision goggles or other cheek weld issues.
Adjustment
The EOTECH EXPS3 boasts 0.5 MOA/click adjustment knobs for elevation and windage. You can easily tweak both knobs using a flat-head screwdriver, a coin, or even a shell casing.
Each click offers clear feedback, so you won't have to guess if you've made a proper adjustment or accidentally over-adjusted. The small ball detent ensures that each click feels distinct.
In my experience with this specific unit, the windage turret provided better feedback than the elevation turret.
Important to Remember : The turret direction refers to the point of impact, NOT the point of aim.
Click here to learn more - Which way to adjust scope turrets
Color Options
The EOTech EXPS3 is available in:
- Black
- FDE
Verdict
The EOTech EXPS3 is the best holographic sight on the market, and there aren't many like it besides the Vortex UH1 Gen 2. It offers the best passive aiming experience during daylight and night time use. The raised optic height works for many people who prefer the lower third height mount.
For shooters with astigmatism, the holographic reticle will be slightly more blurry compared to an LED red dot. There is no real fix unless the user corrects their vision or wear glasses.
As far as the mounting option goes, the QD mounting plate can be removed to fit other aftermarket mount like the Scalarworks LEAP/12.
If we compare this directly with a red dot sight, the optic offers the same aiming experience but the battery on the EXPS3 lasts only 1000 hours while a budget red dot can last over 50000 hours.
Overall, for a $800 American made holographic sight, this is the best on the market.
![Red Dot Vs Laser Sight [Pros & Cons]](https://www.badassoptic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/are-aiming-lasers-useful-on-firearms-270x162.png)
