Re: Aimpoint vs. Eotech
I used to use an Eotech, mainly because that was my first issued red dot optic (after the trijicon reflex sights). I liked the first Eotech I had, then I joined another department that had Aimpoints and Eotechs. I stuck with the Eotech because that's what I knew. I went through a carbine course with my new Eotech in the winter months, and I was changing out batteries everyday, sometimes twice a day on long days.
After a week and half of this I had my armor switch out the Eotech with an Aimpoint Comp M2, and I haven't looked back.
I've heard that Eotech has resolved that battery issue, and I know of plenty of guys that prefer it. What I didn't like was the on/off and brightness buttons. It took a couple of seconds to turn the Eotech on, and wasn't easy to do under stress, or in total darkness with gloves on.
What I like about the Aimpoint is it's simplicity, just turn the knob until it is bright enough, no separate buttons for on/off and brighter/ less intense. The on switch is a dial on top and you can just role your whole hand over it; very easy, even under stress. Also, got to love that battery life; you can leave it on for months, and an extra battery is no issue to carry, very small and lightweight.
One cool feature in the new Eotechs though, is the different yard dots, I'm not sure exactly what they are calibrated for (yards or bullet type) I haven't really messed with the new ones we have now.