EOTECH holographic weapon sights are among the top choices in the military and law enforcement, which means they must have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they meet specific standards. Some of the most popular optics in the EOTECH product range are the EXPS3, XPS3, and EXPS2. Because these optics share a lot of similarities, it can be a challenge to choose between them.
The best EOTECH Holographic Weapon Sight will depend on your shooting needs and purpose. The EXPS3 and XPS3 are night vision compatible, while the EXPS2 is not, though it is the cheapest. Also, both the EXPS3 and EXPS2 offer a lower 1/3 co-witness, while the XPS3 allows absolute co-witnessing.
In the rest of this article, you’ll learn how these three holographic weapons sights stack up in terms of features, size, weight, battery, reticle options, co-witness, mounting options, and price.
EOTECH EXPS3 vs. XPS3 vs. EXPS2: A Brief Introduction
A lot of EOTECH holographic sights are similar in many areas, and it’s easy to get confused on which one suits your needs the most. The EXPS3, XPS3, and EXPS2 are all compact and lightweight, water-resistant, and professional-grade. They have respectable battery performance and work well in various shooting situations.
However, each sight differs from the other in the way it carries out its job. Let’s look at each of them more closely.
Related reading: EOTECH EXPS2 vs XPS2
EOTECH EXPS3 Holographic Weapon Sight
The EOTECH EXPS3 is a compact and lightweight Holographic Sight designed for fast target acquisition during close-quarter engagements. It is manufactured from aircraft-grade hardened aluminum alloy to meet military standards, making it one of the most durable holographic sights on the market. It is water-resistant and submersible up to 33 ft. (10 m) depth.
It offers two eyes open shooting and has easy-to-adjust buttons, a quick-release lever, night vision mode, and an auto-shutdown feature. It also has an exterior wood design that ensures there is an air gap between the sight and the hood. This design protects the HWS and sight lens from impacts during tactical encounters.
EOTECH XPS3 Holographic Weapon Sight
The most notable physical characteristics of the XPS3 are its shortness and lightness. It is a well-engineered, operator-grade HWS designed to meet military, law enforcement, and hunters’ demands.
The XPS3 is available in two variants: XPS3-0 and XPS3-2. It has reliable toughness to ensure it still delivers pinpoint precision even when the glass is shattered or covered with snow or mud.
Just like the EOTECH EXPS3, the XPS3 allows for two-eyes open shooting and is night vision compatible. It is water-resistant and submersible to 33 ft. (10 m) depth, making it suitable for use even in the harshest conditions. It also features easy-to-adjust side buttons and multiple brightness settings.
EOTECH EXPS2 Holographic Weapon Sight
EOTECH has a line of high-tech and highly durable holographic weapon sights, and the EOTECH EXPS2 Holographic Sight is no exception. It uses a square lens design that offers a large sight window and open field of view for quick target pickup and locking.
Unlike the EXPS3 and XPS3, the EXPS2 does not have night vision compatibility, which is a significant limitation during a standard law enforcement operation. However, it has 20 daylight brightness settings to allow its use in any lighting scenario. It also has side buttons for quick adjustment to suit your needs during its operation.
Like the two previous models reviewed in this article, the EXPS2 allows for two open eyes shooting to ensure full situational awareness. It is water-resistant up to 10ft. (3 m) depth, which is lower compared to the abilities of the EXPS3 and XPS3.
It is also made of heavy-duty materials that make it very durable and resistant to humidity and intense recoil action. It comes in two different variants: EXPS-2 and EXPS2-2.
Size and Weight Comparison
Your sight’s size and weight affect its functionality, and some models are more compact and lightweight than others. A lightweight design means your HWS won’t be bulky on top of your rifle, making it easier to work with. This type of design also frees up a good amount of space on the rail for you to mount attachments and accessories.
EOTECH EXPS3
The EXPS3 HWS weighs 11.2oz (317.5g) and measures 3.8 x 2.3 x 2.9 inches (96.5 x 58.4 x 73.7 mm) in length, width, and height.
This design makes it one of the most compact and lightweight holographic weapons on the market. Its compact design means it uses up very little space on the mounting rail, allowing for the quick detach or easy addition of magnifiers and other attachments.
EOTECH XPS3
As mentioned earlier, the EOTECH XPS3 Holographic Weapon Sight is one of the shortest, if not the shortest, sights in the market. It measures 3.8 x 2.1 x 2.5 inches (96.5 x 53.3 x 64 mm) and weighs 9.0 oz (255 g). So, if you prefer a more compact and lightweight HWS, you should consider the XPS3 among these three models.
EOTECH EXPS2
The EXPS2 shares the same weight and size characteristics as the EXPS3. Its dimensions in length, width, and height are 3.8 x 2.3 x 2.9 inches (96.5 x 58.4 x 73.7 mm. It also weighs 11.2oz (317.5g) which is smaller than other HWS on the market.
EOTECH EXPS3 vs. XPS3 vs. EXPS2: Battery Life
When choosing a holographic sight, the battery life is one of the most important things to consider. An HWS typically needs a battery to work. The laser diode converts the power supplied by the battery into the light to illuminate the holographic reticle.
These three EOTECH HWS have something in common in terms of battery – each depends on a single CR123 to function. However, this type of battery is costly and not readily available.
If you need to go on an extended mission where you would be disconnected from the civilized world, you may consider other EOTECH models that use double-A’s, such as the EOTECH 512 Holographic Weapon Sight, EOTECH 518.A65, Holographic Weapon Sights, EOTECH 552 Holographic Weapon Sight, and EOTECH 558 Holographic Weapon Sight.
Related reading: Eotech 512 vs Aimpoint Pro
EOTECH EXPS3 Holographic Sight
EOTECH EXPS3 uses a single CR123 battery that offers you around 1,000 hours of continuous runtime at the nominal brightness setting of 12, at room temperature. The battery compartment of this holographic sight is separated from the base with an O-ring to make it waterproof, resistant to fog and other harsh weather elements.
It also features an auto-shutdown feature that turns off the sight after 4 or 8 hours from the last time you adjusted it. This feature can help conserve your sight’s battery life in home defense situations. The EXPS3 performs a battery check whenever you turn it on. If the battery level is low, the reticle will blink to indicate that it needs a recharge.
EOTECH XPS3 Holographic Sight
The XPS3 also uses a single CR123 battery mounted transversely. The battery also provides approximately 1,000 hours of continuous operation when used at the nominal brightness settings of 12. Like the EXPS3, it is programmable to automatically shut off after 4 or 8 hours from the last adjustment time. The reticle also flashes to indicate that the battery needs more juice.
EOTECH EXPS2 Holographic Sight
This HWS has a battery life of 1,000 hours of continuous operation at a brightness setting of 12 at room temperature.
It also has the automatic shutdown feature that turns off the device after 4 or 8 hours of operation from the last adjustment time. As noted earlier, this feature is great for conserving your sight’s battery life. It also has an automatic battery check indicator.
Red Dot and Reticle Options
The three optics in this article feature the classic 68 MOA ring that surrounds a 1 MOA center dot reticle. Each optic has different variations defined by the number of dots in the ring. Each model is designated by a dash and the number of dots. For example, the two dot reticle version of the XPS3 is coded as XPS3-2.
EOTECH EXPS3
The EOTECH EXPS3 Holographic Weapon Sight features a 68 MOA ring with a 1-MOA center dot reticle that allows for faster target pickup and locking. It comes in three models:
- The EXPS3-0 features one MOA dot reticle.
- The EXPS3-2 is equipped with two 1-MOA dots.
- The EXPS3-4 has four 1-MOA dots.
The EXPS3-0 is the most popular version, features one MOA center dot, and offers three aiming points. The center dot reticle provides an aiming point of 50 yards (45.72 m) and 200 yards (182.88 m), while the ring’s bottom offers a 7-yard (6.4-m) aiming point.
EXPS3-2 features a 68 MOA ring with two 1 minute of angle center dots. It offers the benefit of an extra long-range aiming dot. Based on a standard .223 cal. 62 gr. 2,900 vel load, the regular center dot will help you reach 50 yards (45.72 m) and 200 yards (182.88 m). The second dot provides a 500-yard (457.2-m) aiming point. The bottom of the ring offers a 7-yard (6.4-m) aiming point.
The third version, the EXPS3-4, allows for even greater precision and faster alignment with aiming points of 50 yards (45.72 m) and 200 yards (182.88 m), 400 yards (365.76 m), 500 yards (457.2 m), and 600 yards (548.64 m). Unlike the two previous versions, you may not easily distinguish the aiming dots without magnification.
EOTECH XPS3
The EOTECH XPS3 shares some similarities with EXPS3 in terms of reticle options. It features a 68 MOA ring around a 1-MOA center dot reticle that offers fast target acquisition and precision at any range.
The XPS3-0 version of this HWS has one MOA center dot that gives you three usable aiming points. Based on a 223 cal. 62 gr. 2,900 velocity load, the aiming points are 50 yards (45.72 m) and 200 yards (182.88 m) from the center dot and 7 yards (6.4 m) from the bottom of the ring.
Most users prefer the second version, XPS3-2, because of its two-dot reticle design. The second dot below the center dot provides an extra aiming point up to 500 yards (457.2 m). As a result, it allows for faster target pickup than the XPS3-0. Note that the MOA ring does not expand with magnification.
EOTECH EXPS2
The EXPS2 also uses a 68 MOA ring with a 1-MOA center dot reticle for pinpoint precision at any range. Its most common version is the EXPS2-0GRN Holographic Weapon Sight which has only one MOA center dot. It offers three usable aiming points: 7 yards (6.4 m), 50 yards (45.72 m), and 200 yards (182.88 m), based on a load of 223 cal. 62 gr. 2,900 vel.
The EPTECH EXPS2 is has a 100 yard field of view. It also comes with eye relief at four inches even at 30 yards distance.
The difference between the EXPS2-0 and EXPS2-2 is that the latter features two 1-MOA aiming dots. This version offers an additional aiming point of 500 yards (457.2 m). Its windage and elevation dials, which is 0.5 MOA per click, can be adjusted on the side with a screwdriver or coin.
Mounting Options
The two mounting options available are the standard MIL-STD-1913 or Picatinny mount and the quick-detach (QD) Picatinny mount. The type of mount is crucial because it determines how quickly you can install or remove the sight from the rail. Consider an optic with a QD mount if you’ll be removing it frequently.
EOTECH EXPS3 Holographic Sight
The EOTECH EXPS3 features a quick-release lever that lets you easily install or detach the device without using any other tools. It comes with mounting hardware and is mountable on a one-inch Weaver or MIL-STD-1913 rail.
EOTECH XPS3 Holographic Sight
Unlike the EXPS3 and EXPS2, the XPS3 doesn’t use a quick-detach lever. It can be mounted on a 1” Weaver or MIL-STD 1913 rail, although it works best with the latter. The design of the XPS3 also leaves enough rail space for you to add rear iron sights or magnifiers.
A great option is to add a magnifier, such as the EOTECH 3x Magnifier G33, to make your HWS an even more lethal shooting optic. The G33 is lighter and more compact, so you can expect it to be compatible with your XPS3. With this magnifier, you can easily transition between 3x and 1x and get an improved, more precise focusing.
EOTECH EXPS2 Holographic Sight
This EOTECH HWS fits perfectly on a 1” Weaver or MIL-STD-1913 rail mount. It features a quick-detach lever for easy mounting and removal. It also uses less rail space, meaning you can add other optics and attachments without them getting in the way of the sight.
EOTECH EXPS3 vs. XPS3 vs. Exps2: Co-Witness
Co-witness, in its simplest definition, is how your iron sight aligns with your red dot sight. The co-witness your HSW offers depends on the type of mount. Both absolute and lower third witness setups work well, and the style you choose will depend on your needs.
EOTECH EXPS3
This holographic weapon sight has a 7mm (0.28 in) raised bed to ensure compatibility with a lower 1/3 co-witness. With this co-witness, you’ll have a clear and less obstructed view through the optic. However, your front sight will be lower, so it is mainly useful if you have a fixed front sight.
EOTECH XPS3
The XPS3 HWS provides you with absolute co-witnessing of the sight, which means that 100% of your iron sight is visible through the red dot. If you use flip-up iron sights or folding iron sights, it’s best to choose a holographic weapon sight with absolute co-witnessing.
EOTECH EXPS2
This HWS provides co-witnessing with iron sights because of its type of mount. It has a raised height that allows for a lower 1/3 co-witness with your iron sights, giving you more control and accuracy.
Price Differences Among EOTECH EXPS3, XPS3 & EXPS2
The number of features in a holographic sight largely determines its price. An EOTECH HWS with superior features will be more expensive. Its superiority in features probably means it is worth it and is good value for money. However, if a cheaper product offers you the features you’re looking for, there’s no point going for an expensive one just because it’s higher priced.
EXPS3 HWS
Because of its high-tech features, the EOTECH EXPS3 tends to be more expensive than other EOTECH models. It is available for around $700 MSRP, which puts it among the most costly holographic weapon sights on the market.
XPS3 HWS
The XPS3 MSRP is around $650, which means it is about $50 cheaper than the EXPS3. It’s not much of a difference, but if you’re making your decision based on price, you can go with the XPS3 Holographic Weapon Sight as it offers almost the same features and capabilities as the EXPS3. It also comes with a 10-year limited warranty.
EXPS2 HWS
The MSRP of the EXPS2 Holographic Weapon Sight is $600. This price point is in line with most EOTECH HWS. However, it’s cheaper than the EXPS3 and XPS3 due to the lack of some features seen in the other two sights. It also comes with a 10-year limited warranty.
Which Is the Best EOTECH Holographic Weapon Sight?
These three EOTECH products are some of the best HWS in the market, so choosing between them can be a tough call. The best EOTECH HWS to choose will depend on the characteristics you’re planning for and what purpose you’re using it for.
If you prefer a more compact and lightweight HWS, your best option is the EOTECH XPS3. However, the EXPS3 Holographic Weapon Sight offers more reticle options with the three-dot and four-dot designs. If absolute co-witnessing works better for you, then the XPS3 is the best option out of these three holographic weapon sights.
In terms of price, the EOTECH EXPS2 is the cheapest. However, it doesn’t offer night vision compatibility and is a little lacking in the water-resistance department.
Related reading:Trijicon MRO vs Aimpoint PRO vs Eotech XPS3
Final Thoughts on EOTECH EXPS3 vs XPS3 vs EXPS2
There is no clear winner between these three EOTECH sights, and the one you choose will depend on your needs.
No matter the model you eventually settle on, you’re sure to end up with an excellent, highly durable, lightweight, and compact holographic weapon sight that does its job in any shooting situation.
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