There are now three models of the L-3 EOTech holographic weapon sight counterfeits that are in the market, primarily sold through web sites based in China and Korea, EBay, and at local gun shows. They are the Model 552 which utilizes two AA batteries, the Model 551 which uses two N batteries and the model 553 (Military designation – SU-231/PEQ) which uses two CR 123 batteries and has two quick detachable throw lever mounts. Genuine and counterfeit L-3 EOTech holographic weapon sights are shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 for the three models.

     The sight on the left is a genuine L-3 EOTech holographic sight and the one on the right is a counterfeit. As one can see, the outside appearance is nearly identical. Also note, the counterfeit Model 553 sight shown in Figure 3 has the L-3 EOTech logo imprinted on it.

Genuine L-3 EOTech sight Counterfeit sight

Figure 1: Real and counterfeit Model 552 Holographic Weapon Sight.

Genuine L-3 EOTech sight Counterfeit sight

Figure 2: Real and counterfeit Model 551 Holographic Weapon Sight.

Genuine L-3 EOTech sight Counterfeit sight

Figure 3: Real and counterfeit Model 553 Holographic Weapon Sight. Offered in both black and tan colors

     The counterfeiters copied the outside appearance of the L-3 EOTech sight but the counterfeit sights are not clones. The counterfeiters do not have the technology to copy a holographic sight. They simply mimic the operation of the L-3 holographic weapon sight using older “red-dot” technology.

Ways to Recognize a Counterfeit

     The counterfeits, regardless of model, can be recognized by their curved and reflective optics. The flat, anti-reflection coated optics of the genuine L-3 EOTech sight reflects very little light while the optics of the counterfeits reflects a bright and distorted image of the room light. This can be seen in Figure 4 and 5, viewing the sights from the front and the back. The sight on the left is a genuine L-3 EOTech holographic sight. Very little of the room light is reflected. The optics in the counterfeit sight, on the other hand, are curved and reflective and it reflects a lot of the room light.

Genuine L-3 EOTech Sight Counterfeit

Figure 4: Looking at the front of a Model 552 with the sights angled to reflect room light

Genuine L-3 EOTech sight Counterfeit sight

Figure 5: Looking at the rear of a Model 552

     The reflection from the optics can be used to recognize the counterfeits of any model of the L-3 EOTech holographic sight. In Figure 6, we show the reflection off the optics of a genuine and a counterfeit Model 553. Similar to the model 552 shown earlier, the difference in the amount of reflection from the two sights is easily discerned.

Genuine L-3 EOTech sight Counterfeit sight

Figure 6: Looking from the front of a Model 553 with the sights angled to reflect room light

     Another feature that distinguishes a genuine L-3 EOTech sight from a counterfeit is the presence of an optical component behind the top part of the front window of the sight. As shown in Figure 7, one can see an optical component at the top of the front sight window of a genuine L-3 EOTech sight. It rounds off the top edge of the sight window. The lack of the component indicates the sight is a counterfeit.

Genuine L-3 EOTech sight Counterfeit sight

Figure 7: Close up look at the front sight window.

     Another means to recognize a counterfeit is to look at the bottom of the sights as shown in Figure 8. Of all the counterfeits identified so far, none have the L-3 EOTech manufacturer and serial number labels affixed to the bottom of the sight. However, on eBay, a seller has been identified that sells L-3 EOTech labels for use on counterfeits. So while the absence of labels is a good indication that a sight is a counterfeit, one cannot be certain that a sight with the labels is a genuine L-3 EOTech sight.

Genuine L-3 EOTech sight Counterfeit sight

Figure 8: View of the bottom of a real and a counterfeit L-3 EOTech sight.

     For the Model 553 (SU-231/PEQ), one can also recognize a counterfeit positively by opening the battery compartment. As shown in Figure 9(a) and 9(b), the battery compartment of a genuine and a counterfeit Model 553 sight are very different. The counterfeit model uses two AAA batteries instead of two CR123 lithium batteries.

     This applies only to the Model 553 which also consists of (2) quick detach throw lever mounts. The battery compartments of the counterfeit Model 551 and 552 look very similar to the genuine L-3 EOTech Holographic Weapon Sights. Again, the Model 553 has (2) throw lever mounts for quick detachment and reattachment. The genuine throw lever mounts are from our supplier, Atlantic Research Marketing Systems, Inc. (A.R.M.S. Inc). The design of the throw lever mounts are patented and trademarked by A.R.M.S.

Anyone manufacturing or marketing a copy of our Model 553 holographic weapon sight infringes on the trademarks of both L-3 EOTech and A.R.M.S.

     If one inserts the batteries and turns the sights on, the difference in technologies also becomes obvious. The L-3 EOTech sight employs a unique holographic technology. The large ring/dot holographic reticle remains undistorted and parallax free over the entire sight window. The counterfeits utilize the old “Red-Dot” or reflex sight technology. The ring reticle distorts when viewed through any part of the sight window other than right on center.

In Figure 10, we show the view of the reticle through the sight window away from center.

     The L-3 EOTech holographic weapon sight presents a distortion free, parallax free aiming reticle regardless of the part of the sight window through which the reticle is viewed. The counterfeits using the old red-dot technology, offer a reticle that is not parallax free and the ring becomes visibly distorted when viewed away from the center of the sight window.

Genuine L-3 EOTech sight Counterfeit sight

Figure 10: Distortion of ring-dot reticle when viewed near the edge of the sight window.

     The counterfeits also do not have a Night Vision mode where the intensity of the reticle is lowered substantially so that it can be viewed with night vision goggles without blooming or saturating the image intensifier tube. When the button labeled NV as shown in Figure 11 is pushed, a genuine L-3 EOTech sight goes into the night vision mode and the intensity of the reticle is reduced substantially to a point that it is not visible by the naked eye. Pressing the NV button again toggles the sight between the normal and night vision modes. With the counterfeit sight, on the other hand, the color of the LED is changed from red to green when the NV button is pushed. Pressing the NV button again toggles the color of the reticle between red and green.

Figure 11. Back of the sight showing the Night Vision mode (NV) selection button.

Lastly, a counterfeit sight can be identified if there is any light source visibly present when looking through the sight. A user cannot see the laser diode source anywhere in the housing of a genuine L-3 EOTech sight. Most counterfeits are designed with the light source facing the user’s eye; fully exposing the light source. See figure 12.

Genuine L-3 EOTech sight Counterfeit sight

Figure 12: Counterfeit shows diode light source

The presence of counterfeit L-3 EOTech sights will most certainly have a negative impact on our company, but more importantly, it can jeopardize the safety and lives of American soldiers and law enforcement officers as many of these counterfeits were sold as genuine L-3 EOTech holographic weapon sights. L-3 EOTech has received many counterfeit sights for repair from victims of the fraud that include soldiers who bought the counterfeits with the intention of bringing the sights with them on upcoming deployments. These counterfeit sights are not parallax free, cannot hold zero and can easily break. Bringing a counterfeit to battle thinking that it is a genuine L-3 EOTech holographic weapon could cost lives. It is imperative that everyone understands these differences and communicates this information to all relevant parties.