Carl texted me a picture of the actual sight, and it looks like it is in good condition. Carl, I really like the EOTech too, but there are some things to consider:
Weight:
Aimpoint CompM2 - 7.1 oz
EOTech 517/512 - 11.9 oz.
Continuous On Battery Life:
Aimpoint CompM2 - 1,000 hours at full power, 10,000 hours at NVD setting with ONE 3 V lithium 2l76 or dl1/3n battery.
EOTech 517/512 - 1,000 hours with 2 Lithium AA batteries, 600 hours with 2 Alkaline AA batteries.
Reticle:
Aimpoint CompM2 - a simple 4 MOA red dot.
EOTech 517/512 - 65 MOA ring with a single 1 MOA dot.
If weight matters, the Aimpoint wins.
If battery life matters, the Aimpoint wins.
If size of the
display matters, I believe that the EOTech display is slightly larger, but only barely, and both are parallax free.....slight edge to the EOTech.
If ruggedness matters, both are very rugged, but I give the margin to the EOTech for two reasons, the metal shield over the top of the display window protects it very well. I've actually dropped my carbine once (I bumped it when it was on the edge of a rifle bench) and it fell from table height onto concrete, landing on the top of the EOTech, under the weight of an 8 lb gun. Other than a scratch, it kept right on trucking, and never lost zero. I have no experience with the Aimpoint, but if it can match that, it is pretty impressive. Also, I've seen an EOTech at a gunshow at a vendor display that has a bullet hole right through the glass, and the sight still functions. Ditto if it is covered with mud or snow or something:
If field of view is important, the EOTech's is superior to the Aimpoint's as it is a true "heads up" display.
If the reticle design matters, both have advantages, but the EOTech's is the more versatile of the two. The simple 4 MOA red dot of the Aimpoint is quick to use, but it is limited in terms of range (distance) and ranging (calculating distance). But in a CQB scenario, it is probably superior. A simple red dot is intuitive. And with a relatively flat shooting caliber like 5.56, it is reasonably usable out to 200 yards, assuming you have the eyes for it (I don't). But that 4 MOA dot covers an 8" circle at 200 yards......a 12" circle at 300 yards, so it isn't particularly precise at longer ranges. On the other hand, the EOTech reticle consists of a 1 MOA red dot inside of a 65 MOA red ring, with vertical and horizontal hash marks which, if they crossed through the ring would intersect at the red dot. At 300 yards, the 1 MOA dot covers a 3" circle. Here's how to do ranging with the EOTech reticle:
[youtube]
http://youtube.com/watch?v=r_SAmofNpLg[/youtube]
OR........if you prefer...........
In my opinion, the EOTech is marginally the better of the two sights, but if you can get that Aimpoint for $275.00, you won't regret it. That's an excellent price for a very good sight.