Range Day: EOTECH G45 & G33 Comparison – Spoiler…MAJOR Disappointment!

As you know it’s taken a over a year to finally receive my EOTCH G45 5x magnifier. Then it was either raining or schedule conflicts for a range visit. Today was finally the day, comparing the G45 to the G33 on the same rifle with a green EXPS 2.0. What an absolutely beautiful day at the range!

I decided to use the same rifle/EXPS and only switch out the G33 and G45 at 50 and 100 yards. I used the same sized targets for 50 yards for each magnifier (3″ splatter targets) and 4″ at 100 yards. Only took one shot of 308 on each target.

For 50 yards, I’m going to say the RESULTS were about a wash. But the biggest difference was the eye relief. Love the G33 and have for years. Amazing view. However, when I used the G45, my first thought was “is this really 5x?”. Then I couldn’t get a clear view regardless of how I turned the rear ring/diopter (not adjustable on the G33). Nothing worked, so I had to go with what I had. Again, at 50 yards, not bad.

At 100 yards, I once again had crystal clear view with the G33. Not so with the G45. I thought maybe I had a Chinesium knockoff as the image actually seemed SMALLER with the G45 than with the G33 and again, I couldn’t get a CLEAR image with the G45…ALL DAY LONG. I don’t know, maybe it can’t sit so close the the EXPS like the G33 does (will verify once I talk with EOTECH), and there is nothing in the instructions about it.

I’m going to do one and or more of the following:

1. Contact EOTECH about not being able to get “clear glass” (as compared to the G33)
2. Contact Brownell’s for a return (I now wish I had cancelled my backorder) if possible (or exchange)
3. Sell the G45
4. Replace the G45 with a G43 (the new 3x)

My assessment after actually using the G45. Bad purchase and if I had it to do all over again, would pass or opt for a new G43. It’s a good thing this wasn’t my first exposure/experience with and EOTECH magnifier because if it was, I would have never purchase another EOTECH magnifier again. Maybe I got a bad apple, but this thing SUCKS. Terrible eye relief (documentation says 2.60″, and with my G33 I’d like to think I knew what I was doing) and unable to get a clear (as compared to my G33) sight picture. So frustrating!!

My prediction: this is NOT going to be a winner for EOTECH.