I routinely zero my rifle optics at 50 or 100 yards—50 for pistol-caliber carbines and 100 for centerfire rifles—and recently began testing the EOTECH EXPS3-DCR Holographic Weapon Sight with those same distances in mind.
Those zeros generally serve me well, but even solid setups like the EXPS3-DCR reveal a challenge when an extremely fast, extremely close shot is required. My eye naturally snaps to the center of the reticle, yet with either zero the bullet will still impact several inches low.
That might be acceptable on the range, but in a real defensive scenario, precision matters.
So, how do you keep a distant zero while staying prepared for up-close urgency?
For AR-15 users like me, the most effective solution I’ve found is the EOTECH EXPS3-DCR itself. Zeroed at 50 yards, it delivers point-of-aim, point-of-impact accuracy at common defensive distances while still allowing confident hits out to nearly 200 yards.
What Makes the EOTECH EXPS3-DCR Different
What sets apart the EXPS3-DCR is the reticle. Technically, it’s the optic maker’s Danger Close Reticle or DCR, which is designed around the popular speed ring: a dot-within-a-circle.
The ring is 68 MOA wide with hashmarks at the right and left center edges. The center dot is zeroed at 50 yards. Below this dot and at the open bottom of the speed ring sits a small chevron.
So, the EOTECH promise is that if you mount the optic onto a rifle chambered in .223 Rem./5.56 NATO and zero at at 50 yards using the center dot, the top of the chevron will put you dead on for a target at 7 yards. In other words: danger-close distances.
EOTech also designed the optic so that the 50-yard zeroed center dot is on the bullseye at 200 yards. Up close, mid-range and at distance: you will be ready for all three with this optic.
Don't Call It a Red Dot
One thing requires some clarification: The EXPS3-DCR is a holographic sight and not a red-dot reflex sight. Red-dot optics use an LED light source to project a dot or reticle onto the rear of the lens.
A holographic sight employs a tiny laser, a mirror, and a collimating reflector to create a tiny hologram, a three dimensional image. In this case, that image is the speed ring reticle and the DRC chevron.
The advantages of holographic sights include the ability to create a smaller, more precise aiming dot that the reflex sight. Also, a shooter perceives a holographic reticle projected onto the target, allowing a shooter to focus on both the target and the reticle at the same time.
With a reflex sight, the dot is a fixed point between the shooter and the target. This means the shooter’s eyes are focusing back and forth from the dot to the target, the target back to the dot.
With the holographic reticle seemingly on the target, a shooter has faster target acquisition with an optic like the EXPS3 than a red dot.
Certainly, red dots have their advantages, too, including much longer battery life and generally much lower price points.
EOTECH EXPS3-DCR: Range Test
EOTECH sent me an EXPS3-DCR unit for testing and evaluation. Mine sported a Black finish. It’s also available in Tan.
The optic is built inside a rugged aluminum hood and housing. Elevation and windage control are large, easy to use, and located on the right side of the housing, with click calibrated at 0.5 MOA. The ON/OFF brightness button is on the opposite side of the unit, with the NV or Night Vision control just above.
I measured the optic’s window at just over 1 inch wide and 0.80 inches high. At 50 yards, I could see a good 8 feet on either side of my target. Eye relief is unlimited, and I experienced no reticle washout in bright sunlight or against white surfaces.
The optic operates on one CR123 Lithium battery, included, which loads into the battery compartment at the front of the unit. A quick detach mount is standard and already attached, and it fit right onto the Picatinny rail of my rifle.
The EXPS3 is internally sealed and fog-resistant, carrying a water resistance rating to 33 feet, and it's Made in the U.S.A.
I mounted the EXPS3-DCR onto one of my favorite AR-15s, the SIG SAUER MCX-SPEAR LT IR.
SIG’s MCX-SPEAR LT operates via a short-stroke piston featuring an adjustable gas system. This piston operation doesn’t allow hot carbon fouling to rush back into the action like it would in a direct-impingement AR, so the rifle runs cleaner and requires less maintenance.
The rifle also features fully ambidextrous controls, including the bolt catch/release and the charging handle, and a 16-inch barrel equipped with Sig’s Suppressor Ready QD Flash Hider.
Accuracy
In my shooting, the rifle is SUB-MOA accurate, runs flawlessly and has a really solid feel to it versus most other AR-15’s I’ve run.
Following the EOTECH instructions, I zeroed the optic and rifle at 50 yards. For ammunition, I used Remington UMC .223 Rem. rounds loaded with 55-grain FMJ bullets.
My initial three shots hit high by about 5 inches and left by 4 inches on my target, which was a white ellipse spray painted onto cardboard. At this distance, the optic’s elevation and windage controls moved the point of impact approximately .25 inches per click.
I guesstimated the number of clicks needed for each, made them and shot twice. High 3.0 inches from the center of the while elongated circle and 2.0 inches right. More clicks and my next two rounds hit very near my center aiming point, but a bit too far right and slightly up.
So, I gave the EXPS3-DCR controls three clicks DOWN and two clicks to the left and headed off to a different shooting lane.
7-Yard Test
I set up the same sized white ellipse at seven yards. Using the center dot, I fired three rounds at the center of my target. But because the center dot is a 50 yard zero, those shots hit approximately 2.5 inches low.
Using the tip of the chevron as the reticle is designed, my next three shots drilled the 7-yard target in the center.
I repeated this three more times: center dot on the center and the shots impacted low, followed by shots using the chevron, which put my shots right on target. Those first shots hit between 2 and 2.5 inches low.
The chevron shots came in either dead center or just slightly below.
Last, I backed up to 10 and 15 yards and did the same shooting sets. Patterns were near identical to the 7 yard patterns.
I wasn’t able to test out the unit at the 200 yard mark, wherein the center dot promised to be right on. At that distance, I’d definitely need some help of the kind provided by the EOTECH G45.STS Mini 5X Magnifier.
Next time.
EOTECH EXPS3-DCR: The Takeaway
The only way I can think of to improve this optic is to make a green reticle option for those of us suffering from astigmatism, which can and does make red reticles often appear fuzzy and even with flaring distortions. However, I must note that my astigmatism-affected eyes did well with this red reticle with only a minimal fuzz. Credit the holographic nature of the EXPS3-DCR.
It would be really cool if the optic-maker would build a DCR for other common tactical calibers like .308 Win.
Or maybe an optic like this one but with a reticle programable for specific calibers? An optic designed with a built in ballistics calculator that would allow your rifle to be zeroed with a center dot at 50 yards and able to drill in tight shots up close and very personal.
I’m just a writer, though, with zero clue of all the tech required to create such a handy optic and reticle system. But I’d bet EOTECH could do it.
EOTECH EXPS3-DCR Holographic Weapon Sight: Specs
Magnification: 1x
Reticle: DCR, Red Illuminated
Elevation/Windage Adj.: 0.5 MOA per click
Brightness: 20 Daylight Settings + 10 NV
Window Dimensions: Approx. 1 x 0.80 inches
Dimensions: 3.8 x 2.3 x 2.93 inches
Weight: 11.2 ounces
Power Source: 1 CR123 Battery
Battery Life: 1,000 Continuous Hours at Setting 12, Room Temp
Operating Temperature: -40°F to 140 degrees
Eye Relief: Unlimited
Water Resistant: To 33 feet
In The Box: 1 xCR123 Battery, QD Mount, Quick-Start Guide, Warranty Card
MSRP: $819
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