Service FAQs
In this section you will find frequently asked questions about our products. If you do not see your question(s) in this section, please contact Repair & Service at michael.kroll@l-3com.com or by calling (734) 741-8868 x3688.
What size is the center dot and circle?
The circle is 65 MOA across and the center dot actually is less than 1/3rd of an MOA. Most people cannot resolve the dot smaller than 1 MOA which is why we advertise it as such.
What is an MOA?
MOA stands for "minutes of angle" and 1 MOA is near 1"at 100 yards. The center dot in the standard reticle is 1 MOA across, and the ring is 65 MOA's across. Each of the adjustment shafts (both windage and elevation) on your HWS move in ½ MOA increments. This means every tactile click or single adjustment of the shaft will move your point of aim ½" at 100 yds; ¼" at 50yds; 1/8" at 25 yds.
What is the battery life of my sight?
The current Revision level (Rev F) gets approximately 200 hours of continuous run time with the N Cell battery, 600 hours with AA battery alkaline, and 1100 hours with AA battery lithium. All of these numbers are assuming nominal brightness setting and environmental conditions.
How submersible is my sight?
The 511 and 512 are both submersible to 10 ft. The 551 and 552 are submersible to 33 ft (1 atm), and the 553 is submersible to 66 ft (2 atm).
Will use of the GG&G Accucam void my warranty?
The use of the GG&G Accucam will void only a portion of our warranty as it relates to the parts of our sight that the Accucam interfaces with. For example, any problem with the hood screws, hood, base, locking bar, or any portion of the weapon that those parts of the sight interface with will not be covered. However, the electronic, optical, and mechanical function and portions of the sight will still be covered.
How do I mechanically zero my sight?
The sight has 40 MOA (Minutes Of Angle) of travel in every direction from center. This means a complete range of 80 MOA from extreme left to the extreme right range of adjustment. The same range of adjustment is true for the elevation; so 80 MOA from top to bottom.
Since each click or adjustment of the shaft moves the reticle .5 (or 1/2) an MOA, that means there are 160 clicks from extreme left to extreme right (same for top to bottom).
To re-zero the sight, adjust the reticle to one end of the extreme (left or right). You will feel a sudden resistance and a limitation in your ability to move the shaft once you reach the extreme. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ADJUST THE SHAFT IN THE SAME DIRECTION. This will result in a seizure of the windage or elevation shafts, and cause the sight to be inoperable.
Once at that extreme, turn the shaft in the opposite direction 80 clicks. This will move the reticle 40 MOA back to center. Complete the same process for the elevation (top to bottom) and the sight will be re-zeroed.
Why is my center dot not round?
Not everyone sees the center dot as a circle or sphere. If your dot does not appear to be perfectly round, the distortion may be caused by the way that your eye perceives the dot, rather than by some mechanical defect. Due to differences in the lenses in different individuals' eyes, round objects that subtend areas near 3 minutes of angle may appear distorted in a variety of ways depending on the individual and other environmental influences. Some may see the center dot like a hub of a bicycle wheel with spokes. If you see this in your sight, look closely at the dot and rotate the sight. If the spokes do not move, it is just how your eye perceives this dot. You can dim the sight and this may be eliminated.
My circle is fuzzy/hazy. Why is this?
That question about our reticle is common. What people usually see on-line or in advertisements are graphic representations of the reticle. What you are seeing is likely normal. The outer circle of the reticle is made up of hundreds of pixels (small dots that form together to make a larger image). This pixilation is key to being able to see the hologram properly, and is inherent in the technology. You should see the center dot as a single MOA.
A couple things might help make the image appear more distinct:
- If you see the image blurry, fuzzy, distorted, having a double image, or having a 'starburst' effect, this usually means the brightness intensity level is up too high for the lighting conditions you're using it in. Dim down the brightness until the reticle is slightly see-through. The outer circle is designed as your reference to center, and acts similar to a ghost ring.
- The reticle is projected out to your target plane. If you pick up a target that is very close (like a photo on the wall), your eyes might not focus properly on the image. Pick up sight pictures 25 to 30 yards out until you become accustomed to the sight. Try them at different eye reliefs, and certainly try these things once the sight is mounted on a weapon.
- If you require corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) to see things clearly at a distance, you will need them to see the reticle clearly. Remember, the reticle is actually projected out to your target plane, so you will see it like anything else at that distance. Also, if you have astigmatism or use bifocals, you may see the image less distinctly.
- Use the sight outdoors, and if possible at the range. Actually acquiring targets with the sight will help your eyes focus properly on the reticle.
Can I switch reticles in my sight?
Unfortunately, no, we cannot switch the reticle image in our sights. Changing the image would require complete housing replacement, and this would be more expensive than purchasing a new sight. Additionally, with the new sight you would have both the latest revision level and a new two year warranty.
My sight is fogging up, why is this?
When a sight or optic (magnified or not) is called fog proof, it is referring to the inability of the internal housing to retain condensation due to a chemical vacuum on the interior of the sight. In our sight, it is Nitrogen (this is pretty standard). Since no moisture can get into the housing (and there is no air containing moisture inside) there will be no fogging on the interior lenses. This is of great importance, as there is no access or ability to clear the inside of the lens.
We do coat our exterior lenses with three layers of a hydro-static coating; a chemical that makes the surface smoother than glass. It is considered one of the best in the industry, and certainly helps preventing some level of fog build up on the exterior of the lenses. However, there is no glass in any optic that can avoid this condensation build up when the temperature is raised to within 5 degrees of the humidity level. Contrary to popular belief, this does not have to be from one extremely low temperature to a very high temperature. This condensation will occur whenever any optic is raised from any temperature to within 5 degrees of the humidity level (obviously, the greater the difference in temperatures, the more the condensation).
The simple solution is to wipe the lens of the optic clear. Due to our technology, we are at an advantage over other optics, where the reticle image is still usually visible even through the condensation.
If you find that the condensation build up is on the inside, and you are unable to clear it by wiping the lens, call Repair & Service immediately. This is an indication that the seal is damaged on the sight, and you will need to get it repaired at our facility.
Can I have my buttons upgraded?
No. The upgrade requires electronics replacement and the replacement of several other parts. Additionally, there is the cost of overhead, QC, and shipping. The bill for the process is not as cost effective as replacing the sight.
Can I buy spare parts for my EOTech?
Yes, please view the spare parts list in the documentation section.
Troubleshooting
In this section you will find a listed failure and the appropriate troubleshooting technique with which to correct the problem. If these solutions do not solve the problem, please contact Repair & Service at michael.kroll@l-3com.com or by calling (734) 741-8868 x3688.
The sight will not power up:
- Ensure the batteries are inserted properly according to the diagram on the bottom of the battery cap.
- Replace the batteries with new, unused batteries that contain a full charge.
- Inspect the battery contact points in both the battery cap and on the sight itself. These contact points are spring loaded and surrounded by a rubber gasket that may catch the spring. Move the contact points around and ensure they are at or above the surface of the rubber gasket.
- Reset the electronics by removing any source of power for approximately two minutes. This will allow a capacitor in the electronics housing to drain of power, resetting the electronics. Reconnect the batteries and operate the sight as normal.
- Check the battery contacts for corrosion or wear. Clean the contacts.
- Contact Repair & Service.
The reticle is fuzzy/ has a 'halo' effect/ has more than one reticle:
The reticle is naturally pixilated and the outer circle will appear to be made up of many small dots. The center circle will still be distinguishable as one dot.
- Lower the brightness level of the reticle. This fault is generally caused by the reticle brightness being too high. The reticle is not designed to be so bright as to block the target.
- The reticle is projected onto your target plane. You must focus on it like you would any other object at that distance. Do NOT focus on the sight housing like other reflex sights; focus on your target. The outer ring is designed to be a reference to center, similar to a ghost ring.
- If you wear corrective lenses for nearsightedness, you will require them to see the reticle in focus as it is projected onto the target plane. If you wear bifocals or have astigmatism, you may see a distorted reticle.
- Check with others who have used the sight, and compare what you see to ensure it is not your focal acuity prior to turning the sight in for repair.
- Contact Repair & Service.
The reticle is flashing/ flashing on and off/ unit turns off during recoil:
- This is the low battery indicator. Replace the batteries.
- If the batteries are low, the weapon platform may still cause the reticle to flash on and off, even before the low battery indicator takes effect. Replace the batteries.
- Replace the battery with Energizer brand batteries. These have proven to be the most effective to withstanding a consistent amount of recoil. Many brands of batteries deteriorate faster than others and can result in these failures.
- Contact Repair & Service.
There is a streak in the reticle/ the reticle is dim/ the reticle fades in parts of the window:
- Replace the batteries.
- Check with others who have used the sight, and compare what you see to ensure it is not your focal acuity prior to turning the sight in for repair.
- Contact Repair & Service.
I am missing a bolt/ have broken a bolt/ have broken a latch:
- Contact Repair & Service.