The EOTech 553. I've spoken to the EOTech reps about it several times - most recently at the SHOT Show. It's a significant improvement. According to my POC it was developed at the behest of USASOC. All the guys using/raving about the 551/2s got a wish list together and EOTech agreed to prototype it. It's about the same size as the 551, the batteries are the same as the SureFire lights, battery life is >1000 hrs, and it has the NVG capabilities. That said it's also more expensive than the other models and I don't know if it's in general release yet. HTH - Peregrino

peregrino - you're right, the 553 isn't in general release yet. i did a brief writeup with pics here on a pre-production model before i sent it back to eotech:
http://www.militarymorons.com/weapon...ptics.html#553

the one thing i liked better about the 553 is that it sits .25" higher than the other models (which i found a bit low on a flattop without a .25" riser like the larue mount).

MM - I just got back (literally) from the range. One of my tasks was rezeroing the carbine w/EOTech after adding Mark LaRue's mount. I wish I had added one ages ago. The extra .25" elevation gets the dot above the front sight post, makes it easier to keep track of what's below your muzzle, and gives good head position with the LMT stock I just added. Without the mount the sights co-indexed which did make it easy to check zero if you had to remove sights for any reason. Truthfully I don't think I'm going to miss the capability. As usual, I can't say enough good things about Mark LaRue or his products. All in all a productive afternoon. Peregrino

peregrino, correct me if i'm wrong, but you should still be able to use the irons to confirm zero on the eotech even with the larue mount. can you look through your irons through the eotech window like in the left pic below of the 553? when you turn the reticle on, it won't be centered in the window, but the dot should still co-witness and sit on top of the front sight post when you look through your irons.

Yes - You are right. :o I was so happy with the less restricted FOV (less of the sight window obscured by the front sight assembly) that I misstated my point. Because it's a holograph and its apparent position in the window changes depending on head position, you can still confirm zero by aligning rear sight, center dot, and front sight. Can I get off the hook now? :D Peregrino

Will that system work with "dot" sights in general?

Sten:

Roger. Thats how we get the dot sights printing on paper provided the guy has a good zero with his irons. Maintain a very good sight alignment and then adjust the dot to fit right on top of the front sight post. Should be good enough to print on paper. Then adjust the dot until you have your zero.

Gene