Hey Freedom Gorillas, today we are going to deep dive into the EOTech EXPS2 and EXPS3 Holographic Sights. In this review and overview, we will tell you everything you need to know about the EOTech EXPS2 and EXPS3 to decide whether it’s something you would like to purchase.
We’ll cover things like the difference between the EXPS2 and EXPS3, the specs of each, the pricing, what comes in the box, and more. We’ve combined this review to cover both the EOTech EXPS2 and the EXPS3, because they are essentially the same optic, except the EXPS3 has additional night vision brightness settings and a stronger waterproof rating. Aside from that internal difference, both optics are essentially the same.
To learn more, keep reading.
Key Takeaways
The EOTech EXPS2 and EXPS3 are both CR123 Battery Holographic sights with premium features like Quick Disconnect Mounts, side buttons, and a 1/3 Co-Witness. Both of these optics are essentially the same, except the EXPS3 has night vision brightness settings and the EXPS2 does not. The EXPS3 also has a 33ft (10 m) waterproof depth, and the EXPS2 has a 10ft (3m) waterproof depth. Besides that, both optics are the same.
The EOTech EXPS2 and EXPS3 have buttons located on the side of the optic. They also:
- Take CR123 batteries, which last an estimated 1,000 hours.
- Have a quick-disconnect mount that mounts to any Picatinny rail.
- Weigh 11.2 oz.
- Come in a variety of reticle styles, including a green reticle/
- Are made in the USA.
- Have a 1/3 co-witness.
If you are looking for a CR123 Battery EOTech that comes with all the bells and whistles and has a variety of reticle options, then the EOTech EXPS Series is the one for you.
EOTech EXPS2 vs EXPS3 Specs & Differences
As mentioned above, both the EOTech EXPS2 and EXPS3 are almost identical, except the EXPS3 has additional night vision brightness settings and a better waterproof rating. Aside from that, both of these optics are the same; that’s why we combined this review.
Here are the specs for both the EOTech EXPS2 and EXPS3 Holographic sights:
- Button Location: Side
- Mount Type: Quick Disconnect
- Co-Witness: 1/3 Co-Witness
- LxWxH: 3.8" x 2.3" x 2.9" (96.5 x 58.4 x 73.7 mm)
- Weight: 11.2 oz
- Waterproof: EXPS2 10ft (3m) depth, EXPS3 33ft (10m) depth
- Windage/Elevation: 0.5 MOA per click
- Brightness: EXPS2/3 20 Daylight settings, EXPS3 Only 10 Nightvision Settings
- Battery: One CR123 Battery
- Battery life: 1000 hrs battery life at setting 12 at room temp
- Operating temp: -40°F to 140°F (-40°C to 60°C)
- Origin: Made in USA
Unlike a standard red dot sight that projects an LED onto a lens, both the EXPS2 and EXPS3 use a laser to illuminate a holographic reticle pattern recorded directly onto the lens. This is a big part of why the reticle stays sharp and usable even if the front glass picks up scratches or debris in the field — a real advantage over LED-projected dots.
Night Vision Compatibility (EXPS3)
The EXPS3’s 10 dedicated night vision brightness settings are calibrated for use with image-intensifier tube devices, which allows the reticle to stay visible through a night vision device without blooming out or washing over your field of view. Both Gen 2 and Gen 3 tubes, including white phosphor variants, are compatible. This is the main reason most buyers step up from the EXPS2 to the EXPS3 — if you’re certain you’ll never run NV, the EXPS2 gets you identical daytime performance for less money.
EOTech EXPS2/EXPS3 Reticles
The EOTech EXPS2 and EXPS3 come in a variety of reticle styles. Options range from the standard circle dot to a dot-only pattern, two BDC-style multi-dot reticles, and a specialized close-quarters reticle. Most reticles are red reticles, but there is a green reticle also. Below you can read more about each.
If you wanted the Danger Close Reticle or the 4-dot reticle, the EXPS3 is the only subseries that has those reticle options.
Within the EXPS2 subseries, there is also a green color reticle instead of red.
How to decide which reticle style is best for you
In this guide, we covered a few different reticle options. If you need some help deciding which is best for you, here are some of our thoughts on each.
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Still torn between a couple of these? A dedicated home defense or close-quarters build tends to favor the standard circle dot or the Danger Close Reticle.
At the same time, a rifle that sees both close and extended engagement distances gets more out of one of the multi-dot BDC reticles (2-Reticle or 4-Reticle). If a clean, uncluttered sight picture is your priority, the 1-Reticle dot-only configuration is worth a look too.
EOTech EXPS2/EXPS3 Models & Pricing
The EOTech EXPS2 and EXPS3 come equipped with EOTech’s most premium features, like the quick-release mount, 1/3 co-witness, and side buttons. They come in a variety of reticle options and colors.
These optics are just as durable and reliable as any other EOTech Holographic sight.
Here are all the models and ballpark pricing for the EOTech EXPS2/EXPS3:
*Note: these prices are not intended to be exact; they are just rough estimates to give you an idea of what to expect.
EXPS2 Lineup
EXPS2 ($600+) - These models all take a CR123 battery, have quick-disconnect mounts, have side-mounted buttons, a 1/3 co-witness, and no night-vision compatibility. Each model within this subseries is listed below with a brief description.
- EXPS2-0-B-T - Circle Dot with a Black & Tan Housing
- EPX2-0 - Circle Dot with Black Housing
- EXPS2-0GRN - Circle Dot, Green Reticle, Black Housing
- EXPS2-2 - Circle + 2 Dots, Black Housing
EXPS3 Lineup
EXPS3 ($730+) - These models are the same as the EXPS2 except they have nightvision compatibility and better waterproof ratings. Each model within this subseries is listed below with a brief description.
- EXPS3-0 - Circle Dot with Black Housing
- EXPS3-0TAN - Circle Dot with Tan Housing
- EXPS3-1 - 1 MOA Dot Only (No Outer Ring), Black Housing
- EXPS3-1TAN - 1 MOA Dot Only (No Outer Ring), Tan Housing
- EXPS3-2 - Circle + 2 Dots with Black Housing
- EXPS3-2TAN - Circle + 2 Dots with Tan Housing
- EXPS3-4 - Circle + 4 Dots with Black Housing
- EXPS3-DCR - Danger Close Reticle, Black Housing
- EXPS3-DCRTAN - Danger Close Reticle, Tan Housing
- EXPS3HD-0 - Circle Dot, Black Housing, HD Configuration
The EXPS3-0 is the entry point into the EXPS3 sub-series and the model most commonly paired with a magnifier for a versatile close-to-medium-range setup.
EOTech EXPS2/EXPS3 Battery Type, Buttons, Mount, & Co-Witness
The EOTech EXPS2 and EXPS3 models all use one CR123 battery. These are shorter batteries and allow the optic to be shorter overall than AA battery versions, which gives you more rail space and also makes it lighter — one of the reasons the EXPS lineup frees up more real estate on top of your rifle than EOTech’s longer AA battery housings.
Side-Mounted Buttons
Both the EXPS2 and EXPS3 also have the buttons located on the side of the optic. Having side-mounted buttons is convenient when you are using a magnifier or anything else that could obstruct the rear of the optic. Pairing either sub-series with a magnifier is one of the more popular setups among AR-15 owners looking to extend their effective range without switching optics entirely.
Quick Disconnect Mount
The mount for the EOTech EXPS2 and EXPS3 is a QD mount that will mount to any Picatinny rail. The QD mount is a premium feature and a nice one. It makes taking the optic on and off easy and without the need for tools. Shooters running a magnifier alongside either sight should also look at a proper magnifier mount to keep the co-witness height consistent. It’s great in scenarios where you need to rapidly remove the optic in an emergency.
1/3 Co-Witness
The co-witness for both the EOTech EXPS2 and EXPS3 is a 1/3 co-witness. This means the dot will be above your iron sights, and the iron sights will be visible in the lower 1/3 of your optic window. This allows for a more comfortable, straightforward head position when shooting.
Here’s an example showing the difference between absolute and 1/3 cowitness
Pairing with a Magnifier
Pairing either sub-series with a flip-to-side magnifier is one of the most common setups in the AR-15 community, since it creates a close-to-medium-range system without switching optics mid-mission. A 3x magnifier flips in line for distance shots and flips out of the way for close-quarters work. At the same time, a higher-magnification option extends effective engagement range while keeping the same fast-acquisition holographic reticle up front.
With a magnifier in line, the outer ring of a circle-dot reticle remains fully visible through the magnifier window, and the center dot becomes the primary aiming point at magnified distances. The side-mounted buttons on both the EXPS2 and EXPS3 stay fully accessible with a magnifier attached, which is exactly why the side button layout matters here. If you’re building this kind of setup, be sure to browse our full range of magnifiers alongside a compatible magnifier mount to get the co-witness height right the first time.
EOTech EXPS2/EXPS3 In the Box
When you get your EOTech EXPS2 or EXPS3 and open the box, you will receive the optic, a quick start guide, a warranty card, and one CR123 Battery.
EOTech EXPS2/EXPS3 Review & Highlights
Ok, so why would you get an EOTech EXPS2 or EXPS3 over another EOTech model? The main highlights of the EOTech EXPS line are the 1/3 co-witness, the quick-disconnect mount, the side buttons, and the compact CR123 battery housing.
Compared to the EOTech 518/558, you get more rail space. And compared to the XPS2/XPS3, you get the 1/3 co-witness, the QD mount, and the side buttons.
The EXPS2 and EXPS3 essentially take all the premium, most sought-after features and put them into one optic.
Another bonus of the EXPS lineup is that it comes with some reticle styles not found in other models. For example, it has the Danger Close reticle and the four-dot BDC reticle. If you preferred either of these reticles, you would have to get the EXPS3 model.
Keeping the lens clean matters more on a holographic sight, since smudges and debris can affect reticle clarity. A lens cleaning pen is worth keeping in your range bag alongside either optic.
So to summarize, if you are looking for all the most premium features, and want the compact CR123 battery housing, then the EXPS lineup is for you.
EOTech EXPS2/EXPS3 Downsides
The EXPS2 and EXPS3 don’t have many downsides. The only real downsides are that it costs the most out of any of the EOTech Holographic Sights.
The other “slight” downside is that it’s slightly heavier than the XPS2 and XPS3 due to its quick-release mount, but it’s only a 2oz difference.
The last “downside” is that when compared to the longer AA battery versions like the 512/552 and 518/558, the CR123 battery life of the EXPS series will be shorter by about 1200 to 1500 hours. But this is the trade-off between having a long AA battery housing optic vs. a shorter CR123 battery housing optic.
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Who Each Sub-Series Fits Best
Choosing between the EXPS2 and EXPS3 really comes down to how you’ll actually use the rifle, along with which reticle style matches that use case best.
Best Fit for the EXPS3: If you already run night vision, or expect to add it to a build within the next few years, the EXPS3 is where the extra value is. The 10 dedicated night vision brightness settings and the deeper waterproof rating make it the more future-proof choice for duty use, home defense rifles, or any build that might see low-light or wet conditions.
Best Fit for the EXPS2: If you’re certain a rifle will stay a daytime range gun strictly, or you want to keep costs down while still getting every other premium EOTech feature, the EXPS2 has you covered. Daytime clarity, reticle brightness, and target acquisition speed are identical between the two lines, so you’re not giving anything up on a bright range day by going with the EXPS2.
EOTech EXPS2/EXPS3 Warranty
EOTech stands behind their products, but they don’t offer a lifetime warranty. Here is a summary of how their warranty works.
The optic is covered for 10 years from the date of purchase or the manufacturer’s date, whichever is later. During the first 5 years of ownership, if there is an issue, EOTech will repair or replace the optic free of charge if defects in materials or workmanship are found.
For years 6-10, EOTech will evaluate and repair any defects for a nominal fee upon thecustomer’ss request.
The warranty is transferable between buyers,s and it doesn’t cover things like theft, loss, neglect, abuse, misuse, improper installation, cosmetic damage not affecting performance, or damage from unauthorized repairs or modifications.
Conclusion
We hope you found this review helpful and that you learned more about the differences between the EOTech EXPS2 and EXPS3.
The EXPS lineup is the top of the line. It has a compact form factor, convenient side buttons, and 1/3 co-witness with the QD mount. If you want the best of the best, the EOTech EXPS2 or EXPS3 would be the optic for you.
For most buyers, the EXPS3 sub-series is the sweet spot in the lineup. It delivers the full feature set, including night vision compatibility and the deeper waterproof rating. Shooters who know they’ll never run night vision can save some money with the EXPS2 sub-series and get identical daytime performance. Anyone wanting BDC holdover points should look at the multi-dot reticle options within either sub-series. In contrast, those wanting the cleanest possible sight picture should consider the dot-only configuration.
If you have any further questions, please reach out to us. You can also check out our EOTech Holographic Sight Cheat Sheet here to learn more.
Thanks for reading!
