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TripleBravo
5 March 2012, 02:34
I've just received one of the Brownells CQB T-Dot EOTechs and I'll be posting a review of it here once I get some time with it:

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Brownells%20CQB-T-Dot%20EOTech/Brownells-EOTech01-1024-B3.jpg

From the Brownells web page located here: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=45367/Product/BROWNELLS-CQB-T-DOT


Current optics sighted in on an AR platform rifle, with a traditional combat zero, have a point of aim that is significantly higher than the point of impact at close quarter distances. Shooters previously had to estimate where the impact would be at these close distances. With the CQB T-Dot, Brownells set out to address the issue of height over bore for close quarter shot placement. The CQB T-Dot reticle is based on the standard EOTech reticle with 65 MOA circle and two aiming points. At the lower portion of the 65 moa circle, we removed portions of the circle, leaving a “T” for close quarter shots. With the “T” exposed, a more precise aiming reference is available for close quarter shots. The “T” is approximately a 7 yard zero when the center aiming point is zeroed for 50/200yds using 5.56x45mm ammunition. The second aiming point is retained for shot placements at 500 yards.

The custom engraved hood includes the Brownells CQB T-Dot reticle on the top, as well as a notation of adjustments on the side. Next to the windage and elevation turrets, Brownells has engraved “1/2 MOA per Click”, ensuring that you always know what adjustments you are making.

Based on the EOTech EXPS2, the CQB T-Dot retains all of the features of this optic. The CQB T-Dot attaches to Mil-Std Picatinny rails with a quick detach lever, which allows for a repeatable zero. Power is provided by one 123 Lithium battery, easily accessed by a side cap. The optic includes a built in 7mm riser, allowing for a lower one-third co-witness.

TripleBravo
27 May 2012, 17:39
PREFACE AND OVERVIEW: Confession Included

I must preface this review by stating that I have never been a big EOTech fan. Every gear reviewer with a decent amount of real trigger time develops some biases born from their experience. Try as one might to keep an open mind when testing new products, it is impossible to keep those biases from creeping into a reviewer’s analysis of the gear’s performance. I am hoping that confessing my preconceived notions from the start will sharpen the line between bias and objective analysis of actual performance.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Brownells%20CQB%20T-Dot/Rifle-on-white-crop1024-B3.jpg
Brownells CQB T-Dot EOTech mounted to the testing weapon -- a custom Rainier Arms build.

With my disclaimer out of the way, let us take a closer look at the Brownells CQB T-Dot reticle version of EOTech’s XPS line of Holographic Weapon Sights:

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Brownells%20CQB%20T-Dot/CQB-T-Dot-top2-onblack-crop1024-B3.jpg

Back in March 2011, Paulo Santos reviewed EOTech’s EXPS-2 here: http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?3076-EOTech-EXPS-2-0-Review. Paulo’s review does a nice job of listing all the specs and features of the unit itself, so I won’t bore you by repeating them here. I will briefly mention that the two design improvements I appreciate the most are the addition of a QD lever attachment and the reduced overall length of the unit.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Brownells%20CQB%20T-Dot/CQB-T-Dot-left-onblack-crop1024.jpg
The EXPS-2 features a QD throw lever attachment and power/brightness buttons relocated on the left side.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Brownells%20CQB%20T-Dot/CQB-T-Dot-right-onblack-crop1024-B3.jpg
Easy 1/2 MOA adjustments.


WHAT’S UNIQUE TO THIS MODEL: The Reticle

The Brownells CQB T-Dot is an EXPS-2, but with a modified reticle promoted to aid in Close Quarter Battle engagements. Essentially, the modification isolates the bottom hash mark of EOTech’s signature “Circle Dot” reticle by cutting it off from the rest of the 65 MOA circle. Creating a gap on either side leaves a vertical slash topped with a small horizontal illumination – so it looks like a tiny capital letter “T”.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Brownells%20CQB%20T-Dot/Reticle-CQB-T-Dot-onblack-crop1024-B3.jpg
The Brownells CQB T-Dot reticle.

This “T” becomes the new aiming point for any target engaged within 7 yards. As educated AR platform shooters, you will recall that when operating in a CQB environment it can become necessary to take “height-over-bore” into consideration when engaging targets. The Brownells CQB T-Dot reticle is designed to make this aiming adjustment easier.

Finally, the Brownells CQB T-Dot reticle also includes EOTech’s second 500 yard dot for longer range engagements.


THE SHORT STORY SUMMARY: This is Just the Beginning

I have been testing this unit for a number of months during several regular trips to the range. My testing focused mainly on the performance of the CQB “T” aiming point. In short, it does compensate for the difference between the height of the sight and the height of the bore. With the center primary dot properly zeroed, the “T” aiming point is dead on point-of-aim-point-of-impact from the 7 yard line. I began to mentally visualize the “T” as more of an arrow with the tip (at the top of the “T”) pointing to right where my round was going to go.

So the quick instant gratification assessment is that the CQB T-Dot works as advertised. It provides a very accurate point-of-aim-point-of-impact aiming reference for targets from 7 yards and closer.

If that’s all you, as a reader, wanted to hear about, then this should be your stopping point. What follows though, is my analysis of whether or not using this reticle is actually a good idea.


THE LONGER STORY: A Deeper Analysis

Please note another disclaimer – “my analysis” is just that. It is based on my experience and my opinions. Some of my experiences and opinions may be different than yours.

If you are still with me, then let us get to it.


THE PROBLEM: Height Over Bore

It is a fact of physics that on an AR platform the optic and iron sights sit higher than the bore. I have most commonly heard this referred to as “Height Over Bore”. From here on out, let us call this “the problem”.

A shooter cannot avoid dealing with the problem when training to operate in close quarters…right? Well in my opinion the answer is “yes” and “no.”

First the “no”: If I am honest about it, I do not really worry about the problem in most CQB scenarios. Shooting center mass inside of 7 yards is still center mass even with a few inches of variance. In a CQB environment I put more emphasis on speed and efficiency of movement than pinpoint sniper like accuracy.

Now the “yes”: Making an aiming adjustment during close encounters only counts in those super clutch moments like taking a head shot on a bad guy shielding himself with a hostage. Presented with that scenario, I have trained to slow down slightly in order to take the proper aim and ensure a smooth trigger pull. It is for this unique situation that I evaluated the usefulness of the CQB T-Dot in dealing with the problem.


HOW TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM: Two Differing Approaches

I have always trained to compensate for the problem by adjusting my point of aim on the target – I aim high. That means I focus on the same sight picture but place it higher on my target.

The CQB T-Dot provides a separate aiming point on the reticle to account for the problem. A shooter does not change his point of aim, but instead changes his aiming point. It is important to recognize that this is a different approach to addressing the problem then simply “aiming high”.

During testing and evaluation, I realized that the CQB T-Dot maintains point-of-aim-point-of-impact despite the problem by requiring me to change my sight picture in order to aim directly at where I want the bullet to go. It requires my eye to move and focus on another part of the reticle then adjust the rifle to line it up with the point of desired impact.

This aiming method is most often seen in longer range confrontations. It is the same concept used by bullet drop compensating (BDC) reticles designed to ensure a hit at different distances as the bullet arcs in flight. The reticle gives our eye another aiming reference created for a designated distance.

The issue I see adapting this long distance aiming technique to CQB distances is time. It takes time for the brain to tell the eye to move to a different reference point in order to aim the shot. “Come on, Triple B, how much time can that really take?” you might ask. In classic form, I will answer that question with another question: How much time are you willing to sacrifice standing within 7 yards of a lethal threat? I feel strongly that in a CQB environment every nanosecond counts.

Several range sessions into testing I did some reps in the tire house. I could feel the extra time it took it to locate the “T” aiming point on the CQB T-Dot. The more I reflected on this issue the less comfortable I became with trying to adapt the CQB T-Dot’s method of dealing with the problem. Maybe I could spend enough time training with the unit to get fast enough, but I am not really interested in un-training what I have already ingrained.

What’s more, the method of using a different aiming point on my aiming mechanism does not work in other less optimal situations. I cannot use it when I transition to my handgun (though I recognize the problem does not exist with most handguns). I cannot use it if I have to use another rifle equipped with a more common red dot optic reticle. Most importantly, I cannot use it with the back up iron sights mounted to the CQB T-Dot equipped rifle. I would have to resort back to my “aim high” technique in any situation where the CQB T-Dot was not available.

As a final talking point for this lengthy (and perhaps over analyzed) review, I considered the affect of iron sights on the CQB T-Dot. EOTech’s EXPS-2 Holographic Weapon Sights are equipped with a QD throw lever mount that creates a lower one-third co-witness. Assuming the iron sight zero coincides with the reticle’s center dot zero, there are issues using any of the special features of the CQB T-Dot reticle with iron sights in view.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Brownells%20CQB%20T-Dot/SightsfromRear01-1024-B3.jpg
The view from behind my testing weapon with the Diamondhead-USA sights flipped up.

If I aimed using the “T” with the front sight post in the up position, I completely obscured the point of desired impact on my target. So to use the lower portion of the reticle, the front sight must lay flat. Maybe I could live with that drawback on a rifle with flip up back up sights. But what about a rifle with a FSB?

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Brownells%20CQB%20T-Dot/CQB-with-FSB-1024-B3.jpg
CQB T-Dot mounted to weapon with FSB.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Brownells%20CQB%20T-Dot/FSB-throughCQB01-1024-B3.jpg
The view of the FSB with the CQB T-Dot turned off.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Brownells%20CQB%20T-Dot/Dot-over-frontpost01-crop1024-B3.jpg
With the CQB T-Dot turned on and the weapon shouldered in the normal way, the view looks similar to this.


CONCLUSION: You Decide...and Train

In the end each of you needs to decide how you want to deal with the problem. My testing concludes that the Brownells CQB T-Dot EOTech EXPS-2 provides an accurate aiming reticle for engagements inside of 7 yards. I hope spending another 1000 words discussing my opinion of the reticle’s practicality prompts you to make a decision based on more than just a few cool looking photographs.

No mater how you choose to deal with the problem, recognize that no solution is effective without training. Mounting the latest-and-greatest gear to your gun does not make you a better shooter. The absolute best accessory for your rifle is PRACTICE!

Please post any discussion here: http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?3935-Brownells-CQB-T-Dot-EOTech-Discussion&p=36332#post36332