512 HWS®(HOLOGRAPHIC WEAPON SIGHT)
"Night Vision-Compatible"
The 552 is EoTech's most affordable night vision-compatible sight and it partners with most night vision-devices.
The 552 can operate in tandem with Generation I – III+ night vision devices. Operators can see the holographic reticle image with helmet mounted or weapon mounted night vision devices. The HWS® is a passive system and emits no signature from frontal or from a peripheral aspect. While in the NV mode, the sight is undetected by opposing enemy force night vision equipment. The HWS® can be positioned behind night vision systems without any “bloom” on the target area.
Key Features
- Night Vision Compatible — Ten dedicated NV brightness settings work with Generation I through III+ night vision devices. The reticle drops low enough to eliminate halo and bloom when viewed through an image intensifier tube. Helmet-mounted or weapon-mounted NVGs — both work. The 552 is a passive system that emits no muzzle-side signature, meaning enemy night vision can't detect it.
- 68 MOA Ring + 1 MOA Dot — Same proven EOTech reticle as the 512. The large ring draws your eye to the target for fast CQB acquisition. The 1 MOA center dot gives you precision at distance. Three usable aiming points calibrated for .223/5.56 at 7, 50, and 200 yards. On a shotgun, the ring approximates your shot pattern.
- AA Battery Powered — Two standard AA batteries (lithium, alkaline, or rechargeable). Up to 2,500 hours on lithium, 2,200 on alkaline. The most common battery on Earth — available at any gas station, PX, or supply point on the planet.
- 30 Brightness Settings — Twenty daylight settings plus ten NV settings. Toggle between day and NV mode instantly with a dedicated button. No scrolling through every setting to get where you need to be.
- Submersible to 33 Feet — Three times the depth rating of the 512 (10 ft). This is the spec that matters for maritime operations, heavy rain, river crossings, and operators who need their optic to survive real-world water exposure.
Details
- Length/Width/Height: 5.6” x 2” x 2.5” (143 x 51 x 64 mm)
- Weight:11.5oz (325 g)
- Water Resistant: Submersible to 33 ft. (10 m) depth
- Mount:1” Weaver or MIL-STD-1913 rail
- Brightness: 20 daylight settings 10 additional settings for Gen I through III+ night vision devices
- Power Source: Two 1.5 V AA batteriesSupports lithium, alkaline, or rechargeable
- Battery Life: Lithium: 1,000 continuous hours at nominal setting 12 at room temp. AA alkaline: 600 continuous hours at nominal setting 12 at room temp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the difference between the 552 and the 512? A: Two things. First, the 552 has 10 dedicated night vision brightness settings that the 512 does not — if you use or plan to use night vision, you need the 552. Second, the 552 is submersible to 33 feet vs the 512's 10 feet. Everything else — reticle, size, weight, battery type, mount — is identical.
Q: How does it work with night vision? A: Press the dedicated NV button and the reticle drops to a brightness level that doesn't bloom or halo when viewed through an image intensifier tube (NVGs). You can mount the NVGs on your helmet and look through the sight, or mount a night vision monocular in tandem on the weapon rail behind the 552. The holographic reticle is a passive system — it doesn't emit visible or IR light from the front, so it's undetectable by enemy night vision.
Q: Which night vision generations does it support? A: Gen I, Gen II, Gen III, and Gen III+ (auto-gated). The 10 NV brightness settings let you dial the reticle intensity to match whatever tube you're running.
Q: Why would I pick this over the EXPS3? A: AA batteries. The EXPS3 runs on a single CR123, has a compact footprint with side buttons and a QD lever mount, and is the go-to for operators pairing with magnifiers. The 552 gives you the AA battery logistics advantage — if global battery availability matters to your use case, the 552 wins. The EXPS3 is the better choice if you want the smallest package and fastest mounting/dismounting.
Q: Can I use a magnifier with this? A: Yes. The 552 pairs with the EOTech G33 3x Magnifier or similar flip-to-side magnifiers. The rear button placement works with most magnifiers, though side-button models like the EXPS3 give slightly more clearance for the magnifier.