Gear EOTech G33.STS Magnifier vs. G23.FTS Recoil Staff April 30, 2012 9 Comments, Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More EOTech has introduced their third generation magnifier dubbed the G33.STS (Switch-to-Side). This latest iteration offers a host of upgrades compared to their previous generation, the G23.FTS (Flip-to-Side), including: more compact, lighter weight, greater eye relief, wider field of view, adjustable diopter, external adjustment knobs and a new integrated adjustable tension mount. All of these enhancements sound good on paper, but would they really benefit shooters in the field? We took both magnifiers, along with an AR-15 equipped with an EOTech EXPS 3-0 out to the range to find out. At first look the G33’s more compact size is obvious, and the weight difference can be slightly felt when you hold both in each hand. When mounted on an AR-15 the weight difference wasn’t as obvious. The G33 weighed in at 11.2-ounces while the older G23 came in at 12.8-ounces. Both were weighed with the included optional riser for lower 1/3 co-witness installed. Another noticeable design change is the lens sizes are reversed. The G23 features a larger objective lens than the ocular, while the G33 has a larger ocular lens than the objective. Centering the reticle on the older G23 required a small flathead screwdriver. The G33 features adjustment knobs that can be rotated by hand. The knobs require a firm turn to move, so it doesn’t seem like they will be accidentally changed. You can also use a flat head screwdriver or even a coin to turn the knobs if you need some additional leverage. We were somewhat split on the new adjustment knobs. Some liked the idea of being able to quickly make changes without tools, while some felt once you dial in the magnifier you should be good to go, so why increase the profile and weight with external adjustment knobs. If you’re one who is planning on having one magnifier for multiple rifles you’ll appreciate the adjustment knobs on the G33. One completely new feature on the G33 is an adjustable diopter ring. By rotating the ring around the ocular lens you can adjust focus. The ring is easy to adjust, but not too easy where it will twist on its own. The A.R.M.S lever mount that comes with the G23 always offered very fast flip to side functionality, but it was also one of the biggest gripes about the G23. The mount lacked virtually any retention when flipped to the side. Many users have been concerned that it could be accidently bumped against something and flip back, partially obscuring a shooters view of their reticle, or even flip all the way in line with their optic giving magnification when not wanted. The mount to rail tension isn’t adjustable either, and on some rails we found it to be an incredibly tight fit and very difficult to get the A.R.M.S lever to release. The G33 on the other hand features a new proprietary mount with adjustable tension, and a similar lever and lock system as the EXPS 3-0 integrated mount. Moving the G33 to the side is completely different than the G23. Instead of pressing a button to move the magnifier out of the way the G33 itself requires a firm push to the left, and another firm push to the right to bring it back in line with your optic. When switched to the side there is ample retention to keep the magnifier out of the way, it would take a very solid hit to bring it back. We setup four steel plates of various sizes at 210 yards and four more setup at 305 yards. Using our EOTech equipped EXPS 3-0 AR-15 we switched back and forth between the G33 and older G23 to engage the plates. The additional eye relief of the G33 wasn’t overly apparent, but the wider field of view (FOV) was. The FOV for the G33 is listed as just one degree greater than the G23, but that one degree goes a long way. We had our spotter call plates randomly for the shooter to engage, and the G33’s larger FOV made it much faster compared to the G23 to find the correct target. All of the changes EOTech has made with their new G33.STS magnifier compared to their older G23.FTS will benefit shooters. The ones we found the most useful in the field were the new switch-to-side mount with its firm retention when the G33 is pushed out of the way, and the wider field of view. We really liked the improved field of view, one RECOIL Staffer likened it to watching a widescreen Blue-Ray on a 60-inch plasma versus a 24-inch tube TV. The EOTech G33.STS is available in black or tan with a suggest retail price of $589, the same MSRP as the G23.FTS had, so you get an improved magnifier for the same amount of money. www.eotech-inc.com Explore RECOILweb:Pick-Pocket Proof Adventure Pants RedesignRECOILtv Shot Show 2017 Constant Coverage: Franklin Armory BFSIII TriggerPreview - Stoeger M3KReason Magazine looks at State's Attorney's Report from Sandy Hook NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). 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I am awaiting my new Eotech as shown above, too excited and i have to tell you that with reviews like this it makes the choice of all optics out there so much easier. I've been asked why not ACOG, to me it's no different than a scope, no versatility at all where the Eotech offers close combat that is simple and a no brainer and for additional distant accuracy it gives you the magnifier, Amen for Eotech. Thank you for giving me the chance to read and add my comments
I own the EOTech 512.A65 and was considering buying the EOTech magnifier. I decided to go with the Vortex 3X magnifier which is half the price and does the same thing. My only gripe is the eye relief, but you'll notice eye relief can be an issue with the majority of optics especially variable zoom optics. The G23 lists 1.97 in. (50mm) of eye relief, the Vortex VMX3 has the exact same relief at 50 mm. The knobs for adjusting "windage" and "elevation" are gimmicks IMO. Using a magnifier does not change the point of aim/impact of the host optic. Set and forget unless you're making major changes your to host optic, in which case you already have a screwdriver or tool available. I like the EOTech magnifiers, and sure they match my host optics, but there has to a line in the sand which one wont cross for something as simple as a 3x magnifier.
Also, keep in mind, a 3X magnifier is not a whole lot of magnification. I recently took my rig out to the range and placed clays at varying ranges between 20 and 125 yards. Unless your using a bipod, or some other kind of support, your going to have one hell of a time trying to hit those clays. It's not impossible, but the 1MOA dot on a 4.5in target at 125 yards is a different story.
Anyone have any idea what custom colors were used on the AR that the optics in this article are mounted on. Very cool combination!
The upper receiver looks like its Coyote Brown. CeraKote/GunKote/DuraCoat http://www.houtsenterprises.net/dur_browns.html The rails used look like the Defense AR15 Lite Rail 9.0. They could look brown due to white balance. See how even these rails have a slight brownish tone to them. http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/j4enh.r2en5/v/vspfiles/photos/DD%202004-2.jpg?1334734642 The rails are hard coat type 3 mil-spec anodized black. Try googling "Brown Anodized M1913 Freefloat Rails" maybe.
Great Product but I have been waiting about two years for it to be actually available. In checking with Eotech they only can say that they haven't been able to procure parts and that the product won't be available until it meets their expectations of quality.
I am fairly new to holo sights, but am looking to purchase this new magnifier and an EXPS3-0. I have a question - why is it not better to put the eotech sight closer to your eye than the magnifier? One would not think magnifying the reticule would be a desired effect.Therefore, place the magnifier after the sight. Why is that not done?
