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EOTECH EFLX Review: Your Next Pistol Red Dot?
From battle-proven holographic sights to long-range precision scopes, EOTECH’s offerings often top many of the “best of” lists year after year. But for those of us who also love our pistol optics, we had been impatiently waiting for an EOTECH pistol red dot for the longest time.
Well, the wait is over. Technically, it has been over, but this is my first opportunity to spend quality time with the EFLX red dot sight.
A recipe for accuracy.
I’ll be honest; I jumped at the chance to test and review the EFLX. I’ve been intrigued by it ever since its release. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with my EXPS3, and I’m even thinking about picking up the new EXPS3 DCR (Danger Close Reticle) for another one of my rifles, so I had a strong feeling the EFLX wouldn’t disappoint either.
In a saturated market of pistol optics, the EFLX has some stiff competition, that’s for sure. But EOTECH’s reputation speaks for itself, giving this mini red dot a leg up out the gate.
The EFLX uses the Leupold Delta Point Pro footprint.
I’d like to give a special thanks to EOTECH for sending this red dot sight out…my new Springfield 1911 Operator AOS thanks you, too!
Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at the EFLX and what it offers to help you decide if it should be your next pistol optic.
Features
The EFLX is a no-frills, ready-for-hard-use optic designed for durability and reliability.
My favorite feature, by far, is the reticle itself. That probably sounds strange since it’s just your basic 6 MOA dot, but having astigmatism, most red dots have either a starburst or halo effect. This dot however, is one of the most crisp and well-defined dots I’ve seen. So, while it’s not a fancy reticle, it’s one of my favorites.
Pictures don’t do it justice.
Another not-so-unique but appreciated feature is the top-loading battery. Nothing is worse than removing your optic to replace the battery and then worrying about re-zeroing. At this point, I probably wouldn’t even purchase an optic if the battery was bottom-mounted.
Top or side-loading is the only way to go.
The side-facing buttons are large enough to manipulate in a hurry, and the fact that they are on the same side makes it quick and easy to turn on/off and adjust your brightness settings.
Speaking of brightness settings, you’ll have eight daylight settings and one night vision setting to choose from. I’ve been running mine around level 5 and found it great for indoor ranges. In bright daylight, I’ve had to turn it up to levels six and seven.
It’s hard to miss those large push buttons.
Regarding the on/off functionalities, you can choose to have it remain on or automatically shut off after 12 hours. However, once off, it does not automatically turn back on with movement.
Performance
How a red dot performs in the real world is much more important than its specs and features on paper. So, while the dot is crisp, the glass is extremely clear, and the buttons are easy to use, if it doesn’t help you on the range, what good is it?
A range day is a good day.
With the EFLX mounted on my Springfield Operator AOS, I hit the range and got it zeroed within a couple of magazines. By the end of them, I was able to maintain roughly 2-inch groupings at 10 yards, which I’m content with. Slowing my shots down and taking my time resulted in the groups tightening slightly, but many are better shots than I am, so you could definitely see those shrink even more.
One of my first groupings at 10-yards after zeroing.
I’ve run roughly 250 rounds through my Operator AOS with the EFLX and have not had to adjust it at all after zeroing. Of course, that’s only a small round count to judge longevity on, but I don’t have any reservations moving forward.
Specifications
The EFLX can also be ordered with a 3 MOA dot, which will slightly improve the battery life.
| Reticle | 6 MOA Dot |
| Reticle Color | Red |
| Brightness Settings | 8 Daylight & 1 Night Vision |
| Battery Type | 1x CR2032 |
| Battery Life | ~20,000 Hours at Brightness Level 5 |
| Dimensions | 1.9” x 1.2” x 1” |
| Weight | 1.4 Ounces |
| Footprint | Leupold Delta Point Pro |
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Dot is extremely crisp
- Durable aluminum construction
- Crystal clear glass
- Top loading battery
- Auto-off functionality
Cons:
- No auto-on feature
Final Thoughts
EOTECH played it safe with the EFLX, and I don’t mean that negatively. It focused on creating a high-quality, user-friendly red dot that doesn’t break the bank.
In a defensive situation, you want to be confident that your optic will be ready to go, and with the EFLX having the ability to remain on constantly, it makes sure that it will. As long as you set a reminder to change your batteries on a recurring basis, which you should be doing anyway, it’s a solid choice for a defensive optic.
I’m looking forward to training with it more and can’t wait to see what the next model offers!
As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.
