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Few optics have earned the kind of reputation that EOTECH’s holographic sights have. Whether through military use, law enforcement applications, competitive shooting, or enthusiasts who simply appreciate high-quality gear, the EXPS series has remained one of the most recognizable optics on the market for years.

The EXPS3 has long been considered the gold standard of holographic sights. It delivers superior durability, reliability, and night vision compatibility in a compact package that works exceptionally well with magnifiers. While all of that is great, the EXPS3 still lacks a couple of features that many shooters have really been asking for, such as shake-awake technology and automatic brightness control.

I recently picked up a new Saint Victor Pistol, so I figured, why not test both together?

Now EOTECH has introduced the EXPS3 HD, which, rather than simply updating cosmetics or adding a new reticle, introduces some meaningful changes that modernize the platform while retaining most of what shooters already liked about the original design.

After spending the last several range trips behind the EXPS3 HD, it’s clear this optic isn’t intended to replace the original EXPS3 outright. Instead, it feels like EOTECH took one of its most proven products and addressed many of the things shooters have been asking for over the years.

First Impressions

At a glance, it still resembles the EXPS3. The overall footprint remains compact, the quick-detach mount is still there, and it maintains the same general profile, but with the addition of the side-mounted rotary dial and removal of the hood, it sort of feels like a brand new optic. 

Notice the side-loading battery is now accessed from the opposite side.

At first, I’ll be honest, I much preferred the aesthetics of the standard EXPS3, but the HD has grown on me since. As for the rotary dial, after a few range sessions, I found myself preferring it. It is easier to manipulate and faster to adjust under stress.

The glass quality, field of view, and famous O-reticle still make it feel familiar, though, so once you’re actually using the optic, it no longer feels as “new” as it did from a simple glance. 

That’s not a bad thing. 

Features of the EXPS3 HD

The EXPS3 HD brings a combination of several modern enhancements that improve overall usability.

The housing itself remains extremely robust, despite the removal of the hood. EOTECH opted for an all-aluminum construction that feels every bit as durable as previous EXPS models, but maximizes peripheral awareness with the hoodless design. 

I’m glad EOTECH stuck with the same quick detach mount.

At the heart of the optic, you’ll find the 68 MOA ring and 1 MOA center dot configuration that many shooters have trained with for years. At close range, the large outer ring naturally draws the eye and allows incredibly fast target acquisition. As distance increases, the 1 MOA dot provides a precise aiming point that works exceptionally well when paired with a magnifier.

Not the best picture, but you get the idea.

One of the most significant upgrades is the inclusion of adaptive auto-brightness. You can still choose to run the optic in a manual mode, but you now have the option to let it automatically adjust the brightness for you. When the weather changes quickly, or you go from shooting outdoors to indoors, it’s nice not to have to mess with any settings.

Night vision compatibility remains intact, making the EXPS3 HD suitable for many professional users. Auto-brightness and night vision settings aside, you also get 7 daylight settings. Switching between them is quick and easy with the new dial, and it provides nice tactile feedback so you can confidently adjust in a hurry.

You can quickly and easily switch between modes with the new rotary dial.

Another welcome addition is the shake-awake capability. This is something many shooters have come to expect from modern optics, and it finally makes its way into the EXPS platform. The sight powers up automatically when movement is detected and shuts off to conserve battery when left idle.

Range Performance

I’ve now put about 750 rounds through a few different firearms with the HD, most of which have been on top of my Springfield Saint Victor Pistol, and it’s performed exactly how you’d expect and want an EOTECH to perform.

Two eyes open make a huge difference in target and spatial awareness!

Target acquisition is incredibly fast, transitions are easy, and the reticle remains bright enough through any lighting conditions I shot in. I zeroed the optic at 50 yards and shot between 10 and 100 yards. The circle-dot combination made it easy to stay on target at any distances within that range, and once it was zeroed, I never had to readjust.

In bright sunlight, the reticle remained easy to pick up without appearing washed out, and as lighting conditions changed throughout the day, the adaptive brightness system reduced it as needed.

As I said earlier, it feels similar when looking downrange, so if you’re used to the EXPS3, you’ll feel right at home.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Proven EOTECH durability and reliability
  • Adaptive brightness technology
  • Shake-awake functionality
  • Improved rotary control interface
  • Night vision compatible
  • Fast target acquisition
  • Quick-detach mount

Cons

  • Premium price point – but you get what you pay for
  • 1,000 hour battery life can be improved

EXPS3 HD vs. Standard EXPS3

Hood vs. no hood, which do you prefer?

In addition to the feature differences I mentioned above, here is a quick breakdown of specs between the two.

Specification EXPS3 HD EXPS3 
Reticle 68 MOA Circle, 1 MOA Dot Multiple Available
Dimensions 3.54” x 2.23” x 2.72” 3.8” x 2.3” x 2.9”
Weight 11.6 Ounces 11.2 Ounces
Battery  1x CR123 1x CR123
Brightness Settings 7 Daylight, 4 Night Vision, 1 Auto 20 Daylight, 10 Night Vision
Windage & Elevation (per click) 0.5 MOA 0.5 MOA
Shake Awake? Yes No
Made in USA? Yes Yes

 

Final Thoughts

The original EXPS3 remains an outstanding sight and continues to earn its place on countless rifles. It’s not suddenly obsolete because the HD version exists. But after spending time behind the EXPS3 HD, it’s clear that EOTECH didn’t simply update the product for marketing purposes. The improvements are noticeable, practical, and genuinely useful.

The battery cap and rotary dial look good being on the same side. 

If you already own an EXPS3 and are happy with it, there’s no urgent reason to replace it.

However, if you’re shopping for a new premium holographic sight and are deciding between the two, the EXPS3 HD offers enough improvements that almost any shooter will appreciate, making it difficult not to favor the newer model.

 

Ryan Domke
Ryan Domke
Ryan Domke is a firearms enthusiast at heart who has worked with some of the largest manufacturers in the firearms industry, gaining knowledge and expertise he enjoys sharing with the 2A community. He has contributed to numerous reputable publications, including The Mag Shack, Springfield's "The Armory Life," Smith & Wesson's "The S&W Bench," and many others. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and enjoying the outdoors.
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