In what appears to be a direct response to the recent SOCOM-issued warning about EOTech holographic sights, and the US Government’s lawsuits against L3 Communications, the parent company of EOTech, the FBI has purchased and is now issuing Aimpoint red dot sights to its agents in the Hostage Rescue Team, and Defensive Systems Unit, according to a press release by Aimpoint, reproduced below:

Chantilly, VA – November 24, 2015 – Aimpoint, the originator and worldwide leader in electronic red- dot sighting technology, has announced that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is now issuing Aimpoint Micro Series Sights to agents in the Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) and Defensive Systems Unit (DSU). The FBI conducted rigorous testing on optics from a wide variety of manufacturers. Following this selection process, the Aimpoint Micro T-2 and Micro H-2 were authorized as issued optics. The Micro T-2 was chosen for use by the HRT, and the Micro H-2 was selected by the DSU. Contracts were awarded via competitive bidding process, and Aimpoint Dealers began shipments to the FBI in July, 2015.

Both units have used EOTech holographic sights for a number of years, making this the latest instance of someone “jumping ship” from EOTech. Earlier this year, EOTech international distributor Elite Defense, cut ties with EOTech due to the SOCOM product warning, as well as production and logistical issues from the holographic sight manufacturer.

Aimpoint sights differ from EOTechs in that they use an LED reflected off of a curved lens, creating a small red dot that is the sight’s aiming point (hence the company’s name). EOTechs do not need a curved lens, because they instead use a laser diode projected via a reflector onto an etched viewscreen, creating the reticle. Because they use more power-thirsty lasers, EOTechs have close to an order of magnitude lower battery life than their reflex sight counterparts, such as Aimpoints, but in exchange the holographic projection allows for customizable reticle shapes.

H/T Looserounds, SoldierSystems.net.