1. Introduction
Is it just me that sees the delicious irony in this magnifier being an ITAR product?
It’s EOTech, but it’s made in China. A decision the company evidently made to deliver a cost conscious 3x magnifier to market, as part of their product revamp.
While the next gen G43 and the G45 are the big news items, the EOTech G30 has been lower key. It is perhaps the successor to the venerable SOCOM-issued G33; making that optic’s legacy form factor and capabilities available at about half the price.
Having owned a G33, I got my hands on a G30 from a mate to test out. It’s an impressive little unit which I enjoyed using.
2. General Features
Aside from its country of origin, another way EOTech has saved money for the consumer is by supplying a fixed mount instead of the G33’s flip-to-side model. Similarly, they’ve dropped the rubberised protective shroud. Another casualty is the cool little Peli-style case. Instead, the G30 ships in a branded cardboard box.
As mentioned earlier, the G30’s magnification is three times (3x), it’s fog resistant and and water resistant to 1m. The less trusting amongst us will be reassured to know EOTech offers a 10 year warranty.
The optic is fairly compact, with an overall stated length of 99mm. This is the same as the G33 but it’s shorter than the Aimpoint 3XMAG-1 (stated as 117mm), for example.
3. Windage and Elevation
It’s a good idea to properly centre the dot/reticule relative to the magnifier’s subjective lens. This is achieved using the windage and elevation turrets on the top and side of the magnifier. Centring is in no way essential – having no effect on zero – but is good practice.
Helpfully, the adjustment can be actioned by hand, or with an implement. Like the G33, the G30’s oversized adjustment turrets exhibit an aggressive grip pattern which not only looks great but is user friendly – even when it’s raining and the user is wearing gloves.
Do the turrets constitute a snag hazard? I never encountered that problem with the G33, but I suppose it depends on what the user is doing.
4. QD
While fixed as opposed to flip-to-side, the mount comes complete with a new style quick detach (QD) cam lock. This bears a striking resemblance to ADM’s design and works in pretty much the same way.
The method of adjustment is tool free – a welcome touch – and works on a positive ratchet system. The user can also use tools if required.
Compared to ADM’s lock, EOTech’s isn’t quite as easy to use or as smooth, and with the ratchet system it seems a little over designed; presumably the price of avoiding patent problems.
However, when expedient the magnifier can be removed rapidly and stored for later use – which is the whole point.
5. Build Quality
The first thing you notice about the G30 is that unlike the G33 it does not seem like a military product, and that’s because it isn’t. It’s a price point consumer optic.
That said, the finish is decent – a rich satin black with white, laser etched trades. Since the aluminium and steel parts appear to exhibit the same finish, I suppose it has to be a universal coating of some form (i.e. not ano).
Structurally, it fits together solidly (the mount is of course removable) and all parts seem precise, well finished and well made.
Just for reference, the G30 lines up well – physically – with my T2 on lower third mount. It’s not actually essential for the magnifier to line up perfectly with the red dot, but this is close.
6. Optical Characteristics
This, for me, is the big one.
6.1 Eye Relief
The optic’s eye relief is exactly the same as the G33’s at 55.8mm; not the best by modern standards but still good – and at half the price.
6.2 Adjustable Diopter
I was glad to see the G30 includes an adjustable diopter. It’s a way of adapting the magnifier to the user’s vision. Although pretty standard nowadays, I find this feature invaluable to adjust the crispness of my red dot aiming point (if using my T2) or reticule (if using my Romeo4T).
If, like me, the user has an astigmatism, use of the diopter can create a perfectly circular dot. It’s really quite impressive as the dot resolves itself from a star-like blur to a perfect circle. I would not use a magnifier without this feature.
6.3 Glass
Looking though the glass is impressive. The unit is crystal clear with excellent detail and light transmission – meaning the glass is decent, the void between lenses has been purged effectively, and it exhibits good seals.
This was perhaps the biggest surprise of the whole exercise and I swear it’s an improvement on the G33 (although this was not tested back to back).
6.4 FOV
The G30’s stated field of view (FOV) is 7.3 degrees (which is the same as the G33), but the Aimpoint 3XMAG-1 I have for comparison is 7.0 degrees. The difference, however, is easily perceptible and may well be enough to recommend one over the other for many users – and I don’t say that lightly. The G30 does trail the 3XMAG-1 in terms of eye relief, however: 55.8mm to 70mm (respectively).
Just to note that the forthcoming ‘Assembled in USA’ G43 has a stated FOV of 7.5 degrees – so I’m really looking forward to trying that.
7. Conclusion
The market is no stranger to far east manufactured optics and not just at the budget end. Mid-range and high end offerings marked ‘Assembled in the USA’ aren’t really fooling anyone; the crucial optical work likely done overseas – possibly in China – before a mount, say, is attached in the States and claims of domestic production are made.
For someone like me who favours Aimpoint optics (which are made in Sweden), country of manufacture is a moot point as I’m only really concerned with quality.
Country of manufacture is not a universal indicator of quality, and it’s telling that less angst is generated from where a new phone or TV comes from. That being said, I totally understand that country of origin can mean more to someone than quality.
With the G30, EOTech doesn’t hide behind the facade of ‘Assembled in…’ – they are 100% up front. So if that’s how a consumer makes their choices, they have the information they need. The G30 also is priced accordingly.
I love having my preconceptions totally destroyed and the G30 did just that. EOTech has produced an excellent optic for its designated price point.
This optic was on loan from a friend, but for UK and EU consumers Tactical Kit carries the EOTech G30.
The Reptile House 