EOTECH G43 or G33: Which one to buy? (especially if priced the same)

The short answer is...it depends.
When I picked up my G45, it had the same footprint as a G33, so my only change was the magnification. I told myself I'd eventually like to get a G43 and that opportunity came sooner than I had thought it would.
When I did my first look at the G43 I didn't realize it would actually present some challenges if I expected to replace a G33 as a drop and go.
So, depending on what you have installed towards the rear of your picatinny may impact your buying decision as the G43 is shorter than the G43 and if you have a back up sight installed, you may experience difference in eye relief between the two different (size wise) magnifiers. Something to consider IMO.

[@timg9134]

Thanks for this video...I just bought a magnifier and decided on the g33 over the 43 based on your thoughts.

[@sglee4708]

I'm glad I seen your video you're exactly right I'm getting the g33 thank you

[@t.j.padden8533]

With an Eotech I will always run BUIS because of the short battery life. G33 it is!

[@ReLoadersBench]

Honestly, I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't run BUIS. Electronics fail at the most inconvenient times.

[@46god]

the main difference i noticed between the two besides size was the g43 had noticeably better eye relief which was the main reason i got it over the g33

[@carlosjavieruhlmann]

Minimal difference (2.5" VS 2.2" = 0.3" (~3/8"), but the shorter overall length of the magnifier and the issue that it presents, explained on this video, more than negates any gains.

[@46god]

@@carlosjavieruhlmannyes it’s minimal on paper but when i looked through each one after the other with both in my hands it was noticeable enough for me to want the g43. it’s more like a 3 inch eye relief on the g43. in your case you already have the g33 it’s probably not worth upgrading to the g43 unless eye relief is a big issue for you. another reason i got the g43 is in cali we are supposed to have fixed stocks on ARs so eye relief becomes a bigger issue because i didnt wanna be craning my neck forward while looking through my magnifier since i can’t adjust my stock

[@Glockhead1]

💯the G43 is so much better it’s undeniable.

[@corndogmax]

They all work for the exps3 right? And if so do they have it in the center or is one a little off

[@realblackbetty2204]

G33 is the way to go. You don’t have to push your face up to the charging handle.

[@DREKOWICK69]

thanks bub

[@doggmansnapperdude3405]

Omg your right and mine is on the way saw lots of reviews but not this one so that sucks your absolutly right the magnifier Isn’t far back enough I will have to move my eotech back that sucks bad

[@sublimetulii23]

Not many people run BUIS anymore or they’re offset. Some I’ve seen them just move the BUIS in front of the optic. Anyways, I have all 3 magnifiers & the G43 has better eye relief than the G33 & wider FOV, but barely weighs more. I do like the compactness of the G43. They’re all great magnifiers, but the reason for them is to use with the HWS -2 & -4 for longer range shooting. You can use them with just the dot, but it’s not the intention for them & I do just for PID purposes.

[@DREKOWICK69]

after seeing that ukraine guy dropped that one guy with the offsets, they're about to have their day lol mall ninjas going crazy

[@flonga1]

Couldn’t you just push your optic config up more, or is there an issue. Nice video. Also which magnifier has better eye relief and FOV

[@ReLoadersBench]

Not quite sure what you mean by "Couldn’t you just push your optic config up more". If you mean move it back more (for the G43 to be closer to the eye), not possible with the current rear backup sight. If the sight is removed, then yes, but I run with backup front/rear sights as personal preference.

[@flonga1]

@@ReLoadersBench I meant to push your Eotech and magnifier on the pic rail forward toward the barrel to allow bus clearance. Was looking at the Trijicon 3x magnifier, will go with that

[@ReLoadersBench]

@@flonga1 - ah, gocha. Yes, I moved the G43 forward to clear the rear sight, but that extended the eye relieve by about 2" or so due to the shorter length of the EOTECH. Not a bid thing, just something to note. I like it closer to the back of the charging handle like the G33. Maybe a smaller/thinner MBUS. Not a big deal, but it may change how you run things.

[@flonga1]

@@ReLoadersBench ahh ok got it thanks!

[@carlosjavieruhlmann]

This video addresses the question I had and answers it. I've decided to stay with the G33. The reasons are: 1) Nothing to gain with the G43 as far as magnification goes, both are 3X, 2) The G43 weights more (~1 Oz), 3) Eye relief and field of view are about the same. So basically I'm looking at paying more, having to sell my G33, having to remove and sell my Troy BUIS, having to buy a micro BUIS, Lastly, I would have to give up on "perfection" (as ReLoader so correctly stated). To gain what? I ask and the answer is: absolutely nothing. It would be a net loss with no appreciable benefit. That's my analysis, others may think differently and that's perfectly fine. The G33 has been proven in the battlefield, the G43, as far as I know, hasn't. There is an old adage: If it ain't broken, don't fix it; the point is well taken. Thanks

[@5jjt]

Same eye relief issue with Holosun's shorter $300 titanium unit vs their longer $200 aluminum unit.

[@liggerstuxin1]

Eye box is everything

[@Glockhead1]

G43💯

[@HigherLevelSound757]

Thanks.

[@jj4996]

Great Video. I just got the EXPS3, but for work I have the Daniel Defense fixed sights, that dont fold down. What EOTECH do you think would be best?

[@Breese147]

Look into unity mount options. These mounts will raise the eotech sight and the magnifier so that the fixed sights sit on the lower 1/3 bottom of the sights. Best of luck!

[@sennin556]

@@Breese147 if you’re using the unity fast mounts and 1.42 in (normal height) irons you won’t be able to see the sights at all when looking through the Eotech. You need like 1.93 irons and I think only scalarworks and maybe one other company make iron sights that tall. The unity is 2.26 in high, most irons are made for optics sitting at 1.57/1.70 in tall. So if you want a lower 1/3rd effect with your irons when using the unity mounts, you need taller irons.

[@carlosjavieruhlmann]

Exactly! That's the problem. It boils down to creating a problem where there was none. Trying to improve on perfection, as the video shows gets you unneeded problems + money wasted.

[@shaldeman11]

Move your back up irons in the rear in front of the optic.

[@highstrangeness2396]

why?

[@genomk1830]

You do realize you can rotate the adjustment screw on the mount maybe a half a turn and that would fit on the pic rail

[@05cesarleo]

Did you ever find the smaller back up sights??

[@ReLoadersBench]

So I've tried some HK, Troy and most recently Magpul MBUS 3 rear sights. I've mounted all of them in slot T1 (the first slot on my picatinny rail - this rear sights almost touch the charging handle, but still remain fully on the extended ["round tail"] section of the picatinny). The length of the sights cover slot T2, with slot T3 being the first available. Unable to mount ANYTHING utilizing slot T3 as anything I've tried bumps any of the sights, so I'm relegated to using slot T4 as my first usable mounting slot for a sight/magnifier. I'll live with it.

[@joescott701]

How does a g45 line up?

[@ReLoadersBench]

I actually like both, for slightly different reasons. The compactness and extra magnification of the G45 is nice. The G33 is better for my eye relief/set back for the rear iron sight.

[@rebel_scum_]

This eye relief issue is exactly why I opted for the OG g33 over the newer 43. The g33 is also lighter in weight.

[@vg_grover4828]

Thanks for making this video, I’ve made my decision

[@LovesM855A1]

And it was?

[@stevef4930]

Really helpful video

[@ReLoadersBench]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@NoEdits704]

Honestly, back up rear flip ups is out dated in my opinion. If shit has hit the fan so bad that you need it, you need to get out of the situation. You can always reference your front sight for close quarters. I ran a rear flip up for many years, about a year ago I dropped it. I do practice occasionally with dot off, front sight up. It absolutely works in a pinch within 50 yards.

[@radjamss6390]

Interesting. I have thought about using the EOTech as a massive rear aperture to along my front sight, but have never attempted it. Might have to give it a try lol

[@AUSly09]

I’ve taught for a bit now and have seen dots go down fairly regularly during qualifications. We still make people finish the run with irons. There is a reason for them. But it all depends on your use.

[@NoEdits704]

@@AUSly09 I use an aimpoint t2 and g45. If it was a Chinese red dot I'd run back ups but the aimpoint micros generally don't go down. Ive ditched the front flip up as well.

[@AUSly09]

@@NoEdits704 it’s all up to the end user, of course. But I’ve watched everything from t2s, pros, to exps3s have issues. I definitely agree that it’s rarer with some more than others. But we run BUIS on all non-etched optics for a reason. Flickering dots, excess battery drain, etc. If it has an etched reticle, we don’t require BUIS, which allows for eye relief. If it was a rifle I just kept at home or was primarily stored at home, I definitely haven’t worried about it.

[@billrides3543]

Not to mention the g43 is 3x while the g33 is 3.25x

[@LevitateFred]

thank u my friend for sharing this, but I got a question, why dont u just simply remove those iron sights? you cant even able to use them when running the EOtech.

[@ReLoadersBench]

I keep my iron sights because I'm old school, literally, and that's how Uncle Sam taught me to shoot last century.

[@SheepdogColumbus]

What do you mean he's unable to use them? They are called backup for a reason. If his eotech breaks, or dies, all he has to do is flip the magnifier to the side and pop his sights up.