EOTech’s newest holographic weapon sight arrives with purpose: the EXPS3-DCR, featuring the company’s innovative Danger Close Reticle—a reticle specifically engineered to eliminate the guesswork of height-over-bore at close distances while still providing reliable aiming references from CQB ranges out to 200 yards.
Instead of reinventing the platform, EOTech sharpened the fundamentals. The result is a compact, holographic sight that keeps the speed and clarity shooters expect from the EXPS3 series, but with a reticle designed for real-world distances where 5.56 rifles actually get used.
Danger Close Reticle (DCR): Built for Speed & Precision
The DCR takes EOTech’s iconic 68 MOA ring and re-engineers it for clearer sighting and practical ballistic reference points. The top of the ring is removed to open the field of view, and the bottom is replaced with a crisp chevron—your close-range solution to height-over-bore.
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Three Aiming Points for 5.56
- Chevron (Bottom): 7 yards
Compensates for the typical 2.5″ height-over-bore offset, giving a precise POA/POI for bad-breath distance shots. - Center Dot: 50 yards
The recommended zero, and the fastest, most intuitive aiming point for general use. - Top of the Circle: ~200 yards
A simple, repeatable holdover without clutter; ideal for realistic mid-range engagements.
Why It Matters
Instead of memorizing holdovers or rushing improvised aiming solutions under stress, the DCR provides a built-in ballistic roadmap for the most common 5.56 shooting distances. Everything stays in the same holographic plane, and nothing slows you down.
By removing the top portion of the familiar 68 MOA ring and slimming the lower half, the DCR keeps your peripheral awareness wide open. The sight picture feels faster, less cramped, and more intuitive—especially when shooting on the move or engaging multiple targets.
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EXPS3 Platform Advantages
The EXPS3-DCR retains everything shooters already love about the EXPS3 series:
- Compact, Rail-Friendly Footprint
Leaves room for magnifiers, pressure pads, or lasers. - Night Vision Compatibility
Ten dedicated NV settings and crisp holographic projection. - Side Controls
Ideal for magnifier use, no reaching past equipment. - Raised QD Base
Provides a lower 1/3 co-witness with standard AR-height iron sights. - Durable, Hard-Use Construction
Water-resistant, shock-ready, and built with EOTech’s reputation for battlefield reliability.
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How the DCR Works in Practice
Zero the optic with the center dot at 50 yards—a standard, effective zero for 5.56 carbines.
Once zeroed:
- At 7 yards, your chevron becomes your corrected aiming point.
- At 50 yards, you’re dead-on with the center dot.
- At 200 yards, simply transition to the top of the ring.
These references eliminate the mental math associated with close and mid-range holdovers, allowing shooters to stay fast, accurate, and confident in transitions.
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Range Impressions
I had the chance to get hands-on time with the EXPS3-DCR at the 2025 Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous at Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming—a backdrop almost too perfect for testing optics. With only a short window to run the sight, the DCR still made an immediate impression.
At 200 yards, the crisp hologram made ringing steel almost effortless. The reticle remained stable even with aggressive head movement behind barricades thanks to EOTech’s virtually parallax-free design. Cranked to daylight-bright settings, the dot burned in clean and sharp, and transitions felt as natural as pointing a finger.
Even with limited time, it was clear: the EXPS3-DCR is every bit a true EOTech—fast, durable, and built for shooters who expect performance.
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Who the EXPS3-DCR Is For
This optic shines for shooters who need fast, simple, and accurate solutions from extremely close to practical mid-range distances:
- Tactical users needing speed and intuitive holdovers.
- Defensive shooters who want a built-in close-range POA/POI correction.
- Competitive shooters running stages that mix point-blank targets with 100–200-yard transitions.
- Modern rifle owners who rely on 5.56 platforms and demand an uncluttered, purpose-driven reticle.
The DCR doesn’t attempt to solve every ballistic profile—it solves the most important one exceptionally well.
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Pricing & Final Thoughts
With an MSRP of $859 and a street price hovering around $779–$799, the EXPS3-DCR lands slightly above the standard EXPS3, but the reticle advantages justify the difference for anyone who values speed and practical ballistic reference points.
The EXPS3-DCR is not just a new model, it’s a smarter approach to a holographic reticle. By focusing on the distances that matter most for 5.56 carbines, EOTech created an optic that removes ambiguity, reduces mental overhead, and accelerates performance where it counts.
For shooters who want a cleaner window, faster target acquisition, and built-in aiming solutions for 7 to 200 yards, the EXPS3-DCR is one of the most purpose-driven holographic sights EOTech has ever produced.
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