Great features but not reliable - EOTech Mini Red Dot Sight Basic Kit

I have tried many different 0 magnification optics and this one piqued my interest due to the features and the EoTech branding. The sight arrived in a plastic case sleeved with card-stock, labeling the sight as an Insight MRDS. I knew that EoTech had purchased Insight, but I was hoping that the sight would be a new EoTech product instead of new old stock from the acquisition. That was naive of me, of course, and a little cynical of EoTech.

The sight is extremely light and features Docter/Burris mount compatibility. The sight is so light in fact, that it feels fragile. The dot is crisp and clear and the photo sensor adjusts the brightness to perfection. The manual settings provide the ability to override the sensor and the pre-programmed brightness levels seem like they were well thought out. The battery compartment is top side and is easy to access. The documentation warns against over-tightening that battery compartment screws as this can damage the compartment cover and/or deform the watertight seal. Once again the specter of fragility on a presumptive mil-spec optic. I subjected the sight to some recoil simulations by rapping it against my palm. After a few of these "rounds," the dot disappeared and would come on intermittently. I turned the sight off, removed the battery, checked the contacts, tested the battery and repeated the experiment with the same result. I then turned the sight on and left it on the bench for about 30 minutes. The sight was still on, indicating that it was not a battery problem per se.

This is clearly not "mil-spec" performance. I will admit that I may have had a lemon. The adjust screw heads showed a little wear, so this sight might have been a return. At any rate, I wouldn't recommend this sight as there are vastly superior options out there at this price point.