EOTECH G33 vs G43 vs G45: Which Magnifier Should You Buy?

The EOTECH G33, G43 and G45 look like three versions of the same purchase, but there are two separate decisions here. First, do you want 3x or 5x magnification? Second, how much do body length, weight and eye relief matter to you? Those questions lead to a more useful answer than simply buying the newest model.

The G33 is our starting point for a conventional 3x setup, the G43 is the shorter 3x alternative, and the G45 is the choice for more image detail at 5x. The shorter G43 is not the lightest of the three when comparing the standard mounted configurations. That distinction is easy to miss in a quick comparison.

Below, we look at each magnifier before comparing them directly. This is a buying guide based on manufacturer specifications and product configurations, not a claim that we conducted a side-by-side field test.

In this guide

• EOTECH G33: A Sensible Starting Point
• EOTECH G43: Shorter Does Not Mean Lighter
• EOTECH G45: The Meaningful Step Up to 5x
• G33 vs G43 vs G45 Specifications
• G33 vs G43: Is the Shorter Magnifier Worth It?
• G33 vs G45: More Magnification or a Lighter Package?
• G43 vs G45: Compact 3x or Higher-Power 5x?
• STS Mount, No Mount or a Complete HHS Package?
• Magnifier or LPVO?
• Our Recommendation

EOTECH G33: A Sensible Starting Point

The G33 earns its place on the shortlist without needing to be the smallest or the most powerful magnifier. Its 3x view is a useful addition to an unmagnified sight, and its conventional body gives you a straightforward reference against which to compare the shorter G43 and higher-power G45.

EOTECH lists 2.2 inches of eye relief and a 10.6-ounce weight with the STS mount. The body without that mount is listed at 7.8 ounces. Those are different configurations of the same magnifier, not conflicting measurements. A low advertised weight from a no-mount listing should not be compared directly with the weight of a complete kit.

The G33 is the one we would examine first if you already like the size of a traditional EOTECH magnifier. Its limitation is not that 3x is obsolete; it is that the longer body may be less convenient in a crowded optic arrangement. If compactness is your main reason to replace a magnifier, the G43 offers a clearer change. If you want a larger image, the G45 offers one the G33 cannot.

Browse G33 magnifiers for black, tan, mounted and no-mount choices. The black G33 with STS mount is the most direct comparison with the mounted G43 and G45 shown here.

EOTECH G43: Shorter Does Not Mean Lighter

The G43 changes the packaging more than the magnification. It remains a 3x optic, but its published length is 3.1 inches. If the G33 looks unnecessarily long behind your sight, this is the model that addresses that concern directly.

Its other differences deserve equal attention. EOTECH specifies 2.5 inches of eye relief and a 7.5-degree field of view. The mounted G43 is listed at 11.3 ounces, slightly more than the mounted G33. In other words, you are trading for a shorter body, not automatically removing weight.

We would favor the G43 when the shorter overall package is worth paying for. We would not replace a satisfactory G33 merely because the G43 has a higher number. Both provide the same nominal magnification, and a dimensional advantage matters only if it improves the fit and feel of the complete arrangement.

Body length also is not a promise that every mount, backup sight and receiver will fit together. The mount occupies its own space, and your preferred viewing position still matters. Treat the dimensions as a useful shopping comparison, then confirm the compatibility of the actual parts you intend to use.

See the G43 with STS mount in black or compare all EOTECH G43 options.

EOTECH G45: The Meaningful Step Up to 5x

The G45 is the most different of these three products. Its 5x magnification produces a larger view than either 3x model, making it the relevant alternative when your reason for buying a magnifier is to see more detail.

That benefit has costs. The G45 is listed at 12.8 ounces with the STS mount, and its field of view is narrower than the 3x models. Its published 2.6-inch eye relief is slightly longer, but eye relief alone does not describe how forgiving an optic feels. A single distance specification cannot replace looking through the complete setup.

The important limitation is fixed power. This is not a 1-5x variable scope or a magnifier with a selectable 3x setting. You get the underlying sight’s unmagnified view when the magnifier is out of the optical path, and 5x when it is in place. If you want several intermediate settings, a variable-power scope is a different kind of purchase.

Our recommendation is the G45 when you specifically want its larger magnified image and accept the heavier mounted package. If you are simply adding occasional magnification, do not assume the largest number is the most comfortable choice.

Compare the black G45 with STS mount with the other finishes and no-mount versions in our G45 collection.

G33 vs G43 vs G45 Specifications

Specification	G33	G43	G45
Magnification	3x	3x	5x
Length	4.0 in	3.1 in	3.9 in
Weight with STS	10.6 oz	11.3 oz	12.8 oz
Eye relief	2.2 in	2.5 in	2.6 in
Primary distinction	Lighter mounted 3x	Shorter 3x body	Higher magnification

These dimensions use EOTECH’s current product specification tables, with weights compared on an STS-equipped basis. Older G33 literature lists a different length, so check the drawing for your exact model if a fraction of an inch determines fit. The figures above are product dimensions, not a measurement of available space on your firearm.

G33 vs G43: Is the Shorter Magnifier Worth It?

The G43 is a purposeful upgrade in compactness, not a universal upgrade in everything. It shortens the magnifier body while retaining 3x magnification. The G33 counters with a lower listed mounted weight and may be the better purchase if it is comfortably within your space and budget.

For a first magnifier, we would compare the final price of each complete mounted package. If the difference is modest and a short body matters, the G43 is compelling. If you have room and the G33 costs less, there is no reason to treat the G33 as a compromise simply because another model is smaller.

G33 vs G45: More Magnification or a Lighter Package?

Here the choice is more fundamental. You cannot obtain the G45’s 5x view by choosing a different G33 mount or finish. Equally, buying the G45 means carrying its extra weight even when you are not using the magnified view.

Choose the G33 when 3x meets your needs and you value the lower mounted weight. Choose the G45 when you repeatedly wish for more image detail. We would not use an arbitrary distance cutoff to decide: target size, eyesight and viewing conditions all affect what feels useful.

G43 vs G45: Compact 3x or Higher-Power 5x?

The G43 is the stronger candidate for a buyer whose main complaint is bulk. The G45 is the stronger candidate for someone whose main complaint is insufficient magnification. They solve different problems, so asking which one is simply better can lead you away from the reason you started shopping.

If you are uncertain, think about the view you prefer rather than the number you can afford. Paying more for magnification that feels unnecessarily restrictive is not an upgrade. Paying less for a view that leaves you wanting more is not a bargain either.

STS Mount, No Mount or a Complete HHS Package?

STS means switch-to-side. A listing that includes the STS mount is the straightforward option when you need both components. A no-mount version can make sense when you already own a compatible mount, but its lower price is not the complete cost of a working mounted setup.

Switch-to-center arrangements are a separate configuration, not another expansion of the STS abbreviation. If you want one, shop the named mount or package and confirm its compatibility rather than assuming every EOTECH magnifier bundle includes it.

If you already own an EOTECH sight, a standalone magnifier usually avoids buying the same component twice. If you need both, EOTECH HHS packages are worth comparing against the separate items. The package number alone is not enough: compare the actual sight, reticle, magnifier and mount listed in the bundle.

Magnifier or LPVO?

A magnifier makes the most sense when you already like an unmagnified sight and want to keep that as your primary viewing experience. An LPVO makes more sense when you want a scope with a continuous range of magnification settings. Neither arrangement wins solely by having the larger maximum number.

Compare complete weight and price, not just the magnifier against a bare scope. One arrangement includes a sight plus magnifier and mounts; the other includes a scope and its mounting solution. Our Vudu buying guide explains the scope alternatives without assuming every buyer needs the same configuration.

Our Recommendation

Start with the G33 if you want a conventional 3x magnifier and have no pressing space constraint. Move to the G43 when its shorter body is a real benefit. Choose the G45 when 5x is the feature you want, rather than a number you feel obliged to buy. All three belong on the shortlist; the useful distinction is which tradeoff suits you.

Browse all EOTECH magnifiers to compare complete mounted kits, no-mount models and finishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Manufacturer references: G33 specifications, G43 specifications, G45 specifications and EOTECH’s G43/G45 mounted specifications.