Eotech, a leading provider of electro-optic solutions to the firearms industry, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025. For three decades, the company has designed, developed and manufactured dependable, high-performing optics for military, law enforcement, competition, recreation and home or personal defense.
Established in 1995, Eotech has evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of the firearms and optics industry. The Holographic Weapon Sight (HWS), EOTECH’s initial product offering, revolutionized the “red dot” world by offering numerous advantages over typical red dots, including speed to target and improved situational awareness. The firm was also the first to successfully launch a fixed magnifier that greatly enhanced the HWS capabilities.
“Our 30th anniversary is a significant milestone for Eotech,” said Joe Cardonna, CEO and owner of the company. “We are grateful to our employees, partners, media allies, customers and consumers for their unwavering support and trust throughout this incredible journey. As we look to the future, we are excited to bring more lifesaving, technology-driven products that help protect and defend home, community and country.
Over the past 30 years, Eotech has nurtured long-standing relationships with dealers and wholesalers across the globe as well as domestic and international military and law enforcement groups. The road wasn’t always a smooth one, however. In 2015—six years before Cardonna took ownership of the firm—Eotech and its parent company were sued by the U.S. Department of Justice for failure to disclose problems recognized as early as 2008 in the Enhanced Combat Optical Sights they supplied to some Special Forces units.
Eotech was purchased by American Holoptics, a division of Koucar management, in 2021. Cardonna is one of two partners in the latter firm, and the optics division has flourished under his control, earning an enviable reputation for quality control, customer service and innovation.
“Eotech’s story is a great one,” said Dean Loebig, Eotech chief technical officer. “We were really ahead of our time with the holographic technology and in 1995, all the stars finally aligned. Components miniaturized making manufacturing possible, the AR-15 was becoming popular and more accessible, and optics on firearms were beginning to be accepted and standardized.”
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