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So, you have a great hunting weapon and are looking for a new scope or sight? You might need to look for a sight that will set you apart from the rest of the competition, and nothing can do this better than a holographic sight. Being part of a trio of gun sights that use red dots or reflex actions, these sights have been growing in popularity.
The best holographic sight is designed for most weapons. Not only has it been made for hunting rifles, but the trusty AR-15 assault rifles can also use these sights in areas where you can use them. They are a cut above the rest.
EOTECH 512 Holographic Weapon Sight
If you’re looking for a quality holographic sight by a reputable company, then the EOTech 512 is hard to beat. It offers a robust build using aircraft-grade aluminum. The sigh is equipped with shatterproof lenses, shockproof and waterproof, yet still lightweight and versatile. It sports a high-efficiency lithium-ion battery and is stacked with all the features -like an adjustable MOA – that you’d expect of a quality holographic sight
Our Other Recommendations
Best Lightweight Holographic Sight
For those looking for a sight that wouldn’t weigh down their gun, the Holosun HS510C Sight is the ideal option for you. It has been constructed from top-quality aircraft-grade aluminum and weighs just over 8 ounces. This is a reflex sight. It will allow the shooter to acquire the target in the least amount of time. The outer reticle also gives you up to 65 MOA, with an inner 2 MOA dot that can be adjusted.
Best High-End Holographic Sight
If you are looking for an outstanding holographic sight and are willing to pay for it, look no further than the EOTech HHS II Holographic Hybrid Sight. EOTech is a leader in the holographic sight market and this model shows off the years of experience they have in this field. It is built from a durable aircraft-grade aluminum design with a quick detach feature and a 68 MOA outer reticle. The lenses are glare resistant with 30 different brightness settings. The last holographic sight you’ll ever need.
With many brands and top sights today, finding the right one for your needs or weapon can be daunting. This is where we have stepped into the fray, helping you make the right decision to ensure the sights you choose for your specific rifles or weapon will work as intended and make your life easier.
The holographic sight certainly stood out after spending hours doing intricate research and looking at some of the many top sights available. However, we wanted to understand a little more, and this is what you will find in our buyer’s guide. You can find some interesting facts and the key features you must look for when buying one.
Many of the sights that we have selected are not specifically holographic. EOTech holds the holographic sight patent after designing its first sight in 1995. However, many other sights on this list can also be used for your rifles. They will serve as replacements or possible alternatives. It is worth mentioning a few of them are also cheaper.
Our Selection of the Best Holographic Sights
In any optic-related topic, the informative part can be discussed for hours. There are many features and new technology to rant about, but the sights get little attention. Before diving into these special features, we have decided to look at the sights first. This will help you make the right decision next time you upgrade or buy a new sight.
1. EOTECH 512 Holographic Weapon Sight
CR123 + Lithium-ion
The name of the brand already precedes the brand, and the quality of its products has a way of speaking for itself. However, as many believe, I had to give the EOTECH 512 Holographic Weapon Sight a fair look to see if it does stack up. Many rates it as the best, but we can now look to see
While we all know that the body of the sights has been constructed for durability, it is great to see the lenses are shatterproof. The combination of aircraft-grade aluminum with a rubber coating will mix with the lamination on the lenses. Now, you can bump or drop it from short distances, and the consequences you pay will not be as much.
The sight is not only shockproof, but these lenses will help to keep the glare from continuously belting down in your face. This one will stand up to the challenge many other top holographic sights lack. Night vision is one of those features that you don’t think you need until you have it and see the difference it makes.
Since this technology will need some incredible power source, EOTech has efficiently added a lithium-ion battery. The battery has been built-in, and they replace it as part of their warranty once it does give in. However, you can also use standard AA batteries to keep it powered while saving the lithium-ion for rainy days.
The other feature that many people have been looking for is adjustment possibilities. Fortunately, these sights can be adjusted with a massive MOA feature to ensure great versatility on the outer reticle. The inner dot only has an adjustment of 1 MOA, which is still enough for a holographic scope that does not need many adjustments.
Target Acquisition is not something you see in real life. If you love video games, you will notice the target easily being acquired. However, the company has tried to incorporate this technology into the sight. The sight should be functional and versatile to ensure you can easily manage all those tricky courses.
It is virtually impossible to find something wrong with the EOTECH 512 Holographic Weapon Sight. It has all the features needed for any tactical rifle, and the mounting does not require much additional work. However, you need to remember that many fakes are floating around out there, and this has had a few people scared off a wee bit.
If you are buying the real one, you will know it immediately. These sights are expensive and will probably break your budget if you are not someone who does it often. They are protected by a 10-year limited warranty, which includes the lithium-ion battery that many people are worried about. I love it, and many professionals will also give it a thumbs-up.
Pros
Cons
2. EOTech HHS II Holographic Hybrid Sight
Lithium-Ion
EOTech is one of those brands that will immediately draw your attention and give you the ability to start moving up the ladder in the world of tactical shooting. The design of their coveted EOTech HHS II Holographic Hybrid Sight is one of the most revolutionary holographic sights ever to see the light of day.
Aircraft-grade aluminum has been used for the bulk of the design,, giving it an edge when we look at the overall durability. Not only this, but it also functions much like other features made from this material, giving it a sense of indestructibility when you look after the sight. It is worth noting that it is shockproof and water-resistant.
The sights are not large, and they work with most tactical weapons. Having the quick detach feature, they don’t take up too much space on your weaver rail. An outer reticle with 68 MOA gives users a ton of adjustments that can be made. However, the 1 MOA red dot is sufficient to ensure you don’t need to make many modifications to the sights.
One of the best additions to your kit will be the added G33.STS magnifier. Combine this with 3X magnification, and you have almost anything up close. Testing the sights, we have found that the field of view is unlimited. However, this is completely thanks to the openness of the overall design and your look when carrying it along.
Since battery life will be important to keep all these features working, users have a 123 lithium-ion battery added to the sights. This battery ensures you have up to 600 hours of continuous use of the scope. However, it will drop down a little more as the heat rises, and you need to hunt in the middle of the day.
The special feature that stood out is that the sights allow users to adjust them by hand. No special tools are needed to make them work efficiently, which has helped people on the go. As a tactical shooter, I prefer running around and making up all of the changes as I go along to save myself some time.
If we look at the optics, it is one key element that any shooter loves. This is the ability to block out some glare. Since it is glare-resistant, you don’t need to worry about the angles you shoot towards. 30n different brightness settings give the user more versatility and custom options to play with depending on what the weather brings.
This seems all good and fine, but most tactical rifles are heavy. Having the added weight of this sight can be a daunting task for someone to carry or use over prolonged distances. The upside to this is the quick release, and you can almost strip it bare of the features you won’t need when you are busy and need more maneuverability.
You can expect it to be slightly pricey since it is rated highly and has a sought-after scope. This was the biggest issue for me. Yes, the additional magnifier and ease of use are great, but you might not need to spend so much money unless you are an active tactical shooter. If you are a professional, this will be one of the top holographic sights to choose from.
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3. Holosun HS510C Sight
CR2032
If you love reflex sights with a little more flare and the ability to get the job done a little faster, the Holosun HS510C Sight is the ideal option for you. It has been constructed from the same top-quality aircraft-grade aluminum, but with a weight of just over 8 ounces, it makes it worthwhile when you need to keep the weight down.
Since this is more of a reflex sight, it will allow the shooter to acquire the target in the least amount of time. The outer reticle also gives you up to 65 MOA, with an inner 2 MOA dot that can be adjusted. You can also change how and in which combination you would like all of these features to work without doing too much specific to the sights or using tools.
The CR2032 battery is not lithium-ion but gives many top shooters benefits and features. It has a massive life; using the red dot can get up to 50,000 hours of use. However, the outer reticle with the red dot will only give you 20,000 hours of use. Fortunately, these batteries are easy to find and replace once you are done.
As I have already stated, the first appearance it seems durable, especially with aircraft-grade aluminum being used. You should also note that a rubber coating is added, not for the aluminum, but to protect the lenses. The combination of these will make it shock-resistant when you have dropped it or if the weapon slips.
Talking about weapons slipping, the Holosun HS510C Sight is zeroed at 50 yards on most tactical rifles directly out of the box. You might need to play around with it depending on your range and the intended purposes you have. However, it should keep this zeroed feature when it falls, ensuring maximum durability.
Imagine yourself in close combat at the course or running by targets and missing many of them. This has happened to many of us when we are training. However, the unlimited field of view these sights offer will make it impossible to miss anything. You can see what is before you, allowing it to be used for military-grade operations.
If mounting was one of your concerns, the QD mounting has a quick-release feature, enabling the user to mount the sight to the rail in the least possible time. It can also be detached for specific situations or those combat courses that might feel a little frustrating for users who have a gun in their faces all of the time.
I had to do a lot of digging to find something wrong with this sight. The only downside will come down to your matter of perception and if you use it. The sights work best with great lighting and are a little dependent on this. Since there are no night sights, they lack one special tactical area if you do night shooting.
It is an affordable option with a load of different settings and features. The 12 adjustment levels will make a huge difference if the lighting is on your side. I like the reflex design and the lighter weight. It is an excellent option at a great price for someone looking for an affordable holographic sight for their tactical weapon.
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4. EOTech XPS2 Holographic Weapon Sight
CR123
The brand with the patent and the brand everyone is looking for makes another appearance on our list. This time, we had one of their best in the EOTech XPS2 Holographic Weapon Sight. Made from 6061 aluminum, it is still one of the ultimate options when you need durability and functionality but a lighter weight to keep you going.
The sights are smaller than most others and mount sufficiently well on the Weaver Picatinny rail. It does not take too long; without an expert’s help, we had it done in just a few minutes on the AR-15. All of this was done in minutes with eagerness to get out and test them.
Since these sights are battery-powered like the others, they have a holographic feature. This holographic feature will give you an outer retile with a red dot in the center. The adjustment for the outer reticle is a massive 68 MOA, while the inner dot will be almost fixed at 1 MOA but move with the target as you or it is moving around.
With some of the other options, I had to make some changes and modifications when the lighting did not meet my needs. However, the EOTech XPS2 Holographic Weapon Sight mounted to an AR-15 worked perfectly in all lighting. It has 20 different brightness settings, allowing you to make it comfortable for your own eyes.
A 7.3-degree field of view at 100 yards is what you can expect once you start looking directly into the sights. However, we never really put our eyes too close to these sights like we would with a normal Bushnell scope on a hunting rifle. This means you almost have a complete field of view and can see everything around you without worrying about losing your target.
If we look at some of the more common technology included, we find that it comes with a sensor. Besides saving you some battery life, the sensor does not do much. It will sense when the unit is being used and turn it off accordingly. You can get more from your batteries by including this in the sights.
Unfortunately, nothing is perfect. This sight comes close to being one of the best I have seen from EOTech, but the XPS2 needs CR123 batteries to work. These standard batteries are included upon purchase, but you can imagine how quickly they will drain with all these high-tech features. These high-tech features could have helped with a decent lithium-ion battery.
EOTech is renowned for its holographic sights, giving them somewhat of a monopoly when charging prices. The reflex and red dot sights can be compared, but many prefer the best holographic sight. This one is not all that expensive, but still a little more than your normal option. A limited 10-year warranty has backed it for more peace of mind.
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5. Dagger Defense DD102R Red Dot Reflex Sight Scope
CR2032
Another intriguing option that can closely compare to the holographic sight is the Dagger Defense DD102R Red Dot Reflex Sight Scope. Being just over 8 ounces, it is one of the best reflex scopes when looking at the weight. This lower weight makes it an effective option for tactical shooters who like to move constantly.
The sights have a red dot with a reticle to ensure you can choose or even find an alternative to the right one for your needs. This red dot reticle is available in 4 different patterns, adding some customizability to the user to make it better for them when they need to choose something different in each of the various conditions they are shooting.
Since I have seen some people worry too much about the mounting, we have tried it on a standard Picatinny rail. This rail has been fitted to perfection with these sights, and since many rifles already have it included, it will limit the modifications needed. It is a bit of a drag to mount with some of these special tools you will require.
A standard CR2032 battery is the main power source, giving the sights a little more versatility and ensuring that you have more time. They will give you a battery life of almost 50,000 hours in normal lighting. However, this is debatable; many people do not feel the same about the battery life. My bottom line is that it will last longer than most.
Having an adjustability of 5 MOA, the sights give you some versatility. It might not be the same as a real holographic sight, but once you understand the exact concept and where the gun has been zeroed, it should not be that much of an issue for users. These adjustment features make a huge difference when we examine the complexity of many tactical courses.
One of the common issues that you will find is that it blurs a little. However, the company released a statement advising users that this could be due to the battery. It can often happen even when the battery is new, but you should not panic. You can remove the battery and reinsert it. Be patient and wait around 5 minutes; everything will be cleared up.
Brightness might be an issue for some people, but I like to emphasize the ambient light around you. The unit has seven brightness settings, which should be enough for the right conditions. As I have mentioned, the previous battery problem might also be one of the issues, but this will eventually resolve itself.
Thankfully, we picked it up for a bargain, and the sights are still fairly affordable for anyone to use. It takes a little time to play around with the mounting, but let an expert help you, and you are ready in minutes. It is not ideal for night use, but for tactical beginners, the sights will be perfect for almost any condition and course.
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Buyer’s Guide – Key Features To Consider When Choosing The Best Holographic Sights
Working through these sights was a real pleasure and an honor to work with some of the best brands to see what they offer. While many are reflex sights, we want to show you some key features to choose your own. Keep in mind that much like the reviews, we will be discussing features of the holographic and reflex sights to help you find what fits your needs:
Construction and Durability
Probably one of the first things you look at when researching weaponry is the durability and the construction of the product. The sights or scopes need to be designed from strong materials and should be able to take a bit of a beating, especially if you are running around in those tactical courses.
6061 aluminum, or aircraft-grade aluminum, is the most common choice for the sight’s body. Not only is it durable, but also light enough not to add a lot to your weapon. The aluminum will probably have a rubber or plastic coating, making it shockproof. However, this is not the case with every sight.
The lenses are the most expensive part of any optic, and they must be taken care of as much as possible. Having shatterproof lenses will go a long way in avoiding extra costs that could be associated with mishaps. Most warranties will not cover negligence on your part, and paying for the added durability helps out a lot.
Mounting:
Mounting of the sights is also part of the compatibility. We love to have sights that are compatible with almost any rail. The rails that most common weapons used are either Weaver or Picatinny. These rails are specifically important to help mount your sights, and the more common your rail, the better it is to mount it.
If you don’t have technical expertise, you might consider having an expert assist you with the mounting process. It is slightly more expensive, but you should play it safe for scopes and sights. When looking at the top brands, all the tools are generally included, with efficient instructions for anyone to mount them at home.
Lenses:
We are not diving deeply into the lens or the types of lenses, but most of these sights have shatterproof laminations on the glass. The lens can be clear, or it can have some hint of color with it. The color is not for effects and plays a major part in ensuring you get the best value for your money when using them.
The lenses will help with distortion; occasionally, you can have a magnifier added if you need some magnification. The magnification is not a common theme in reflex and holographic sights, but it will help with longer tactical shots. Tinted lenses can help keep the sun out, and you won’t suffer from glare during the day.
Weight:
As we have touched on in the construction, weight does play a huge role in your weapon. You will feel a drag on the weapon if the sight is too heavy. Since most tactical courses require speed and are made to tire you out, don’t you wish to have something lighter to get around faster and more efficiently?
The average weight for a holographic sight will differ from the reflex sight. Most holographic sights have more of a completed or closed casing with additional technology included. This will help to do more but add weight. Most holographic sights are around 15 ounces or more, with reflex sights around 10 ounces for the average top-rated models.
Battery:
Unfortunately, all of the technology in your sight needs to be powered. Since it needs to be powered, you will have a battery that ensures you can keep going. It might sound simple: add a battery, and you are ready. However, there are different batteries, and we have done a little research into each of them to give you a breakdown of what to look for:
- CR123 (AA): The CR123 battery is the standard AA battery we use for many home electronics. There are a couple of holographic sights that work with them. However, they do not have such efficient battery life.
- CR 2032: A more common battery in some mid-range sights is the CR 2032 battery. This battery is not as large, but it still does the job. It has a battery life of up to 50,000 hours in certain cases. However, your brightness settings will have a huge effect on this.
- Lithium-ion: Lithium-ion is the king of batteries and has probably always been. There is no real substitute for lithium-ion batteries when we look at longevity and durability. The quality they offer is great; many of them can last you a lifetime.
While you can use almost any of these batteries, lithium-ion is the one that stands out the most. However, it is the most expensive, and replacing them will spike your maintenance even more. Brands like EOTech have been known to integrate lithium-ion batteries and still ensure you have room for the standard nCR123 batteries. This is the best of both worlds.
Adjustments:
While holographic sights don’t need adjustments to be made, we all love to have some freedom when it comes to our gear. The adjustment knob is generally located next to the sight itself, which is measured in MOA (Minutes Of Angle). The more you have, the more adjustments you can make to the sights, especially when it is zeroed.
However, when you have tactical sights, these will help you adjust windage and compensate for bullet drops. The grain of the bullet you are using can have a massive impact. It is worth remembering that the reticle on the holographic sight has more adjustments than the dot. Combined, it also has more adjustment features than your standard reflex sights.
Brand:
Speaking of EOTECH, you also need to consider looking at the brand. EOTech is the first brand to design holographic sights, and they have also patented it. This makes it virtually impossible for anyone to copy without their consent. However, some brands have earned the right to design their version using slightly different technology.
We have decided to make you aware of the brand due to the high reproduction of these fakes in recent years. Instead of being ripped off, you need to dig deeper into your research. If you cannot afford a real holographic sight, the reflex sights are still military-grade and can be an excellent alternative.
My choice for holographic sights would be to stick to what we know and what has been proven already. EOTECH is a brand that has been running wild and constantly improving, but if you need to try a different brand, it would be wise to look at someone like Vortex. Not only are they a close competitor, but their quality is great.
Warranty:
The warranty is one of the top things I always consider when looking at optics. The warranty can help you immensely, especially with the prices of the top optics soaring through the sky. A special warranty will give you more peace of mind and enable you to take more risks when using the weapon with the sights.
All of this will tie back to the brand. Brands have different warranties, and the best brands have better warranties. EOTech is one of the best brands; I cannot stress this enough. Their 10-year limited warranties will cover the sight and the special lithium-ion batteries. All of this will save you the price of a new sight in the long run.
Accessories:
Once you understand all the features and are ready to buy your new sight, you can start looking for some accessories. They are expensive additives but make a massive difference to your experience. Here are a few of the most common accessories that we have found and are occasionally included in package deals:
- Magnifier: We did touch on the magnification a little, but since most of these sights have no magnification, you can add some magnification with a magnifier attachment. It must be compatible with the weapon, but they are available for purchase.
- Brightness settings: We could have included this as one of the main features in the list, but since they vary too much from brand to brand, I have made it a minor feature. If you have more brightness settings, it will certainly help in different conditions.
- Night Vision: Night Vision was always considered a military tool and part of their arsenal. However, it is now available for the public as well. If you want to do your tactical courses at night, you should consider adding some night vision for a better experience.
- Size: The size should look like the part and fit on the weapon. Try to find something compatible, and if you can add a quick-release feature, make life simpler for yourself by doing this as well.
These accessories are great and might not be compatible with every holographic or reflex sight. However, they can be added occasionally to enhance your tactical experience. I do recommend giving them a go if you have the funds. However, you should start with the basic features of the weapon first.
The Holographic Sight vs. the Reflex Sight:
Before we answer a few of your common questions, we need to examine the main differences between these two. The holographic and reflex or red dot sights do vary a lot. Here are a couple of the things that set the holographic sight apart from the red dot reflex sight:
- Price: The holographic sights are much more expensive and can range between $400 and $1600, depending on the brand. However, they do have more technology.
- Field of view: Both can have an unlimited field of view, but holographic sight often comes with eyepieces. This means you must look at the field of view to ensure you get the best one for your needs.
- More adjustments: for those who did not read through all the features, your holographic units have a few more adjustments, making them more versatile for combat.
- The battery life is not great: Compared to the red dot sight, the holographic sight will use more battery for all the features. This will drain out the batteries much faster.
- Lightweight design: The holographic sights are some of the best when you need to keep the weight to a minimum. The sleek design also looks more fashionable and professional to a military degree.
Wrap-Up
The best holographic sights are rare, but they are worth every penny once you find them. These options have been highly recommended, and EOTech is the number 1 brand for designing them. I highly recommend their holographic sights for their quality and value.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are The Lithium-Ion Batteries Rechargeable?
Unfortunately, NO. If you want the best value, you must have the lithium-ion battery replaced. Fortunately, the top brands will have battery life indicators installed. This should help when you need to replace the battery and keep you from being in the dark.
Can I Use A Holographic Scope For Hunting?
Any scope can be used for hunting; it will come down to your weapon. Hunters need something for a specific purpose. Your holographic sight will be helpful at close range. Since they can be added to a shotgun, you can now use them for fast, rapid shooting, giving you a better and more accurate hunting experience.
Can I Add other Sighting Aids?
Additional tools like lasers can be added due to the smaller rail space that is taken up. However, you need to remember that each of these holographic sights will vary, and the mounting mechanisms are also completely different. You need to find out if you have enough space for the specific tools you would like to add and whether you are allowed to hunt with them.
