Author Archives: Red Dot Shooters

Holosun HS510C Review [Is It The Right Optic For You…?]

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holosun hs510c review

There have been a lot of new optics coming out lately, and even though they have small differences here and there…

…it’s hard to find features that really set them apart from one another. You can’t really say that about the Holosun HS510C because it’s just too unique.

It’s design… it’s look… and it’s features are all very different from other red dot sights on the market, and it’s exciting to see something that stands out so cleary.

Now if you’re in a hurry, here’s my super quick review: 

The HS510C gives you a HUGE viewing area, it has an awesome reticle, it has insane battery life (and solar power), and it comes with a high-quality QD mount. It’s a great red dot sight.

Check The Holosun HS510C Price On Amazon (Over 250 Reviews!) – Click Here

If you’re looking for more information than that then keep reading because this review is going to cover (in-depth) the following information:

  • Reticle And Clarity Of The HS510C…
  • Battery Life And Solar Power… 
  • Durability Of The Sight…
  • Extra Accessories Included With The Sight…
  • Pros And Cons Of The Optic…

In the end, I’ll give my final thoughts about the HS510C, and you should be able to determine whether or not it’s an optic that will work for you…

Let’s get into it! 

Reticle And Clarity Of The HS510C…

The reticle and clarity of the Holosun HS510c are both fantastic. To start off, the lens on this reflex sight is crystal clear. 

In fact, it’s some of the clearest glass I’ve seen on this type of optic, and that includes some of its competitors that cost a lot more money. 

holosun 510c elite review

The reticle is also extremely clear and precise. It doesn’t blur out or give the star effect the way reticles on some other red dot sights do, and it allows you to get a very clean sight picture. 

Now the reticle on the 510C can be changed between three different options.

  • A 2 MOA (minute of angle) dot
  • A 65 MOA ring
  • A 2 MOA dot with a 65 MOA ring around it (the Holosun Circle Dot Reticle)

Holosun calls this the Multiple Reticle System or M.R.S. and it allows you to really tailor the optic to fit your needs and/or personal preference. 

Personally, I’m a big fan of the Holosun Circle Dot reticle. The reason why is because the 65 MOA ring is super fast to pick up when you take aim at large targets up close…

…but at the same time, the small 2 MOA dot in the center gives you a precise sight picture when you’re aiming at small targets in the distance. 

Basically, it’s really fast up close but still precise when you have to reach out a little bit, and after using it for a while now, it’s become my favorite reticle on a red dot sight.  

Now some shooters just want to keep it simple, and if that’s the case with you, you can easily change the reticle to a 2 MOA dot, which is also a great reticle for a red dot optic. 

Last you can set reticle to be a 65 MOA ring without a 2 MOA dot in the center…

holosun 510c elite vs 510c

Personally, I don’t really understand why you’d want to use this option because the Holosun Circle Dot reticle will accomplish the same thing, but it’s there if you find a use for it. 

Again, I think it’s smart that Holosun includes the Multiple Reticle System in this sight because you can set it up however you prefer. 

And it’s really easy to switch between the reticles as well because all you have to do is hold down the minus (brightness) button on the side for a few seconds…

…and you can cycle through the three options. 

The MASSIVE Viewing Area…

Now one of the most unique features the 510C has to offer is the huge viewing area that it gives you. 

The way this sight is designed allows it to have a big advantage over a micro red dot sight when it comes to field of view.

You can simply see a lot more through it (and around it), and having the ability to see more of your target (and what’s around it) is always a good thing when it comes to shooting…

And because it has unlimited eye relief you can really acquire a sight picture quickly from pretty much any shooting position. 

Battery Life And Solar Power…

The battery life on the Holosun 510c is amazing. It can run for about 50,000 hours on one CR2032 battery.  

I think that super-long battery life like this is an absolute must-have on a red dot sight… 

holosun 510c review

I’ve had red dots fail on me because the batteries ran dry very quickly, and that’s not something you want happening if you ever have to use your rifle in self-defense. 

In addition to the super-long battery life, the 510c also automatically turns off when it’s not being used and will automatically turn on when it senses motion. 

Holosun calls this the “Shake Awake” feature, and I think it was really smart of them to include it because it means your optic is always ready to go. 

So again, if you have to use your rifle in an emergency home defense situation, you won’t have to fiddle around with the buttons on your optic before dealing with the threat. 

You can just pick up your rifle and be ready to defend yourself and your family. So I really am a big fan of the Shake Awake feature included on this sight because…

  1. It’s going to help save your battery life
  2. And it means your optic is always ready for duty

Now in addition to the ultra-long battery life and shake awake feature, Holosun also includes a solar panel on this optic…

The solar panel allows you to run the sight even if your battery runs dry (or to save battery life)… as long as you have some sunlight.  

I’ve used this feature quite a bit, and even in the sunny desert where I live, you get a bright reticle that gives you a great sight picture. 

Now with the HS510C you get 10 brightness settings for daylight conditions and 2 night vision settings…

I found the high daylight settings to be extremely bright…

In fact, they seemed to be brighter than the brightness settings on many other red dot sights I’ve used, which I think is an indication of the quality that Holosun puts into their optics. 

Durability Of The Holosun 510C…

The Holosun 510C is extremely durable. To start off, the sight housing is made of high-strength aluminum and the lens is protected by a titanium hood. 

In addition to that, the windage and elevation turrets are recessed into the sight housing…

holosun hs510c lens cover

They can easily be adjusted with the use of a screwdriver or the rim of a spent cartridge, and there is no way for them to snap off if your sight gets knocked or bumped around a little bit. 

The 510C is also fully waterproof and can handle rainy or wet conditions without any problems at all. 

Now I do have to mention that the one disadvantage to the 510c is that you can’t put flip-open lens covers on it. 

The way it’s designed doesn’t really allow for it, but just remember that the trade-off is that huge viewing area you get…

Personally, I don’t think this is too big of a problem because the sight is built to be durable and should hold up to any type of normal civilian use.

Holosun HS510C VS HE510C Elite…

Now just to be clear, the Holosun HS510C comes with a red-colored reticle… The similarly named Holosun HE510C Elite comes with a green colored reticle. 

holosun he510c review

I have always preferred red over green when it comes to sights and optics because my eyes are just able to pick up the red a little bit quicker…

But if you prefer an optic with a green reticle, you’ll want to check out the HE510C Elite because it has all of the same features as the HS510C, but the color of the reticle is green.

Extra Accessories Included With The Sight…

There are many cool accessories that come included with the Holosun HS510C. To begin, you get an extra battery tray just in case the one you’re using gets damaged in any way. 

In addition to that, you get a tool that allows you to easily remove the battery tray, which is how you change out the battery when the time comes to swap it out. 

All those things are good, but really the most exciting accessory that comes with this optic is the included QD mount. 

holosun products

The mount that you get is actually pretty high-quality. It’s designed specifically for the 510C, and as I mentioned before…

…it is a QD or quick detach mount which allows you to remove it quickly if it gets damaged or becomes unusable in any way. 

The QD mount also positions the 510C for an absolute co-witness with backup iron sights if you’re mounting it on an AR-15. 

To me, that’s the perfect height because I always like to run back up iron sights when I’m using optics that require battery power. 

All in all, the goodies that you get with the 510C are high-quality, useful, and add to the value you’re getting from Holosun.

Pros And Cons Of The Holosun HS510C…

Pros…

  • Huge Viewing Window
  • 3 Reticle Choices (including the Holosun Circle Dot!)
  • Crystal Clear Lens
  • Ultra Long Battery Life
  • Motion Activated “Shake Awake” Feature
  • Solar Power Technology
  • Waterproof
  • Included High-Quality QD Mount

Cons…

  • It’s a little larger and heavier than some other red dots (If this is a problem for you I recommend you check out this sight)
  • It has a mid-range price tag (it’s actually got a pretty decent price tag, but if you’re looking for something less expensive, I recommend you check out this sight)

Holosun HS510C Review – Final Thoughts…

In the end, I think the Holosun HS510C is a very unique addition to the market for red dot sights…

  • It’s got that huge sight window
  • Its battery lasts forever
  • And it’s got that AWESOME circle dot reticle!
holosun hs510c elite

Add to that, the reasonable price tag it carries and I think Holosun knocked it out of the park with this optic!

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Aimpoint PRO Review [Patrol Rifle Optic] – Is It The Right Optic For You…?

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aimpoint pro patrol rifle optic review

When you’re setting up a ‘go to’ rifle, it’s important to make sure that everything about it is bombproof…

Of course, the rifle itself has to be 100% reliable, but so does the sight that you put on it…

And for years, Aimpoint has set the standard when it comes to making red dot sights that are extremely rugged and dependable…

The Aimpoint Pro Patrol Rifle Optic maintain’s that legendary Aimpoint reputation, and if you’re in a hurry here’s my quick and dirty review:  

The Aimpoint Pro is insanely tough, reliable, and gives a great sight picture. It’s a fantastic optic for any law enforcement, military, or civilian rifle/carbine…

Check The Aimpoint Pro Patrol On Amazon (Over 500 Reviews)

Now if you’re looking for more information on the Pro Patrol, then stick around because in this review, we’re going to go over the following information:

  • Durability Of The Aimpoint Pro…
  • Battery Life Of The Optic…
  • Reticle And Clarity…
  • Extra Goodies Included With The Optic…
  • Pro And Cons Of The Aimpoint Pro Patrol…

In the end, I’ll go over my final thoughts about the Aimpoint Pro, and you’ll have all the information you need to determine whether or not it’s the right red dot sight for you…

Let’s jump into the review!

Durability Of The Aimpoint Pro…

The Aimpoint Pro is a very durable and reliable sight.  As I mentioned before, Aimpoint optics are known for their durability and the Pro Patrol is no different…

In fact, it’s called the Aimpoint Pro Patrol because it was designed to be an affordable optic that law enforcement guys could put on their patrol rifles, shotguns, or pistol caliber carbines

aimpoint red dot sight

So, from the start it was created for hard use. Now, the sight housing is made from high-strength aluminum, and it’s pretty sturdy…

In addition to that, the windage and elevation turrets have protective caps that are attached to the sight, and they sit relatively low into the sight housing…

To me, this is an important design feature because it’s easy to accidentally knock or bump the adjustment dials on red dot sights, and if they’re not rugged built, they could snap off. 

That probably won’t happen with the dials on your Aimpoint Pro, because like I said, they sit relatively low.   

To make adjustments to the reticle you’ll need a screwdriver or the rim of a spent cartridge, and the adjustment clicks are crisp, audible, and positive. 

Now the weight of the Pro Patrol is 7.8 ounces, which makes it a relatively chunky sight compared to some of the micro red dot sights out there…

But the extra size and weight makes this sight much more robust than a micro red dot, and as you’ll see later in this review, there’s another BIG advantage of having a large red dot.

Last, the Aimpoint Patrol is waterproof up to 150 feet, which means it’s going to run in rainy and wet conditions without any issues at all.

So in terms of durability, the Pro Patrol is up to the high standards that Aimpoint is famous for.      

Battery Life Of The Optic…

The battery life of the AimPoint Pro Patrol is very good. First of all, it has a total of 11 brightness settings that you can choose between. 

Those settings include: 4 settings for night vision, 6 settings for daylight conditions, and one extra bright setting for shooting in the extremely bright conditions. 

It uses one 3V lithium battery, and it can be left turned-on for a period of 3 to 5 years depending on which brightness setting it’s left on.

aimpoint pro battery

For me, ultra long battery life like this is a must-have on a red dot sight. 

The reason why is because you can leave your optic turned-on at all times, which means your rifle will be ready to go in a moment’s notice. 

For example, if you had to grab your rifle in a hurry because of a home defense situation…

…you wouldn’t have to worry about pressing the buttons that turn on your sight before going and dealing with the threat. 

All you have to do is grab your rifle and get to work, and to me, that makes this a simple optic that you can zero, keep turned-on, and then forget about. 

Now even though the Aimpoint Pro can be left on for a period of 3 to 5 years, I do recommend replacing the battery once every year…

If you do that, you really shouldn’t run into any situations where your battery dies no matter which brightness setting you keep the optic set to. 

Reticle and Clarity Of The Pro Patrol…

The reticle and clarity of the Aimpoint Pro Patrol are both fantastic. To start off with, the lenses are very clear, and they allow you to see through the sight with a good amount of contrast. 

In addition to that, I mentioned before that the size of this optic is an advantage and the reason why is because it has a 38mm objective lens

aimpoint pro review

Having that large objective lens allows you to have a much larger viewing area than something like a micro red dot sight. 

Now that doesn’t mean that I don’t like micro red dot sights because I’m actually a big fan of them and I own several different models

…but having that extra large objective lens (even though it adds size and weight) is a definite advantage when it comes to the amount of area you’re able to see through the optic. 

Now the reticle on the Pro Patrol is a 2 MOA (Minute Of Angle) red dot. For me, a 2 MOA dot is a fantastic reticle for a red dot sight…

…and the reason why I like it is because it’s a very easy reticle to pick up when you’re trying to make quick shots at targets up close… 

But it’s also small enough that it allows you to aim with precision at targets off in the distance.

aimpoint pro reviews

So, for me a 2 MOA dot is perfect, and it’s one of my favorite reticles on this type of optic. 

Aside from that, you also get unlimited eye relief with the Pro Patrol, and you get a very clean sight picture when looking through the optic.  

Extra Goodies That Come With The Optic…

The Aimpoint Pro Patrol comes with some really cool included accessories. First of all, it comes with a high quality Aimpoint mount…

…which is going to hold up in tough conditions unlike the cheap mounts you get with some of the Chinese produced red dot sights. 

Aimpoint calls it the QRP2 mount, and I find that it’s really simple to use. 

To mount it on your rifle all you have to do is attach it to your rail and then turn the side knob until it snaps three times. 

aimpoint pro mount

In addition to that, the mount includes a riser that sets the Aimpoint Pro up for an absolute cowitness with backup iron sights (if your mounting it on an AR-15). 

And since most guys will end up using this optic on an AR-15, I think it’s a really smart choice by Aimpoint to include that. 

When you remove the riser out of the mount, it sits the sight closer to the bore… 

So even if you’re running it on a shotgun, AK, or pistol caliber carbine, you can still mount the optic in a low position that makes sense for whichever gun you intend to use with this optic. 

Now the Pro Patrol is a 30mm optic… so if you want to get an aftermarket mount to save a little bit of weight, there are many high-quality options out there. 

But personally I like the included mount from Aimpoint, and I don’t think you need to replace it with one of the aftermarket options. 

In addition to the included mount, the Pro Patrol also comes with flip open lens covers. 

The included lens covers give your sight (which is already very durable) even more protection and they’re designed in a very cool and unique way. 

The front lens cover is blacked out like most lens covers are, but the rear lens cover is clear…

This allows you to see the red dot reticle against a black background when you look through the clear front lens cover. 

aimpoint pro patrol review

Aimpoint does this because it allows you (in an emergency) to present your rifle at a target with both lens covers closed…

Even if the lens covers are closed, if you’re aiming with both eyes open the dot should still appear over your target and you should be able to hit it. 

There are actually some very old optics that the U.S. military used to use that were designed this way…

…and I think it’s kind of a cool feature that Aimpoint includes in their lens covers. 

Now unlike one of its main competitors, the Trijicon MRO Patrol, the AimPoint Pro Patrol does not come with a killflash or as they call it an anti-reflection device…

But the front lens area is threaded for one if that’s an accessory that you would like to add on to your optic later.

It would be cool if it came with an anti-reflection device, but overall I’m pretty happy with the amount of accessories that Aimpoint includes with this red dot sight.    

Pros And Cons Of The Aimpoint Pro Patrol…

Pros…

  • Aimpoint Reliability And Durability
  • Super Long Battery Life
  • Clear Lens
  • Huge Viewing Area
  • 2 MOA dot reticle 
  • Included Aimpoint Pro Mount
  • Included Lens Covers

Cons…

  • It’s a large red dot sight (if this is a problem for you, I recommend you check out this sight)
  • It’s an affordable optic for an Aimpoint, but overall I’d say it’s in the moderate/high price range (if you’re looking for a more affordable red dot, I highly recommend this sight)

Aimpoint PRO Review (Patrol Rifle Optic) – Final Thoughts…

In the end, I think the Aimpoint Pro Patrol is a fantastic red dot sight…

  • It’s super reliable
  • It has great battery life
  • And it has a HUGE viewing area
aimpoint pro mount

I’m very happy with it, and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a bomb-proof quality sight that gives a great sight picture and has a pretty reasonable price. 

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Trijicon MRO Patrol Review – A Tough As Nails Red Dot Sight…

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trijicon mro patrol review

Having a quality optic on your rifle can really make a big difference…

…because when push comes to shove, you want something that’s going to work 100% when you need it to.

Now, there are a lot of great red dot sights out on the market right now…

…but today I’m going to review one with a dynamite record for durability and reliability, the Trijicon MRO Patrol

If you’re in a hurry, here’s my one-line review: This sight in awesome… It’s super tough, it’s reliable, and it gives a huge sight picture!

Click Here To See The Latest Price Of The Trijicon MRO Patrol On Amazon >> 

If you’re looking for more detailed information than that, then keep reading because in this review we’re going to cover the following:

  • The Durability Of The MRO Patrol…
  • The Battery Life…
  • The Reticle And Clarity…
  • Extra Goodies That Come With The Sight…
  • The Pros And Cons Of The MRO Patrol…

In the end, I’ll give my final thoughts about the MRO Patrol, and you should have a good idea whether or not it’s a red dot sight that will fit your needs…

Let’s get started!

Durability Of The Trijicon MRO Patrol…

Trijicon optics are known for their durability (just think about the Trijicon ACOGs that the military uses), and the MRO Patrol is no different…

To start off with, the sight housing for the Patrol is fully sealed and built from forged 7075 (aircraft-grade) aluminum. 

trijicon mro patrol weight

It’s also hard anodized, and has that trade-mark Trijicon coating which weirdly seems rubberish and metallic at the same time… 

I don’t know exactly what that coating is, but I do know that it’s super durable.

In addition to that, the windage and elevation turrets are built specifically for rugged use. 

They are recessed into the sight housing and can be adjusted with a screwdriver or the rim of a spent round… 

I think this is a smart design choice because it means there is no possibility that the adjustment turrets can be bumped against a wall (or something like that) and be snapped off… 

Each click on the adjustment turrets will move the reticle 0.5 MOA (minute of angle), which is perfect for a red dot sight…

…and the clicks are crisp and audible giving you a sense that the sight is built to a high quality.

Now, relative to some other micro red dot sights out there, the MRO Patrol may seem a little bit large, but even though it is larger, it’s not that much bigger than other red dots on the market…

…and the bigger size gives it some important advantages over smaller sights. 

trijicon mro review

We’ll get into some of these advantages later in this review, but one of them is that this sight is a lot more durable than some of its competitors…

It’s built like a tank, but it still comes in at a reasonable weight of 5.1 ounces for the sight and 1.8 ounce for the mount. 

In addition to that, the Patrol is waterproof up to 100 meters… which means that it can handle rainy or wet conditions without skipping a beat. 

All in all, the strength and durability of this red dot is up to the mil-spec standards that Trijicon is known for.  

How’s The Battery Life?

The battery life on the MRO Patrol is fantastic… First of all, it has a total of 8 brightness settings.

The 2 lowest emitting settings are for use with night vision equipment…

trijicon mro weight with mount

The next 5 settings are for daylight brightness, and the final setting is for use in super bright daylight conditions like you’d find out in the desert. 

I find that keeping it on setting 3 is just fine in the daylight, and according to Trijicon, you can keep the Patrol turned on for five years on setting 3 (using 1 CR2032 battery). 

In this day and age, I think ultra-long battery life like this is an absolute must on a red dot sight. 

I won’t even consider a red dot that doesn’t have thousands and thousands of hours of battery life…

The reason why is because you can keep your optic always turned on, which means it will be ready to go if you need to grab your rifle in an emergency. 

So for example, if you heard a bump in the middle of the night, you wouldn’t have to grab your rifle and then fiddle around with the buttons on your red dot to turn it on.

It would already be turned on… So you could just pick up your rifle and be ready to go. 

In the end, that super long battery life makes this red dot a simple to use (set and forget) optic which is exactly what I’m looking for in a red dot sight. 

Reticle and Clarity Of The Optic…

The sight picture and clarity of the MRO Patrol is very good… To start off, Trijicon puts multiple coatings on their sight lenses…

…which makes them very durable but also allows them to gather more light and gives you, the shooter, good contrast when you’re acquiring a sight picture

trijicon mro accessories

In addition to that, I mentioned before that the MRO Patrol is a bigger red dot than many of its competitors… and one of the major advantages of that is the 25mm Objective (front) lens. 

Having this very large objective lens gives you a very large viewing area when you’re looking through this optic. 

I like micro red dot sights and use them on many of my rifles, but sometimes it’s nice to have a larger viewing area so you can see more and be more aware of your surroundings. 

The trade-off again is that the optic is bigger and more weight is added to your rifle, but I think it’s kind of a fair trade off…

…and it all depends on what you’re looking for out of your choice of optic.

So I really like the large viewing area that you get from the 25mm objective on this optic, and it really is a feature that sets this sight apart from almost all of its competitors. 

In addition to that… because the Patrol is a red dot sight you have unlimited eye relief, which means your eye doesn’t have to be in the perfect position to acquire a sight picture… 

…and the reticle is a crisp 2 MOA red dot (you can also get it with a green dot, but I prefer red).

trijicon mro lens diameter

I’m a big fan of a simple 2 MOA dot reticle on my red dots because it allows you to acquire your target quickly, but at the same time…

…it’s small enough to aim with a great deal of precision at small targets in the distance. 

Extra Goodies That Come With The Sight…

There are several free goodies included with your Trijicon MRO Patrol… 

First, you get lens caps for the front and rear lenses that are specifically fitted to the MRO Patrol and which make the whole sighting system even more rugged than it already is. 

trijicon mro vs aimpoint

In addition to that, it comes with a kill flash that covers the front lens of the optic… A kill flash is useful for several reasons:

  • it reduces the reddish glare that comes off of the front lens of any red dot sight 
  • it reduces light being emitted from your red dot in low-light situations 
  • it reduces the glare that you might see on a bright day 

Aside from the lens covers and kill flash, you can also choose to include a mount with your MRO Patrol.  

I recommend getting the mount because you’re going to have to get a mount anyway, and the mount that comes with the MRO Patrol is pretty high quality.

It’s also a quick detach mount which means you can remove it quickly and when you put it back on, it will return to zero. 

I typically don’t take my sights off my AR-15s very much, but it’s nice to know that if I did have to take it off for some reason, I wouldn’t have to re-zero my optic when I put it back on. 

Now you can get the mount as an absolute co-witness mount or as a lower 1/3 cowitness mount… 

trijicon mro shotgun

Personally, I’ve always preferred an absolute co-witness with my BUIS (back up iron sights), and if you’re unsure between the two, that’s what I’d recommend you go with. 

Pros And Cons…

Pros

  • Super durable red dot sight
  • Waterproof up to 100 meters
  • Ultra-long battery life (you can set it and forget it)
  • HUGE viewing area!
  • Reticle is a 2 MOA dot (perfect in my opinion)
  • Lenses are strong and give great contrast
  • Comes with lens covers
  • Comes with a kill flash
  • Comes with a quality mount

Cons

  • It’s a little larger and heavier than some of its competitors (If this is a problem for you I recommend this sight)
  • It has a mid-range/high price tag (totally worth it in my opinion, but if you’re looking for a great red dot that costs much less check out this sight)

Trijicon MRO Patrol Review – Final Thoughts

In the end, I think the Trijicon MRO Patrol is a fantastic red dot sight…

  • It’s super strong and durable
  • It’s got a huge viewing area
  • It comes with some really cool extra goodies
trijicon mro battery life on setting 4

I highly recommend it, and as I mentioned before, if you’re looking for a tough-as-nails optic for your rifle, shotgun, or carbine, you can’t go wrong with the MRO Patrol.

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StrikePen Black Review – The Perfect FREE Tactical Pen For Your EDC…

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strikepen black review

Tactical pens are starting to become pretty popular, and there are many reasons why…

They’re discreet, they’re easy to carry, and they usually have some of the capabilities of a mulit-tool…

And there are a lot of options out there right now, but one of the tactical pens that really stands out to me is the Strike Pen Black.

Now if you’re in a hurry, here’s my recommendation: Get one. They’re pretty cool and right now Ape Survival is giving them away for FREE!

Click Here To Get The StrikePen Black For FREE!

If you’re not in a hurry, stick around because in this review, we’re going to cover all the important details about the StrikePen, including:

  • What Is The StrikePen Black?
  • Who Created It?
  • Who Can Benefit From The StrikePen?
  • What Are The Main Features Of The StrikePen?
  • What Can It Be Used For?
  • How Much Does It Cost?

In the end, I’ll give my final thoughts about the StrikePen, and you’ll be able to decide if it’s the right tactical pen for you or not.

So let’s jump into the review!

What Is The StrikePen Black?

The StrikePen Black is a free tactical pen. Along with being a functional pen, the StrikePen has several tools built into it. 

ape survival strikepen reviews

Some of these tools can be used for emergency self-defense, and others can be used for everyday tasks that you might run into. 

In addition to that, the StrikePen is also very compact and can be carried discreetly.

It can easily fit into a pocket or a purse, and because of its design, it won’t end up being bulky or taking up too much space. 

Like I mentioned before, it is a fully functional pen that writes very smoothly… and personally, I think it’s the perfect EDC (everyday carry) tool.

For a limited time it’s being offered for free, and you just have to pay a little bit of shipping to get one. 

Who Created It?

The company that created the StrikePen Black is called Ape Survival….

Ape Survival has stated that they are a company dedicated to educating American families about survival and wilderness skills. 

apesurvival pen

As part of a company campaign for survival awareness, they’ve decided to give away the StrikePen Black for free for a limited time. 

What’s also cool is that they give you three free survival guides when you decide to pick up your Strike Pen. 

Who Can Benefit From The StrikePen?

Anyone looking for a compact and discreet self-defense tool can benefit from having the StrikePen.

If you want something that doesn’t stand out as tactical and that you can grab in a moment’s notice, the StrikePen is for you. 

In addition to that, if you’re someone who already has a self-defense EDC loadout, it makes a great compliment to the stuff you already carry… 

For example, if you are already carry a gun concealed and possibly a knife and flashlight, the Strike Pen can be a nice little addition to those items that you carry everyday. 

What Are The Main Features Of The StrikePen?

There are many features included in the StrikePen Black… First of all, it is a fully functional pen.

It also writes very smoothly, and it comes with replacement ink.

strike pen amazon

The StrikePen is also very durable. The main body of the pen is a milled alloy, and it has a sleek design and ergonomic grip pattern that makes it comfortable to hold.

It’s called the StrikePen because it has something called a ‘striker’…

The striker is a reinforced part of the pen that can be used to strike in self-defense or to do something like break a car window in an emergency. 

The striker on the StrikePen is tungsten steel and is very strong. The Strike Pen also includes a small flashlight which they call a bright LED emitter…

This little flashlight isn’t going to be able to spotlight something 50 feet away, but it’s a great little emergency source of light and the batteries come included with your StrikePen.

You also get 2 interchangeable tools that come with the StrikePen. The first tool is a conventional knife blade…

You probably wouldn’t want to use it for self-defense because it is a relatively small blade, but it will come in handy when you’re out and about and you need a knife to open a box…

… or for any other everyday task that might require a working blade. The other tool is a sort of multi-tool and it includes:

  • A flat-head screwdriver 
  • A hex wrench 
  • A short utility blade
  • And a bottle opener

Again, several useful tools that I’m sure will come in handy as you go about your day.

Last, the StrikePen comes with a steel clip to keep it secure in your pocket or secure in a bag or purse if you prefer keeping it there. 

Uses Of The StrikePen…

Because there is so much packed into this little tactical pen, the Strike Pen can be used in many different ways.

As I already mentioned, it really is perfect for EDC. Just keep it next to where ever you leave your keys and phone at home and slide it in your pocket when you leave your house for the day. 

strikepen parts

Aside from that you can easily find a place for it on a plate carrier or tactical vest…

…and there are all sorts of reasons why including a pen in your tactical rig would be a smart idea, let alone a tactical pen.

Now again, the StrikePen is a fully functional and smooth writing pen… And personally I run into situations all the time when I’m looking for something to write with. 

Having an EDC pen that I carry with me all the time comes in handy for these occasions.

Also, having the tungsten steel striker ready to go as a discreet self-defense option is pretty valuable. 

Sometimes you just feel a little uneasy, but you don’t necessarily want to draw your concealed carry gun… and it’s just nice to have a more subtle and discreet option available.

And again, the striker can also be used as a glass breaker in the event of a car accident or something like that. 

You also have that LED flashlight which is perfect if you need to change a tire on your car at night or if you just need to take a closer look at something in the dark.

And of course, you have all the other tools that are included with the Strike Pen like:

  • the knife blade 
  • the screwdriver 
  • the hex wrench 
  • and the bottle opener 

And I’m sure you run into situations where you could use these tools all the time in your day to day life because I know I do. 

How Much Does It Cost?

According to the Ape Survival website, the value of the Strike Pen is $54.95, but as I mentioned before…

…as part of their survival awareness campaign, they’re currently giving them away for free. The only catch is that you have to pay a little bit of shipping. 

Personally, I think the small amount of shipping that you pay is worth it, and I think this is a really cool deal. 

Click Here To Get Your StrikePen Black For FREE

StrikePen Black Review – Final Thoughts…

In the end, I think the StrikePen Black is a really cool tactical pen because…

  • It’s super durable
  • It’s useful in many ways
  • And it’s compact and discreet
strikepen black review

In addition to that, you can get it for FREE if you just a pay a little bit of shipping…

I think it’s a great deal, and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND picking one up if you’re looking for an awesome tactical pen!

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Sig Romeo5 Vs Holosun 503c [Which Red Dot Wins?]

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sig romeo vs aimpoint

If you’re looking for a high-value red dot sight there are a ton of amazing options out there.

Technology has improved, and you don’t have to spend $700 to get an optic with super long battery life, that’s reliable and gets the job done.

Right now, two of my favorite options in this high-value red dot category are:

I own both of these sights, and I thought it’d be fun in this blog post to pit them against each other…

So here’s what we’re going to look at when we compare these two sights:

  • Durability And Toughness
  • Reticle And Lens Clarity
  • Battery Life
  • Extra Items Included With The Sight
  • Price

In the end, I’ll tell you which of these two sights I prefer, and you should have all the information you need to determine which is the right optic for you…

So with all that said, let’s jump into this Sig Romeo 5 vs Holosun comparison!

Durability And Toughness…

Sig Romeo 5

The Sig Sauer Romeo 5 is a very durable red dot sight… To start off with, it’s waterproof up to 1 meter and fog proof.

That means it’s going to function without any issues even if you get caught shooting in the rain.

sig sauer romeo 5 xdr

Another feature I like about it is the way the sight housing is designed.

It actually comes up around the adjustment turrets giving a bit of extra protection to the knobs.

I’ve never seen it happen, but it is possible to snap exposed turrets off or bend them if they accidentally get knocked around too hard.

So it’s good that Sig decided to re enforce that particular area. All in all, the Romeo 5 is well-built and rugged.

Holosun 503C

Much like the Romeo 5, the Holosun 503C is a very durable sight…

It’s also fog proof and waterproof up to 1 meter. So again, rain will not be an issue at all with this optic.

sig romeo 5 warranty

Now, there are some models from Holosun where the sight housing comes up and protects the adjustment turrets…

…but on this particular model, the turrets are exposed just a little bit. (UPDATE: The Holosun HS503CU actually does include this feature!)

I’ve never personally found this to be an issue, but it does seem like it would be easier to damage them if the optic what accidentally dropped or bumped around.

That said, I still think the 503C is a very durable sight, and I’ve never had any problems in the years I’ve owned mine.

Durability And Toughness Conclusions…

Winner: Sig Romeo 5

The Romeo 5 wins here slightly because of the protection of the adjustment knobs.

Reticle And Lens Clarity…

Sig Romeo 5

The reticle on the Romeo 5 is a simple 2 MOA dot.

I’ve always found a 2 MOA dot to be a very good option when it comes to reticles.

It’s simple and fast and because the 2 MOA is relatively small…

…it allows you to aim with a lot of precision even at targets in the distance.  

In addition to that, the lens on the Romeo 5 is incredibly clear.

Holosun 503C

With the 503c you can switch between two reticle options…

You can have the simple 2 MOA dot, which is exactly the same as the Romeo 5, or you can have the Holosun Circle Dot Reticle.

best budget red dot for ar15

The circle dot reticle includes a central 2 MOA dot that’s surrounded by a large 65 MOA outer circle.

With the circle dot reticle, you still have the ability to aim very precisely because of the 2 MOA dot in the center…

…but I find it to be even faster than the simple 2 MOA dot set up, especially for large targets up close.

Your eye is just able to pick up that large 65 MOA Circle really quickly, and because of that, the circle dot is my favorite reticle on a red dot sight.

Also, just like the Romeo 5, the 503c has an incredibly clear lens.

Reticle And Lens Clarity Conclusions…

Winner: Holosun 503C

The Holosun 503C wins here because the Circle Dot Reticle is an upgrade over the 2 MOA dot.

Also, even if you prefer a 2 MOA dot for simplicity, you can easily set the Holosun to work with that reticle set up.

Battery Life Comparison…

Sig Romeo 5

The Romeo 5 has fantastic battery life…

It runs on one CR2032 battery which gives you 50,000 hours of battery life.  

The battery installation is also very easy. You simply unscrew a cap on the side of the sight, drop in your battery, and screw down the cap.

sig sauer romeo 5 reviews

In addition to the ultra-long battery life, Sig includes something called the MOTAC system which stands for a ‘Motion Activated Illumination’.

This system programs the Romeo 5 to automatically turn on when the sight senses motion and to automatically turn off after around 120 seconds of non-use.  

This is a great feature because it means your red dot will automatically turn on if you need to grab your rifle in a hurry.

In addition to that, you don’t need to remember to turn off your sight to preserve your battery life.

It’s a very simple system that makes your rifle ready to go in a moments notice, and I like that.

Holosun 503C

The battery life on the 503c is also fantastic…

Just like the Romeo 5, it runs on one CR2032 battery and gives you 50,000 hours of battery life.

The battery installation is a little bit more involved than the Romeo 5 because it requires a tool to remove a tray that the battery sits in.

It’s still easy to change out, but I find that changing the battery on the Sig is just a little bit easier because it requires no tools.

Some models from Holosun have their own version of the Sig MOTAC system, but the 503c does not…

What it does have is a solar panel on the top of the sight…

And get this… the 503c will run without any battery installed as long as you have sunlight.

This feature gives you a great way to preserve battery life, and it’s really cool if you find yourself in a situation where you do not have a battery for your optic.  

Battery Life Comparison Conclusions…

Winner: Sig Romeo 5

This is a tough one because both sights have equally long battery life AND an extra battery saving feature.

I give the slight edge to the Romeo 5 because I like the fact that you can simply grab your rifle and your red dot will be ready to go without having to fumble with any buttons.  

That said, the solar panel on the 503c is really, really cool.

Extra Goodies Included With The Red Dot…

Sig Romeo 5 AND Holosun 503C

  • High Mount (for mounting the sight on an AR-15)
  • Low Mount (for mounting on shotguns, pistol caliber carbines, other rifles)
  • Bikini Lens Cover
  • Installation Wrench
  • 1 CR2032 Battery

Extra Goodies Conclusions…

Winner: DRAW

They both have high and low mounts included (along with a few other items), which work great and are the exact same quality.  

Price Comparison…

It’s really hard to give exact numbers in this category because the prices of these sights change constantly…

That being said, you can usually find the Sig Romeo 5 for around 70 to 100 bucks less expensive than the Holosun 503c…

Price Comparison Conclusion…

Winner: Sig Romeo 5

The Romeo 5 wins on price by up to 100 dollars… That’s a pretty substantial amount of money for most people…

…and it can definitely become a factor when trying to decide between these two optics…

That said, the 503C still comes in at a very competitive price point considering that you get the circle dot reticle and solar panel.  

Sig Romeo 5 Vs Holosun 503c – Conclusions…

In the end, I think both sights are fantastic (like I said, I own both!) because they both have super long battery life, very clear lenses and perform very well…

So which optic do I prefer? I prefer the Sig Romeo 5

romeo5 vs holosun 503

I prefer the Romeo 5 because it’s super durable, has very long battery life, and the 2 MOA dot reticle still allows you to shoot very quickly and precisely at distance…

On top of that, it’s around 70 to 100 bucks less expensive than the Holosun 503c…

Now if you want the Circle Dot reticle (which I love!), and you don’t mind paying a little bit more money to get it…

…then feel free to go with the Holosun 503c because it’s still an awesome sight!

holosun 503 vs sig romeo 5

Either way, you’re going to get a high-value, high-performing optic for a great price!

I hope I was able to show you the major similarities and differences between these two amazing red dot sights!

See you later!

-Red Dot Shooters

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