Vortex Razor 1-6 Review – Best 1-6 Scope For An AR 15?

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vortex razor 1-6 hd gen ii review

By now, it’s no secret that I’m a fan of Vortex scopes…

No matter who you are, they just seem to have an option that’s packed with value and at the perfect price point for you…

The Strike Eagle? Awesome scope if you’re on a budget…

The Viper? Super high value if you’re in the mid-range on price…

And now it’s time to look at their premium option, the Vortex Razor 1-6 Scope…

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

The Vortex Razor 1-6 scope gives you INSANELY clear glass, INSANELY bright illumination, and one of the coolest reticles available (the JM-1 BDC designed by legendary shooter Jerry Miculek!). It’s an amazing scope, and I personally think it’s the best 1-6 scope on the market.

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

  • Lens Clarity And Reticle
  • Magnification And Illumination
  • Durability And Toughness
  • Size Of The Scope
  • Scope Accessories
  • Pros And Cons

In the end, I’ll give you my final thoughts about this scope and you should have enough information to decide whether or not it’s the right scope for you…

Let’s jump into the review!

Lens Clarity And Reticle…

The lens clarity on the Vortex Razor is insanely good… In fact, it’s probably the clearest glass I’ve used on a scope. 

No matter which magnification power you have it set to, it seems like you’re looking at a high definition image. 

vortex razor hd gen ii-e review

Vortex puts several special coatings on the lenses of these scopes… And it doesn’t matter if you’re in low light conditions or if it’s a bright sunny day outside, the sight picture is very clear.

In addition to that, the lens clarity is edge to edge… You don’t have any blurring around the edges of your sight picture the way you do with many other scopes out on the market right now, and everything you see is incredibly crisp.

3 Awesome Reticle Options…

The Vortex Razor 1-6 comes in 3 reticle options… 

The first option is called the JM-1 BDC. This reticle is really cool because it was actually designed by Jerry Miculek and it’s built to be simple and fast. 

If you’ve never heard of Jerry Miculek, he’s a legendary competition shooter, and he’s a guy I like to listen to when I’m trying to make improvements to my own shooting. 

vortex razor hd gen ii 1-6x24 vmr-2

Anyway, the JM-1 BDC is what he uses on his competition AR-15s, and I personally think it’s an awesome reticle. 

The center of the reticle is a red dot which can be used (when the scope is on 1 power) in a similar way to a red dot sight

In addition to that, it has a built-in bullet drop compensator (or BDC) which allows you to range out to 600 yards very quickly. 

The next 2 reticle options are the VMR-2 (MOA) and the VMR-2 (MRAD)… 

Obviously, these reticles are almost the same with the only difference being that one has the features built-in MOA (minute of angle) and the other has the features built-in MRAD (milliradians). 

Personally, I prefer using MOA because it’s just what I’m used to with scopes like this, but there are many shooters who prefer the MRAD system. 

That all being said, the VMR-2 reticle is great for making windage corrections, range estimations, and estimating holdovers. 

Of the 3 options, I recommend going with the JM-1 BDC reticle because I think it’s functional and fast, and I think it’s cool that Jerry Miculek helped design it. 

Magnification And Illumination…

As you probably picked up on, the magnification range on this scope is 1 power to 6 power… I think that’s a great range of magnification for an optic because it gives you a lot of versatility. 

You can use it on 1 power for quick shots on targets up close, but also zoom up to 6 power when you need to zero in on small targets in the distance. 

vortex razor hd gen ii-e 1-6x24 review

In addition to that, this scope uses one CR2032 battery to illuminate the reticle, and I’m happy to report… the illumination gets super bright!

In fact, it’s the brightest I’ve seen on any scope, and honestly, it gets as bright as the reticle on a red dot sight does. 

So in my opinion, you can run this scope (when it’s on 1 power) just as fast as you can run a red dot sight because your eye is able to quickly pick up the red dot in the center of the reticle. 

Last, this scope gives you the ability to lock the illumination setting on whichever brightness you prefer, which is a cool little feature that I haven’t seen on many other scopes. 

Durability And Toughness…

The Vortex Razor 1-6 is a very durable scope. The tube is made from a single block of high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum. 

In addition to that, it has a hard-anodized finish that protects the scope from corrosion and also dulls out any glare that might reflect off of the optic. 

vortex razor hd gen ii 1-6x24 review

That might come in pretty handy if you intend to use this scope as a tactical optic on a go-to rifle or as an optic to hunt with, and it’s something that I like. 

The lens on the Razor is protected by what Vortex calls Armortek coatings. These coatings make the glass super tough and help protect against scratches. 

I also really like the windage and elevation turrets on this scope. To start off with they’re capped, and they sit relatively low. 

They also lock in place which means you have a good chance of holding zero even if they get bumped or knocked around a little bit. 

Last, the razor is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. So it can be used in rainy, snowy, or wet conditions without any problems at all, and as I mentioned before, it can handle a few bumps here and there. 

All in all, I’m very pleased with the quality and construction of this scope, and if you have any problems Vortex has an amazing lifetime warranty on their products. 

Size Of The Scope…

The Vortex Razor is an average-sized low power variable scope. The objective lens is 24mm which helps give you an extremely good field of view. 

When the scope is on 1 power, your field of view is about 115 feet (115.2 feet) at a hundred yards, and when the scope is on 6 power, your field of view is about 20 feet (20.5 feet) at a hundred yards. 

vortex razor hd gen ii e 1 6x24mm

In addition to that, the razor has a 30mm tube, which is what I prefer for a scope like this, and the eye relief is very generous.  

It’s set at 4 inches which is actually a ton of eye relief, and that allows you a lot of leeway when you’re trying to mount this scope in the perfect position on your rifle. 

The scope also has a very forgiving eye box which is great because it means you can use this scope to shoot from awkward shooting positions such as shooting under a barricade or shooting around a car. 

The length of the scope is 10.1 inches which is average for a 1-6 low power variable optic, and the weight is 25.2 ounces. 

To be honest, that’s a little bit chunky but considering the glass quality and ruggedness of this scope, I give it a pass for being slightly heavier than some other options. 

Scope Accessories…

Included with the vortex razor, you get one CR2032 battery… so you’ll be able to run the illumination on your scope immediately. 

You also get a lens cloth which you can use to safely wipe down the lenses on your scope. That said, you will need to pick up a mount to be able to use the scope on your rifle. 

I recommend using the Aero Precision Ultralight Mount which is my personal favorite mount right now. 

best mount for vortex viper pst 1 6

As the name implies, it’s a very lightweight scope mount which is good because this optic is a little heavier than some others…

…but it’s also a pretty tough mount that will hold up and keep your scope very secure. 

Another accessory you might want to add to this scope is a throw lever. A throw lever allows you to switch from 1 to 6 power (and back) very quickly because it gives you more leverage when adjusting the magnification power ring on your scope. 

If you decide to add a throw lever I recommend SV-3  Switch View Throw Lever from Vortex because it will fit this scope perfectly. 

Pros And Cons…

Pros

  • Insanely clear glass
  • Awesome reticle options
  • Super bright illumination 
  • Durable Construction
  • Lifetime Warranty

Cons

  • A little bit heavy (but not too bad)
  • Its a premium optic with a premium price tag (if you’re looking for a great optic with a lower price tag check out the Vortex Viper)

Vortex Razor 1-6 Review – Final Thoughts…

In conclusion, I think the Vortex Razor 1-6×24 is an amazing low powered variable optic…

  • The lens clarity is pretty much unmatched
  • The reticles are awesome (you can get the one used by Jerry Miculek!)
  • And the illumination is so bright it can be used like a red dot sight
vortex razor hd gen ii e 1 6x24 jm-1

To me, it’s pretty easy to see why so many people are singing the praises of this optic… So if you’re looking for a premium 1-6 rifle scope, I don’t think you can beat it.

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Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 Review – Best Budget 1-8 Scope On The Market?

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vortex strike eagle 1-8 review

A scope that ranges from 1 to 8 power used to be really difficult to find…

Sure, there were a few low power variable scopes around, but most of them were 1 to 4 power (or maybe 1-6), and they were really expensive…

They were pretty much all in the thousand dollar price range, and that left them kind of inaccessible to the average gun owner.

I’ve got a lot of guns, and putting a thousand dollar scope on all of them just isn’t an option for me…

However times are changing, and that’s why I’m so excited to bring you this review of the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8

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

The Vortex Strike Eagle has great lens clarity, an AWESOME reticle, and because of its magnification range, it can be run similar to a red dot sight. It also comes in at a budget price point and is a fantastic low power variable scope. 

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

  • Durability And Toughness
  • Lens Clarity And Reticle
  • Magnification And Illumination
  • Size Of The Scope
  • Scope Accessories

In the end, I’ll give my final thoughts about this scope and you should be able to determine whether or not it’s a scope that can work for you…

Let’s jump into the review!

Durability And Toughness…

The Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 is a pretty durable scope. To start off with, the tube is made from high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum, and it has a hard-anodized finish. 

The hard-anodized finish protects the scope from corrosion, and it gives it a matte black color…

vortex strike eagle 1-8x24 review

I personally like that it gives the scope a matte black color because I don’t want my optic reflecting sunlight and potentially giving away my position (even though this is a budget scope I view it as a legitimate optic for a go-to rifle). 

In addition to that, the windage and elevation knobs are capped and they sit relatively low…

I don’t really like tall windage and elevation knobs on scopes because they’re easier to snap off if they get bumped or knocked around a little bit. 

The Strike Eagle doesn’t have that problem because like I mentioned before the adjustment knobs sit low. 

The Strike Eagle is also waterproof and fog proof… So it can handle rainy, snowy, or wet conditions without any issues at all. 

And on top of that, it’s shockproof too… so it should be able to handle a few bumps here and there. 

To sum it all up, I’m very happy with the quality level on the Strike Eagle especially considering that it comes in at a competitive price point. 

Lens Clarity And Reticle…

The lens clarity on the Vortex Strike Eagle is pretty good. It is a budget low power variable scope so the lens clarity is not going to be as good as the Vortex Viper or the Vortex Razor

vortex strike eagle 1-8x24 reticle

…but considering the price point, I think the lens clarity is very good. In addition to that, Vortex puts multiple coatings on the lenses of these scopes which leads to better light transmission.

In my experience, those coatings help you get a clear sight picture in low light conditions and when you have really bright conditions outside like on a sunny summer day. 

In addition to that, I’m a really big fan of the reticle on this optic.  It is an etched reticle, and Vortex calls it the AR-BDC2 reticle

As the name implies, it’s their second BDC reticle, and I have to say that, to me, it’s a huge improvement over their first BDC reticle.  

I like it because you have a precise one MOA dot in the center of the reticle… Around that, you have a big horseshoe…

…and then below that, you have hash marks for a bullet drop compensator (BDC), a range estimator, and for windage holds. 

vortex strike eagle 1-8 reticle

I really love the one MOA dot in the center because it means you can aim precisely at your targets when using the scope. 

At the same time, the big horseshoe surrounding the one MOA dot makes this a fast reticle that you can run similarly to a red dot sight (when the magnification is set to 1 power). 

In addition to that, I like having a BDC reticle on a tactical scope like this because you can quickly estimate the range of your target…

…and start making hits much faster than you would by dialing in your windage and elevation knobs. 

All in all, the lens clarity is very good considering the price, and the AR-BDC2 reticle is an awesome reticle that you would expect to get on a much more expensive scope. 

Magnification and Illumination…

As I mentioned before, the Vortex Strike Eagle is a low power variable scope. The range of magnification is 1 to 8 power, which is a great range to have on a tactical style scope

Many scopes range from 1 to 4 (or maybe 1 to 6), but usually, you have to pay a lot of money (we’re talking over $1,000) to get a 1 to 8…

primary arms 1-8 vs vortex strike eagle 1-8

So the Strike Eagle is a pretty unique option on the market because it’s a 1-8 scope that comes in at a budget price. 

Now, it is a second focal plane scope… so the BDC reticle will have to be used on the max power (8 power). 

In addition to that, this scope also has an illuminated reticle. The illumination is not as bright as the Vortex Viper or the Vortex Razor, which are both insanely bright, but it is bright enough to use during the daytime. 

It also illuminates the whole center of the reticle which makes the scope similar (at least on one power) to a red dot sight.  

I’ve found that you can run it relatively quickly, and it works well in that sort of “red dot” role. 

All in all, the magnification range is fantastic (I love that it’s a 1-8!) and the illumination is pretty good for the price point. 

Size Of The Scope…

The Vortex Strike Eagle is fairly compact for a low power variable scope. First, it has a 24 mm objective lens, which gives you a pretty good field of view. 

When the scope is on one power, your field of view is about 116 feet (116.6 ft.) at 100 yards, and when the scope is on 8 power, your field of view is about 14 feet (14.4 ft.) at 100 yards. 

vortex 1-8 scope

The eye relief is also pretty good on this scope. At 3.5 inches it’s fairly generous and gives you a little bit of leeway in terms of how far you mount it away from your eye. 

The eye box is also fairly generous, especially on the low power settings, and you can use the scope from awkward shooting positions such as shooting around a car or under a barricade. 

In addition to that, the scope is 10 inches long which makes it fairly compact, and it only weighs 16.5 ounces!

I’m really impressed with the low weight because for this type of scope 16.5 ounces is very impressive. 

I like it because I’m always trying to keep the weight down on my rifles, and an optic (especially a scope) can make your whole weapon system very heavy very fast. 

That won’t be a problem with the Strike Eagle because, as I said, it comes in at a very competitive low weight. 

Scope Accessories…

When you purchase the Strike Eagle, you do get a few accessories included. First of all, you get a CR2032 battery, so you’ll be able to run the illumination on your scope right from the start.

acss reticle scopes

You also get a lens cloth, which will allow you to safely wipe down your lenses. In addition to that, you get removable lens covers that you can place over your front and rear lens. 

I’ve found that the included lens covers fit pretty nicely, and they give you a little bit of added protection for your scope. 

Now, you will need to purchase a mount to be able to use your Strike Eagle. In fact, there is an option to include a mount from the factory when you purchase this scope. 

The factory mount is good quality, but adding it into the mix will increase the amount you have to pay. 

Personally, I recommend buying the scope without the factory mount (so that you get it a little bit cheaper) and then mounting it with the Aero Precision Ultralight Mount

best mount for vortex viper pst 1 6

Right now, the Aero Precision Ultralight Mount is my favorite mount for a scope like this because it’s super lightweight, it’s secure, and it costs about the same amount of money as the factory mount (if not a little bit less). 

So like I said, I recommend just getting the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 scope (without the factory mount) and then buying an Aero Precision Ultralight Mount to go with it. 

Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 Review – Final Thoughts…

In the end, I think the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 is an awesome addition to the low power variable scope market…

  • It’s got great lens clarity
  • It has an AMAZING reticle!
  • And It has a great range of magnification (1 to 8 Power!)
best 1 8 scope for ar10

Add to that the reasonable price tag that it carries and I think it’s one of the best budget 1-8 scopes on the market!

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Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 1-6 Review – An AWESOME Scope With Insanely Clear Glass…

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vortex viper pst 1-6 review

Have you ever looked through a scope that had cheap glass?

They’re ok at shorter distances, but they really leave a lot to be desired when you’re trying to aim at something 100 yards away or more…

They just seem to blur out, and you can’t really see any clear detail in what you’re aiming at…

That’s why I’m really excited about the Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 1-6 Scope

It’s more of a mid-range scope in terms of price, but it gives you the performance of a scope that costs well over a thousand dollars…

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

The Vortex Viper 1-6 gives you INSANELY clear glass, a cool (multi-purpose) reticle, and super bright illumination that allows it to be used like a red dot sight. It’s an awesome low power variable scope. 

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

  • Lens Clarity And Reticle
  • Magnification And Illumination
  • Durability And Toughness
  • Size Of The Scope
  • Scope Accessories

In the end, I’ll give you my final thoughts about this scope, and you should have a clear idea of whether or not this is a scope that can work for you. 

Let’s jump into the review!

Lens Clarity And Reticle…

The Vortex Viper has amazing lens clarity (rivaling the Delta Stryker 1-6x). It’s some of the clearest glass I’ve used on a low power variable scope and that includes some of its competitors at higher price points. 

vortex viper pst gen 2 1-6 review

It’s insanely clear and gives you a clean and crisp sight picture even when you’re using the higher magnification powers (some scopes will blur out when they’re set on their high power levels).

Vortex puts multiple coatings on the lenses of the Viper, and those coatings allow for better light transmission and help give you a very clear sight picture in low light conditions and when it’s extremely bright outside. 

The eye relief is 3.8 inches… so you’ve got some leeway in terms of how far you mount the scope from your eye, and the eye box is incredibly generous.

The generous eye box means you can see clearly through the scope (without any blackening or shading out on the sides) from several different head positions… 

And I think that’s an important feature to have on a scope because it means you can shoot from awkward positions like under a car or from roll-over prone and still get a clean sight picture. 

I also really like the reticle on this scope. It’s etched and can be used for ranging, to figure out hold-overs, and to make windage corrections when you’re shooting. 

In addition to that, it’s a second focal plane scope.  So the ranging capabilities of the reticle will have to be used at the maximum power level (6 power), and I’ve found that it works very well.

vortex viper pst 1-6x24 ffp

Last, you can get this scope with an MRAD reticle or an MOA reticle. MRAD stands for milliradian and MOA stand for Minute Of Angle. 

Personally, I prefer the MOA reticle because that’s just what I’m used to using with rifle scopes.

To sum it all up, the lens clarity on this scope is fantastic, and the reticle is useful, to the point, and very usable. 

Magnification And Illumination…

As I mentioned before, this is a 1-6 powered scope. That means on 1 power you can look through this scope without any magnification (similar to a red dot sight)…

…and on 6 power, what you see through the scope will appear 6 times larger than it would from a naked eye at that distance. 

vortex viper pst review

Simply put, it’s a low power variable scope, which is a style of scope that has become incredibly popular. 

I love low power variable scopes like this because, on their 1 power setting, they can be used in a way similar to a red dot sight…

However, you still have magnification available to you if you need to reach out to 3… 4… or 500 yards (or more). 

It’s a very versatile optic, and I think that’s why so many people are drawn to it.  Now, the Vortex Viper 1-6 in particular, works really well in the red dot sight role…

The reason why is because it includes illumination in the scope reticle. The illumination is powered by one CR2032 battery and it appears as a small red dot right in the center of the cross-hairs. 

And the thing that really sets this scope apart from many of its competitors is that that small red dot gets extremely bright… pretty much as bright as the dot on a reflex sight. 

Most scopes that have illumination don’t really get all that bright unless you’re paying upwards of $1,000…

…but the Viper doesn’t cost anywhere near that, and as I said before, the illumination gets super bright. 

It makes this scope a fast optic to use because your eye is able to pick up the bright red dot very quickly. 

Durability And Toughness…

The Vortex Viper 1-6 is a pretty durable scope. To start off with, the tube is made from high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum and it has a hard-anodized finish.  

The hard anodized finish protects it from corrosion and because it’s a matte black color, the body of the scope won’t reflect light and can really blend into its surroundings. 

vortex viper pst battery

I like that because it makes sense if you want to put this optic on a go-to rifle, which is the role I view for this optic. 

In addition to that, the windage and elevation knobs are capped and sit relatively low… 

I always prefer adjustment knobs that sit either flush or low because it makes them less likely to snap off if they get bumped or knocked around a bit. 

The adjustment clicks when you zero your scope are audible and tactile, and they really give you the feeling that this scope is built to a high standard. 

I also really liked that this scope is waterproof and fog proof. So you won’t have any problems using it in rainy, snowy, or wet conditions…

…and in addition to all that, Vortex puts a coating on the exterior scope lens that they call AmorTek. 

The AmorTek coating makes the lens super durable and helps prevent scratches. 

Like I said earlier, this scope is pretty tough, and if you’re a civilian, it will easily handle anything you put it through without any problems. 

Size Of The Scope…

The Vortex Viper 1-6 is an average-sized low power variable scope. It has a 24mm objective lens, which gives you a great field of view. 

On 1 power, you can see an area of about 112 (112.5) feet at a hundred yards, and on 6 power you can see an area of about 18 (18.8) ft at a hundred yards. 

vortex razor 1-6 review

I really like that large field of view because it breaks up the tunnel vision you sometimes get when looking through a scope and gives you greater awareness of what’s around your target.

The tube size is 30mm, which is what I always prefer on this style of scope, and it’s 10.9 inches long, which isn’t too bad in terms of length. 

Last, this scope weighs 22.7 ounces, which I admit is a little bit chunky, but considering the glass quality and the super bright illumination, I give it a pass for being slightly heavier than some other 1-6 scopes. 

Scope Accessories…

Included with the Vortex Viper you get one CR2032 battery and a lens cloth. That means you’re going to have to pick up a mount to be able to put it on your rifle.  

If you’re mounting it on an AR-15, I highly recommend you check out the Aero Precision Ultralight Mount

best mount for vortex viper pst 1 6

It’s my favorite scope mount at the moment because it’s super lightweight, it’s secure, and it mounts the scope a little bit further forward… so you can set the eye relief just right. 

In addition to that, you might want to add a throw lever into the mix. I don’t think adding a throw lever is necessary, but if you do have the money for one…

…it is something I like to add on a low power variable optic like this because it allows you to switch from 1 to 6 power (and back) extremely quickly. 

Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 1-6 Review – Final Thoughts…

In the end, I think the Vortex Viper PST (Gen 2) 1-6 Scope is an awesome addition to the low power variable scope market…

  • It has that insanely clear lens
  • It has a great (multi-purpose) reticle
  • And it has super bright illumination
vortex viper pst gen 2 1-6

Add on to that the reasonable price tag it carries, and I think it’s one of the best 1-6 power scopes you can get right now!

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Holosun 510C Vs Eotech XPS2 [Which Red Dot Sight Wins?]

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holosun 510c vs eotech

We’re kind of spoiled… There are so many awesome red dot sights on the market right now…

And they come in different shapes, sizes, and styles…

One of the styles that has recently caught my attention is the open window reflex-style sight, and right now, two of the best optics that kind of fit into this category are:

Now honestly, the Eotech is a whole different type of red dot sight then what you usually find, and we’ll get into that in the comparison…

But here are the areas we’re going to be covering when we compare these two sights:

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

In the end, I’ll give my final conclusions about these two awesome optics, and I’ll reveal which one I prefer out of the two…

Let’s get into the Holosun 510c Vs Eotech XPS2 comparison!

Durability And Toughness…

Holosun 510c

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

The addition of the titanium hood is really cool because it keeps the weight down but also makes the sight very rugged. 

holosun he510c review

Next, the windage and elevation knobs are flush with the sight housing. I like that because it means they can never be bumped or accidentally knocked…

… which could lead to them snapping off as is the case with some other red dot sights. 

They can easily be adjusted with a screwdriver or the rim of a cartridge, and they move the reticle 0.5 MOA with every click. 

Last, the 510c is fully waterproof in up to 1 meter of water, which means it can handle rainy, snowy, and wet conditions without any issues.

Eotech XPS2 

The Eotech XPS2 is also an extremely durable sight. To begin, the sight housing is aluminum and the lens is protected by 2 aluminum hoods. 

Additionally, the windage and elevation knobs are recessed into the sight housing, and just like with the Holosun 510c, they can be adjusted with a screwdriver or the rim of a cartridge.  

holosun 510c ar15

Next, the XPS2 is waterproof up to 10 feet… So once again rainy, snowy, and wet conditions will not cause any problems for this sight.

Last, the XPS2 has undergone drop tests by the US Military, and it was able to pass those tests which means it met the military specifications for toughness. 

Durability And Toughness Conclusions…

Both the 510c and XPS2 are pretty durable red dot sights… 

  • Both sight housings are high-strength aluminum
  • Both have protective hoods over their lenses
  • And both have very durable adjustment knobs 

One of the major differences between the two is that the XPS2 is waterproof up to 10 feet whereas the 510c is only waterproof up to 1 foot. 

This probably won’t be a problem for a civilian because both can handle the rain without any problems, but it is something to take note of. 

In addition to that, the Eotech is a completely closed system whereas the Holosun is an open style reflex sight

It is possible for an open style reflex sight to get mud or debris caked into it, which would make the reticle disappear. 

This probably wouldn’t happen unless you accidentally dropped your rifle and optic in the mud, but again, it’s something to consider. 

Last, the Eotech was able to pass military specification drop tests, which the Holosun has never undergone.  

So to me, all this adds up to the Eotech XPS2 taking the lead in the durability and toughness category.

Winner: Eotech XPS2

Lens Clarity And Reticle…

Holosun 510c

The lens clarity and reticle on the Holosun 510c are very good. To start off with, the lens is extremely clear. 

You don’t get the blue or green tint that you sometimes find on other red dot sights, and it allows you to get a very clean sight picture. 

holosun hs510c lens cover

In addition to that, the reticle is extremely crisp and very well defined, which will come into play when we discuss the XPS2. 

Now one of the features included in the 510c is something called the Multiple Reticle System or M.R.S., and it basically means that you can switch between 3 different reticle options.

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

Personally, I love the Holosun Circle Dot Reticle. It’s actually my favorite style of reticle on any red dot sight because it allows you to acquire large targets up close very quickly…

…but at the same time, it still gives you the precision of the 2 MOA dot for small targets off in the distance. 

That said, I know some people just want a simple 2 MOA dot, which is also a great option for a red dot sight…

And then there is the 65 MOA ring, which personally I don’t have a use for, but it’s there if you would like to use it. 

holosun 510c elite vs 510c

You can easily switch between these reticles by holding down the minus button for your brightness settings. 

In addition to the multiple reticles, the 510c gives you a huge viewing area. That’s one of the benefits of having the open style reflex sight design…  

…and it’s really easy to see your target and what’s surrounding it when you look through this optic.

Last, there is a version of the 510c which comes with a green dot reticle if you prefer that color, and it’s called the Holosun HE510c elite. 

Personally, I prefer red, but like I said, the option is there if green works better for your eyes. 

Eotech XPS2

The clarity on the XPS2 is also very good. You get an extremely clear lens and because it’s a holographic sight

…the front lens doesn’t have that red reflection that traditional reflex sights always have. 

That holographic technology within the Eotech is really cool, and it causes the reticle to appear grainy when you take aim through the optic. 

holosun 510c reticle

The grainy appearance of the reticle is how it is supposed to look when you’re using a holographic sight, and there are some people who prefer this style of sight picture.

Personally, I prefer a more clean and clear reticle, but I still think the holographic reticle is very usable.

In addition to that, the XPS2 also uses a circle dot reticle which again is my favorite style. 

It’s slightly different from the Holosun Circle Dot because it uses a 68 MOA ring surrounding a 1 MOA dot, but it works the same way. 

Again, it’s a great reticle because it can be used for very fast shooting at targets up close and still be very precise for use on targets in the distance. 

Lens Clarity And Reticle Conclusions

Both the 510c and the XPS2 have very clear lenses. They also both have a circle dot reticle, which to me is awesome. 

That said, the 510c allows you to switch between the circle dot reticle, the 2 MOA dot, and the 65 MOA ring, which means you can tailor the sight’s reticle to your preference. 

The reticle is also more clear on the 510c because it’s a reflex sight rather than a holographic sight…

And even though some people prefer the grainy reticle on a holographic sight, I personally prefer the crisp and clean reticle from a reflex sight.

So for me, the winner in the lens clarity and reticle category is the Holosun 510c.

Winner: Holosun 510c 

Size Comparison…

The 510c is 8.3 ounces in weight. It’s also 3.3 inches long and 1.41 inches tall. 

On the other hand, the XPS2 weighs 9 ounces, and it’s 3.8 inches long and 2.1 inches high. So clearly the Holosun 510c is more compact in terms of size and weight. 

Winner: Holosun 510c

Battery Life Comparison…

Holosun 510c

The Holosun 510c has fantastic battery life. It uses one CR2032 battery which can last for 50,000 hours of constant use. 

It also includes 10 daylight brightness settings that you can choose from and 2 night vision settings. 

holosun 510c elite review

I’ve found that the daylight brightness settings can get extremely bright if the lighting conditions require it (much brighter than some other red dot sights). 

In addition to that, Holosun includes something called the “Shake Awake” feature. Basically, this means that you don’t have to worry about turning your sight on or off. 

It will automatically go into sleep mode when it’s not being used, and when it senses motion, it will automatically turn on. 

This means that your sight is always ready to go if you need to use it in an emergency, and it saves your battery life (even though you already have 50,000 hours worth of it). 

Last, the 510c includes a solar panel which means the optic doesn’t even need to have a battery in it for it to work. 

I’ve found that the solar feature works great, and again, it saves the battery life on this optic even more. 

Eotech XPS2

The XPS2  uses a 123 lithium battery which gives you 600 hours of battery life. You can choose between 20 daylight brightness settings and there are no night vision settings on the XPS2 (check out the XPS3 if you need the night vision settings). 

best holographic sight for the money

Eotech does include an auto-shutdown feature which means if you forget to turn your sight off, it will automatically turn off after 4 or 8 hours of non-use. 

It will not automatically turn on when it senses motion like the 510c which means you’ll have to press one of the brightness buttons to get the sight ready to go. 

Last, the Eotech lets you know that its battery is running low because the reticle will flash for a few moments when you first turn the optic on. 

Battery Life Comparison Conclusions

The Holosun 510c gives you 50,000 hours of battery life. It also has the solar panel which means you can run the sight without a battery…

…and it has the shake awake feature which means it will turn on when it senses motion. 

I really like that feature because if you ever have to use your rifle to defend your home, you won’t have to be fiddling around with the buttons on your optic. 

Contrast all that with the Eotech which only has 600 hours of battery life and doesn’t have a shake weight feature. 

To me, it’s pretty clear that the Holosun 510c wins this category.

Winner: Holosun 510c

Extra Accessories Included With The Optic…

Holosun 510c

The HS510c comes with a few extra accessories. First of all, it comes with an extra battery tray and a small tool that can be used to remove the battery tray. 

Removal of the battery tray will be necessary when it comes time to finally replace the battery on this optic. 

holosun products

In addition to that, the 510c comes with a quick detach mount…

The included mount is high-quality and sets the sight up for an absolute co-witness with back up iron sights if you’re running it on an AR-15

Eotech XPS2

The Eotech XPS2 doesn’t really come with any extra accessories… However, built into the sight housing is a mount that allows you to attach it to any picatinny rail

holosun 510c mount

The attachment is very solid, and like I mentioned before, the Eotech was able to hold zero even after undergoing mil-spec drop tests. 

The built-in Eotech mount also sets the sight up for an absolute co-witness with back up iron sights on an AR 15

Extra Accessories Conclusions…

Both sights come with a high-quality mount that will allow you to have an absolute co-witness with back up iron sights (which is what I have always preferred over a lower ⅓ co-witness). 

Even though the 510c comes with an extra battery tray, I think this category is pretty much a draw.

Winner: Draw  

Price Comparison…

I can’t get into exact prices because the prices on sights like these change almost everyday…

That said, the Holosun 510c is typically about $150 to $200 dollars less expensive than the Eotech. So the clear winner in terms of price is the Holosun 510c.

Winner: Holosun 510c

Holosun 510c Vs Eotech XPS2 – Conclusions…

In the end, I’m a big fan of both of these sights… and as usual, the one you should go with depends on the features you value most. 

Both of them have a huge field of view, and both offer you high performance…

So which optic do I prefer? I prefer the Holosun 510c

holosun 510c review

I prefer the Holosun 510c for a few reasons… First of all, I like that the reticle is a lot more crisp on the 510c because it really helps you get a clean sight picture…

I also really love the super long battery life on the 510c, and that it has the “Shake Awake” feature and solar panel to help bump up your battery life even more…

And we can’t forget that it’s around 150 to 200 bucks less expensive than the XPS2, so it will also save you some money.

Now if you like the holographic technology, and want a tough-as-nails optic, then feel free to go with the Eotech XPS2 because it’s still an awesome sight…

eotech XPS2 vs holosun

All that being said, I don’t think you’ll go wrong no matter which sight you choose to go with because either way, you’re going to get a high performing, reliable, and tough optic…

So whichever you choose, I hope I was able to show you the major differences between these two incredible red dot sights!

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Trijicon MRO Patrol Vs Aimpoint Pro [Which Is The Better Optic?]

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trijicon mro patrol vs aimpoint pro

Red dot sights come in many different shapes and sizes…

You have micro red dots, holographic sights, larger red dot sights, and many other different styles…

Every style has its pros and cons, but one of the tried and true options at this point is the larger red dot sight. 

And right now, I think two of the best larger red dot sights on the market are:

These two sights are natural competitors… They actually have a lot in common (including similar names), but they also have some key differences…

And in this article, we’re going to compare these two optics by covering the following information:

  • Toughness And Durability
  • Size Comparison
  • Battery Life Comparison
  • Reticle And Lens Clarity
  • Extra Accessories Included With Each Sight
  • Pricing Comparison

In the end, I’ll give my final thoughts about each optic, and I’ll reveal which of these two fantastic red dot sights I prefer

So enough talking, let’s get into the Trijicon MRO Patrol vs Aimpoint Pro comparison!

Toughness And Durability…

MRO Patrol…

Trijicon optics are known for their durability… 

For example, the US military has been using Trijicon ACOGs for a few years now, and their reputation for ruggedness and dependability has been well proven. 

trijicon mro vs aimpoint

The same kind of quality goes into the MRO Patrol. Its sight housing is made from forged 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum… 

It’s also hard anodized and has the trademark Trijicon finish that weirdly seems like a rubberish and metallic coating at the same time. 

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

They can never be knocked accidentally and snap off which is something that can happen with some other red dot sights. 

To adjust the elevation or windage you can use a screwdriver or the rim of a cartridge, and each click will move the reticle 0.5 MOA until you get it perfectly zeroed

Last, the MRO Patrol is waterproof up to 100 feet… So rainy, wet, or snowy conditions will never cause it to have any problems. 

Aimpoint Pro…

Like Trijicons optics, Aimpoints are known for their durability, and they’ve been used within the US military and in law enforcement. 

In fact, the Aimpoint Pro Patrol was designed to be used by law enforcement officers on their patrol rifles, shotguns, and pistol caliber carbines

The sight housing is a high-strength aluminum, and the windage and elevation turrets sit relatively low. 

aimpoint pro patrol rifle optic review

Like the MRO Patrol, they can be adjusted with a screwdriver or the rim of a cartridge, and they move the reticle 0.5 MOA each click (which I think is perfect for a red dot).  

The Aimpoint Pro is rated as being waterproof up 150 feet… So just like the MRO Patrol, it can handle any wet or rainy conditions without any problems. 

Toughness And Durability Conclusions…

Both the MRO Patrol and the Aimpoint Pro are extremely durable red dots…

Honestly, these are two of the toughest sights on the market in my opinion, but that being said, they do have some differences. 

I like that the MRO Patrol has windage and elevation turrets that are recessed into the sight housing. 

To me, they’re just more durable than the turrets on the Aimpoint Pro, which even though they sit relatively low, stick out a little bit. 

On the other hand, the Aimpoint Pro is waterproof up to 150 feet, which is 50 feet more than the MRO Patrol. 

This really won’t come into play unless you intend to go scuba diving with your optic, but I think it’s important to note that difference. 

Despite that, I’m going to give a very slight edge to the MRO Patrol in the durability category. 

Winner: MRO Patrol

Size Comparison…

The MRO Patrol weighs 5.1 ounces and is 4.1 inches long… The Aimpoint Pro is 7.8 ounces and 4.5 inches long.

trijicon mro patrol weight

Obviously, the MRO Patrol is quite a bit lighter than the Aimpoint Pro, which is an important factor for me because I’m always trying to keep the weight down on my guns…

It’s also just a little bit shorter and therefore, more compact… So in the end, the MRO Patrol is the clear winner in the size and weight category.

Winner: MRO Patrol

Battery Life Comparison…

MRO Patrol…

The MRO Patrol runs off of one CR2032 battery. It has 2 night vision brightness settings, 5 daylight settings, and one extra-bright setting. 

When you’re running it on setting 3, which is plenty bright for my needs (and I live in the Nevada desert) the battery will last for 5 years.

Aimpoint Pro…

The Aimpoint Pro runs off of one 2L76 3V lithium battery. It has 4 night vision brightness settings, 6 daylight settings, and one extra-bright setting. 

aimpoint pro battery

Its battery will last for 3 to 5 years depending on the setting you leave it on. 

Battery Life Conclusions…

I don’t think the battery type is a problem for either one of these sights because both battery types are easy to get and relatively small.  

I also think the battery life between these two is basically the same. Both of them can be left on for years and still be ready to go, which I think is an important feature on a red dot sight. 

The Aimpoint Pro does have more brightness settings available to you as the shooter, and because of that, I’m going to give it the slight edge in the battery life comparison.

Winner: Aimpoint Pro

Reticle And Lens Clarity…

MRO Patrol…

Trijicon puts multiple coatings on the lens of the MRO Patrol to ensure that it’s extremely strong. These coatings cause a sort of blue tint when you look through the sight.

Some people claim that the blue tint allows you to see through the sight with better contrast… 

Personally, I would prefer the glass to be more clear, but I don’t think the slight blue tint is a dealbreaker. 

In addition to that, the Trijicon MRO lens diameter is 25mm… 

So it’s big and allows you to have a huge field of view when you’re looking through the optic (one of the advantages of having a larger red dot).

trijicon mro lens diameter

And the reticle on the MRO Patrol is a simple 2 MOA red dot, which I think is a great reticle for a red dot sight.

At the time I’m writing this, there is no green dot option available for the MRO Patrol, which is not a problem for me because I prefer red. 

Aimpoint Pro…

The Aimpoint Pro Patrol also has multiple coatings that strengthen the lens, but the coatings that Aimpoint uses add clarity to your sight picture and make the lens crystal clear. 

Like I mentioned before, I prefer when a red dot sight has a clear lens as opposed to a lens that’s tinted blue or green. So I’m really happy with the lens clarity on the Aimpoint.

In addition to that, the objective lens on the Aimpoint Pro is 38 mm… which again, allows you to have a HUGE field of view when you’re acquiring a sight picture through the optic. 

The reticle is a 2 MOA red dot just like the MRO Patrol, and there is no green dot option available for the Aimpoint Pro at this time. 

Reticle And Lens Clarity Conclusions…

Both sights have the 2 MOA red dot reticle, which for me is perfect…

I’m a big fan of the 2 MOA dot reticle because your eye can pick up the dot quickly, but at the same time, it’s small enough to aim with precision at targets in the distance.

aimpoint pro review

That said, there are 2 major differences between the two sights in this category…

First, the Aimpoint Pro has a 38mm objective lens versus the 25mm objective lens on the MRO Patrol…

Both are large and give great field of view, but the Aimpoint is a little bit bigger… Second, you get the blue tint with the MRO Patrol lens versus the clear lens on AimPoint Pro. 

Like I mentioned before, I prefer a clear lens… So for me, the Aimpoint Pro takes the lead in this category.

Winner: Aimpoint Pro 

Extras Accessories Included With The Optic…

MRO Patrol…

The MRO Patrol comes with lens caps that flip open, and both the front and rear lens cap are blacked out (this will matter in the comparison). 

In addition to that, it comes with a kill flash which can be used to hide the reflection on the front lens of a red dot sight and for other uses as well. 

trijicon mro gen 2 review

Finally, you can opt to include either a lower 1/3 co-witness or an absolute co-witness quick detach mount when you buy the sight.

I prefer an absolute co-witness with backup iron sights on all my battery-powered optics, but there are some shooters who prefer the lower 1/3 co-witness. 

You can also buy this optic without a mount and the price will be slightly lower, but to be able to use it you will eventually need to get a mount. 

I recommend just getting the mount included because it is high quality, and like I mentioned before, its a quick detach mount. 

Aimpoint Pro…

The Aimpoint Pro Patrol comes with flip-open lens caps as well. However, the rear lens cap is clear which is an important little detail included by Aimpoint…

The reason why is because in an emergency you can take aim at a target with the lens caps down…

…and if you’re shooting with both eyes opened, your dot (the reticle) will still appear over the target. 

aimpoint pro mount

There are some very old-fashioned optics that work in this way, and I really think it’s cool that Aimpoint includes that concept in their lens caps. 

The Aimpoint Pro does not come with a kill flash like the MRO Patrol, but it does come with a threaded front lens area which allows you to add a kill flash if you’d like to.

Last, the mount included with the Aimpoint Pro is called the QRP2 mount. 

Unlike the MRO Patrol mount, it’s not an add-on item. It’s included in the whole package, and it’s actually a pretty high-quality mount…

It’s also quick detach and sets the sight up for an absolute co-witness with backup iron sights if you’re running it on an AR-15

Extra Accessories Conclusions…

This is a tough one because both sights come with some pretty cool goodies… I like that the MRO Patrol comes with a kill flash which sets it apart from the Aimpoint Pro. 

However, I really like the clear lens cap that comes with the Aimpoint, and I think the fact that the QRP2 mount is not an add-on item is a bonus. 

That said it’s not really a big deal to include the MRO Patrol mount when you buy it, and as I mentioned before, it is pretty high quality.  

So because both optics have unique accessories included that kind of offset each other, I’m going to call this one a draw.

Winner: Draw 

Pricing Comparison…

Both of these red dots are premium optics that come in at a fairly reasonable price…

trijicon mro shotgun

I can’t get into exact numbers in this review because prices are changing all the time when it comes to sights like these…

…but just know that the Aimpoint Pro is around $100 to $150 less expensive than the MRO Patrol.  So the clear winner in terms of price is the Aimpoint Pro Patrol.

Winner: Aimpoint Pro 

Trijicon MRO Patrol vs Aimpoint Pro – Conclusions…

In the end, I think both of these sights are awesome… and really the right one for you depends on what features are most important to you…

So which of these optics do I prefer? I prefer the Aimpoint Pro

aimpoint pro vs mro

I prefer the Aimpoint Pro because it’s an extremely durable optic that’s very unlikely to fail on you…

It also has a much clearer lens than the Trijicon MRO, which allows you to see better through the sight…

…and we can’t forget that it’s the less expensive option, so it will save you around 100 to 150 bucks or more.

Now if you want something that’s pretty compact, super durable, and comes with a kill flash… And you don’t mind a slight blue tint on the lens, go with the MRO Patrol because it’s still a great sight…

aimpoint or trijicon

You can’t really go wrong with either optic because they both offer you very high performance and extreme durability…

Either way you choose to go, I hope I was able to help you understand the major differences between these two great sights!  

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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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