Holosun made a name for itself by offering quality optics and innovative features available at prices the average shooter can afford.
They’ve kept the ball rolling ever since, and there are some wild pieces of new tech on the horizon. The optics we came to love along the way are just as good as ever.
These aren’t just good for the money, they’re solid optics that might be a better choice than some of the higher-priced options on the market, depending on how you use them.
Over time, I’ve come up with my favorite Holosun optics, so let’s talk about which ones stand out above the rest.
THE QUICK LIST
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Editor’s Pick
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Best for CCW
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Best Mini Red Dot
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Best Mini Enclosed Emitter
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Most Affordable
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Best Full-Size
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Best Midsize Enclosed Emitter
How We Tested the Best Holosun Optics
The Pew Pew Tactical staff has been shooting with Holosun optics for years, and we’ve gotten familiar with the products, their capabilities, and their limitations.
You’ll notice that we got hands-on time with almost all of these optics and have the pics to prove it. The one exception is the new hotness from Holosun, the DPS-NV. It’s a promising piece of new tech that’s too cool to be ignored. And don’t worry, we’ll get range time with it as soon as we can!
Best Holosun Optics
1. Holosun EPS/EPS Carry – Editor’s Pick
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Durable enclosed emitter
- Available in two sizes
- Three reticle options
Cons
- Bulky, especially on smaller CCW pistols
- One reticle option per optic
Specs
Following the popularity of sights like their 509T and 512C, Holosun invested even more in the enclosed emitter market with the launch of the EPS (Enclosed Pistol Sight).
While the 509T proved to be a great design, many users found that the mounting solution was not ideal for use on handguns.
Holosun took this user feedback and created two enclosed pistol dots, with the full-size EPS using the 507C/Trijicon footprint and the EPS Carry using the 507K/Shield footprint.
This means you can get all the durability and ease of maintenance of an enclosed emitter dot and do so on your carry gun without fuss.
These are fantastic optics and have proven to be extremely popular since their launch last year.
They are available in 2-MOA dot-only, 6-MOA dot-only, and multi-reticle versions.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Don’t forget to check out our complete review of the Holosun EPS Carry!
2. Holosun 507K – Best for CCW
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Compact
- Manual brightness adjustment
- Multiple reticle options in one optic
Cons
- Durable, but not as rugged as a closed emitter
Specs
Adding optics to handguns is more than a fad – it’s likely the future of handguns in general, including small guns.
Sig Sauer, Glock, Ruger, Beretta, and more are equipping their smallest pistols with red dots. Though this is still a growing market, Holosun has conquered it.
And time and time again, the Holosun 507K has proven to be the toughest option available for concealed carry.
The 507K is a tiny little fella using the Shield footprint. It’s light, packs three reticles, and offers two-button controls.
Why two buttons?
Well, it makes navigating your brightness levels a lot easier. It sucks to miss the setting you want and then travel through all the settings once more.
That comes in handy because the 507K utilizes 10 daylight and 2-night vision settings.
Imagine cycling through 12 settings just to get to the perfect one.
Or imagine needing to dial down, but you have to dial up to get back around to the low settings. Nah, I ain’t about that life.
The latest 507K models (2018 and up) come with a lock-out mode that locks the buttons and prevents accidental presses — awesome since these optics are often carried in a deep concealment manner.
If you want a capable concealed carry optic for the world of small guns, then the Holosun 507K is tough to beat.
3. Holosun 507C X2 – Best Mini Red Dot
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Solar charging
- Versatile
- Available ACSS reticle variant
Cons
- Hefty on a pistol
Specs
When you step up to full-sized handguns or even long guns, the Holosun 507C X2 has your back.
It’s a mini red dot in the same realm as the Trijicon RMR, Leupold Deltapoint, etc. It fits the Trijicon footprint, so you have access to tons of mounts, precut pistol slides, and more.
I took advantage of the 507C’s footprint by using the Scalar Works Sync mount and tossed it on my Benelli M4.
In this role, it shines.
It shrugs off 12-gauge recoil and provides me a co-witness capable sight for shotgun tasks. I also make use of the multi-reticle system here.
That 32-MOA dot is perfect for shotguns. I put it where I want buckshot to be, and within 15 yards, I know the pellets from my home defense load will land in that circle.
This way, I know where every pellet is going.
Oh, and guess what? It can be powered by the sun or artificial light! The solar panel on top provides that battery backup Holosun is known for.
Who wouldn’t want a little backup on your repeating claymore? While it’s great on shotguns, many people have turned to the Holosun for their handguns.
It’s a rock-solid choice for various roles and is likely Holosun’s most popular optics.
Our favorite model of the 507C is the ACSS model from Primary Arms. Check out our full review here.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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4. Holosun 509T – Best Mini Enclosed Emitter
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Great balance of size and durability
- Solid backup to an LPVO
- Solar charging
Cons
- Bulky on smaller CCW pistols
Specs
Pistol-sized optics are starting to lean slightly into the realm of enclosed emitters. Enclosed emitter designs up the reliability significantly.
Aimpoint started it with the Acros, and Holosun followed with the 509T.
With a standard mini red dot, the open emitter typically isn’t an issue but the chance of failure is slightly higher.
Dirt, snow, rain, and anything else can get between the emitter and the lens and block the LED or distort it. With the enclosed-emitter 509T, this isn’t an issue.
The 509T also packs three reticles: a 2-MOA dot, a 32-MOA circle, and a combination of the two.
We see a slight blue tint through the glass but it still provides impressive clarity. At the same time, the 509T stays rather small and compact for pistol use.
Since the optic is enclosed, it would even be at home on a subgun or rifle. The durable design ensures it’s always reliable.
The 509T is perfect as an offset optic for use with an LPVO or prism optic. And it packs the solar panel we all know and love.
Additionally, it’s fairly lightweight but ultra-rugged due to the titanium hood. It’s on the high side price-wise, but it’s the cheapest duty-ready enclosed optic.
5. Holosun 403 – Most Affordable
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Shake-awake
- Small and light
Cons
- Not as feature-rich as other Holosun optics
Specs
Holosun kind of started with simple, robust little tube-designed optics that just worked and worked well. It’s unfair not to include at least one of these optics, and the 403 is my choice.
This cute little fella provides a compact, 20-millimeter tube-style optic similar to about a half-million other optics out there.
It lacks a lot of the notable Holosun features like a multiple reticle system. A 2-MOA dot is all we get; however, shake awake is alive and present with this optic. So, no worries about forgetting to shut it off before you pack it away.
On top of that, we see 50,000 hours of battery life from a single CR203 battery.
What’s impressive about this budget-grade optic is that it’s on the low side of cost and provides a very rugged and well-made optic.
It can take high levels of vibration and is water-resistant. The 2-MOA dot is super crisp and clear, as is the glass.
Oh, and did I mention that the 403 utilized Aimpoint Micro mount? Because it does, so you have lots and lots of options on the aftermarket for a variety of mounting options and heights.
Not too bad for a cheap little red or green dot.
What do you think of the 403? Rate it below!
6. Holosun 510C – Best Full-Size
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Very durable for an open emitter
- Multiple reticles in one optic
- Shake-awake and solar charging
Cons
- Not cut out for the most severe conditions
Specs
Do you ever want the benefits of an open emitter optic on a rifle or long gun? Well, it’s available in the form of the Holosun 510C.
While an enclosed emitter offers a reliability bonus, we shouldn’t ignore the benefits of open emitters full-stop.
The HS510C offers you a lighter-weight optic with enhanced peripheral vision. Additionally, one lens helps clarity … and clarity matters.
Not to mention the HS 510C provides you with an affordable, full-sized option for the open emitter world.
We get the multi-reticle system, solar panel backup, and shake-awake technology — perfect for home defense and competition use.
In fact, it seems to be a favorite of the USPSA PCC crowd. It’s big, easy to see, and gives you a fast shooting, easy-handling optic.
The little 510C packs 10 daylight and 2-night vision settings.
Holosun made the mount proprietary, and it’s better suited for optics that require AR height. It might be a little tall for some guns, but not terribly so.
Holosun offers a spacer to push it up if you want it a little taller.
Interested? We have a full review of the 510C here!
7. Holosun AEMS – Best Midsize Enclosed Emitter
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Plenty of mounting options
- User-swappable lens protectors
- Titanium construction
Cons
- We haven't found a con yet
Specs
When the AEMS came out back in 2021, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one.
This guy sits between the 509T and 512C in size and provides a compact square-shaped optic that gives you a small, lightweight optic with a wide field of view.
The window is just a hair smaller than the larger 512C, and the view is magnificent. You get that wide field of view with limited interruption from the sides of the optic.
The lenses are clear, as are the disposable, user-swappable lens covers. They don’t even need to be popped out of place to see through and utilize. I’d only ever take them down to use a magnifier with. Other than that, I like the protection they provide.
We get the shake awake, multiple reticles, solar panel…and a name that’s not a number. Hooray!
The AEMS mount is proprietary, but the optic ships with a lower 1/3 co-witness Picatinny mount and others are available.
This has been an awesome optic in the short time I’ve had it, and it might become my favorite if its performance remains consistent.
Check out our full review of the AEMS!
Honorable Mentions
8. Holosun DPS-NV
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Night vision!
- 8x digital zoom
- Records video
Cons
- Expensive
Specs
One of the most exciting developments in the world of red dots is integrated night vision. It’s not something we knew we needed, but it’s great to have the option!
In daylight, the DRS-NV works like any other enclosed-emitter optic. It comes with Holosun’s Multi-Reticle System that lets you choose from a 2-MOA dot, a 65-MOA ring, or both.
When the sun goes down, you can take advantage of built-in night vision with a 1,024×768 sensor, 60 fps, 8x digital zoom, and recording capability with onboard storage. Night-vision reticles include a simple cross or T. The future is now!
Just how practical is this capability? That remains to be seen but we’re drying to find out for ourselves with a hands-on review.
FAQs
What's the difference between the Holosun 507K and 507C?
The Holosun 507K uses the K-series footprint and fits on subcompact or micro compact pistols. The larger 507C works best of full-size pistols and uses the RMR footprint.
Is Holosun duty-grade?
Holosun optics are tough enough for anything that most civilians will put them through. They might not hold up as well as some military-grade optics, but don't let that stop you from getting a great optic at a great price!
Where are Holosun optics made?
Holosun is based out of California, and that's where the products are designed. The optics are built in China.
Are open or closed emitter optics better?
Open-emitter optics are lighter than closed emitters and they can offer a slightly better field of view. Closed emitters require more space and weigh more due to their blocky shape, but they're more durable since the emitter is protected from the elements.
Final Thoughts
Holosun is crushing sales in the U.S. optics market. Surprise, surprise, giving the consumers what they want at a reasonable price point is popular.
With a variety of options on the table, there’s bound to be a Holosun red dot suited for just about every need you have.
What say you, folks — love ’em? Hate ’em? Let us know what you think below! For more on red dots, check out our roundup of the Best Red Dot Sights.
Latest Updates
May 21, 2024: updated product information and added the Holosun DRS-NV.
9 Leave a Reply
Great article thank you! Only the 507c is mentioned for a shotgun (sorry if I missed something else in the article), I am wondering why any of the other ones would not be a good choice, or if all of them would be good for my semi auto shotgun.
Good article. However, I was hoping to find out what optics are able to withstand the recoil of 10mm handgun loads. (I'll be shooting a XDM elite ops, 4.5"… relatively light weight.) Leaning toward a Holosun EPS Carry, or EPS for the reticle options, features, and affordable price. Trijicon RMR seems the obvious choice for durability, but it is out of my price range.
I have the507K X2 on a Glock 40 MOS 10mm. Love it though it does look a little strange on the large slide. I will be sending my Gen 3 G27 off to have the slide cut and will be moving the 507K to it. I am looking to put a AEMS on my AR. If the G27 comes out good may do my G23 and put one on it. Had some issues finding a mounting plate for my G40. Holosun customer service was great, pointing me to several sources for mounting plates.
Kevin, I know this reply is a bit late, but I have the 507K-X2 on a Gen4 Glock 40 MOS 10mm. It looks a little funny as it is a 'micro' red dot sitting on the large frame Glock, but it has soak up the 300+ rounds I have put thru it (would have put more but the hurricane and a broken leg have kept me away from the range). I am very impressed with the sight.
The 507k with ACSS Vulcan reticle from Primary Arms was just released too. I really like mine although I have yet to take it to the range.
It wasn't until relatively recently I decided to put a red dot on my EDC. Been carrying for almost 40 years now, basically, as, collectively, military, law enforcement, and as a civilian, using open iron sights all that time with no issues even in those cases where I've had to use my carry in defense situations. But now time has caught up with me and my eye sight is not what it used to be and the front sight on the carry is now more difficult to see without the glasses I wear now. But I know from experience that defensive gun use can be very disorganized and messy, its not this smooth cool looking thing you see people in videos practicing on the ranges or you see in John Wick type movies, so I might not have my glasses on all the time for one reason or another (e.g. got knocked off during a preceding physical grappling). I'd had red dots and LPVO's on some of my AR platform rifles for a while before this, and even had red dots on some of my other pistols, and I liked them and am well acquainted with red dots but I did not EDC a red dot.
So, I put a red dot on the EDC. Tried a few different actually. Did not like any of them, not because they did not deliver as advertised but because they made carry for me a little uncomfortable in my carry position at 4 o'clock when I carried concealed. No matter what anyone tells you, a big block of plastic/metal sitting on top of your EDC pistol can be uncomfortable at times with IWB carry. So I started looking at options of things that were more streamlined and less bulky, even in iron sights (e.g. big dot and high visibility sights for example XS sights).
But the only thing I initially came up with that satisfied the comfort, and visibility with and without glasses, issue was the Meprolight FT Bullseye. So I tried one, and after some practice loved it and was just as fast and good with it as I had been with iron sights if I wore glasses or not and it didn't affect carry comfort. So I ditched the red dots for my EDC and went with the Meprolight FT Bullseye which served the same 'red dot type' purpose for me.
Then about a month ago I got my hands on a Leupold DeltaPoint Micro red dot to try out. Mounted it up, I really like it. Have tried carry with it, and its comfortable to carry for me and its easy to see with or without glasses.
Travis, excellent article and I couldn’t agree more. I’m just an average guy on an average guy budget, who likes guns for sport and personal/home defense. I own a couple other brand optics and they’re good but either the quality/features weren’t as good for the same or more money or they were as good but for a lot more money. I’ve outfitted my wife’s and my carry guns with the HE507K-GR-X2 and the HE407C-GR-X2 respectively and looking at the AEMS for a future AR build. I have astigmatism so I prefer the green reticle and with Holosun I feel like I’m still getting a good deal even with the higher priced HE models. To me, Holosun is to red dots what Streamlight is to lights, with both both brands, I get the quality/features I demand with a price I can stomach.
Can you please review the new Holosun SCS MOS Green made specifically for Glock MOS? They are due out in a few months I heard. I have been researching them but would love to get your official opinion if you were able to get one ahead of time to test out.
Thanks for writing great articles. They are very helpful and informative.
Peter
I have a 508 green that was an accidental purchase. I meant to get a 507. I still like it. It sits on a p80 build killer-innovations velocity slide. It really is a great optic.