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Holosight...?

3.3K views 19 replies 14 participants last post by  mfs  
#1 ·
I've been "itching" to get an Eotech 512, but at 200.00 shipped I couldn't pass on a NIB Bushnell Holosight. Same moa as the Eotechs, not as "bulletproof". No one seems to talk about these optics here. A fellow shooter in our club has one and he shoots "lights out" in our action rifle and three gun matches. Anyone else admit to having this optic on their AR? If so, your feelings about the product.
Thanks
 
#2 ·
I have an Eotech but don't see anything wrong with the Bushnell holosight. I believe a lot of people use them on this site and are happy with them. I believe that Eotech and Bushnell worked together on the development of the holosight, so I would say you are good to go with either.


OK................. Just did a search and found this:

 ERIM invents laser holography in 1962
 Prototype sight completed for US Military in 1971 (ERIM contract)
– helicopter gunships for Wright Patterson (Air Force R&D) contract
– anti-aircraft weaponry for Army contract
 In early 1990’s … Laser miniaturization and diode cost reduction made the sight
“feasible to market”
 In 1996, partnered with Bushnell - released commercial HOLOsight
– won top awards at SHOT show
– Generation 1 HOLOsight did not meet requirements for military application
– Army awarded Aimpoint M68 contract
 Generation 2 HOLOsight released in Jan’00 … for commercial markets
– based on modular design … built with military upgrade in mind
– solved NV, AA, weight, length issues, but kept same core optical performance
 Official release of Gen 2 Military grade HWS in ’01
 
#3 · (Edited)
In case you have not laid your money down on the Bushnell, I like the C-More railway reflex 6MOA red dot ($300) in cowitness with a fixed front sight tower and folding rear sight. It is rugged, low profile, parallax free, reliable, high quality, and moderately priced. I works well with both eyes wide open. It has impressed everyone who has tried it. They make a raised version specific for the AR flattop rail, but I found the regular version puts the dot just where I want it (in cowitness with my irons). It does not have a lens cover, but I found one made for another brand NcSTAR that fits perfectly. It does not have click adjustments for the windage and elevation which would make sighting-in trial and error if you don't use irons or a laser bore sighter. For cowitness it is easy. Adjust your irons for point of impact and then dial the red dot so it is perched on the tip of the front sight.

So you own this Bushnell Holosight? How do you like it? What are its features? I am not familiar with it.
 
#4 ·
The Bushnell is a 'light' duty version of a vanilla 'n' cell 511 EOTech for lack of a better term. It is not as rugged (doesn't have the 'hood' armor), but far from the worst choice you could make. I like my EOTech a lot. If you have the space and the money you may like a AA Eotech 512 better in the long run.
 
#6 ·
So you own this Bushnell Holosight? How do you like it? What are its features? I am not familiar with it.
It's in transit , 4&1 circle-dot moa. I hope it's not on a slow boat to Hawaii..:-?
thehingeThe Bushnell is a 'light' duty version of a vanilla 'n' cell 511 EOTech for lack of a better term. It is not as rugged (doesn't have the 'hood' armor), but far from the worst choice you could make. I like my EOTech a lot. If you have the space and the money you may like a AA Eotech 512 better in the long run.
I want an Eotech in the long run and use the Bushnell on my XD9 Tactical if that is possible... or the MAK-90 for hogs...
 
#7 ·
I use the Holosight. It has been reliable. and works well for me. I got it for the same reason, could not afford a Eotech at the time. I have never regretted buying it. I also try not to bang around my rifles as I am not fighting a war with it.
 
#9 ·
If your not in the military and your only going to use you AR15 at the range for fun or competition.....then you don't need to drop the money for an EoTech. Several other companies make holographic or red dot sights for a lot less that will do just fine.....

I have an EoTech on my AR15 because of the type of training I do & I use it at work, so I wanted the most durable made device. I figured that if it was good enough for our military during combat then it's good enough for LEO work...:cool:
 
#11 ·
I read a post in the last few days by BoomerBSG re the Holosight; said it was great for the $$ and would be good as long as you don't beat up your guns. That is, I think it was Boomer-I've had a lot of 'net time yesterday & today!
 
#12 ·
I'm guessing you bought it from the guy on EE at arfcom. I was watching that thread and saw him drop his price several times. I played with a Bushnell Holosight at a local store and really liked it. Sure, it doesn't have the hood of the EO, but it is far from fragile. I have been contemplating whether or not to get the holosight or a "good" Aimpoint knockoff from another seller at arfcom. I decided to get the knock off Aimpoint due to multiple reticules an the sellers amazing reputation, and the fact that the EO / Holosight reticule is a bit hard for me to use due to a slight astigmatism. Strangely, the reflex circle-dot doesn't give me a problem, but the holographic circle-dot does. If the knockoff had not had a circle-dot reticle like an EO, I would have gone with the holosight.

I definitely think you got a good deal, and if I come up with some money to burn before he runs out, I will get one as well. I'm looking forward to hearing how much you like it.
 
#14 ·
Hey MFS- are you talking about the guy who as the M4, M3, and T1 clones?...Mersh, Marsh (sp?) something...

let us know what you think about the product...they look and sound like really good range toys...
Yep. MARSH1. I don't want to hijack the thread, but he is a stand up dealer and had my purchase in my grubby mitts in two business days. I will be writing a review once I can get to the range with the new sight. Was supposed to go today but ended up mired in honey-do's :evil:
 
#16 ·
Strangely, the reflex circle-dot doesn't give me a problem, but the holographic circle-dot does.
What is the difference in a reflex sight and a holographic sight?

I thought they were the same.
 
#17 ·
What is the difference in a reflex sight and a holographic sight?

I thought they were the same.
From what I understand, a reflex sight uses an LED to bounce the reticule picture off of the front element, while a holo sight bounces a laser off of a holographic plate.. which then hits the front element.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
 
#18 ·
I bought my Bushnell Holosight in '04 and it has served me well. I just last month had to send it in because it suddenly quit working. The contact springs looked like they had some corrosion on them causing poor contact. I couldn't get it clean enough, so I sent it in to be evaluated. They replaced the contact springs in the battery compartment at no charge, even though it's out of warranty. It works great! I even used it to harvest my first deer in '04 at a range of ~100-120yds.

I do plan on upgrading to an EOTech for the batteries. I don't care for N-type batteries, and I have an almost unlimited supply of free CR123a batteries, so I was planning on the 516 model (no need for NV).
 
#19 ·
mfs: I'm guessing you bought it from the guy on EE at arfcom. I was watching that thread and saw him drop his price several times.
Yep, good price just concerned about the shipping (Parcel Post) to Hawaii. I read somewhere that 1 sight plane is better than 2 in quick target aquisition/accuracy. I went with the holographic setup for a wider field of vision (to me), if that makes any sense...
 
#20 ·
Yep, good price just concerned about the shipping (Parcel Post) to Hawaii. I read somewhere that 1 sight plane is better than 2 in quick target aquisition/accuracy. I went with the holographic setup for a wider field of vision (to me), if that makes any sense...
Absolutely makes sense. The EO / Holo has amazing FOV.. no "Tunnel vision". I havn't had the oppertunity to actually shoot with one, but I can imagine that getting on / back on target is super quick.