Holographic Sights??

[Werewolf]

Got bored...
Browsed Brownells...

Found something called Holographic sights that looked like they might be useful on an AR-15 or M1A.

From the description I couldn't figure out what they were, how they worked etc.

Holographic photography uses lasers to present a 3D image on a 2D surface.

So what are they?
What power?
Illuminated?
What does a sight picture look like?
How do you mount them?

As a future AR-15 owner (hopefully within the next 3 months or so) holographic sights look like they might be something I'd be interested in using.

 

[Highland Ranger]

I have the Bushnell Holosight on a S&W 629 44 mag handgun.

Basically the unit projects a red reticle on its screen that floats over the target; adjustable brightness, no magnification.

Once dialed in, very accurate and visible under all conditions even in bright sun light. No magnification would limit its range but for closer ranges sight picture is excellent. I think someone makes them with magnification as well if range is an issue.

Does not project light on the target which would get washed out in bright sun, however in a tactical situation, the light from the sight might be visible from behind you.

Mounts on a standard weaver rail, I think it fits picatinny mounts as well.

Not that expensive ($225) seems to be fairly rugged, blown quite a few heavy mag loads through the gun and no problem other than me shaking loose the mount (fixed with Loctite which I should have had on there from the beginning).

Bushnell brand labels one model from the manufacturer - the company that makes them (can't think of the name) also makes a military and tactical version (more shock resistant, night vision capabilities) - do a search here on "holosight" for more information.

I think there is a Holosight vs red dot vs something else thread here somewhere.

Good luck and enjoy . . . .

 

[Peetmoss]

Holographic sights are simmilar to Red dots.
Mounting depends on the sight. My EoTech mounts directly on my AR-15 flattop.
Magnification is 0.
[The EoTech is very similar to the Bushnell Holosight. EoTech makes the Bushnell.EoTech review and Pics

 

[bvmjethead]

EOTech! Rules the roost!

 

[Chipperman]

I just got an Eotech. Mounted it, but have not tried it yet.

 

[P95Carry]

Are Eotechs actually worth that high cost?? I am tempted but - seems a lot of expense. I assume no parallax.?

My Millet red dots .. both on hand cannons .. seem very effective, and shock proof ... so what extra benefits are there for what? .... an item more than twice the price.

I could do with one on my L1A1 tho ... for starters, perhaps!!!

 

[Amish_Bill]

I have both a Trijicon ReflexII and an EOTech. I want to get a Comp-M soon so I can compare then directly.

Trijicon Reflex (and Meprolight clone) - main illumination is from a tritium vial inside the mechanism. Secondary illumination is from a fiber-optic pickup that runs along the top to adjust the dot's brightness for ambient light levels. Some models have dots of various sizes, and one has a larger triangle shaped dot. The triangle can be set so you hit at the point of the triangle at 100yds, and at shorter distances, the bullt will go somewhere in the body of the triangle. Very neat. Overall, it is an excellent optic. The most common complaint about it is the dot gets washed out when shooting from a dark area into a bright area. The Trijicon ReflexII does not have a built-in mount. You usually need to add a mount. Mounts for picatinny rails, AR carry handles, etc are available for it.

EOTech - The dot does not automatically adjust to the brightness of your surroundings. Of course, unlike the Trijicon you can adjust it to work in most any lighting condition. The downside - it takes batteries. Some models use regular AA and the others use special little lithium cells. (N size, I believe) As best I recall, the EOTech is designed to mount only on a Picatinny rail.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Amish_Bill:

I looked at Reflex units as well . . . batteries aside, which do you like better from a functionality standpoint?

 

[Sunspot]

I have a Bushnell Holosight mounted on a Moss 590 12ga. I like it. Another holographic sight, that has not been mentioned, is the Tasco Optima 2000.

 

[Amish_Bill]

It takes batteries and requires manual dot brightness adjustments, but for real usage I like the EOTech. I don't want an optic that can go washed out in certain situations with no way to change it. (ok, ok.. so you might be able to use 100mph tape to hold a micro-chemlight over the fiber optic pickup on the Reflex, but that's not a very good answer)

I also don't have much faith in my Reflex's mount. When you adjust the sight, it seems to move on spring pushed screws. I just don't think it's the most solid of adjustment systems. Then again, it could just be the one I got cheap...??

Short answer - when I put together my latest "workin" AR, I used the EOTech and have no plans to swap it for the Reflex.

I still want to put a Comp-M on one to try out, but my Ranger buddies tell me the EOTech is as good or better, so I'm in no hurry.

 

[Chipperman]

The Eotech has no parallax, which is great for both eyes open shooting. You can change the cheek weld, or not even have one. If you can see the dot, the bullet is going there.

The Eotech also does not require a ring. That is an extra expense that people don't consider when buying the other models, like Aimpoint. The Eotech mounts directly to a 1" Weaver mount, and is very solid.