It was three-and-a-half years ago when I reviewed my first Holosun. A zillion rounds through it on all sorts of firearms later, having finally changed the battery once sometime around Thanksgiving a few months ago, and it’s still rock-solid.
Zero complaints and the price is right, too. All these years later and Holosun is still on the ascent, earning themselves an increasingly solid reputation. And now they’ve finally made a 3X magnifier to go with their red dot sights. MSRP is $235 and it’s retailing for about $199. Their press release follows . . .
Holosun Introduces New HM3X Magnifier
City of Industry, CA (Mar 13, 2019) Holosun is pleased to announce the release of their 3 power Flip-to-the-Side Magnifier, the Holosun HM3X. This new product debuted to the public at the NSSF SHOT Show 2019 to much industry acclaim. The clear glass and very generous 2.75″ eye relief of the HM3X are designed to pair with and augment Holosun’s red dot lineup.
Courtesy Holosun
With its flip-to-the-side design, the HM3X allows users to toggle between an un-magnified and 3 power magnification view through their optic as situational requirements demand. The HM3X’s aluminum body is durable and corrosion resistant, protecting it from the wear and tear of heavy use. The IP67 water and dust tight rating combined with a nitrogen gas purge ensure that the HM3X won’t let you down in humid or damp environments.
Holosun offers versatility and value in all its offerings, and this magnifier is no different. The unit includes a quick detach mount that can be rotated during magnifier installation to allow it to flip either to the right or the left. Additionally, the mount has hard stop positions that sit straight behind an absolute co-witness height optic (1.4″ from the top of the rail to the center of the lens) or flipped-to-the-side at ninety degrees. Also included is a spacer that creates compatibility forlower 1/3 co-witness height optics (1.63″ from the top of the rail to the center of the lens).
The Holosun HM3X Magnifier will be available in 2019 through Holosun’s online store at www.holosun.com, Davidsons Gallery of Guns and at other authorized retailers. The HM3X will debut with an MSRP of $235.28. Holosun would like to thank Davidson’s Inc. in Prescott, AZ for their support and assistance in the launch of this new product.
For more information, please visit Holosun at www.holosun.com
Holosun Technologies, located in City of Industry, California, was established in 2013 by one of the industry’s most successful OEM manufacturers. Holosun is committed to creating innovative optic, laser/IR technologies that benefit a broad range of shooting, hunting, law enforcement, and military needs.
Over the course of the past decade, Holosun has been at the forefront of developing new sight technologies to fulfill a variety of shooting needs. Our product line includes innovations such as; 50,000 hr battery life, solar options, the ability to change reticles with the press of a button and IR/Laser units that utilize the most recent advancements in laser and LED technology. At Holosun, we pride ourselves on producing cutting-edge equipment with a competitive price that astounds the customer and the competition.
Here comes the fun question… Is the mount reversible? I really don’t like flip to sides that flip to the right.
I never pictured you as the type of guy to swing to the left, serge.
It’s a mechanical action issue. I generally play with my optics using my support hand. When it flips to the right, it’s a bit trickier to get the action to unlock with some mounts that I’ve played with. Wish they made a 6x version.
Anyone who wants a flip2side magnifier has obviously bought the wrong sight for their gun.
Or we use the same gun to shoot at 5-15 meters as we do to shoot out to 300. My SBRs can easily hit man sized targets out to 400 meters or so, provided I have enough magnification to SEE them. However, a sight that allows you to visually spot a man sized target at 300 meters makes short range CQB harder. (I don’t care if it’s a 1-x variable, your 1x is still not as good as a red dot.) For a gun primarily used at 100+, I’ll put on a 4x ACOG or 1-x variable and binden it. For a gun that’s mostly used <100… I'll take the red dot and rely on the magnifier for the occasional 200+ shot.
I think they usually go to the right side so they’re out of view for a right-handed, right-eyed shooter. Since you’re likely shooting the red dot with both eyes open it’s nicer to have the magnifier flipped to the right and out of the way instead of blocking your left eye’s view.
It depends on the mount. This one looks like it flips 90 degrees, which would put it well below the line of sight of my left eye.
Your question is answered in the article.
TL;DR
not sure if serious: “The unit includes a quick detach mount that can be rotated during magnifier installation to allow it to flip either to the right or the left. “
The unit includes a quick detach mount that can be rotated during magnifier installation to allow it to flip either to the right or the left.
If you think you need a flip-to-side magnifier, just admit you want an optic and call it a day, brah. 1-4 or 1-6x Vortex or Burris for you.
No, I dont want a 1-4, I want a red dot with a magnifier.
I want a red dot because they offer much faster target acquisition and are far better for run and gun thanks 1-4s since you don’t need a cheek weld, unlike 1-4s.
Turning the magnification dial on many scopes is very stiff and slow, far easier and faster to flip the magnifier in place.
This. I can take off my G33 cutting the optic solution weight by more than half and rock just the unlimited eye relief RD anytime I want.
Contraptions like this are why I don’t think I’ll ever understand AR people.
The AR is just the platform to which you attach as many gizmos as you can fit on it. Kinda like an erector set.
Since you don’t understand something that you don’t use, the rest of AR owners are wrong??
I have an AR and I have used flip up magnifiers with red dot sights and I still think they’re dumb. If you want a scope get a scope. Some come with illuminated reticles, you can get offset irons for back up, you can get a 1-8x (that’s 2-2/3x more magnification), you can attach a laser sight, etc. The picatinny rail mounted cigar holder or bottle opener makes more sense than a 3x magnifier.
I use my AR for pig hunting. My EXPS/G33 setup is perfect for this task. I get some magnification when I need it but more importantly I get both eyes open unlimited eye relief when I need it as well.
Try tracking and shooting a fast moving pig with a 1×8. Now do it with a less than perfect cheek weld.
The 1x scopes have their place on AR’s. I have used one to hunt deer. They are very popular with gamers as well. Those static targets used in 3Gun at distance are easier to hit with a 1×6/8.
It makes sense if you are dealing with close in urban combat that can transition to wide open planes/desert in a hurry. Outside of that some 3 gun stuff and what pwrserge covered earlier on. Personally I tended towards irons or acog but haven’t gotten around to a NY AR yet.
Isn’t that why they invented quick change scope mounts?
Personally I prefer the irons myself, but I’ve never used a $600 EOtech, so maybe I’m missing something.
Loved the quick change when I had it but wartime bringbacks are frowned upon lately. As for the eotech only got to play with it once but it was crisp clear and a lot easier on a mild astigmatism than the aimpoint’s red dot. Other than that my knowledge is PowerPoint deep.
Then again, there’s somethings in which I don’t want to know what I’m missing. If I’m blowing $600 on an optic it’s going to be a scope, and if I buy a red dot it’s going to be <$200. And I'll be happy in my ignorance.
What’s the weight of that Rube Goldberg contraption of a red dot AND magnifier compared to a optic of say…1-4 through 1-8 power? Just seems like a perfectly stupid arrangement to me compared to a low powered scope. Have fun looking up Rube Goldberg you ahistorical millennials.
Same reply as above:
No, I dont want a 1-4, I want a red dot with a magnifier.
I want a red dot because they offer much faster target acquisition and are far better for run and gun thanks 1-4s since you don’t need a cheek weld, unlike 1-4s.
Turning the magnification dial on many scopes is very stiff and slow, far easier and faster to flip the magnifier in place.
I have an honest question for you and I’m not attacking your answer. Why is a dedicated red dot such as an Aimpoint T2 or Holosun superior in terms of faster target acquisition compared to a quality low powered variable optic like a Nightforce ATACR 1- 8, Nightforce NX8, Vortex Razor HD 1-6, etc, when they are set to 1 power? I’ve heard this before so I want to understand why. Let’s ignore weight and focus solely on the glass/image. Is it just because of the unlimited eye box of the red dot? I know you mentioned cheek weld, so this leads me to believe that obviously a red dot will be superior in an unconventional shooting position and I get that.
I tend to gravitate towards the 1-6 and 1-8 scopes as I age, but maybe I need to rethink things. Hmm. I don’t shoot 3 gun at the moment so I’m fairly ignorant. I take a lot of defensive carbine classes and have done well with my variable powered optics.
Up end holosun would be cheap to try and an appreciated gift to someone if you didn’t find a purpose for it. For most uses you are good to go already especially when you have training/muscle memory but doesn’t hurt to challenge your skills with something different.
Unfortunately, real life is all about unconventional shooting positions. I don’t shoot competitive 3gun, but I do spend a lot of time shooting practical rifle competitions. You don’t appreciate just how limited the eye box is on a variable until you try to prone out behind a VTAC in a M50. It’s all about optimization for what you expect to shoot. If your weapon and your training are set up for short range (50 yards and in), it makes little sense to put a variable on your rifle. On the occasion that you need to take that 200 yard shot, a flip to side magnifier is quite adequate. It’s not ideal, hence why the rifles I have built for medium to long range (100-600 yards) all have either ACOGs or variables. However, for CQB applications, a red dot is objectively faster on target due to the lack of an eye box.
Another thing that people don’t practice nearly enough is weak side shooting. In those situations, where you have to take advantage of available cover, not having to hunt for the eye box on your weak side with your non-dominant eye is a huge advantage.
I would agree with what you wrote. A lvpo is certainly not something one should have on a home defense rifle that’s for damn sure.
Think if this scenario. Bump in the night you grab you rifle (no hand gun) with an Eotech or LVPO?
Zero -50 RDS dominates especially in a dynamic situation as in your target is moving or shooting back. Out to 200 magnifier. Past that LVPO.
Or we just realize that, at 1x, a variable will always be inferior to a red dot. If you’re shooting at higher magnification a tiny fraction of the time, it makes no sense to sacrifice performance for the majority of your shooting to make the minority a bit better.
I can’t tell if you’re stupid or trolling.
Made in China??
a red dot with a magnifier is a contraption
an lpvo is more of a technical masterpiece
ive shot all 3 and prefer a red dot by itself or an lpvo
i never met anybody at the range who really really liked their red dot magnifier combo
i never met anybody at the range who didnt
really really like their lpvo
I love all the experts in the comment section telling everyone else what they need or what’s best on their rifle.
Of course people on the range are going to love their LPVO because they are shooting at paper from bench rest in broad daylight or well lit indoor range. They have all the time in the world to dial in the optimal magnification for the distance. Their groupings at 100 yards are superb. BUT, place multiple targets at 100yrd, 50yrd and 15yrd and time who can place 3 rounds in kill zone of each target the fastest while standing. Like stated above, LPVOs have limited eye relief which make them less ideal for situations where you are moving or adjusting aim on a moving target. The illumination of a red dot is ideal of low-light conditions when the non-illuminated reticle of a LPVO may be difficult to see.
During WWII, the Army discovered that soliders rarely engage in rifle fights beyond 100 yards. They tend to not shoot at what they could not identify with the naked eye. This was one of the reasons that prompted the move to an intermediate rifle round. But the same logic can be applied to optics. I think those of us who favor red dots are the ones building their rifles for self-defense and not range plinkers. The scenario where an unknown person is going to engage me from +100 yards is literally the least likely event to happen. Three or four men kicking in my front door at 3am or a riot mob moving through my neighborhood (like the riots of 2016) are far likelier events. However, I’m envious of those 200 yard groupings my buddies can do with their LPVOs so I can slap on a magnifier and do that too. My 3x magnifier has quick detach swing mount so it’s not a pain to simply swing out of the way or remove entirely. I also enjoy the ability to re-confirm my red dot’s zero by flipping up iron sights that co-witness which is an option that is lost when choosing a magnified scope.
Here comes the fun question… Is the mount reversible? I really don’t like flip to sides that flip to the right.
I never pictured you as the type of guy to swing to the left, serge.
It’s a mechanical action issue. I generally play with my optics using my support hand. When it flips to the right, it’s a bit trickier to get the action to unlock with some mounts that I’ve played with. Wish they made a 6x version.
Anyone who wants a flip2side magnifier has obviously bought the wrong sight for their gun.
Or we use the same gun to shoot at 5-15 meters as we do to shoot out to 300. My SBRs can easily hit man sized targets out to 400 meters or so, provided I have enough magnification to SEE them. However, a sight that allows you to visually spot a man sized target at 300 meters makes short range CQB harder. (I don’t care if it’s a 1-x variable, your 1x is still not as good as a red dot.) For a gun primarily used at 100+, I’ll put on a 4x ACOG or 1-x variable and binden it. For a gun that’s mostly used <100… I'll take the red dot and rely on the magnifier for the occasional 200+ shot.
I think they usually go to the right side so they’re out of view for a right-handed, right-eyed shooter. Since you’re likely shooting the red dot with both eyes open it’s nicer to have the magnifier flipped to the right and out of the way instead of blocking your left eye’s view.
It depends on the mount. This one looks like it flips 90 degrees, which would put it well below the line of sight of my left eye.
Your question is answered in the article.
TL;DR
not sure if serious: “The unit includes a quick detach mount that can be rotated during magnifier installation to allow it to flip either to the right or the left. “
The unit includes a quick detach mount that can be rotated during magnifier installation to allow it to flip either to the right or the left.
If you think you need a flip-to-side magnifier, just admit you want an optic and call it a day, brah. 1-4 or 1-6x Vortex or Burris for you.
No, I dont want a 1-4, I want a red dot with a magnifier.
I want a red dot because they offer much faster target acquisition and are far better for run and gun thanks 1-4s since you don’t need a cheek weld, unlike 1-4s.
Turning the magnification dial on many scopes is very stiff and slow, far easier and faster to flip the magnifier in place.
This. I can take off my G33 cutting the optic solution weight by more than half and rock just the unlimited eye relief RD anytime I want.
Contraptions like this are why I don’t think I’ll ever understand AR people.
The AR is just the platform to which you attach as many gizmos as you can fit on it. Kinda like an erector set.
Since you don’t understand something that you don’t use, the rest of AR owners are wrong??
I have an AR and I have used flip up magnifiers with red dot sights and I still think they’re dumb. If you want a scope get a scope. Some come with illuminated reticles, you can get offset irons for back up, you can get a 1-8x (that’s 2-2/3x more magnification), you can attach a laser sight, etc. The picatinny rail mounted cigar holder or bottle opener makes more sense than a 3x magnifier.
I use my AR for pig hunting. My EXPS/G33 setup is perfect for this task. I get some magnification when I need it but more importantly I get both eyes open unlimited eye relief when I need it as well.
Try tracking and shooting a fast moving pig with a 1×8. Now do it with a less than perfect cheek weld.
The 1x scopes have their place on AR’s. I have used one to hunt deer. They are very popular with gamers as well. Those static targets used in 3Gun at distance are easier to hit with a 1×6/8.
It makes sense if you are dealing with close in urban combat that can transition to wide open planes/desert in a hurry. Outside of that some 3 gun stuff and what pwrserge covered earlier on. Personally I tended towards irons or acog but haven’t gotten around to a NY AR yet.
Isn’t that why they invented quick change scope mounts?
Personally I prefer the irons myself, but I’ve never used a $600 EOtech, so maybe I’m missing something.
Loved the quick change when I had it but wartime bringbacks are frowned upon lately. As for the eotech only got to play with it once but it was crisp clear and a lot easier on a mild astigmatism than the aimpoint’s red dot. Other than that my knowledge is PowerPoint deep.
Then again, there’s somethings in which I don’t want to know what I’m missing. If I’m blowing $600 on an optic it’s going to be a scope, and if I buy a red dot it’s going to be <$200. And I'll be happy in my ignorance.
What’s the weight of that Rube Goldberg contraption of a red dot AND magnifier compared to a optic of say…1-4 through 1-8 power? Just seems like a perfectly stupid arrangement to me compared to a low powered scope. Have fun looking up Rube Goldberg you ahistorical millennials.
Same reply as above:
No, I dont want a 1-4, I want a red dot with a magnifier.
I want a red dot because they offer much faster target acquisition and are far better for run and gun thanks 1-4s since you don’t need a cheek weld, unlike 1-4s.
Turning the magnification dial on many scopes is very stiff and slow, far easier and faster to flip the magnifier in place.
I have an honest question for you and I’m not attacking your answer. Why is a dedicated red dot such as an Aimpoint T2 or Holosun superior in terms of faster target acquisition compared to a quality low powered variable optic like a Nightforce ATACR 1- 8, Nightforce NX8, Vortex Razor HD 1-6, etc, when they are set to 1 power? I’ve heard this before so I want to understand why. Let’s ignore weight and focus solely on the glass/image. Is it just because of the unlimited eye box of the red dot? I know you mentioned cheek weld, so this leads me to believe that obviously a red dot will be superior in an unconventional shooting position and I get that.
I tend to gravitate towards the 1-6 and 1-8 scopes as I age, but maybe I need to rethink things. Hmm. I don’t shoot 3 gun at the moment so I’m fairly ignorant. I take a lot of defensive carbine classes and have done well with my variable powered optics.
Up end holosun would be cheap to try and an appreciated gift to someone if you didn’t find a purpose for it. For most uses you are good to go already especially when you have training/muscle memory but doesn’t hurt to challenge your skills with something different.
Unfortunately, real life is all about unconventional shooting positions. I don’t shoot competitive 3gun, but I do spend a lot of time shooting practical rifle competitions. You don’t appreciate just how limited the eye box is on a variable until you try to prone out behind a VTAC in a M50. It’s all about optimization for what you expect to shoot. If your weapon and your training are set up for short range (50 yards and in), it makes little sense to put a variable on your rifle. On the occasion that you need to take that 200 yard shot, a flip to side magnifier is quite adequate. It’s not ideal, hence why the rifles I have built for medium to long range (100-600 yards) all have either ACOGs or variables. However, for CQB applications, a red dot is objectively faster on target due to the lack of an eye box.
Another thing that people don’t practice nearly enough is weak side shooting. In those situations, where you have to take advantage of available cover, not having to hunt for the eye box on your weak side with your non-dominant eye is a huge advantage.
I would agree with what you wrote. A lvpo is certainly not something one should have on a home defense rifle that’s for damn sure.
Think if this scenario. Bump in the night you grab you rifle (no hand gun) with an Eotech or LVPO?
Zero -50 RDS dominates especially in a dynamic situation as in your target is moving or shooting back. Out to 200 magnifier. Past that LVPO.
Or we just realize that, at 1x, a variable will always be inferior to a red dot. If you’re shooting at higher magnification a tiny fraction of the time, it makes no sense to sacrifice performance for the majority of your shooting to make the minority a bit better.
I can’t tell if you’re stupid or trolling.
Made in China??
a red dot with a magnifier is a contraption
an lpvo is more of a technical masterpiece
ive shot all 3 and prefer a red dot by itself or an lpvo
i never met anybody at the range who really really liked their red dot magnifier combo
i never met anybody at the range who didnt
really really like their lpvo
I love all the experts in the comment section telling everyone else what they need or what’s best on their rifle.
Of course people on the range are going to love their LPVO because they are shooting at paper from bench rest in broad daylight or well lit indoor range. They have all the time in the world to dial in the optimal magnification for the distance. Their groupings at 100 yards are superb. BUT, place multiple targets at 100yrd, 50yrd and 15yrd and time who can place 3 rounds in kill zone of each target the fastest while standing. Like stated above, LPVOs have limited eye relief which make them less ideal for situations where you are moving or adjusting aim on a moving target. The illumination of a red dot is ideal of low-light conditions when the non-illuminated reticle of a LPVO may be difficult to see.
During WWII, the Army discovered that soliders rarely engage in rifle fights beyond 100 yards. They tend to not shoot at what they could not identify with the naked eye. This was one of the reasons that prompted the move to an intermediate rifle round. But the same logic can be applied to optics. I think those of us who favor red dots are the ones building their rifles for self-defense and not range plinkers. The scenario where an unknown person is going to engage me from +100 yards is literally the least likely event to happen. Three or four men kicking in my front door at 3am or a riot mob moving through my neighborhood (like the riots of 2016) are far likelier events. However, I’m envious of those 200 yard groupings my buddies can do with their LPVOs so I can slap on a magnifier and do that too. My 3x magnifier has quick detach swing mount so it’s not a pain to simply swing out of the way or remove entirely. I also enjoy the ability to re-confirm my red dot’s zero by flipping up iron sights that co-witness which is an option that is lost when choosing a magnified scope.
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