Admittedly late to the Holosun party, I am coming to appreciate the brand and realize why numerous colleagues were using these versatile optics before me. I am continuing my journey beyond Holosun pistol-mounted optics, as I’ve detailed previously, and turning my inquiry to the rifle-based open reflex HS510C and HE512T-GR.
Holosun’s name, derived from “holography” and “sun,” captures the company’s intention to blend holographic-style sighting designs with solar-powered capability. Holosun focuses on providing affordable electronic sights with features that appeal to seasoned users. The use of electronic sights has become the norm on the battlefield, in law enforcement, competition, and in personal defense.
With so many options available, it’s useful to reference Holosun’s nomenclature guide on their website to determine the specific features of a particular Holosun model.
For example, the HS510C is an open reflex sight featuring a red reticle and a QD mount. The “S” indicates a standard Holosun model, the “5” indicates a multi-reticle system (MRS), the “1” designates upgraded accessories, such as the QD mount, and the “C” indicates Solar Failsafe features. Considering the HE512T-GR, the “E” indicates an Elite model at the top of the Holosun pyramid of design innovation, quality, and features.
Those features include premium-grade titanium housings, advanced lens coatings, Solar Failsafe, enhanced shake-awake sensitivity, and specialized reticle options. The “5” in its name is shorthand for the MRS system, “1” again indicates included accessories, the “T” confirms a titanium housing, and “GR” indicates a green reticle. I know, it’s confusing. So I encourage all prospective buyers to visit the Holosun website for even more details.
Aesthetically, the HS510C and HE512T-GR are strikingly different in terms of external styling. While both the HS510C and HE512T-GR are open reflex sights, the 512 features a totally enclosed titanium housing and distinctive battery tray.
The HE512T-GR Grade 5 Titanium housing not only provides more impact protection, but provides the unit with IPX8 submersion rating and the ability to withstand the elements, including harsh, corrosive seawater.
The battery is similarly sealed from the elements, a situation that makes swapping power cells a little tricky. Loosen a difficult set screw and pivot a lever upward to release the battery tray, and be happy for the long 50,000 hour run time that makes battery changes rare.
In comparison, the HS510C carries an IP67 rating that protects against dust plus a short period of immersion in water up to 1 meter in depth.
Pricing is commensurate with different materials and features; titanium is not cheap, and neither are the requirements to earn an IPX8 rating. The HS510C costs $365, with the HE512T-GR clocking in at $624.
Both the HS510C and HE512T-GR feature many of the Holosun features that attract consumer attention, such as Shake Awake and Solar Failsafe technologies.
Shake Awake enables the optic to automatically power on when it senses motion and shut off during inactivity, while Solar Failsafe provides a backup power source via a built-in solar panel, ensuring continuous operation even under low battery conditions.
Each of the Holosun rifle open reflex sights offers terrific battery life of 50,000 hours with a single CR2032 battery. This run time includes the HE512T-GR with its power-hungry green reticle. Most of its peers cannot come close to competing with this.
Both the HS510C and HE512T-GR also feature Multilayer Reflective Glass and Multi-Reticle System (MRS). The Multi-Reticle System for the Holosun rifle optics consists of either a standalone 2MOA dot, a combined 65MOA circle/2MOA dot reticle, or a 65MOA circle.
Users scroll through the reticles by depressing the minus button on the side of both optics. In terms of optical coatings, Holosun sights use multilayer coatings to facilitate maximum light transmission and wear resistance while reducing glare and facilitating reduced power requirements compared to the competition.
Another area where the HS510C and HE12C separate from each other is with the reticle color. We have been programmed to expect electronic sights to feature red reticles. The availability of green reticles is picking up pace.
Green dots/reticles are actually easier to see in bright daylight conditions and other backgrounds because the human eye is more sensitive to green light, making target acquisition faster. Red dots/reticles are easier on manufacturers in terms of brightness and battery life, but Holosun is achieving excellent battery life with its Super LED technology inside the HE512T-GR.
Holosun’s Super Green LED is designed to match the wavelength of light that the human eye is most reactive to and maintains superior battery life.
Now for the HS510C. It is almost half the weight of the HE512T-GR at 4.94 ounces versus 9.17 ounces. It also has a wider apparent field of view thanks to its open emitter style. The HS510C arrives with a QD lever mount as standard, allowing shooters the flexibility to mount the unit on a variety of platforms.
I have put both the HS510C & HE512T-GR through high-volume shooting atop 5.56, .300BLK, 7.62x39, and .308 Win rifles and braced pistols. These braced pistols are perfect candidates for the Holosun open reflex optics.
Variable eye relief is one of the major advantages of reflex sights and is most apparent when working in tight confines or awkward firing positions. Keep both eyes open, and if you see the glowing reticle on the target, pull the trigger. The adjustable intensity of the Holosun reticles allows you to tune both the reticle design and brightness as needed, either in low light or daylight-bright conditions.
The advantages of a wide field of view and reticle seemingly projected out in front of the weapon are hard to deny. With both the HS510C and HE512T-GR, the optics’ housing disappears and the reticle just floats superimposed over the target regardless of light condition.
If you’re not troubled by an uncovered open emitter, then the HS510C is a no-brainer, especially considering the reasonable price with so many features. Lightweight and clear, unhindered sight picture with a wide field of view. If a green reticle and durability are your priorities, the HE512T-GR answers both.
SPECIFICATIONS: Holosun HS510C
Magnification Range:1x
Mount: Absolute Cowitness QD mount
Window Size: 3.3x1.68x1.78”
Adjustments: .5 MOA
Windage/Elevation Travel: +/-50MOA
Weight: 4.94 ounces
Illumination: 10 daylight/2 NV Auto and Manual Brightness Controls
Reticles: Red Super LED 2 MOA dot, 2MOA dot/65MOA circle, 65MOA circle
Battery Type/Life: 1x CR2032 Battery/50,000 hours
Waterproof: IP67
MSRP: $364
SPECIFICATIONS: Holosun HE512T-GR
Magnification Range:1x
Mount: Absolute Cowitness Mount
Objective Lens Size: 3.35x1.63x1.7”
Adjustments: .5 MOA
Windage/Elevation Travel: +/-50MOA
Weight: 9.17 ounces
Illumination: 10 daylight/2 NV Auto and Manual Brightness Controls
Reticles: Green Super LED 2 MOA dot, 2MOA dot/65MOA circle, 65MOA circle
Battery Type/Life: 1x CR12032 Battery/50,000 hours
Waterproof: IPX8
MSRP: $623