The Holosun 508T, otherwise officially known as the HE508TX2, has really impressed me. Truth be told when I first received the optic, (checkout that First Look Video), I wasn’t sure if it was going to be to the hype. Several folks in the industry were singing it’s praises but I was holding out at them time with the staple RMR.
Let’s get the one hurdle that many complain about out of the way, yes it’s made in China. So is the electronics on a ton of other parts in all sorts of various red dots, scopes and everything else. I get it, if that is a big issue for you, that’s ok, however if you are looking for arguably the best “duty grade” open emitter pistol red dot optic, then check this out. Oh, and it also comes in green, so it’s also a green dot?
I first received one media sample, and after a good amount of range time, I bought several more on my own. Yes, I liked them that much as I started to get other pistols or slides that needed optics I naturally found myself moving away from RMRs and going towards the 508T. I also train and consult for various LE agencies around the country teaching red dot handgun instructor classes. In my classes with now hundreds of students, the Holosun 508T’s have been proven performers.
In the video above, I go over the three reasons which I feel the 508T truly is the best thing going right now. I know it’s a bold claim to call it an RMR killer. Don’t get me wrong I still have a few RMRs, however that design has gotten stale and having to remove the optic completely to change the battery has become annoying. I really don’t mind the armorer aspect, thread-locker, proper torque and all that but for most agencies that is not an end-user level function. The side mounted battery tray fixes that. Speaking of battery, because of the side mounted tray it does use the smaller 1632 battery which doesn’t have as much capacity. So my recommendation is to get some spares, which you can get here, Duracell 1632. Batteries are easy enough, but what’s also great is that top solar panel which works awesome to power the dot outside even if your battery is drained.
I use the 508T on my various optic ready firearms with no hesitations. Whether you are looking for a durable carry optic, duty use or recreation at the range, give the Holosun 508T a go.
My current go to optic ready handguns are the Staccato 2011 DPO pistols, and Glock MOS pistols.
- 00:00 – I was wrong
- 00:43 – Intro and Backstory
- 01:12 – Disclosure
- 01:38 – My Background with Handgun RDS
- 02:52 – Goal of the Review
- 03:57 – Pricing and Availability
- 04:19 – Optic Footprint
- 04:54 – General Specs
- 05:23 – Compared to the RMR
- 06:04 – Why get this over an RMR – Reason #1
- 08:38 – Reason #2
- 11:31 – Reason #3
- 12:42 – How it is shoting with the 508T
- 13:10 – The Big Duty Grade stamp of approval
- 13:27 – Water and Weather Resistance
- 14:11 – What issues have I seen?
- 15:21 – Final Thoughts
- 15:42 – Thanks for Watching!
Things in this video you may want. Your purchases helps us out and costs you nothing more.
- Holosun 508T – Red / Green
- Duracell 1632
- Glock 34
- Staccato P DPO – At Staccato / At Rainier Arms
- OTTO Range SA
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Sharing my experience with Holosun as I think this is an extremely overhyped manufacturer making a dangerous self defense product.
I recently bought a $300+ holosun optic for my carry gun. Had it all of 6 days before a mild door frame encounter resulted in broken glass. I’ve put all kinds of optics through far, far worse and never have I had this kind breakage. I was extremely disappointed to say the least, but at first I thought everyone has a bad day now and then and started the RMA process.
Once they received my optic it took over 3 weeks to hear back, and what I eventually got was a fairly short email that told me “unfortunately” this kind of damage was not covered by my warranty. I initially replied questioning that as the optic was so incredibly new, and they kindly offered to sell me another new one at “distributor pricing”.
Obviously I wouldn’t in my right mind throw good money after bad now that I know how poor the quality of, and how poorly supported, the Holosun product line really is.
Far better options in this industry with warranties that reflect the nature, expectation, and usage of these kinds of products. BUYER BEWARE!