As an avid hunter and night vision gear enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for high-quality optics that provide both performance and value. Recently, I had the chance to test out the Holosun HE508T-GR-X2 Green Dot Sight, and I must say, I’m thoroughly impressed. This rugged little sight packs in a ton of features that make it an excellent choice for hunters, competitive shooters, and anyone looking for a reliable pistol optic.
Build Quality and Durability
First off, let’s talk about the build quality. The 508T features a titanium housing that is incredibly tough and durable. I put this thing through its paces – bumping it, dropping it, even dunking it underwater – and it kept on ticking without any issues. The IP67 waterproof rating means it can handle being submerged up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The drain holes on the side are a nice touch for getting rid of any excess moisture.
Reticle Options and Illumination
One of the standout features of the 508T is the multi-reticle system. You get your choice of a 2 MOA dot, a 32 MOA circle, or a combination of the two. I found the circle-dot reticle to be lightning fast for target acquisition. The green LED illumination is super bright and crisp, with 12 brightness settings to choose from (10 for daylight, 2 for night vision). The sight also has an auto mode that uses a solar sensor to adjust the reticle brightness to match the lighting conditions.
- HOLOSUN GREEN DOT SIGHT – The HE508T-GR X2 is a hard-use open reflex sight designed for handgun applications; Features include a grade 5 titanium housing with industry standard footprint, Holosun’s ultra efficient 540nm Green Super LED with up to 50k hour battery life from a 1632 battery, and a Multi-Reticle System; This handgun sight also has Solar Failsafe, Shake Awake technology, and Lock Mode which can prevent inadvertent setting changes when activated
Battery Life and Solar Failsafe
Another thing I love about this sight is the battery life. With a CR1632 battery, you get up to 50,000 hours of runtime on a mid-level setting. The solar failsafe means the sight will stay powered even if the battery dies. Changing the battery is a breeze thanks to the side-mounted tray – no need to remove the sight from your gun.
Additional Features
The 508T also has some great quality-of-life features. The Shake Awake technology automatically powers up the sight when it senses motion and shuts it down after 10 minutes of inactivity to save battery. You can customize the sleep timer as well. The buttons are a bit on the small side for larger hands, but they have a positive click and are easy enough to use.
Mounting and Adjustment
Mounting the 508T is simple. It has the same footprint as the Trijicon RMR, so it will work with a ton of existing mounts and pistol optics-ready slides. The included low Picatinny mount is handy if you want to throw it on a rifle or shotgun. Adjusting the sight is a snap with the top-mounted elevation and side-mounted windage turrets. The adjustments are 1 MOA per click with a range of +/- 50 MOA.
Performance on the Range
In testing, I found the 508T to be an absolute pleasure to shoot with. The large viewing window provides a wide field of view, and the crisp dot makes it easy to place precise shots. The titanium housing practically eliminates concerns about damaging the sight, even for the kind of hard use it would see on a duty pistol or in a competitive match. This is a rock-solid optic. Zeroing is quick and painless, and the sight held zero even after hundreds of rounds.
Final Thoughts
All-in-all, I’m extremely satisfied with the Holosun 508T. For the money, I think it’s one of the best pistol-mounted red dot sights on the market today. The build quality is top-notch, the feature set is robust, and the performance is everything I look for in a handgun optic. Whether you’re a hunter, competitive shooter, or just looking for a bomb-proof optic for your nightstand gun, I highly recommend checking out the 508T. It’s a heck of a lot of capability packed into a small, rugged package.