The discussion centers on the final segment of SHOT Show 2023 coverage, focusing on accessories, particularly optics. Holosun is highlighted as the winner in this category for its new night vision and thermal optics. The conversation notes that night vision and thermal technology have traditionally been priced out of reach for many shooters. Holosun, already known as a budget-friendly optic maker that has gradually proven its quality over time, is now pushing into this space. The hosts frame these optics as a significant step toward making night vision and thermal capabilities more accessible to users who previously assumed such equipment would always be financially unattainable.
The video explains that Holosun is making a major move into night vision and thermal optics after building a reputation in standard red dots. The hosts describe having fired a few rounds using both the night vision and thermal versions at a JK Armament event in low-light conditions. Holosun currently has two thermal iterations: a standard thermal optic and a higher-resolution “pro” style version, though official model names were not yet finalized at the time of filming. The optics appear very compact, with a footprint roughly comparable to an older EOTech, though the Holosun unit is somewhat smaller and shorter. A separate camera module sits on top of the main optic body, contributing to the compact design while influencing performance trade-offs.
Because of the compact footprint, the thermal performance is intentionally limited. The hosts report that the thermal capability reaches out to roughly 68 meters, making it more suitable for closer-range applications rather than long-distance detection. They emphasize that, while not a long-range thermal system, the optic’s size and expected price point make this trade-off understandable. The optic includes onboard recording capability, enabled by the camera module, allowing users to capture hunts, drills, or other shooting activities. The conversation notes that many SHOT Show attendees were sharing thermal views of people walking around the show floor, demonstrating how the optic picks up heat signatures in a crowded environment, even though the units there were not mounted on firearms.
The thermal unit supports common viewing modes such as white hot and black hot, referred to as WH and BH modes. The hosts reiterate that the effective thermal range is about 68 meters, which translates to roughly 74 to 75 yards, and they consider this distance adequate for many practical uses despite being shorter than some larger, more expensive systems. They stress that the optic remains a red dot at its core, with night vision and thermal functions layered on top. Users can still employ it as a conventional red dot sight during daylight or when thermal and night vision are not required, preserving familiar handling while adding low-light capability when needed.
The thermal optic offers up to 8x digital magnification, which the hosts see as a notable feature given the compact size. The night vision and thermal components each have their own reticles, separate from the standard daylight red dot reticle. This allows shooters to maintain different zeros for different configurations. For example, the primary red dot can be zeroed for unsuppressed shooting with a particular load, while the night vision or thermal reticle can be zeroed for a suppressed setup or different ammunition that shifts point of impact. Users can turn off the main red dot and rely solely on the night vision or thermal reticle when shooting in those modes, tailoring the optic to specific nighttime or suppressed applications.
Battery life details are discussed based on information from Holosun. The pro thermal version is reported to provide around 10 hours of runtime, while the standard thermal version offers about 20 hours. The night vision variants differ, with approximate runtimes of 10 hours and 5 hours depending on configuration. The thermal units use two 18350 rechargeable batteries, while the night vision models use a single cell. When power runs low, the user can open the battery compartment, swap in fresh rechargeable 18350s, and continue operating. The hosts recommend starting hunts or missions with fully charged batteries and note that the optic can be turned off to conserve power, since it still functions as a basic red dot when advanced modes are not required.
The conversation places Holosun’s new optic in the broader history of night vision technology. Older systems from the Vietnam era are described as large, heavy devices mounted on rifles like the M14, offering limited effective distance despite their bulk. Early night vision solutions are contrasted with modern compact optics, underscoring how far the technology has progressed. The hosts argue that Holosun is entering this market with a product that is more compact and, relative to established brands, expected to be more affordable while still offering multiple capabilities out of the box. They note that Holosun has already proven itself with reliable, cost-conscious optics and is now extending that approach into night vision and thermal red dot platforms.
The hosts acknowledge that the optic is not perfect and describe it as an initial step into a new category for Holosun rather than a final, refined solution. They speculate about future improvements and mention that Holosun is widely recognized for integrating solar panels into many of its red dot sights. One suggestion is to eventually add a solar panel to this night vision and thermal optic. The idea is that daytime use, such as running drills in standard red dot mode, could help maintain battery charge, leaving more stored power available for night vision or thermal use after dark. This concept is presented as a potential evolution that would align with Holosun’s established design language and power-management features.
Loading...