Introduction
The Holosun HS510C is a reflex-type red dot sight designed for mounting on AR-15 rifles and similar platforms. Produced by Chinese manufacturer Holosun Technologies, it incorporates several technical innovations designed to improve autonomy, versatility and reliability. The HS510C features a wide open sights, a solar-powered system with battery backup, and a multiple reticle system. This model is aimed at sport shooters, professionals and civilian users looking for a high-performance red dot sight at an affordable price.
History and development
The development of the Holosun HS510C is part of Holosun Technologies’ expansion into the tactical optics market during the 2010s. Holosun, founded in 2013 and based in California with production facilities in China, is rapidly positioning itself as a serious competitor to established brands in the red dot sight segment.
The HS510C was introduced in the mid-2010s as an evolution of the brand’s early SLR viewfinder models. The project aims to create a viewfinder combining a large viewing window, mixed solar and battery power, and a reticle system that can be configured to suit different types of use.
The design incorporates the Multiple Reticle System (MRS), allowing a choice of three configurations: a single 2 MOA point, a single 65 MOA circle, or a combination of the two. A major innovation is the integration of a solar panel on top of the housing. This panel captures ambient light to power the viewfinder, theoretically extending autonomy to an indefinite duration in sufficiently bright conditions.
The HS510C has been very well received by users. The attractive price/performance ratio, combined with advanced features, has enabled the viewfinder to gain market share against more expensive models. The model remains in production and continues to be one of the most popular viewfinders in the Holosun range.
Design and operation
The Holosun HS510C uses an LED diode to project a reticle onto a reflective lens positioned in front of the shooter’s eye. The reflex design features an open window for a wide field of view and rapid target acquisition.
The housing is made of black anodized 6061-T6 aluminum alloy. The viewing window measures approximately 33 × 24 mm, offering a wide field of view for rapid acquisition and maintenance of situational awareness.
The MRS system allows selection of three configurations: 2 MOA dot only for precision, 65 MOA circle only for fast acquisition, or dot-circle combination for versatility. Reticle intensity is adjustable to 12 levels, 2 of which are night-vision compatible.
The mixed power system combines a solar panel and a CR2032 battery. The panel provides power in bright conditions, while the battery backup takes over in low-light conditions. According to the manufacturer, battery autonomy is around 50,000 hours.
The Shake Awake function automatically puts the sight to sleep after a few minutes of inactivity, and instantly reactivates it as soon as movement is detected. Picatinny rail mounting is via a supplied quick-release base. IP67-certified waterproofing ensures operation in the rain or after immersion to a depth of 1 meter.
Technical specifications
| Characteristic | Guidance value |
|---|---|
| Main manufacturer | Holosun Technologies |
| Model | HS510C |
| Type | Reflex red dot viewfinder |
| Country of origin | China (USA design) |
| Reticle type | Multiple Reticle System (dot 2 MOA, circle 65 MOA, combination) |
| Reticle color | Red |
| Intensity levels | 12 levels (including 2 night vision compatible) |
| Power supply | Solar panel + CR2032 battery |
| Battery life | Approx. 50,000 hours according to manufacturer |
| Shake Awake function | Yes (automatic sleep and wake-up) |
| Housing material | Anodized 6061-T6 aluminum alloy |
| Viewing window | Approx. 33 × 24 mm |
| Mounting | Picatinny rail with QD base |
| Windage/elevation adjustment | 1 MOA per click |
| Water resistance | IP67 (immersion 1 m for 30 min) |
| Overall length | Approx. 83 mm |
| Width | Approx. 61 mm |
| Height | Approx. 66 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 255 grams with baseplate |
| NVD compatibility | Yes (2 low levels) |
Their main interest
The Holosun HS510C combines versatility, extended autonomy and favorable value for money. The wide-window reflex architecture meets the needs of shooters seeking an extended field of view for dynamic shooting and tactical applications.
The solar-powered system offers theoretically unlimited autonomy in sufficient light conditions, eliminating the worry of battery drain during prolonged use. The Shake Awake function further extends autonomy by putting the viewfinder to sleep during periods of inactivity, with instant wake-up on manipulation.
The MRS system offers rare versatility at this price level. The 2 MOA dot is suitable for precision shooting, the 65 MOA circle facilitates ultra-fast acquisition, and the combination offers the best of both approaches. The wide reflex window improves situational awareness compared to closed tubular sights.
IP67 waterproofing and shock resistance tested up to .308 Winchester ensure reliability in tough conditions. Value for money makes these technologies accessible to a wide audience of sport shooters, hunters and civilian users.
Main variants
The HS510C is mainly available with a red reticle in the standard version. A variant with green reticle is available for users who prefer this color, which can offer visibility advantages in certain lighting conditions.
Versions with a Flat Dark Earth (FDE) finish or other tactical colors are occasionally produced according to market demand. Some versions are bundled with mounting brackets of different heights to adjust co-witness with mechanical sights.
Holosun also offers related models in the same family, such as the HS512C with a different reticle, or the more compact HS515, sharing features such as the solar panel and Shake Awake.
Comparison with other viewfinders
Compared with the Aimpoint PRO, the established benchmark for red dot viewfinders, the HS510C adopts an open reflex architecture against the closed tubular design of the Aimpoint. The HS510C offers MRS and solar power at a lower price, while Aimpoint retains a reputation for superior robustness in the most demanding professional applications.
Compared with the EOTech 512, an open-window holographic viewfinder, the HS510C uses simpler LED technology but offers far superior battery life. The EOTech consumes significantly more energy, with autonomy measured in hundreds or thousands of hours, compared with 50,000 hours for the Holosun.
Faced with the Trijicon MRO, the HS510C offers the versatility of the MRS system and the solar panel against Trijicon’s reputation for outstanding build quality. The MRO only offers a 2 MOA single point at a higher price.
Compared with the Vortex Strikefire II in a similar price range, the HS510C offers a superior field of view thanks to its reflex design and advanced features such as the solar panel. The Vortex offers a more protected tubular design and an unconditional lifetime warranty.
Conclusion
The Holosun HS510C represents a modern approach to the red dot SLR viewfinder, incorporating innovations such as solar power, Shake Awake and multiple reticle in an accessible format. Its architecture combines an extended field of view with exceptional autonomy and versatility of use.
The development of this sight illustrates the evolution of the tactical optics market, where new players are offering products incorporating advanced features at competitive prices. The position of the HS510C remains that of a high-performance option offering an attractive features-to-price ratio for users looking for a versatile viewfinder without the investment required by long-established brands.
