Red Dot Companies are NOT Going to Like This

Product Comparison: Osight R vs. Holosun AEMS Core X2

Main Features

Both optics are closed-emitter red dots with side-loading CR2032 battery trays, motion activation, and included mounts.

Osight R

• Includes a 1.5-inch mount with the common T1/T2 footprint; other mount options are available.
• Offers a 2 MOA dot, 32 MOA circle, or circle-and-dot reticle.
• Claimed battery life:
  • Up to 80,000 hours with the dot
  • 18,000 hours with the circle
  • 15,000 hours with both
• Has nine daytime brightness settings, three night-vision settings, and a separate night-vision button.
• Includes hinged protective covers and a removable anti-glare mesh for the front lens.
• Offered in red, according to the reviewer.

Holosun AEMS Core X2

• Includes a 1.6-inch mount with a large mounting nut that the reviewer found reassuringly secure.
• Has ten daytime brightness settings and two night-vision settings. Its motion activation is called “Shake Awake.”
• Claimed battery life is 50,000 hours at brightness setting six.
• Available with red, green, or gold reticles.
• Includes a spare battery tray. The reviewer notes that the X2 is an updated version and believes its internal changes may relate to parallax.

What the Reviewer Liked About the Osight R

• Its housing makes the sight picture feel more open, with less of the optic body intruding into peripheral vision.
• The hinged covers and anti-glare insert are useful additions.
• The included T1/T2-compatible mount supports a broad range of aftermarket mounting options.
• It held zero well during testing. The reviewer moved it among several firearms with different configurations and calibers and reported no significant shift when reinstalling it in the same rail position. Small adjustments were needed when switching between calibers.
• At $279, it was notably less expensive than the Holosun, which the reviewer placed at roughly $350.
• The reviewer cited a lifetime warranty with a straightforward claims process.

What the Reviewer Preferred About the Holosun

• The dot looked slightly clearer to the reviewer, who has astigmatism, and could be used at a slightly lower brightness. The difference was described as small.
• Its mounting setup felt especially secure.
• It offers more reticle-color choices and, in the reviewer’s view, a cleaner-looking reticle presentation.
• The reviewer has years of experience with Holosun optics and considers them reliable.

Downsides and Differences

• The Osight’s large, visible branding bothered the reviewer; Holosun’s branding was less conspicuous.
• The Holosun’s squarer housing seemed to obstruct the view slightly more than the Osight’s.
• The Osight currently offers only a red reticle, while the Holosun has red, green, and gold options.
• The reviewer found the Holosun dot a little clearer, though another shooter did not notice a meaningful difference.
• Battery-life figures are manufacturer claims. The reviewer’s recommendation depends partly on whether the Osight approaches its claimed runtime.

Testing and Verdict

The reviewer used the Osight on multiple platforms, including an AR-style rifle, a bullpup, a 9mm firearm, and a .44 Magnum lever-action rifle. The optic remained usable across the different setups, and the reviewer reported no major return-to-zero problem when reinstalling it consistently.

The video also describes a requested 1,000-round stress test, but the subtitles do not clearly state the final round count or its specific results.

Verdict: The reviewer considers both optics good choices. The Osight R is the preferred value option for its more open-feeling window, standard mounting footprint, included accessories, and lower price—provided its battery-life claims hold up. The Holosun remains appealing for its slightly clearer dot, color options, and the reviewer’s established confidence in its reliability.

Different Views

• Reviewer: Preferred the Osight’s window and value, but found the Holosun’s dot slightly clearer.
• Mike, the reviewer’s friend: Thought both dots looked good and was not particularly bothered by the clarity difference.