UNBOXING REVIEW: Holosun ELITE HE508T-RD-X2

New in our arsenal is a Holosun ELITE HE508T-RD-X2, which we will be mounting on our Glock 17 Gen 5 for a long-term test. Nothing proves the durability and reliability of an optic as well as real-world use.

But before we can start using it, we need to unpack it and since this is a nice feeling - almost like Christmas - we want to take you along and visually show you the contents. What does HOLOSUN deliver when you order an optic.

Grab the knife and cut open the foil. Away with it!

The HE508T comes in two variants: RD for the red reticle and GR for the green one. The last two letters in the name of the optic reveal which version it is.

You have to read the packaging texts. On the side of the box, all the features of the optic are listed again.

Once the foil is removed, you get closer to the exciting contents.

The cardboard cover can be slid off sideways.

Inside the black box, the content we are after is well protected.

Removing the lid, you are greeted by various accompanying texts.

Shown here is everything that comes with it. A general user manual, the warranty book, an important note on the reticle, and an important note on the optic itself. Reading is important!

On the back, the Laserluchs logo is displayed, as Laserluchs handles the distribution of Holosun in Europe. Warranty claims are also handled reliably and with excellent service through Laserluchs in Germany.

A brief overview of all the reading material. Information is provided about possible blurred vision due to astigmatism, or that one should not be worried because the lens is crooked (that's how it is).

But enough of the fine print. Once the brochures are gone, it's time to move on to the actual content. A small silica bag protects against moisture and on top of it is a microfiber cloth. Ideal for cleaning the lens without leaving any traces.

Below this is the HOLOSUN optic - with additional accessories.

A first look at the sight, as one will naturally reach for the optic first. The very appealing, tough "look" comes from the fact that the housing is made of the finest titanium.

Also included is the necessary tools to secure the screws and adjust the reticle.

The appropriate battery must also not be missing, two pieces are included. Mounting screws for the adapter plate are packed in the bags.

But now, on to the main attraction, the Holosun HE508T-RD-X2. The Elite version made of titanium comes with a proud 10-year warranty. The housing color is classic black.

The weight is just 56.7 grams. IP67 protection class protects against dust and temporary submersion. This optic is of the open reflex sight type. For those who prefer a closed one, there is also such a version under the model designation HE509T-RD.

The dimensions are 28.5 x 43.5 x 29 millimeters. The lens size is 16 x 23 millimeters. Small and handy, made for a pistol.

A great feature of the HOLOSUN optics is the built-in solar cells in some models. This allows the optic to have automatic brightness adjustment and increased battery life. If needed, the brightness can be manually switched.

A view from below. The screw openings are clearly visible.

Here the entire contents laid out.

It includes everything you wish for and need.

Now let's put the optic into operation. So we read the manual carefully and learn how to correctly insert the battery. Everything is well explained here.

Using the tool provided, open the side screw and remove the small battery compartment.

The side battery compartment is a big plus for us. This way the optic doesn't have to be dismounted and still maintains its accuracy when changing the battery. You can easily see how the compartment is surrounded by an O-ring for sealing.

The battery is inserted, so tighten the screw again.

And suddenly, a light bulb goes on. The battery life is a whopping 50,000 hours. Don't be deceived, the reticle only looks so small through the camera lens.

The dot in the center is 2 MOA in size and the ring is 32 MOA. If you want to know exactly: HERE in the Basics we explain MOA, the unknown creature.

In addition, you can switch between three reticles. In the top row is the infographic from Holosun, and below are our photo attempts to capture the reticle.

Functional test passed, everything lights up. Now it's time for the gun. We want to mount this good piece on the pre-milled slide of a Glock.

However, the supplied screws are too thick for this. This is not a problem, as the gun manufacturer provides the appropriate screws for its RMR mount, not the optics manufacturer. By the way, the mounting points are identical to those of an RMR from Trijicon.

In our case, the Glock 17 Gen 5 slide was milled by Verex Tactical and they naturally provide the appropriate screws.

At this point, we must recommend that a proper mounting should ideally be done by a certified gunsmith. However, we're not waiting and have applied some thread locker to the screws and tightened them to 1.7 NM as recommended in the instruction manual.

Now everything is securely in place. The HOLOSUN optic has a new home and is now ready for the range.

A quick test to see if everything fits in the holster.

A secure fit in the Safariland 6354DO is ensured, and then it's off to the shooting range. A proper holster is particularly important, especially for pistols with optics. With Safariland, you can see how it protects the Red Dot when the weapon is holstered. This is significant when moving and potentially encountering obstacles.

We will be accompanied by the optic for some time, and we will provide more reports on our experiences, such as adjusting and the initial shots, as well as how it is used in the medium term. We also plan to take the optic to various courses to see how it performs in real-world situations. The perfect and recommended stippling on this Glock is, by the way, from BLACK TRIDENT.

You can find the Holosun HE508T-RD-X2 HERE directly from Holosun for 443.99 euros.

HOLOSUN on the internet: www.holosun.eu

LASERLUCHS on the internet: www.laserluchs.de