I've got a vortex micro 3x. The issue I've found with the really short magnifiers is that, unless you're shooting nose to charging handle or otherwise really scrunched down, the eye relief simply isn't good enough on a magnifier for them to be so short. The added length improves the usability of the magnifier by putting the eyebox more in line with where you want it to be.
I hated my vortex micro 3x because of this. To get usable eye relief on an AR you basically have to remove your rear buis and mount it as far back as you can on the receiver. A longer magnifier would actually be better because you can keep your buis and get longer eye relief.
I have the full size HM3X, I didn't see the point in going smaller. I mean the longer version seems a bit more forgiving with eye relief. Amazing seeing those side by side though
On my M4 AR clone I use a Magpul pro rear sight with the longer, lighter by 1.6oz standard HM3X. Unscrew the protruding burled adjustment tool from mount body and replace with a M6-1.00 x 6 allen socket set screw. It sits flush so your magnifier mount can clamp down as close as possible to the rear sight without touching it. With room to access the mount latch safety lever with finger (barely). Backup sight and good magnifier eye relief.
Just bought the HM3x, Ive read it was the best budget magnifier. Then started doing some research on it and learned about the HM3xT. I started wondering if I ordered the right version, after watching your video I did order the right one, I don’t mind the extra length. PS: Simmons has the HM3X for $140 shipped
10:15 For me the Trijicon sight is a bit unnatural and overexposed. I can hardly see the electric cables details on the top. That is my initial impression...
I would love for unity to make a mount for the holosun magnifier. I have one of their eotech risers, but I'm not gonna use it without a magnifier so the riser stays off until I have a high mount for the magnifier too
Can you please do a video on the Primary Arms SLx full size magnifier? It's genuinely the best goddamn magnifier I've ever used. If it were Unity FTC compatible, it'd be perfect.
I feel like it's slightly silly to put a budget optic on a high-dollar mount. I can imagine that any potential Unity Tactical mount would probably cost as much as the actual magnifier does.
what's your opinion on LPVO 1X vs Red dot. I know red dot will be faster but is it significant enough that you would swap optic for the occasional cqb shooting
I shot a rifle hit factor match with the hm3 and my 510C. Have to say it did a heck of a job. We had a stage where we had to shoot out to about 350 yards at a 12 inch steel and I had no issues hitting it with my 3 holosun 3x magnifier. I ended up second overall and willing 2 stages.
Hold up? Did c just admit he bought NV? HOL HOL HOL UP PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE START ADDING NV USE TO YOUR OPTIC REVIEWS! (Yes you can use a nods with magnified optics it’s just sub optimal. See elcan/acog/etc. I believe it’s kinetic consulting that even showed LPVO use with pvs-14/etc) But good lord if you start including night vision performance even with just your red dot reviews it would give me everything I could ever want in optics review
Whether you want to use back up irons or not, the longer optic will always get the ocular lens closer to your eye. If we assume we're using the farthest rearward pic rail slot, and no rear BUIS, in both examples the longer optic will still provide adequate eye relief without having to collapse your butt stock. Or in the case of a fixed rear stock, you won't have to crane your neck forward as much to meet the eye relief of the shorter magnifier. This is the same for the Eotech G33 vs. the G43, and that's even taking into account the G43 has slightly longer eye relief. Due to the physical dimensions being 1.3 inches shorter than the G33, the additional 0.3 inches of eye relief still leaves the user with a 1-inch deficit they need to make up by shortening their length of pull or by stuffing their face further down the stock to make up for this. Shorter is not better unless you can set up the shorter optic on a cantilevered mount that moves the optic further back than standard mounts allow. Sure, smaller is better, but not if you're also moving the ocular lens further and further away from the user's eye in the process.
From your thorough review, I would say that I find the Hm3xT in last place with the G33 sorta coming in first, except for it's length and weight; otherwise, the Trijicon looks really good, and then the standard Holosun, and little or no interest in the Hm3xT. I don't know if I'll ever need or want a magnifier, but if I do, it could be the G33, but the extra length and weight are a factor that I don't think I'd want. So, until something better comes along...... decisions, decisions. Thanks and Blessings!
I've moved this around a number of platforms. And found its home on rail-estate (ha) constrained, or backwards-eyebox problems. For example, the AR57 ULT is physically incompatible with anything that blocks the top-release mag. Rail hangs REALLY far back. The HS512GD + HM3XT just barely fit on that tiny rail, and due to short eyebox, barely fits ergonomically. Or, AR grabbing CH, when mag folded over. It's a niche optic. I think I'd agree the Trijicon would be better -- the value proposition of HM3XT simply isn't there like HM3X. Only drawback: mismatched magnifier + optic brands would very much trigger Hoplopfheil. So be sure to DM them to him.
Great review very detailed as are all your reviews, which I appreciate! I do have a questions what about the Vortex amd Sig magnifiers? I love that Sig offers a 3x, 4x and 6x and Vortex has a shorty which gets good reviews from what I have seen. Do you have any feelings about those brands' magnifiers or are you planning a review of those as well?
Great review as always! I thought about another build that is lighter then my pst lpvo and looking towards red dot, magnifer combo. Cdoes the best reviews!!
Got one for just over $200. It's my only magnifier so I have nothing to compare it to. I'm thinking about milling the rear recoil lug off to get one more 1913 slot of adjustment. The best part about magnifiers is the fact that you can focus them to your eye. My vision is terrible and now I can shoot red dots much further even if I forgot my glasses.
Hey C_DOES, can you do a review of different magnifier mounts and they're stability? Your rig looks perfect for showing how much flex a mount might have and it's ability to not wiggle under recoil. That was the main reason I sold my Vortex 3x, it held zero fine but when shooting fast at 50-100m I could see the dot move/ smear and it was very distracting.
Thank god for this video. Really would love to see a review on the Primary Arms 3x Full Size Magnifier (Different from Gen III & Gen IV LER). $130 for it pretty comparable IMO
I got one of these used for super cheap and I like it but wish I'd purchased the regular version for better eye relief. I find myself needing to adjust head position forward to get into the eye box, even with it mounted on the rearmost pic slot.
