Competition shooters are a vibrant community of enthusiasts, each participating in the sport for unique reasons. Whether it's fostering skill development, satisfying a competitive spirit, building problem-solving abilities, or tackling new challenges at every match, competitions like USPSA offer a pathway to personal growth and are just plain fun.
For these dedicated shooters, selecting the right equipment is crucial to gaining a competitive edge in matches. Today we’re going to take a deep dive into two options in the realm of red dot sights: the Vortex Defender XL and the Holosun 507 Comp, both engineered to meet the specific demands of competition shooting.
Key Takeaways
- Footprint / Installation Comparisons
- Size Comparisons - Window & Dimensions
- Reticle Comparisons
- Battery Comparisons
- What’s In The Box
- Other Features (Like Shake Awake)
- Price Comparison
- Conclusion
TL;DR: For competition shooters, both the Holosun 507 Comp and Vortex Defender XL are great choices. The Holosun 507 Comp, priced between $370 and $400, provides a versatile reticle system, Shake Awake Technology, and up to 50,000 hours of battery life. The Vortex Defender XL, priced at $400, features motion activation, ShockShield™ technology, and comes with a picatinny mount and rubber cover. Both optics are built from durable 7075 aluminum, making them reliable choices for competitive shooting. Your decision should be based on your specific needs and preferences for reticle options and included accessories.
| Buy 507 COMP At Best Price | Buy Defender XL At Best Price |
Footprints / Installation
Now the most important thing to consider about these optics is you need to understand your slide’s footprint. The Defender XL has a DeltaPoint Pro (DPP) footprint and the 507 Comp has an RMR footprint. For the Sig P320, which has a DPP footprint you wouldn’t need an adapter plate for the Vortex, but would need one for the 507 Comp. And vise-versa if you have a slide with an RMR footprint, you wouldn’t need an adapter plate for the 507 Comp but would for the Defender XL. If you don’t know your pistol’s footprint, check out our fitment guide.
Now let’s discuss installation right out of the box, not assuming you need an adapter plate.
Holosun’s 507 Comp comes with two sets of screws. The long screws are 6/32x9.5mm and the short set is 6/32x7.4mm.
The Vortex Defender XL, on the other hand, comes with multiple labeled bags containing screws of various sizes, as well as a Glock MOS adapter plate. Here are the details:
- Glock MOS adapter plate + M3x6mm screws
- 6/48x9.03mm screws
- For use with HK VP9 Tactical
- Kimber EGIS / KHX Custom
- 6/40x9.8mm screws
- For use with FN-509
- M4x11mm screws
- For use with Canik TP9SFX/TP9SC
- Sig P320 M17, M18, RXP
- CZ P10
- M4x9.8mm screws
- For use with Glock MOS
- Ruger 57
- Springfield Hellcat, XDM5.25 OSP
- 6/32x10.8mm screws
- For use with Smith & Wesson 2.0
This comprehensive selection ensures a straightforward installation process for a variety of pistol models, making the Vortex Defender XL a versatile option right out of the box.
Window Size & Dimension Comparisons
When selecting a red dot sight for competition shooting, the physical specifications such as window size, dimensions, and weight play a huge role in performance and handling.
The Holosun 507 Comp features a window size of 1.1×0.87 inches, providing a large viewing area for quick target acquisition and improved accuracy. Its overall dimensions are 1.8×1.3×1.3 inches, making it Holosun’s largest overall red dot. Weighing in at just 1.7 ounces, the 507 Comp is lightweight, which helps maintain the balance and handling of your firearm, especially during rapid target transitions and dynamic shooting stages.
In comparison, the Vortex Defender XL has a window size of 1.00×0.92 inches. While slightly smaller in width compared to the Holosun, it offers a taller viewing area, which can be beneficial for different shooting stances and positions. The dimensions of the Defender XL are 2.0×1.4×1.4 inches, making it slightly larger than the Holosun 507 Comp. This additional size may provide a more robust feel. The Defender XL weighs 1.93 ounces, marginally heavier than the Holosun, which might be a consideration for shooters who prioritize maintaining a minimal weight on their setup.
Reticle Comparisons
One of the most important features, and essentially the entire purpose of adding an optic, to consider in a red dot sight is the reticle. The reticle significantly influences aiming precision and adaptability to different shooting situations.
The Holosun 507 Comp is the only red dot so far in Holosun’s lineup with its brand new advanced Competition Reticle System (CRS), an enhanced multi-reticle system designed to provide maximum flexibility and precision. The CRS includes:
- 2 MOA dot: Ideal for precise aiming at small targets or longer distances.
- 8 MOA circle: Offers a larger aiming point for faster target acquisition.
- 20 MOA circle: Balances between speed and accuracy, suitable for various shooting scenarios.
- 32 MOA circle: Provides a very large aiming reference, excellent for rapid target transitions and close-quarters shooting.
- Combination of dot + circle for any of the above mentioned reticles.
These reticles can be combined in multiple settings to suit individual preferences, allowing competitors to customize their sight picture based on the specific requirements of a stage or match. Additionally, the 507 Comp is available with either a red or green reticle, giving shooters further choice based on their personal preference and to help with any astigmatisms.
In contrast, the Vortex Defender XL offers simpler reticle options. It currently comes with two reticle choices:
- 5 MOA dot: Suitable for rapid target acquisition with a fine balance of speed and precision.
- 8 MOA dot: Larger and easier to see, this option is geared towards quick target transitions and close-quarters engagements.
The Defender XL only comes with a red reticle, which may limit visibility preferences for some shooters.
While the Vortex Defender XL offers straightforward and effective reticle options, the Holosun 507 Comp provides a more versatile and customizable reticle system, catering to a wide range of shooting styles and scenarios. This flexibility in the 507 Comp can be a significant advantage for shooters who participate in varied stages and need adaptable reticle configurations.
Battery Comparison
Battery life and ease of battery replacement are definitely factors to consider when looking at red dots.
The Holosun 507 Comp uses a CR1632 battery, which is installed using a convenient side-mounted tray system. This design allows for easy battery changes without the need to remove the optic from the firearm, ensuring that the sight remains zeroed. The provided tool acts as a screwdriver to open the tray, making the process straightforward. The battery life is impressive, offering up to 50,000 hours of use on setting 6 (dot only). This long battery life reduces the frequency of battery changes and ensures reliable performance over extended periods.
On the other hand, the Vortex Defender XL uses a CR2032 battery, which is the same type used in many of Vortex's rifle scopes. Which is convenient if you already stockpile CR2032 batteries for your scopes. The battery is mounted on top of the optic, which also allows for changes without disturbing the sight’s zero. However, the battery compartment design is less intuitive than the Holosun’s. To open the battery compartment, you first need to press down on the battery compartment, then use the provided tool to press the battery compartment latch button. Although this might seem complicated initially, once you understand the mechanism, it becomes easy to do. Despite this, it may require some initial learning, as it personally took me a few minutes of playing with it to give up and just look up instructions on YouTube to understand how to open it.
The battery life of the Defender XL is up to 25,000 hours on setting 6, which is half of the runtime offered by the Holosun 507 Comp. While this is still a substantial battery life, it means more frequent battery changes compared to the Holosun.
Overall, the Holosun 507 Comp provides a more user-friendly and intuitive battery replacement process, along with a significantly longer battery life. The Vortex Defender XL, while offering compatibility with commonly used CR2032 batteries and a reliable battery compartment once understood, falls short in battery life compared to the Holosun. For shooters who prioritize long battery life and ease of maintenance, the Holosun 507 Comp might be the preferable choice.
What’s In The Box?
Both the Holosun 507 Comp and the Vortex Defender XL come with the necessary items to get you started. Both the Holosun 507 Comp and the Vortex Defender XL come with the following standard items: warranty information, screws, multitool, manual, and a lens cloth.
However, the Vortex Defender XL includes two additional items that are noteworthy: a picatinny mount and a rubber cover. The inclusion of these accessories definitely adds value, as they are sold separately for the Holosun 507 Comp.
For a detailed look at what’s included with each optic, check out these YouTube videos.
507 Comp Unboxing:
Defender XL Unboxing
Other Features
Both the Holosun 507 Comp and the Vortex Defender XL offer a range of additional features that are nice to know about before you make your decision. Let's explore these features in detail to understand how each optic stands out.
Holosun 507 Comp
The Holosun 507 Comp includes several advanced features designed to improve user experience and optic performance. One of the standout features is Shake Awake Technology. This technology helps extend battery life by deactivating the optic’s LED when not in use. A highly sensitive motion sensor detects any movement, keeping the LED powered on during active use. This feature is particularly beneficial for duty or concealed carry, ensuring the optic is always ready when needed. The default setting powers off the LED after 10 minutes of inactivity, but this can be adjusted to intervals ranging from 10 minutes to 12 hours, or deactivated altogether.
The 507 Comp is constructed from 7075 T6 Aluminum, offering robustness and durability. It boasts an IP67 rating, ensuring resistance to dust and water, making it suitable for various environmental conditions. The optic features 8 brightness settings, including 6 daylight and 2 night vision-compatible settings, allowing for optimal visibility in different lighting conditions. Additionally, the 507 Comp has a windage/elevation travel range of ±30 MOA, providing ample adjustment capabilities for precision shooting.
Vortex Defender XL
The Vortex Defender XL also offers a range of impressive features designed for toughness, speed, and accuracy. It includes motion activation with a 10-minute auto-shutoff, which automatically activates the optic with motion and powers it off after 10 minutes of inactivity to save battery life. This feature is just like Holosun’s shake awake.
One of the unique features of the Defender XL is the ShockShield™ technology, which consists of a polymer insert that absorbs shock and protects the 7075 aluminum body from everyday abuse. This enhances the durability and longevity of the optic. The Fast-Rack™ texturing on the face of the optic provides aggressive texturing, allowing for easy racking of the slide off any surface, which can be useful in dynamic shooting scenarios.
The Defender XL offers 10 daylight bright brightness settings, ensuring excellent visibility in various lighting conditions. The lowest 2 settings are night-vision compatible, making it versatile for both day and night use. It is also waterproof, with O-ring seals that prevent moisture, dust, and debris from penetrating, ensuring reliable performance in all environments. Additionally, the Defender XL has a travel per rotation of 25 MOA, with a max elevation of 120 MOA and a max winadage of 115 MOA.
Price
The Holosun 507 Comp with a red reticle is priced at $370, while the green reticle is slightly higher at $400. This price difference reflects the additional cost associated with the green LED technology, which some shooters prefer for its visibility in various lighting conditions.
The Vortex Defender XL is priced at $400. This price is the same regardless of the reticle size (5 MOA or 8 MOA) and includes the additional accessories such as the picatinny mount and rubber cover, which add value to the package.
Conclusion
Selecting the right red dot sight for competition shooting is crucial for achieving the best performance in matches. Both the Holosun 507 Comp and the Vortex Defender XL offer impressive features, robust construction, and reliable performance, making them excellent choices for USPSA and other competitive shooting events.
The Holosun 507 Comp stands out with its advanced Competition Reticle System (CRS), offering multiple reticle combinations to suit individual shooter preferences. Its Shake Awake Technology ensures the optic is always ready when needed while conserving battery life, which can last up to 50,000 hours. The 507 Comp's durable 7075 T6 aluminum construction and IP67 rating make it a reliable choice in various environmental conditions. Priced between $370 and $400, depending on the reticle color, the Holosun 507 Comp offers flexibility and value.
The Vortex Defender XL, priced at $400, provides a straightforward yet effective red dot sight with features such as motion activation, ShockShield™ technology, and Fast-Rack™ texturing. These features enhance the optic’s durability, making it a robust option for dynamic shooting. The Defender XL includes a picatinny mount, rubber cover, and MOS adapter plate adding extra value by providing essential accessories right out of the box.
The choice between the two ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize a versatile reticle system and longer battery life, the Holosun 507 Comp may be the better option. However, if you value additional accessories and the rugged features of the Defender XL, the Vortex optic might be your choice.
In the end, both the Holosun 507 Comp and the Vortex Defender XL are great red dot sights that can help you enhance your shooting performance and achieve your competition goals. Get them at the best price with free shipping here at Freedom Gorilla!
 Starts at $369+
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Holosun 507 Comp: This is one of the most popular newer pistol red dots from Holosun. It has the largest window out of any pistol red dot and is made for competition shooting. It does not have a solar failsafe, and it features the CRS reticle which is 7 reticles in 1. |
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Vortex Defender XL: This is Vortex's newest pistol red dot. It has a large window for competition shooting and feature's the textured Fast-Rack front. It comes with a 5 MOA or 8 MOA red reticle. |
