If you're in the market for a pistol red dot optic then you’ve probably heard of Trijicon RMR. We’ve seen them in movies, the military, and many other places. For a long time they have been the go to pistol optic.
As technology advances some new competitors have entered the space and one of them doing very well is Holosun. Costing $200+ less and offering more features, Holosun pistol optics are becoming a widely popular RMR alternative.
In this article we are going to cover the similarities and differences between the Trijicon RMR and Holosun.
Here’s a quick price comparison between the RMR Models and the equivalent Holosun Models
These prices below for the RMRs are the most competitive prices I could find on Amazon.
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As you can see Holosun’s top of the line optics are still cheaper than Trijicons cheapest RMR. The EPS MRS and 509T are both closed emitter optics with auto brightness settings, manual controls, and the 509T is made out of titanium. The amount of value you get is so much more.
Here are some overall differences and similarities between the RMR and Holosun Optics
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Highlights of the Trijicon RMR
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Lowlights of the Trijicon RMR
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Highlights of Holosun
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Lowlights of Holosun
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Trijicon RMR Type 2 LED vs Holosun 407C
The cheapest RMR would be the RMR Type 2 LED at $454.99. This unit comes in either a 1, 3.25, or 6.5 MOA Reticle. This optic does not have manual brightness adjustment and has auto brightness only.
The most direct Holosun comparison would be the 407C. The 407C is $200 cheaper and comes in a 2 MOA Dot only. It is available in a Green Dot which the RMR is not.
The 407C also has manual brightness buttons and can be used in auto brightness mode as well.
Buy the 407C At The Best Price
Trijicon RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED vs Holosun 507C
The next RMR would be the Type 2 LED Adjustable. This comes in at $519.99 and has the addition of manual brightness controls. This can also be compared to the 407C but we will compare it to the next model up which is the Holosun 507C.
The 507C has the auto brightness and the manual controls. It comes with Holosuns MRS (multi reticle system) which is a 32 MOA Circle + 2 MOA Dot. It can be toggled to just the 32 MOA Circle, just the 2 MOA Dot, or the Dot + Circle.
It comes in Red or Green.
The 507C is $210 cheaper than the RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED.
Buy the 507C At The Best Price
RMR Dual Illumination - I’m not going to cover this optic because I have seen some unfavorable opinions on it.
Other RMR Holosun Alternatives
If you were ready to pony up $520 or more for an RMR then it’s worth speaking about Holosuns more elite pistol optics which are still cheaper!
RMR vs Holosun 508T
This is a titanium optic that has the MRS reticle. The titanium and square shape make it more durable than the 507C … if durability is your thing then this would be one of the most durable sights you could get. It comes in at $400 which is still cheaper than the lowest cost Trijicon RMR.
Buy the 508T At The Best Price
Enclosed Emitter
These are the latest and greatest in pistol optics. Enclosed emitter optics have two panes of glass and cover the laser emitter keeping it free from dust and debris. This can be useful if you are constantly cleaning out the inside of your lens or if you are worried about rain or other items getting in the way of your emitter.
RMR vs Holosun 509T
This is a titanium optic from Holosun. It mounts directly to an RMR footprint and has other mounting options available. It’s a bit on the chonky side but it is a tough cookie. It comes in red or green and has the MRS Reticle.
It costs $100 less than the RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED.
Buy the 509T At The Best Price
RMR vs Holosun EPS
These are the latest enclosed emitter sights from Holosun. They are made out of 7075 T6 Aluminum, have a low deck height, and come with an aluminum RMR Adapter plate. Otherwise their footprint is a modified RMSc footprint.
They are lightweight and come in red or green reticles and can be had with a 2 MOA, 6 MOA, or the MRS reticle.
The MRS Reticle has a solar panel and auto brightness, the other versions do not.
All of these optics are $100 to $200 cheaper than the RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED.
Other Considerations
Holosun’s Track Record
Holosun has a good track record, has sold tons of optics, and has built an amazing reputation for themselves. If you search around online you will see some photos of Ukrainian military using Holosun optics. There are also plenty of LEO's and Military guys using them on their personal and/or duty weapons.
Business practices
Holosun is manufactured in China, but their price protection helps small business owners more than Trijicon does. Trijicon competes directly with American small businesses.
There is no MAP (minimum advertised pricing) for Trijicon RMRs, which creates a free for all for small business owners. Many times Trijicon can sell directly to the consumer via Amazon and cut out a small business.
Compare this to Holosun’s business practices. They police every retailer to make sure they don’t sell below their MAP price and they don't compete directly with small businesses - they want an even playing field.