Holosun HM3XT vs HM3X Magnifier

[aboynamedsuita]

Wondering if anyone has experience or thoughts about the newer titanium HM3XT versus the aluminum HM3X 3x magnifier?

I got a HM3X within the past few months as the reviews were quite good, and it pairs well with the AEMS when the riser is installed. But you know… titanium > aluminum, newer is better, FOMO, etc. … lol

The frivolous reasons I mentioned aside, would there be much benefit of one versus the other?

Many of the performance specs (magnification, eye relief, etc.) appear to be almost identical. The titanium version is approx. 1oz lighter and approx. 1” shorter in overall length. Also Holosun doesn’t appear to say if the HM3X is 7075 or 6161 aluminum.

Technicalities aside, I’d think the length may be the biggest pro/con of one versus the other in most user applications, but I’d be interested to hear if there’s other thoughts or experience (such as the glass clarity isn’t as good with the HM3XT)?

The shorter HM3XT would be better if there’s limited space on a rail / upper receiver, where the longer magnifier could interfere with flip/back-up sights, AR style charging handle, etc. On the other hand, if the above aren’t a factor, the longer HM3X may allow better overall eye relief if there’s a longer length of pull or adjustable stock length (since it would be closer).

 

[aboynamedsuita]

I ordered the HM3XT from SRS Tactical yesterday, it should arrive next week so will see how it compares to the HM3X, will decide which I like more and possibly sell the other.

For the benefit of cross-referencing threads in the future, there is some discussion here too:
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...x-or-Holosun-Magnifier-for-red-dot-5-56-rifle

I'm waiting for the Holosun HM3XT Ti magnifier.

Hi mildot, wondering if you ever got the HM3XT and if you have any thoughts about it?

I see that it's for sale @ Brownells, however my POC in Canada, hasn't contacted me? I'm still waiting on the AEMS with the green reticle as well. I like the "shorter" length of the Ti for PDW platforms etc. I think that both versions are probably equal in glass quality for a magnifier, but the Ti is shorter and lighter? YMMV.

SRS Tactical in Calgary got them in recently too, must’ve been really recent as when I was looking at various vendors a couple months ago they weren’t around, so I settled for the HM3X at the time. Debating to pick up a HM3XT and see which one I like more or if the length will affect eye relief much.

The Green AEMS would be nice, but so far I’m OK with red. I also saw there’s a new “AEMS Core” without the lens covers, also appears to have no solar panel, and the dot reticle only.

 

[Painkillers]

Tagged. I am also anticipating purchasing a magnifier.
I'm curious, with the magnifier is the flash kill also magnified, or does the magnification eliminate the FK from view all together? (I'm running a HS515GM red dot for reference, though aboynamedsuita knows that as he helped out in another thread.)

I'd be leaning toward the Ti model even though i'm sure 6161 or 7075 aluminium has plenty tensile strength for what's being asked of it. I think shorter and lighter=better? One of the reviews I watched criticized the detent on the aluminium bodied one. Let me know if the detent is better on the Ti model will you please?

 

[aboynamedsuita]

Tagged. I am also anticipating purchasing a magnifier.
I'm curious, with the magnifier is the flash kill also magnified, or does the magnification eliminate the FK from view all together? (I'm running a HS515GM red dot for reference, though aboynamedsuita knows that as he helped out in another thread.)

I'd be leaning toward the Ti model even though i'm sure 6161 or 7075 aluminium has plenty tensile strength for what's being asked of it. I think shorter and lighter=better? One of the reviews I watched criticized the detent on the aluminium bodied one. Let me know if the detent is better on the Ti model will you please?

I find the KF almost disappears when the magnifier is used, I find it kind of annoying to look through without the magnifier so took the KF out. The magnifier also seems to help if you have a mild astigmatism, but that could just be me, 99% of the time the reticle looks fine without the 3x, but occasionally I’ll squint or focus too much and the reticle gets blurry. Keeping eyes relaxed with both open seems to help and gives better peripheral vision too.

I’m not sure how much the 1oz of weight will be noticeable, but I suppose it may add up. Length may be a pro/con depending on the use. The longer length of the HM3X may give better eye relief when shouldering the firearm (since there’s less distance, I read this in a YouTube review comment too), but the shorter HM3XT may work better if there s a flip-up backup sight that needs clearance or an AR style charging handle. I can say though that the HM3X will clear the Benelli rear ghost ring sights such as on supernova if the riser is installed, and this is the perfect height for the HS515GM and AEMS too.

By the detent, are you referring to the snap when flipping to the side? I think I read about that concern too, but so far find it clicks into place firmly and doesn’t feel like it’ll flop around with inertia. Maybe after prolonged flipping from side to side, but the tension can also be adjusted.

 

[Painkillers]

Yep, the detent is what I meant by the flipping side to side.

Thanks.

 

[aboynamedsuita]

The HM3XT arrived recently, first thing I did was install the riser (so it’s at the AEMS height) and reverse the direction so it’ll flip counterclockwise (I’m left handed). I had also done this with the HM3X previously.

I’m pretty new to this, so forgive my noob review, if there’s any specific questions or things I ought to cover, please let me know.

The first thing I noticed (aside from the size) is that the mount has slightly more radiisued edges, which I imagine will help keep the anodizing from getting scratched (I can already see a lighter spot on one of the edge of the HM3X mount). The detent/snap in place feels as secure with the HM3X mount; I’d think you’d need to be shooting somthing pretty heavy recoil with the magnifier at an angle and not enough tension to have it flop around, will hopefully test out with 12ga as the weather gets better, but not sure how much benefit a magnifier will provide.

I don’t really notice the difference in weight when mounted on a firearm. The magnifiers look/feel the same aside from the size.

The biggest worry when I bought the HM3XT was that the shorter length would negatively effect eye relief when shouldering the firearm, and require to cinch up closer, which may be awkward. This doesn’t really seem to affect me, at least when testing out at home at hallway distances. The only exception was when using an adjustable stock in its longest position, I thought the HM3X additional length for eye relief was helpful, but this may vary from person to person. I suppose an advantage of the shorter length HM3XT would be less obstruction to other things installed on the rail such as flip up sights or AR charging handle… not that the latter matters in Canada with the OIC :/

Overall, I can’t notice a substantial difference in function, but the HM3XT is newer, more expensive… and therefore cooler lol. I’ll be keeping the HM3XT, but if budget is a factor (approx. $140 less for for the HM3X) that may be a worthwhile consideration.

Let me know if anything else should be mentioned that I missed or if any questions.

 

[Painkillers]

Great review, thank you.

 

[aboynamedsuita]

Great review, thank you.

Glad you found it somewhat useful, wish I could do something more comprehensive/technical in comparison use, but I’m going to assume the performance (glass quality, clarity, etc.) are similar in use.