The Holosun Thermal/Red Dot Hybrid | A Revolutionary Optic?
Summary
TLDRThe video discusses the latest innovation in thermal technology from Hollow Sun, offering a hybrid red dot and thermal optic. The presenter provides a detailed review, explaining how the device works, its pros and cons, and compares it with other optics on the market. The Hollow Sun DRS TH is praised for its user-friendliness, affordability, and versatility, but its resolution and identification range are noted as limitations compared to higher-end, dedicated thermal systems. The video also touches on the night vision optic, acknowledging its value for dark environment visibility but suggesting that for some users, investing in a higher-grade thermal optic might be a better choice.
Takeaways
- 🎯 The Hollow Sun DRS NV is a hybrid thermal and red dot optic priced at $999, offering night vision capabilities at an affordable cost.
- 🏹 The DRS NV's thermal core resolution is 256x192, which is lower than dedicated thermal units like the IRA Rico Alpha's 640x512.
- 💡 The optic is user-friendly, with intuitive controls that make it easier for beginners to learn and operate compared to more complex thermal systems.
- 🔋 The device has a 32 GB internal storage for recording, which the reviewer found to be more than sufficient for extended recording without needing an SD card.
- 🦆 The Hollow Sun DRS NV was tested on various hunting scenarios, proving effective for identifying and targeting game at night.
- 🎯 The identification range of the DRS NV is up to 1,200 yards, although the image quality at maximum magnification is not as clear as higher-end dedicated thermal optics.
- 🔌 The optic includes different modes like highlight, outline, and white hot, providing versatility in various conditions.
- 💰 The cost of the Hollow Sun DRS NV is a significant advantage over more expensive dedicated thermal setups, making it accessible for a wider range of users.
- 🔩 The device can be used on the same rifle as a red dot sight, eliminating the need to dedicate a separate rifle for thermal use.
- 📸 The internal recording feature was highlighted as a convenient aspect, allowing for easy transfer of footage to a computer via a USB cable.
- 🌙 The night vision optic, while not as high resolution as other options, offers the benefit of target identification in low-light conditions where a thermal optic might not provide enough detail.
Q & A
What is the main innovation introduced by the Hollow Sun DRS NV?
-The Hollow Sun DRS NV is an innovative thermal technology that combines both red dot and thermal capabilities, allowing users to see in the dark and use it as a regular red dot sight.
How much does the Hollow Sun DRS NV retail for?
-The Hollow Sun DRS NV retails for $999.
What are the main focuses of the video regarding the Hollow Sun optics?
-The main focuses of the video are the dedicated versus clip-on versus its own class of optic, the usability, pros and cons, and comparisons between different Optics.
What are the advantages of using the Hollow Sun DRS NV over a dedicated thermal scope?
-The Hollow Sun DRS NV offers the convenience of not having to dedicate a rifle to thermal use, allowing the user to switch between red dot and thermal modes easily. It also provides cost-effectiveness as it combines both technologies in one unit at a lower price point.
How does the Hollow Sun DRS NV compare to other thermal optics in terms of ease of use?
-The Hollow Sun DRS NV is considered user-friendly and relatively easy to learn how to operate when compared to other thermal optics. The video suggests that even first-time users can figure out its functions with some practice.
What are some of the pros of the Hollow Sun thermal optic?
-Some pros include not needing to dedicate a rifle to thermal use, ease of learning and understanding the settings, a lower cost compared to dedicated thermal setups, and internal storage for recordings that didn't seem to run out easily.
What are some of the cons of the Hollow Sun thermal optic?
-Some cons include a lower core resolution compared to dedicated thermals, and the identification range being limited at higher magnification settings despite the detection range being farther than initially rumored.
How does the Hollow Sun thermal optic perform in real-world hunting scenarios?
-The Hollow Sun thermal optic performed well in real-world hunting scenarios, allowing the user to successfully identify and hunt pigs and other animals at night with the thermal mode.
What is the verdict on the Hollow Sun night vision optic?
-The verdict on the Hollow Sun night vision optic is mixed. While it does allow for seeing in the dark and is cheaper than other night vision options, the reviewer personally found more use in the thermal optic and suggests that those with the budget might consider investing in higher-end night vision equipment.
What additional equipment was used in the video besides the Hollow Sun optics?
-Additional equipment used in the video includes a Daniel Defense wrist three upper, an AB suppressors can, an Otter Creek Labs twisty adapter, a Liberty Precision suppressor, and a Rip Cord Industries rifle with an IR light.
What is the recommended use case for the Hollow Sun DRS NV according to the video?
-The recommended use case for the Hollow Sun DRS NV is for those who want a versatile optic that can be used for both daytime and nighttime hunting or observation without the need to dedicate a rifle solely to thermal use.
Outlines
🚀 Introduction to Hollow Sun's Thermal Technology
The video begins with an introduction to the Hollow Sun's innovative thermal technology, highlighting the capabilities of the DRS NV optic. The presenter explains that this hybrid device can function as both a red dot and a thermal scope, providing versatility for users. The video promises a deep dive into how the technology works, its benefits, and whether it's worth the investment. The introduction also acknowledges the sponsors of the video, such as Optics Planet and Shooting Surplus, and mentions a coupon code for viewers to use.
📚 Understanding the Hollow Sun Optic Controls
This paragraph delves into the specifics of the Hollow Sun optic's controls and user interface. The presenter guides viewers on how to operate the device, including turning it on, adjusting magnification, brightness, and switching between red dot and thermal modes. The explanation is supplemented with on-screen overlays to illustrate the functions of each button. The presenter emphasizes the user-friendliness of the optic and shares tips on how to calibrate the device for accurate usage.
💰 Cost-Effectiveness and Pros of Hollow Sun Thermal Optic
The focus of this section is on the cost-effectiveness and advantages of using the Hollow Sun thermal optic. The presenter discusses the convenience of not having to dedicate a rifle to thermal usage and the ease of operation compared to other thermal optics. The affordability of the Hollow Sun optic is highlighted, with its $1,600 price point being significantly lower than other dedicated thermal setups. Additionally, the presenter praises the internal storage capacity for recording and the ease of learning how to use the device, even for first-time users.
🎥 Real-World Application and Cons of Hollow Sun Thermal Optic
This part of the video script discusses the real-world application of the Hollow Sun thermal optic, including the presenter's personal experiences using it for hunting. The presenter shares footage and insights from hunting trips, commenting on the effectiveness of the optic in various scenarios. However, the paragraph also addresses the cons of the device, such as its lower resolution compared to dedicated thermal scopes and the limitations in identification range. The presenter dispels some misconceptions about the optic's capabilities and provides a balanced view of its performance.
🔥 Comparison with Other Thermal Optics
The presenter compares the Hollow Sun thermal optic with other devices in the market, such as the IRA Rico Alpha and the AGM Sting IR. The comparison covers aspects like clarity, magnification, detection features, and function. The presenter also shares hands-on experiences and recorded footage to demonstrate the differences in performance between the optics. The discussion includes the pros and cons of each device, and how they fit different user needs and budgets.
🌟 Final Thoughts on Hollow Sun Thermal Optic
In the concluding section, the presenter wraps up the discussion on the Hollow Sun thermal optic. The presenter reiterates that while there are better thermal offerings on the market, the Hollow Sun provides great value for its price. The presenter emphasizes the device's suitability for everyday users, ranchers, and those who do not want to dedicate an entire rifle to thermal usage. The presenter also mentions the versatility of the optic for various hunting scenarios and its ease of use, making it a compelling option for those on a budget.
🌙 Evaluation of Hollow Sun Night Vision Optic
The video script ends with a discussion on the Hollow Sun night vision optic. The presenter expresses uncertainty about the specific use cases for this device, given its lower price point and digital night vision capabilities. While acknowledging that having some ability to see in the dark is better than none, the presenter struggles to find a strong use case for the night vision optic, especially when compared to the thermal optic. The presenter suggests that potential buyers might be better off saving for a higher-end night vision device, but does not dismiss the value of the Hollow Sun night vision optic entirely.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Thermal Optic
💡Red Dot Sight
💡Hoson Technologies
💡Innovation
💡Optics Planet
💡Sponsorship
💡User Experience
💡Cost-effectiveness
💡Night Vision
💡Pro and Cons
💡Latency
Highlights
Hollow Sun offering their latest innovation in thermal technology with the DRS NV and DRS TH optics.
The DRS NV is a night vision optic priced at $999, offering the ability to see in the dark at an affordable cost.
The DRS TH combines both night vision and thermal capabilities in one device.
Hollow Sun's thermal optics are designed to be user-friendly, even for first-time users.
The thermal optic offers adjustable brightness settings and different viewing modes such as highlight, outline, and white hot.
Internal storage of 32 GB is available for recording images and videos with the thermal optic.
The thermal reticle can be adjusted and zeroed independently of the red dot, ensuring accuracy in various scenarios.
The Hollow Sun thermal optics are praised for their ease of use and intuitive controls.
The core resolution of the Hollow Sun thermal sensor is 256x192, which is a significant value for its price range.
Detection range of the thermal optic was demonstrated to reach up to 1200 yards, with identifiable heat signatures.
Despite rumors, the Hollow Sun thermal optic proved to be effective beyond 100 yards, contrary to initial skepticism.
The thermal optic allows users to not dedicate a specific rifle to thermal usage, providing more flexibility.
The Hollow Sun thermal technology is a hybrid red dot and thermal system, offering versatility at a lower cost than dedicated setups.
The video provides a detailed tutorial on how to operate the Hollow Sun thermal optic, including menu navigation and button functions.
The night vision optic from Hollow Sun, while affordable, may not have a clear use case for the reviewer, suggesting users consider their needs before purchasing.
The video includes a comparison between the Hollow Sun thermal optic and other high-end thermal systems, highlighting the value and performance at different price points.
Sponsor mentions and coupon codes are provided for various products related to the video content, including optics and computer systems.
Transcripts
good morning
YouTube today we have exciting news
coming at you from the 2A Community from
hollow sun offering their latest
innovation in thermal
technology this bad Manama Jama is
capable of being both a red dot and a
thermalite boy howdy is it confused like
the teens of America
today but that does not mean that you
yourself have to be confused as much
Mayfield will be explaining to you how
this thing works and if it is worth your
cold Hard Cash [ __ ] up as we get into a
deep dive into this exciting Innovation
from hoson Technologies once known for
bat soup China is now known for hybrid
Red Dot thermals that are going to take
the market by storm so without further
Ado folks
let's get into the
news
[Music]
welcome to the new mic and Mayfield
YouTube studio uh I put a lot of work
into this cameraman Dan actually helped
me put in uh work into this and he
doesn't get the recog recognition he
deserves right cameraman Dan yeah
whatever speaking of this new studio the
studios like this are expensive but we
could do something like this for your
viewing experience thank to our sponsors
sponsors like Optics Planet who are
providing you with the coupon code Micah
7 if you want to go get yourself uh one
of these bad lares yourself and other
bad lares if you want to go get one of
these pups yourself then you hit up
shooting Surplus and you also use the
coupon code Micah 7
both those guys uh if I were in a room
with them I would uh the third sponsor
for this video Americana of pipe dream
apparel M Sy knives flect tar Omani DPM
all your good stuff and 100 Concepts
guys the scope caps if you're into them
uh I actually highly recommend checking
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products in the biz ammo all the ammo in
today video was provided by last shot
coupon code plug um I'm going to break
this video up into Parts if uh there's
so much information that's going to be
here if you need to find the information
you specifically care about look in the
timeline below to find Which chapter
that you're specifically looking for
we're going to break it down into how to
use it Pros cons and comparison between
the Optics we have
here uh I was very lucky to be one of
the few people to get an early sample of
one of these new highly anticipated I
mean this thing was probably one of the
most talked about items at Shot Show
without a doubt I have the hollow sun
DRS NV that is the night vision optic
this one retails for
$999 you heard that right you can see in
the dark for
$999 and then we have the hollow sun
probably the most anticipated one that
anybody is here for the hollow sun DRS
th okay this that NV stands for night
vision th stands for thermal alas I
could have had a video on these things
done a long time ago but on this channel
I'll never do something that I really
don't know anything about so what did I
do I went out and killed a whole bunch
of pigs uh and hunted out of a
helicopter and went coyote hunting rat
hunting varmit hunting and other hunting
with the night vision optic with the IRA
Rico Alpha a dedicated thermal the AGM
sting ir clipon and lastly the DRS th
okay so the only one here that's not a
thermal is the DRS NV so we'll kind of
save that segment for the end but the
three main focuses of today will be
dedicated versus clipon versus its own
class of optic the hollon drst I was
relatively new to the thermal space that
is why I went ahead and really I mean I
went all the way down to Texas and went
hog hunting I went all the way out in
the hills of Idaho I used all three
systems extensively I could have been
the first person on YouTube if I wanted
to to just pop out a video on this but I
didn't want to do it I wanted to get a
real opinion on whether or not this guy
was worth it okay um now we're going to
work our way up so we're going to go
ahead and talk about a six this is
$1,600
$4,500 and lastly
$7,000 at the very very far end of the
spectrum we have a
$1,000 right off the rip when I turn
this thing on
I didn't really know exactly what I
thought of it uh like I said it was one
of my first thermal
experiences and the manual is
extremely extremely overwhelming when
you do get your hall on thermal open the
manual read it front to
back you still won't understand how to
use your optic so go out start clicking
the buttons and do all that kind of
stuff so let me just go over a brief
summary of actually how to use this
optic okay guys we are now punched in on
the optic and we are going to explain
explain how to use it um while doing so
I will also overlay what's happening on
the screen as I'm clicking the buttons
so to turn your optic on we're going to
go ahead and start by just using it as a
red dot we're going to hold the plus
button on this side and boom we now have
a red dot reticle turned on cool now
we're going to flip the front cap up and
tap the power button right here and
we're get a hollow sun
logo and boom we now have our thermal
optic turned on as well as our Red Dot
switching over to a little bit more of
the intricate controls I think hollow
sun did a pretty good job of making this
userfriendly if this is going to be your
first user experience this video might
actually get you understanding the optic
a little quicker than the instructions
at least me messing around with the
optic did I'm not much of a reader
myself so we have five buttons on the
back of the optic we have a
magnification glass icon we have a
brightness icon an okay button an up
arrow and a down arrow okay now hollow
sun has done a really good job of making
all the controls kind of the same where
uh you can tap or you can hold each one
of those buttons and it will do a
different function each time so if I tap
the magnifying glass I will go from 1X
tap now I should be at 3x I will tap
again and I should now be at 5x another
tap will return us back to 1x
magnification holding the magnification
button you'll hear a little click and
what that's going to do is going to
refresh that sensor okay we'll get into
thermal refresh rates and and and delay
and latency all that later then we have
the brightness button you can tap the
brightness boom and now it's so dim I
cannot see the screen we'll tap it again
brightness 2 3 4 5 and six we have six
brightness settings you'll see a little
OLED icon in the bottom right so again
tapping that brightness button adjust
your brightness pretty easy holding the
brightness
button cool so we are now in highlight
mode holding it again we are now in
outline
mode holding it again we are now in
white hot also my preferred method of
running the optic moving over to the
middle okay button we can click okay and
that will bring up our menu we have
image calibration and set now what I
think most of you will be using is the
calibration menu you'll go click the
down
button click okay and then click
reticle now what you're going to do in
this screen is you'll have an X and A Y
as you'll see on the screen right here
you will then use the up Arrow I'll
click it right now and you can see the
value is changing and then I can click
now the goal here is that you will
already have maybe zero the Red Dot and
you can kind of slave that reticle over
to the Red Dot so your zeros match up
between the thermal reticle and the Red
Dot I would confirm zero independently
just to make sure that everything's good
to go but to move over to the other axis
the uh you simply tap the okay button
again and now you can use these up and
down arrows to move that reticle
whichever direction you need now to get
out of the menus you long press the okay
button and now we're back on the reticle
screen long press it again we're back on
that main menu long press it again and
we are now out of the menus entirely so
for the menus a recap okay is to move
forward by simply tapping it to move
backwards you hold okay moving over to
the last two buttons it is an up arrow
and a down AR arrow and just like the
theme with the rest of the buttons there
is a single tap as well as a press and
hold feature for both of them we'll
start with the up arrow with the up
Arrow you can press it once and you'll
notice the blue
light will light up right there and we
just snap the photo now with the up
Arrow we can long press it boom that
blue light is now activated again and we
are now recording so tapping once
picture pressing and holding you are now
recording uh these do record to a 32 GB
internal storage that you can transfer
your computer with the supplied USB
cable now moving on to the last button
we have the down arrow if I press the
down arrow once it will turn on the
thermal reticle that is a reticle
independent of the actual Red Dot now
you'll notice pressing that button you
have three settings you can press down
three different times for three
different uh brightnesses of that red to
change the reticle you simply hold the
down
arrow holding the down arrow again we
get to that third
reticle and we're back to the default
reticle uh typically I kind of just have
it off uh so press it again and it will
disappear that's kind so that's kind of
The Beginner's crash course on how to
use the hollow sun thermal uh the last
segment of how to use your hollow sun
thermal would be uh how to install your
batteries you
simply twist
this boom and you have your rechargeable
batteries that it comes with mine came
with four of the batteries and they last
a long time uh we'll we'll delve into
that when we start getting into the pros
and cons boom nice and easy to install
batteries without further Ado let's move
on to the next chapter in this
[Music]
video now we are going to move on to the
pros and cons of the hollon thermal the
pros of the holos sun thermal over per
se any of the rifles that we have on the
table you do not have to dedicate a
rifle to be a thermal gun you can have a
red dot and simply pop your cap down and
now I can see just my Red Dot reticle
and then when it's night time you can
flip this up which is when you'll start
using the thermal lens you don't need to
take light in there and you can still
use that red dot that you had zeroed
earlier as your zero I think that's the
most convenient thing of this whole
system uh I put down a whole bunch of
pigs I didn't record all of them I
actually only recorded one but uh I
wasn't missing it it's it's dead on uh
it it it works extremely well I think
another Pro of this thermal optic is it
is significantly easier to learn how to
operate and understand what the settings
are over say one of these Ira Rico
Alphas or even one of these AGM stings
it is actually um this was my first
thermal optic that I actually really had
experience with and I pretty easily
started to figure out how to zero in
what modes did what the brightness
settings how to record it it was a
pretty userfriendly experience I think
the guys over at Hollow Cy understood
their customer base really well and I
have to give them hats off on how easy
this thing was to learn the manual was
made it sound more difficult than it
really was I think another Pro of this
thing and maybe the biggest Pro of all
is simply the cost of this unit
$1,600 is insane to not have a dedicated
thermal setup this is also not dedicated
thermal setup and this is $4,500 plus
the cost of the EOTech Voodoo and mount
you're almost near that $6,000 range uh
to achieve a non-dedicated thermal setup
another Pro of this optic that uh I
think is worth noting is the internal
recording storage felt like it never ran
out 32 gab of storage I I kept St and
stopping uh when I was in Texas
recording but then I started to realized
wait a minute I still have 99% of my
storage available and I've recorded like
20 Clips already so then I just let it
run for minutes and minutes and minutes
like I have probably have over an hour
is worth of footage in here I've only
used uh 7% of the internal storage so
you don't have to use an SD card or
anything like that to transfer the
footage the to the uh computer you
simply pop the thing right here and use
the included cable once again I don't
know how they fit all that into a super
small thermal we have the list of Pros
out of the way let's go to the list of
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computers getting into the cons I want
you to realize cons are kind of relative
to price okay so just because something
on this table might be better or worse
it doesn't mean it's better or worse for
the money so keep that in mind now when
talking about the cons the first thing
I'm going to start with is one of the
biggest things people look for in a
thermal I don't know if I say the
biggest but one of the the biggest and
that is the core resolution then we can
come over to the dedicated thermal from
Ira the RICO Alpha and we have a 640x
512 okay that is more than double the
resolution coming out of this thermal
core what I find to be the most
impressive is we have a 640x
512 pumping out of this clip on okay
this tiny little unit also for four for
4,000 500 even less than the RICO Alpha
that all you simply do is swing in front
of your optic also as a 640 by
512 core now that being said neither of
these two Optics possess a red dot and a
zeroing mechanism and and it's a hybrid
site and all that kind of stuff so it's
understandable how hollow sun had to
jamack all that Tech into one unit why
it has a 200 56 core we'll get into my
opinions on that when we actually talk
about the application side when I was
hunting and all that and the comparisons
um for me I was able to kill pigs and
other things with this just fine so you
know it does punch down from dedicated
and clipon thermos and moving on to the
I'm going to say the last con cuz it's
the only La it's the last con I can
think of I'm sure others will find more
but we're going to talk about the
identification range guess I should have
put this in the pros but the detection
range so uh I feel like once this thing