WE ALL LOVE THE OPTICS THAT SIT ON TOP OF OUR AEGS AND GBBRS, AND THERE’S A WHOLE HOST OF THEM TO CHOOSE FROM, BOTH REAL AND REPLICA, OUT THERE… SO WHAT MAKES A GOOD OPTIC, AND WHY SHOULD WE FIT A CERTAIN TYPE TO OUR SKIRMISH PLATFORMS? BRUNO INVESTIGATES THIS QUESTION AS HE TAKES A CLOSE LOOK AT THE LATEST HOLO-SIGHT FROM HOLY WARRIOR!

In the rapidly-evolving world of tactical optics, few companies have stirred up the entry-level market quite like Holy Warrior. Founded in 2010, the company began by manufacturing tactical equipment and optical sights primarily aimed at the airsoft community. Over the years, Holy Warrior developed a reputation for durable, affordable red dot and reflex sights designed to mimic the aesthetic of real steel counterparts. But in 2024, Holy Warrior did something unexpected; they released a true holographic sight, the HWO-HOLO2, at a price point no one saw coming!

In this issue I’m taking a deeper look into this bold optic and unpacking what makes it such a compelling alternative to much more expensive offerings from giants like EOTech. But before we get into the nitty-gritty of the HWO-HOLO2, let’s set the stage with a quick optics 101: What’s the real difference between red dot and holographic sights?

At first glance, both red dot and holographic sights perform the same basic task; they provide an illuminated aiming point to increase target acquisition speed and accuracy. However, they go about it in very different ways.

A red dot sight is relatively simple in design. Inside the housing, a small light-

“HOLY WARRIOR DEVELOPED A REPUTATION FOR DURABLE, AFFORDABLE RED DOT AND REFLEX SIGHTS DESIGNED TO MIMIC THE AESTHETIC OF REAL STEEL COUNTERPARTS. BUT IN 2024, HOLY WARRIOR DID SOMETHING UNEXPECTED; THEY RELEASED A TRUE HOLOGRAPHIC SIGHT, THE HWO-HOLO2, AT A PRICE POINT NO ONE SAW COMING!”

This creates the familiar dot reticle that appears to hover over your target. Most red dots are 1x magnification and are marketed as “parallax free” (although some minor parallax can occur at closer ranges). They’re lightweight, battery-efficient, and widely available, perfect for CQB, competition, and general use.

Holographic sights, however, are more complex; instead of reflecting a light from an LED, a laser diode illuminates a holographic reticle embedded in a special transparent film within the glass. This laser-generated reticle appears to float in 3D space, usually at a set distance (often 100–200 meters), making target acquisition feel more natural and consistent, even with slight eye movement or head shift.

One major advantage of this design is when paired with magnifiers holographic reticles maintain their size, whereas red dot reticles appear to grow when magnified. Additionally, the durability factor is no joke, if the front lens is cracked or shattered, a holographic sight can still function because the reticle isn’t reflected, it’s embedded in the viewing plane.

Diving Deeper

Now that we understand the tech, let’s dive into what makes the HWO-HOLO2 so special.

At a glance, it shares the visual DNA of an EOTech EXPS3, an iconic holographic optic known for its durability and battlefield performance. But unlike many budget optics that merely look the part, the HWO-HOLO2 actually delivers a true holographic reticle, making it one of the only affordable options in its class.

Priced well under US$400, it’s astonishing value considering real holographic sights typically cost double or triple that. Built with a K9 opticalgrade holographic glass lens, the HWO-HOLO2 delivers a crisp, parallax-minimized reticle that floats naturally in view. It features a 1 MOA** centre dot surrounded by a 68 MOA outer ring, the exact style preferred by professionals for fast, intuitive aiming.

The sight offers 20 levels of brightness, including 10 dedicated night vision settings, making it compatible with both standard NVGs and digital night vision scopes. In use, the brightness steps are intuitive and easy to adjust via the rubberized buttons, even while wearing gloves.

The first time I brought the HOLO2 to the range, I handed it off to a group of teammates, most of whom had never experienced a real holographic sight before. Their reactions were unanimous, “this feels weird… but really cool.” The “grainy” appearance of the reticle, an inherent trait of holographic sights due to the laser diffraction, is often mistaken for a flaw, but it’s actually a sign you’re looking at the real deal; it’s the same visual texture you’ll find on premium models from EOTech.

What really stood out was the ease of target acquisition. That 68 MOA outer ring draws the eye instantly to the centre dot, which is ideal for both close-quarter engagements and transitional target shooting. Whether I was running drills on shooting targets or shouldering from unconventional positions, the reticle was always there, clean, stable, and clear.

Zeroing the HOLO2 was a surprisingly pleasant experience. It offers a 60 MOA range for both elevation and windage, and though the adjustment dials don’t produce loud tactile clicks, they’re responsive and precise, as 1 click equals 0.5 MOA. This gives you plenty of finetuning potential whether you’re running a carbine, SMG, or even an offset configuration on a DMR platform.

The sight window itself measures a respectable 30mm x 23mm, providing an unobstructed and generous field of view. This becomes especially important during dynamic shooting when peripheral awareness is key.

Outstanding Performer

What truly elevates the HWO-HOLO2 from “great value” to “outstanding performer” is its attention to detail in areas that are often overlooked in budget optics. For instance, the sight features an infinite eye relief (or pupil exit distance), which means shooters can maintain full sight picture regardless of head position, perfect for dynamic movement or unconventional stances.

The UFC full-broadband nano anti-reflective coating on the viewing window delivers superior light transmission and glare reduction, giving the user exceptional clarity even in harsh sunlight. The optic’s low battery warning system, which flashes the reticle to alert the user, is a small but professional-grade touch. Combined with a smart 4-hour auto shutoff, these features show that Holy Warrior isn’t just cutting costs, they’re engineering smarter.

Whether you’re an enthusiast or a professional looking for a reliable training optic, the HWOHOLO2 punches far above its weight class and proves that innovation doesn’t have to come at a premium.

I’ve used this optic in a variety of conditions, including a downpour that had lesser optics fogging up and shorting out. The HOLO2? Rock solid. Its CNC-machined aluminum body is rugged, coated with a hard anodized finish, and rated for 1,500 Gs of recoil shock. It’s waterproof and fog-resistant, holding up under environmental stress you’d usually expect only pricier optics to endure.

The included quick-detach mount is sturdy and repeatable, allowing for easy removal and remounting without losing zero, a feature particularly appreciated by those running modular setups or switching between platforms.

Online, the HWO-HOLO2 is gaining a cult following among airsoft players, preppers, and even real steel shooters who want a low-cost backup optic or a holographic experience without breaking the bank. Many report that the sight performs admirably even on real-calibre firearms like 5.56 and .308, though Holy Warrior officially markets it as airsoft and training-grade.

Still, for those who want a true holographic experience, not just a red dot in disguise, it’s hard to find anything else on the market that delivers this level of performance, feature set, and aesthetic for such a reasonable cost.

Holy Warrior’s HWO-HOLO2 is more than just a budget optic, it’s a genuine step forward in making real holographic technology accessible to the broader tactical and enthusiast community. While it may not completely replace a top-tier EOTech for those heading into combat, it’s an incredibly capable sight for training, competition, or serious airsoft use.

It looks the part. It feels the part. And most importantly, it performs the part. For anyone who’s wanted to experience the difference a real holographic sight makes, but couldn’t stomach the US$600+ price tag, the HWO-HOLO2 is your chance to get in the game, without getting burned. AA

“PRICED WELL UNDER US$400, IT’S ASTONISHING VALUE CONSIDERING REAL HOLOGRAPHIC SIGHTS TYPICALLY COST DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THAT. BUILT WITH A K9 OPTICAL-GRADE HOLOGRAPHIC GLASS LENS, THE HWO-HOLO2 DELIVERS A CRISP, PARALLAX-MINIMIZED RETICLE THAT FLOATS NATURALLY IN VIEW”

**So, what is “MOA”?

In weapon sights, MOA stands for “Minute of Angle”, an angular measurement used to adjust for accuracy, where 1 MOA is approximately 1 inch at 100 yards and proportionally larger at greater distances. For example, 1 MOA would be 2 inches at 200 yards or 3 inches at 300 yards. Scopes often adjust in clicks of a fraction of a MOA, such as 1/4 MOA, which translates to a 0.25-inch shift in the point of impact at 100 yards.