There’s no denying that the optics market has been flooded with merchandise from producers new and outdated. Whereas competitors breeds success (and a market that’s nice for customers), it additionally means some merchandise are going to battle in opposition to established manufacturers. This will even be true for the descendant of a well-known model resembling Leatherwood/Hello-Lux, which acquired its begin producing rifle scopes for snipers in the course of the Vietnam battle. At present’s overview product is a bit more close-up oriented, the Hello-Lux TD-3C pistol crimson dot sight.
Let’s take a fast take a look at the Hello-Lux TD-3C’s specs, to ensure I’m not about to mount a Toyota Hilux to my gun (frequent mistake).
Tech Specs
Machined from stable 7075-T6 aluminum billet
RMR footprint
28mm x 19mm window
Facet loading CR2032 battery compartment
2 x Reticles, 34 MOA segmented circle with dot, or solely 3 MOA dot
50,000 hour battery life
2 ounce weight
1 MOA journey per click on
90 MOA elevation/windage journey
Low picatinny riser obtainable
11 brightness settings
Hello-Lux is HQ’d in California
The place To Purchase
Massive Efficiency in a Small Package deal
Any optic this measurement goes to really feel just a little like a toy if you unbox it. I imply, this factor is 2 ounces. I’ll hand it to Hello-Lux, this feels as stable as any tiny optic has ever felt. It received’t add a lot heft to your gun, roughly the identical weight as 4 rounds of 9mm.
A pair issues I observed instantly: The max brightness setting is ample. Looks as if a gimme, however some optics have been arising quick on this currently. I just like the aspect loading battery compartment. I see no motive somebody ought to should dismount an optic to re-up the battery. Together with the picatinny low mount at no additional value is a pleasant transfer, since picatinny is much more prevalent than RMR footprints.
I wish to see this with some model of “shake awake.” With such an extended battery life, I see no draw back to including in a characteristic that’s shortly approaching “trade customary.”
The Hello-Lux TD-3C got here with the 34 MOA circle with dot reticle programmed. I swapped to the three MOA dot alone, however discovered I preferred the larger reticle extra and instantly switched again.
I mounted the TD-3C to a Ruger Mark IV 22/45, utilizing the included picatinny riser. I really feel just like the Hello-Lux TD-3C is a pure match on such a small, mild firearm. The reticle is properly suited to such a gun as properly, offering a big illuminated circle to heart the dot shortly for reactive hearth, and a small, vivid dot for extra exact aimed hearth.
I saved the TD-3C on the Ruger Mark IV for a handful of vary days, and I actually preferred it there. I receives a commission to shake it up a bit greater than that although, so I mounted it on an MKE/Zenith Mp5k clone subsequent.
If I preferred the TD-3C on the Ruger, I beloved it on the Mp5k. That is already a chonky gun, so including a full-sized (full weight) crimson dot simply exacerbates the difficulty. The TD-3C lives fortunately on the Mp5k clone now, and I received’t be taking it off. It is a large improve over the usual HK iron sights, and never solely sped up CQB drills however made pinging a mini E-type goal at 100 yards a lot simpler.
Wrap It Up
Three months isn’t a very long time to check longevity on an optic. Positive I’ve left the battery on the entire time (2,000+ hours), however I nonetheless have ~47,000 hours to go. Neither the .22 LR nor the 9mm represents a powerful problem in recoil, however the TD-3C is extra prone to be run on smaller weapons anyhow. I’ve let it sit out all day when it was 105°F, simply to see if some model of thermal shift could possibly be induced (it wasn’t). I do plan on getting some rounds heading in the right direction with this optic on a Ruger SFAR in .308, however I’ve to attend on a pair extra vary days earlier than that occurs. If there’s a difficulty with the TD-3C holding zero with stiffer recoil, I’ll replace this text ASAP.
Till then, I take into account the Hello-Lux TD-3C price trying out for those who’re available in the market for a tiny optic with a giant window and a vivid reticle. The Hello-Lux TD-3C runs $219. Test it out!
Take a look at extra articles from Jens “Rex Nanorum” Hammer or go to him on Instagram @Rexnanorum.
Go to Ammo To Go, the ammunition retail sponsor of TTAG gun opinions and easily a cool on-line place to satisfy all of your ammo wants.
Editor’s Be aware: All product and gun opinions are carried out independently and product mentions made based mostly on the standard of the product and worth of curiosity to gun homeowners. We provide hyperlinks to talked about merchandise as a comfort to readers. Once you purchase by means of hyperlinks on our website, we might earn a fee to assist assist the prices of working our website and holding it free for our guests.
