I really like using good red-dot optics on both rifles and pistols, especially as my eyes age. At the same time, I am sometimes reluctant to review them, because many of them are truly a pain to set up and sight-in, with almost a hit-and-miss approach to adjusting the zero.
When the new Thrive HD multi-reticle reflex sight arrived, I was relieved to see ZeroTech has made the sight-in process simple and straightforward with accurate MOA clicks that really click on the elevation and windage adjustments. Unlike magnified scopes, where no one would consider selling (or buying) a scope with non-click, non-repeatable adjustments, it is actually commonplace in the red dot world to have mushy, no click, non-repeatable dials, as ridiculous as that sounds.
The tiny optic weighs only 88g and is just 45mm long and 28mm high, certainly small enough for any handgun use but amazingly compact and effective on any rifle or carbine as you simply feel no difference in weight or balance once installed.
It comes with a battery in the side loading tray (just remove the protective battery cover to activate). This battery compartment means you can change batteries without ever removing the sight from your firearm, so you never lose zero. Not that you will be changing the common 2032 battery often anyway, since the unit is rated for 50,000 hours battery life!
The Thrive HD has a highly effective motion sensor that allows auto off/on when you leave the unit turned on. After the firearm has been still for several minutes, the unit powers down, then when you move the firearm, the unit is back up and running in a fraction of a second (way faster than I could lift the gun to sight it) so battery life is truly amazing. The only time I would bother turning off the sight is when I was putting my firearm into the safe for an extended period. Love the auto sleep/wake feature.
This sight came with the low Picatinny mount (other options are high mount and no mount). It was dead easy to fit on any firearm with a pic rail. The mount features two cross-bolts for added security on heavy recoiling guns, so it really did stay in place when we put it onto a .30-30 and fired a few boxes of ammo to test it further.
We also fitted it to several .22 rimfires and found it an incredibly fun plinker with super-fast acquisition on all sorts of targets.
The elevation and windage adjustments were perhaps the easiest I have used on a red-dot to date and so I was happily hitting a steel plate at 100 yards within five minutes of installing the ZeroTech. It is absolutely wonderful to have the tactile MOA clicks for elevation and windage.
The viewing box or panel is large enough to allow good vision and rapidly pick up the reticle. The glass is very clear for this price point and is another example of how ZeroTech has upped the game on value for money in optics.
It features 11 brightness settings that are easy to change on the go and I used it both in dim light and bright, sunny conditions and there is certainly a brightness level for every condition and all eye types.
However, the biggest innovation on this optic is the multi-reticle ability. By simply pressing and holding the minus (–) button for two seconds you can switch between three options: a traditional 3 MOA dot, ideal for precision use; a 40 MOA circle with 3 MOA dot, which was my absolute favourite for speed and accuracy combined; and the 40 MOA circle on its own, for absolute speed up close.
I cannot stress how much of a benefit this level of versatility brings. It sets the ZeroTech apart from the vast majority of also-ran red dots floating around.
It has performed flawlessly with no bugs at all, but I am confident to recommend these units for long term use because ZeroTech has a lifetime warranty. That’s doubly reassuring once you realise that ZeroTech is part of TSA Outdoors, an Australian company with a 60-year history here to back up this exceptional warranty.
There’s not much else I can say about this little beauty. I love it. There are no downsides I can see and it is priced amazingly well.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Manufacturer: ZeroTech
- Magnification: 1x
- Lens: 28 x 20mm
- Reticles: 3 MOA dot; 40 MOA circle with 3 MOA centre dot; 40 MOA circle only
- Adjustment: 1 MOA per click
- Adjustment range: 90 MOA (windage and elevation)
- Illumination: 11 levels
- Battery life: 50,000 hours
- Weight: 88g (3.1oz) with battery installed
- Additional features: Auto sleep/wake, multi-coated optics, unlimited eye relief, parallax-free, operational from -20°Cto +70°C
- RRP: $349 ($299 without mount; $399 with high mount)
- Distributor: TSA Outdoors
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