TFB Review: Holosun HM3X 3X Magnifier

Last year when I was ramping up to compete in the Tactical Games, I only owned an Eotech and thought that would be enough for the competition. I asked around to a few of our fellow writers who had already competed in the games and they quickly told me that only having an optic with no magnification was going to make things much more difficult for me at the competition.

Since I had already dropped a substantial amount of money for the games at that point, the idea of shelling out for an Eotch Magnifier was more than I could bare so I found a deal on the Holosun equivalent and called it a day. Funny enough I ended up not even using this magnifier at the games as to my surprise an LPVO from Leupold (that I thought was not going to show up in time) arrived on my doorstep.

With all this being said the Holosun HM3X 3X Magnifier has been on a few different rifles at this point and I think it’s really about time I put my thoughts to text on this budget magnifier.

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The Holosun HM3X 3X Flip-to-Side Magnifier w/QD Mount was purchased by myself and Holosun has not previewed this article prior to its publication. I have been using the Holosun HM3X for over a year at this point on many range trips and it has hopped around to a few of my rifles.

Right out of the box, the HM3X felt pretty solid in my hands, solid enough that I would not be too worried if it fell off my bench onto a concrete floor, which it actually did one day. The housing is made from aluminum, which gives it that sturdy feel. I didn’t want to add too much additional weight to my rifle because it was already getting a bit heavy so adding 9.8 oz for the magnifier and the mount felt the optimal thing to do. This optic did come out of the box with a matte black finish but I quickly changed that with a can of spray paint.

Build Quality and Design

One thing that stood out to me was the flip-to-side mount included with this optic. I appreciated it given I was looking to spend as little money as possible on this magnifier system. The flip-to-side mount works smoothly, allowing me to switch between using the magnifier and just the Eotch with a simple flick. The HM3X did come with a few extra risers for the magnifier in case you want to raise it’s height. The QD mount is secure and doesn’t technically require any tools to attach or detach but I always find these kinds of QD mounts to be a bit finicky to unlock without a screwdriver or Allen key.

Optical Performance

The field of view at 100 yards is 37 feet, which is more than adequate for keeping an eye on my surroundings while aiming. I was also happy with the 2.75-inch eye relief but when getting in the prone to shoot sometimes it becomes much more difficult to get a good sight picture with the somewhat limiting eyebox the magnifier creates. One good thing is that the diopter is adjustable so you can adjust the optic to your eyes. The resistance on the diopter is good but I would prefer a way to lock down the adjustment once it is dialed to my vision.

Versatility and Compatibility

One of the things I like most about the HM3X is its versatility. It pairs well with a variety of red dot and holographic sights, not just Holosun’s own models of course. This flexibility is great for someone like me who likes to experiment with different setups. The flip-to-side mechanism and the QD mount add to the magnifier’s versatility. I can attach or detach it as needed, which is helpful when I want to keep my rifle lightweight. It’s also cool that if I’m out walking around and want to use this magnifier as a stand-alone, handheld optic, I can. Of course, there are much better, weight and magnification-minded options on the market but in a pinch, not a bad capability. 

Value for Money

In terms of value, I think the Holosun HM3X offers a real deal. It does exactly what you want from a magnifier with a few bells and whistles at a very attainable price point when compared to offerings from Eotch and others. The ability to quickly switch between magnified and unmagnified views is a big plus, and the overall build quality and optical performance are better than I expected for the price. If you’re looking for a magnifier that’s easy to use, and doesn’t break the bank, the HM3X is definitely worth looking into.

Conclusion

After spending time with the Holosun HM3X I can say it’s a solid addition to my small collection of optical gear. It’s well-built, offers clear optics, and the flip-to-side feature adds a level of versatility that’s hard to beat for the price. The QD mount makes it easy to add or remove as needed, which is great for someone like me who likes to keep their options open. Overall, the HM3X still fits my needs well when I want to get a little more magnification out of my rifle without bolting a scope to it. The next time I enter into a competition like the Tactical Games I would feel confident using this magnifier for engaging targets at longer range.