Holosun Paralow HS515 Models | Optics Trade Debates

By Polona Kraner Dec 3, 2018

Hello and welcome to another Optics Trade Debates video dedicated to Holosun, a Chinese manufacturer of red dot sights. Today, we’ll detail and explain everything there is to Holosun Paralow HS515 models and its 7 model variants that are currently available in the Paralow series.

Let’s start with outlining the general features of the Paralow series. We already discussed them in great depth in a previous video but a quick recap is necessary. Similarly like other Paralow models, 515 also comes in a physical form that will remind many of the Swedish Aimpoint company’s model called Micro. This is no coincidence as the latter still serves as the standard in red dot sight production across the globe.

The HS515 models are very compact and feature the Aimpoint Micro standard mounting platform. It means that the users can utilize any mount suitable for the aforementioned Micro model. The Paralow HS515 red dots feature upgraded accessories like flip-up lens covers and Honeycomb Killflash filter.

All of them have a switchable, multi-dot reticle. The users can have their pick between the standard 2 MOA dot and circle one (as in, the 2 MOA dot with a 65 MOA circle around it.) Not only that, there are also 12 illumination intensity levels to choose from, 2 of which (the two lowest levels, of course) are night vision compatible.

Another feature that is common to every model in the HS515 family is the quick-release mount with the lockable function. The latter is quite handy as it secures the red dot sight on the rifle it is mounted on. The mount is already included in the package, along with a riser that can be inserted between the red dot and the rifle. It will help to provide the appropriate height when mounting the HS515 model on the AR platform or with any rifles of similar kind.

Now that we established the overall properties, let’s move on to the individual models within the Paralow series. There are 7 different model variants that users can choose from.

The first one we’ll talk about is the HS515C. This is the most basic model within the family. Its battery compartment is located on the right side of the device with a solar panel on top of it. We know that Holosun uses several acronyms and the letter ‘C’ in the very name of this product indicates the solar panel feature. The control buttons are also placed on the right side next to the battery.

The HS515CU model is incredibly similar to HS515C, the only difference being the turrets. The turrets of this model are shrouded and thus protected against potential blows. Most users don’t really need this feature but it can be a nice addition for those who put their optical devices through lots of rough treatment. Note that nearly all other specifications of this model (like the placement of the battery, the solar panel and control buttons) remain the same as with HS515C.

The HS515BU is very similar to the one above, the only difference being the lack of the solar panels and so the control buttons are moved to the top. It also has shrouded turrets, as the letter ‘U’ in the name of the product specifies.

The next model in the series is the HS515GM. Its battery is also placed on the right side of the device, under a round-shaped cover – as the letter ‘G’ in the name of the model will let you know. The control buttons are placed on the top of the red dot sight, whereas other models normally feature them on the right side of the product. The letter ‘M’ means that this is a military-grade red dot sight, manufactured from a CNC-milled 7075 aluminium with a hard-anodized, glossy finish and shrouded turrets. The flip-up covers are transparent.

Switching to the HS515CM. This too, is a military-grade red dot with shrouded turrets and transparent flip-up covers. It has a glossy appearance, with a solar panel on top of the battery compartment located on the right side of the device.

Finally, here are the two models belonging to the Paralow HS515 Elite. The Elite models offer a choice between the standard red and the green-coloured reticle. That’s a crucial feature for people who suffer from colour blindness but many users also opt for the green alternative due to personal preference.

The HS515GM Elite, as the acronyms in the name suggest, comes in a glossy finish and the battery compartment located on the right side of the device.

The last model is the HS515CM Elite. The only difference between this model and the one described in the paragraph above, is that the HS515CM Elite also comes with a solar panel (notice the letter ‘C’) and that it features a battery tray instead of the battery compartment on the right side of the device.

Some of the Elite models in other Holosun series also feature housing made of titanium instead of the standard aluminium. However, this isn’t so here. That’s because both Elite models in the Paralow series are military-grade red dots, manufactured from a CNC-milled 7075 aluminium and sport a glossy finish.

With that, we arrived to the end of this Optics Trade debate. Thank you for your attention. Please like and share this video. If you have any questions pertaining this topic left, leave them in the comment section below. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more videos like this one. We’ll see you next time.