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  #1  
Old 03-14-2013, 10:02 PM
VMaxSplat VMaxSplat is offline
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Thumbs up Lucid HD7 Gen 3 Review

For some time I've had an interest in the Lucid HD7. After years of paying big bucks for optics from Trijicon, Aimpoint and EoTech, the story of Lucid founder Jason Wilson taking his specs overseas to market a high performance optic for a reasonable price is one I can appreciate... The first two generations of HD7 had semi target turrets. I just couldn't get past that on a red dot sight, so I declined to purchase one (I know, that's a bit shallow).

Low and behold, the latest version (Gen 3) has properly capped adjustment turrets. I promptly ordered one from Optics Planet for $213 shipped for my M&P 15/22.

The HD7 is a red dot optic with 4 user select-able reticles. It runs on one AAA battery. I have no idea about battery life since my optic is new enough that I've only zeroed it and played around with it in varying lighting around home.

The auto brightness feature is very nice. Interestingly, auto brightness mode seems able to dim down more for low light shooting than the manual mode. The combo of auto mode and the small dot reticle works very well at night. This is an area where many cheaper red dots are to bright.

If you're in auto mode in a shaded area shooting into bright sunlight, a quick switch to manual mode will get you back in the game quickly. Brightness in daylight conditions is fine. I am liking the auto brightness mode and have wondered for years why the expensive EoTech and Aimpoint sights I've used didn't offer this feature.

The HD7 has an integral mount that will give an absolute cowitness on an AR flat top. It attaches with two 13mm nuts. Be sure not to overtorque them. My optic is torqued finger tight with a 13mm deepwell socket, no ratchet used. It would be awesome if the next generation took ACOG mounts. Then a throw lever mount could be used.

The overall dimensions and look of the HD7 fit the 15/22 perfectly. The rubber armor should help keep things looking good while training with the rifle. Lucid claims the sight is water/shock proof.

So far, my only negative reaction to the sight is its tube type design. That isn't a problem, but I am used to the wide open view of the EoTech 552. As a former Aimpoint user, I'll get used to the HD7.

Lucid offers a screw in 2x converter. Next time I order I need to pick one up and give it a try. It is nice to have the option.

I look forward to training/plinking with the Lucid sighted 15/22. Should be some serious fun.
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  #2  
Old 03-14-2013, 10:03 PM
VMaxSplat VMaxSplat is offline
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One mo pic...
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  #3  
Old 03-14-2013, 10:33 PM
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Thanks for your review, especially the picture of the reticles. Didn't realize that Lucid released a gen3, nice to know, might have to finally look into one.

Oh, one last thing, I may be wrong, but I saw somewhere Lucid was going to release a QD mount (ADM based) for the HD7. I think it was a shot show booth vid. Can't remember who filmed it tho....
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Old 03-14-2013, 11:12 PM
joshv06 joshv06 is offline
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When did you order from Optics Planet and when did you receive it? I called and they said it was out of stock.
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Old 03-14-2013, 11:23 PM
VMaxSplat VMaxSplat is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joshv06 View Post
When did you order from Optics Planet and when did you receive it? I called and they said it was out of stock.
Funny that you asked that. The day I ordered, the rep on "chat" said no stock on the HD7. Later that day, the website showed stock and I ordered. Received the order in just a few days.

Last edited by VMaxSplat; 03-15-2013 at 08:56 AM.
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  #6  
Old 03-15-2013, 01:41 PM
Sid Nitzerglobin Sid Nitzerglobin is offline
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Good Review! I've been loving my HD7 Gen 3, seems very high quality and robust for the price and it seems to hold zero pretty well when switching between the reticles (although mine spends ~99% of the time on the 2MOA dot). The only complaint I have so far is the proprietary mounting system (kinda necessary to keep the AAA battery in the base) and the resulting sparsness of QD options that won't kill any chance of co-witness or decent cheek weld/comb(seems like the afforemention ADM converter kit is the only game in town as far as I have been able to find).

I also grabbed the screw-in doubler for mine and it seems like a pretty good value accessory for ~$30. It's very clear glass IMO and makes this optic very comfortable for my aging eyes to use out to 50 yards and a bit beyond. I have a bit of concern about the super thin threads on something I do wind up screwing in and out quite a bit but no issues to date. This and the lack of an included case or lens caps are about my only complaints w/ it however.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cjt50 View Post

Oh, one last thing, I may be wrong, but I saw somewhere Lucid was going to release a QD mount (ADM based) for the HD7. I think it was a shot show booth vid. Can't remember who filmed it tho....
It's really just a replacement lever style bolt and retainer kit for the existing mount from the info I could find. These were showing as available on the Lucid website and only the Lucid website when I last checked a month or so ago, but they were somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 which seemed pretty excessive to me based on what you were getting. Mine seems to hold zero relatively well just using the stock thumb screws as long as I make an attempt to use the same torque/positioning when remounting it.


Last edited by Sid Nitzerglobin; 03-15-2013 at 01:53 PM. Reason: Added pic w/ doubler installed
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  #7  
Old 03-15-2013, 08:42 PM
uniquesnd uniquesnd is offline
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I have been wanting one of these for a couple of weeks now but cant find it anywhere (optics planet has a back order list of 100 they have to fill called them today). But found one for 230$ shipped i know its higher than what optics planet costs but before i buy it is it really as good as EOtech, Aimpoint, Acog? have you tested the waterproofing or anything?
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Old 03-15-2013, 10:16 PM
blbills blbills is offline
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I have a G3 on my 15/22 and love it. This IMHO is one of the best RD on the market. Yes that includes eotech, aimpoint, etc...

Big highlights for me are:

-AAA battery
-Screw in 2x magnifier
-Multiple Reticles (all very sharp)
-Durability/finish
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  #9  
Old 03-15-2013, 10:24 PM
VMaxSplat VMaxSplat is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uniquesnd View Post
I have been wanting one of these for a couple of weeks now but cant find it anywhere (optics planet has a back order list of 100 they have to fill called them today). But found one for 230$ shipped i know its higher than what optics planet costs but before i buy it is it really as good as EOtech, Aimpoint, Acog? have you tested the waterproofing or anything?
While my HD7 is to new to say much regarding durability, it does appear to be pretty well made. Comparing it to my EoTech 552 or an ACOG would be a stretch... I have seen several military type Aimpoints fail (always a dirty rotary switch) so I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the Lucid fairs better. In fact, I fully expect it to. The point is, for $213 shipped, it appears to be a heck of an optic. Once it is a bit more proven (thru personal experience), it may be suitable for use on more than a training rifle.
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Old 03-15-2013, 11:57 PM
Sid Nitzerglobin Sid Nitzerglobin is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uniquesnd View Post
have you tested the waterproofing or anything?
It's a Gen 2 but around 8:00 in he does some torture test kinda stuff:
LUCID HD7 Red Dot Sight Review - YouTube

There's an even better one on AR15.com where the guy froze it overnight, submerged it in a bucket of water, dropped it off a roof, etc... w/ no adverse effects but apparently my google-fu is a bit weak tonight.

Last edited by Sid Nitzerglobin; 03-16-2013 at 12:18 AM.
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Old 03-16-2013, 08:36 AM
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Nice reviews. Keep us updated. It sounds like money well spent and something to look into. In a way,it's nice hearing it's back ordered. It could get very popular quick. Thanks.
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  #12  
Old 03-16-2013, 11:03 AM
VMaxSplat VMaxSplat is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sid Nitzerglobin View Post
I also grabbed the screw-in doubler for mine and it seems like a pretty good value accessory for ~$30. It's very clear glass IMO and makes this optic very comfortable for my aging eyes to use out to 50 yards and a bit beyond. I have a bit of concern about the super thin threads on something I do wind up screwing in and out quite a bit but no issues to date.
The doubler is a positive part of the Lucid equation. I want to try one soon.

Your comment on the threads also applies to the battery compartment. Neither is a huge issue, but beveled threads would be nice.
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