Personal test report on the Holo site:

I have used this "first generation" sight for a couple of years now, and I must say...I love it!  While not perfect, it comes close.

In my opinion, peep sites rate right up there with bow mounted arrow quivers...TOTALLY USELESS.  Yes we all started with them, but their disadvantages outweigh their advantage.  I tried multiple things to get rid of the peep and go to "both eyes open".  First, I removed the peep and used only a kisser button and some vertical tape mounted on the riser to check vertical.  This works, but takes training.  Next came the "rifle bar" type sight called the Eradicator.  This sight works well and eliminates the peep.  I used a modified version with a front lighted scope, and it was just fine, until one day the holo sight came along.   

Beginnings:

Setup on the holo can be a bit tricky.  I'm to the point where I can now do it myself, but having someone that knows what their doing during the initial setup goes a long way to total sight satisfaction.  During setup, you should be totally relaxed, draw your bow and get set into your proper shooting position.  Then the technician can concentrate on setting the right/left/up/down adjustments.   This takes time, but when properly setup you should be able to close your eyes, draw you bow, get set, open your eyes and have everything line up ready for a killer shot.  Once adjustments are made, they stay  locked in and on target. 

Pet peeves:

The deer in my area seem to come in when it gets dark (early or late).  There is a small filter that slides into position to allow the brightness to be significantly reduced.  For the longest time I didn't know about this filter and I found the sight  just too bright under dark conditions.  Then one day,  I actually opened and read the manual.  Discovering the filter did the trick.  On the down side, it does reduce the higher brightness levels somewhat, but most shots (for me) happen around these conditions anyways. When hunting in bright snow, you may not have enough brightness.  The newer generation of holo sights have a greater brightness range (pet peeve number one) and should eliminate this problem.

Since the holo runs on 2 little N type batteries, you must be mindful of power usage and conservation, especially in cold weather.  I have run out of power in the field and may I say, its not pretty.  The battery compartment uses an allen screw that requires a wrench to open.  I have since taken an allen wrench and added a bunch of tape to one end to act as a large handle.  This makes it easier to use in the field (and find in my pack).  Be careful not to drop the end cap or the screw that holds the batteries in place.  If you do, your done for the day (or longer if you can't get the replacement parts).  It is reported that the new generation of sight  improved this situation by using a "tool-less" setup (pet peeve number two).  Always carry a couple of spare batteries with you IN THE FIELD, they are useless back at camp when your up a tree.

The on/off switch position sucks.  Its hidden between the right side of the holo sight body and the bow riser. If your sight ends up mounting very close to the riser, it is very difficult to get to it and turn it on.  This becomes very important, because, remember....your trying to conserve battery life by keeping it shut off, and you will need to turn it on when you see deer approaching or in the area.  This is an exciting time and you want easy access with minimum movement.  Perhaps I'm being too paranoid about the batteries, but I know, sure as heck, if I leave it on for the few hours in the morning and evening when I hunt, that sooner or later the batteries will die, just when I need them the most.  (pet peeve number three)  It is reported that new sight has up/down brightness buttons that also act as the on/off switch located at the rear of the sight for easy access.  YEAH!!!

Final notes:

This sight is NOT a "turn it on and forget it" sight.   It requires some attention and adjustments with regards to light intensity.  When you first turn it on, the brightness level is about half way.  This is fine at 3:00 in the afternoon, but  much to bright at 7:00 in the evening.  You must be mindful of light intensity and adjust it as the light dims (evening) or gets brighter (morning).  While a pain in the rear with the 1st generation sight, the new 2nd generation seems to reduce this problem significantly with rear intensity adjustments.  EOTECH has greatly enhanced their new sight not to mention that its $125.00 less then the 1st generation sight.

One final note, when hunting in snow take along an extra glove to act as a sight cover.  If the window gets full of snow and sleet, it makes it very difficult to (see) shoot though.  I took a pair of camo rain pants that I think were too long (or are now too short) and cut off a few inches of material at the bottom and sewed together a camo, rain proof, nylon lined sight cover.  This works great, especially if you leave your bow up in the tree overnight.  I added a small piece of Velcro to the cover that attached to the riser to keep it from blowing off.  If you are thinking of buying one of these sights....all I can say is DO IT!  You will love it.

Send e-mail with YOUR holo tips and/or thoughts! I will post them (positive or negative).