Holosun EPS vs 509T – Side By Side Comparison

Holosun EPS VS 509T which is right for you? We purchased both of them and have used them extensively before writing this comparison article.

This content include pictures and videos going over their sight pictures, mounting systems and overall aiming performance.

Holosun EPS VS 509T Comparison

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Both optics are considered full size enclosed red dot sights and here are their specs:

Window Size

The Holosun 509T has a bigger window size as far as vertical height goes. The extra 0.03 inch height may not seem much, but it can make a difference when reacquiring the dot before it gets out of the field of view just so slightly when shooting a handgun with some kick.

When shooting rounds down range, the window size is big enough to acquire the reticle.

Overall, the Holosun EPS and the Holosun 509T appear to have similar window sizes when compared directly. However, the Holosun 509T stands taller than the EPS unless it's set into a deep optic cut. This height difference can affect how the sight aligns relative to handgun's grip angle.

Mounting Footprint

Holosun EPS's footprint differs from Holosun 509T significantly.

The Holosun EPS features the K footprint, which is also known as modified RMSc footprint. Even though it looks like RMSc footprint, but it's not. In the package, Holosun has included a RMR to K footprint adapter to make it work on most RMR footprint or optic mount.

The Holosun 509T features a proprietary design mounting system. It's a clamp design that grabs onto the rail section with a recoil lug in between.

It's a picatinny rail mounting design, which can be difficult to install on some pistols without proper adapter plates.

If you need to shop aftermarket Holosun 509T adapter plates, please check out CHPWS. They have tons of options available.

When Holosun 509T first came to the market, many pistol slides won't compatible with it. As time goes on, more and more adapter plates are introduced to the market. 

For long gun use, the Holosun 509T came with a RMR adapter plate, which can go on any RMR footprint mount.

Enclosed Body

Both sights are sealed, so no dirt, water, or moisture can enter. They're perfect for outdoor shooting in rain or snow. If you drop one near mud, you can simply wipe it clean easily.

Turret Adjustment

The Holosun EPS has a unique 1.5 MOA per click turret, while the Holosun 509T has a 1 MOA per click turret. For precise zeroing, the Holosun 509T is better.

The Holosun EPS is great for close-up shots, but its 1.5 MOA per click might be too much for tiny adjustments. For this reason, the EPS can be good for CQB gun setups like on a shotgun.

Both sights have protected turrets to prevent accidental bumps. But, you'll need a small flat-head tool to adjust them. A shell casing won't work.

Remember to bring the tool provided by Holosun to the range. Without it, you can't adjust the turrets.

Reticle

The Holosun EPS has a reticle system much like the Holosun 509T's, but it also provides extra choices such as the 2 MOA or 6 MOA options.

From what I've seen, the 32 MOA ring reticle works great for short distances but isn't the best for precise shooting. I prefer using the single dot reticle in both daylight and nighttime, so the sight picture isn't cluttered.

If you have astigmatism, the Holosun EPS with its 6 MOA option is a good pick. That is, if the Holosun 509T doesn't offer the same feature.

Brightness Adjustment

The Holosun EPS comes with eight brightness settings, making it versatile for day and night use.

You'll find the adjustment knob on the optic's left side, which is handy for right-handers but might be less so for left-handers, placing the controls on the more awkward outer side.

With settings ranging from extremely bright to very dim, you can select the ideal level for any lighting condition.

The Holosun 509T also features this same range of brightness adjustments.

Parallax Shift

No optic is truly 100.00% parallax free regardless of company's marketing message say. Please watch the video below to see the parallax shift in details:

When looking at the Holosun EPS, parallax is important. When the product is at the far left of the glass, there's no shift at 25 yards. In our tests, there was little shift, giving a clear shot without parallax issues.

When looking at the Holosun 509T, the glass already has some distortion and the sight picture is about 0.3X magnified, which increases the parallax a little bit.

Battery Life

Both Holosun EPS and 509T have a lifespan of over 50,000 hours. We've used them for nearly a year without changing the battery and will check back in about five years to share any updates.