When it comes to performance per dollar, Holosun red dots sights have set the standard. In the budget red dot category, very few companies can match the performance and build quality that Holosun brings to the market.
I recently posted my review of the Holosun 403r. The 403R is an excellent budget red dot sight, but Holosun has recently released its replacement, the ARO (Advanced Rifle Optic).
The Holosun ARO offers rugged performance, long battery life, and clear glass at a price unmatched by the competition.
Verdict up Front
The Holosun ARO improves upon the already excellent 403r. The ARO offers rock-solid performance, long battery life, and excellent glass for around $150, making it one of the best budget red dots on the market. There is no other red dot on the market under $200 that I would choose over the Holosun ARO.
Best For: Tactical rifles, home defense, PCC, and shotgun use.
Not Ideal For: Long-range precision.
What is the Holosun ARO?
The ARO is the newest Holosun micro red dot on the market. The ARO replaces the Holosun 403R and competes with other micro red dots, such as the Sig Romeo 5, Vortex SPARC, and Aimpoint T2.
Holosun ARO Quick Specs Table
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Reticle | 2 MOA Red Dot |
| Lens Size | 22mm x 17mm |
| Magnification | 1x (Parallax-free) |
| Battery Life | Up to 50,000 hours (CR2032) |
| Illumination | 10 daylight + 2 NV settings |
| Brightness Control | Manual buttons + Shake Awake |
| Construction | 6061 Aluminum Housing |
| Weight | Approx. 1.8 oz |
| Mount Type | Picatinny low mount included |
| Waterproof Rating | IP67 |
Build Quality & Design
The Holosun ARO is built using a 22mm CNC-machined 6061 aluminum housing, similar in shape and size to the Holosun 403R, 503, and Aimpoint T2. The ARO uses the same micro footprint as the Aimpoint T2 and is compatible with all Aimpoint T2 mounts.
The ARO has a battery life of up to 50,000 hours, which is on par with the Aimpoint T2 and similar red dots. With the shake-awake feature, you can easily get many years of shooting on a single battery.
Glass quality is good, with no signs of distortion. The glass has a slight tint, common among many red dot sights. The tint is similar to what you’ll find on an Aimpoint T1 or the Holosun 403r. It’s not nearly as blue as a Trijicon RMR.
The optic, without a mount, weighs 3.3 oz, right in line with most other micro red dot sights. With the lower 1/3rd mount attached, the optic weighs 5.5 oz.
The ARO features shake-awake technology and an auto shut-off feature. Out of the box, the Holosun ARO will automatically shut off after 10 minutes of no movement. The auto-shutoff can be customized with options of 10 minutes, 1 hour, or 12 hours, or the auto-shutoff can be disabled entirely. I’m glad to see the option to disable auto-shutoff, and that’s what I’d do with my optic.
The battery is accessed via a side-mounted battery tray secured by two Torx screws. Holosun includes all the tools necessary to change batteries or switch the optic mount, which is a nice touch. They also include a spare battery tray in case you need it.
The Holosun ARO-Evo includes a small solar panel on the top of the optic to supplement the on-board battery. The standard ARO does not include this feature.
One noticeable change from the 403r and 503 is the removal of the brightness adjustment knob. The Holosun ARO features two top-mounted buttons for turning the optic on and adjusting the brightness. I don’t have a strong preference between the two, but I find the old knob to be easier to use when wearing gloves. I’m not adjusting the brightness of my red dots much, so it’s not a huge deal. Removing the knob does reduce the overall size of the optic slightly, but the reduction is not significant.
Reticle, Brightness, and Optics
The Holosun ARO comes in several different reticle options. The one I have has a 2 MOA single red dot reticle. There is also a version of the ARO that includes Holosun’s Multiple Reticle System(MRS). Red dot sights with the MRS system allow you to toggle between a 2 MOA dot and a 2 MOA dot with a 65 MOA circle, similar to the circle dot reticle standard on EOTECHs. There is the option of using just the 65 MOA circle with no center dot.
Holosun offers three reticle color options: the standard red, green, or gold. I haven’t been able to examine the gold reticle in person, but it appears interesting in pictures. I typically go with red because I like the contrast, and they’re normally cheaper than red dots with green or gold reticles. I also find red reticles are easiest to see when shooting in low light with a weapon light.
There are a total of 12 brightness settings. At the maximum brightness, the reticle is exceptionally bright. Even with brightness set to one of the mid-range settings, the dot is readily visible at night when using a weapon light.
The ARO is night vision compatible, featuring two brightness settings specifically designed for night vision use.
Mounting & Compatibility
The Holosun ARO comes with two Picatinny mounts. A lower 1/3rd co-witness mount, popular for use on AR15s or similar weapons. There is also a low mount, which will be ideal for use on many shotguns, lever actions, or any gun where a tall mount is undesirable.
The lower 1/3rd mount included on the Holosun ARO is a noticeable improvement over the mount that came with the 403r and 503. The new mount is much sturdier, and the clamp bolt is noticeably thicker. The old mount used a small Torx bolt to attach the optic to a Picatinny rail, while the new mount uses a 12mm nut to tension the clamp of the mount. The mount on the 403r felt cheap, and it was one area where I felt an aftermarket mount might be warranted. With the mount on the ARO, I don’t see the need to upgrade from the stock mount unless you want something quick-detach. It’s a significant improvement.
The Holosun ARO uses the same micro footprint as the Aimpoint T2 and is compatible with any Aimpoint T2 mount. There are hundreds of aftermarket mounts, should you want one.
Real-World Shooting Performance
Since I received the ARO, I’ve used it on several 556 AR15s. I have fired approximately 500 rounds with the optic mounted, and so far, there are no problems to report.
The Holosun ARO excels where you’d expect a red dot to excel. Target acquisition and fast shooting at close range is extremely fast and easy. I appreciate the lightweight of micro red dots like the ARO. Making target transitions quick and not weighing you down like some heavier scopes.
The small 2 MOA dot works well at close range and is precise enough to make hits on an 8-inch plate at 200 yards easily. Integrating a magnifier would further improve performance at extended ranges.
For those with astigmatism, traditional emitter red dots, such as the ARO, 403r, or Aimpoint T2, can be problematic, but not always. I have astigmatism, and the dot looks better to my eyes than the dot on my Aimpoint T1 and Holosun 403R. I’m not sure why that is, but I figured I’d mention it anyway. Everyone’s eyes are different, though, and if you have severe astigmatism, holographic red dots like those found in the EOTech EXPS-1 and Vortex AMG UH-1 are your best option.
The shake-awake feature works unobtrusively, turning the optic on the moment I pick up the rifle. I’ll probably disable the auto-shutoff at some point. I don’t see the need with a 50,000 hour battery life.
The ARO has maintained zero with no issues on that front. The new, more robust mount gives me a lot more confidence that the optic will maintain zero even through heavy abuse and when the rifle is banged around.
Holosun ARO vs. 403r vs. Aimpoint T1
On the outside, the Holosun ARO, 403R and Aimpoint T2 look nearly identical. In practical use, all three red dot scopes function similarly and all work well for their intended role. The Aimpoint T2 is the big standout with it’s combat proven pedigree. For severe duty use, the Aimoint T2 wins. The Aimpoint T2 is also about four times more expensive than the Holosun ARO. For the typical person, the Holosun ARO is more than enough for home defense and range use.
| Feature | Holosun ARO | Holosun 403R | Aimpoint Micro T2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reticle | 2 MOA Red Dot | 2 MOA Red Dot | 2 MOA Red Dot |
| Brightness Settings | 12 (10 Day + 2 NV) | 12 (10 Day + 2 NV) | 12 (4 NV + 8 Daylight) |
| Power Source | CR2032 (Top Battery Access) | CR2032 (Side Battery) | CR2032 (Side Battery) |
| Battery Life | Up to 50,000 hrs | Up to 50,000 hrs | 50,000+ hrs (Setting 8) |
| Housing Material | 6061 Aluminum | 6061 Aluminum | 7075-T6 Aluminum |
| Weight | 3 oz (approx) | 3 oz (approx) | 3 oz |
| Mounting | Micro Mount Interface (two mounts included) | Micro Mount Interface (two mounts included) | Micro Mount Interface (No mount included) |
| Shake Awake | Yes | No | No (Always On) |
| Night Vision Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waterproof Rating | IP67 | IP67 | Submersible to 80 ft (25m) |
| MSRP Range | $140–$160 | $140–$170 | $800–$900 |
| Best For | Rifles, shotguns, and PCCs | Rifles, shotguns, and PCCs | Rifles, shotguns, and PCCs, Extreme duty use |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight and compact
- Long battery life + Shake Awake
- Crisp dot with multiple brightness levels
- Budget-friendly but reliable
- Easy side-loading battery
Cons
- No solar backup (unlike higher-end Holosuns)
- Lacks Aimpoint’s battle-proven pedigree
Is the Holosun ARO Worth it in 2025?
The Holosun ARO’s combination of build quality, features, and mount makes it one of the best budget red dots under $200. The ARO can even be found for as low as $109 on some websites. At that price, it’s beyond peer.
The two included mounts make the ARO compatible with almost any rifle or shotgun right out of the box.
Until something better hits the market, the ARO is my first choice for a budget red dot sight.
FAQ
ARO stands for Advanced Rifle Optic.
The ARO is not specifically designed for mounting on a pistol slide. Some pistols with a top picatinny rail may be able to accept the ARO.
The battery lasts up to 50,000 hours.
The Holosun ARO is waterproof water 1 meter deep for thirty minutes.
