I feel like I can’t have too many red dot sights. In fact, I’d say I don’t have enough of them, since I have several guns that I want to stick one on but have yet to do so. So, when I got the chance to try out the Holosun AEMS Core red dot, I jumped at it. It also didn’t hurt that I hadn’t previously counted a closed emitter red dot as part of my inventory and needed to rectify that. The Core is Holosun’s base model AEMS optic, but it’s got some nice features and I’m very happy with it. So, let’s take a look at what I’ve done with the AEMS Core and why I like it.
Holosun AEMS Core Red Dot Specifications
AEMS stands for Advanced Enclosed Micro Sight. “Core” means it has the core features without the extras of the more expensive AEMS, like a solar panel and multiple reticles. All that sounds good, but I also appreciate simplicity. Let’s start with those core features and specifications.
- Reticle: 2 MOA Red Dot
- Parallax Free
- Unlimited Eye Relief
- 1x Magnification
- Multi-coated lenses
- Battery Type: CR2032
- Battery life: 50,000 Hours
- Brightness Settings: 10 Daylight and 2 Night Vision
- Shake Awake Technology
- Window Size: 1.1” x 0.87”
- Overall Dimensions: 2.2” x 1.54” x 1.7”
- Weight: 3.9 ounces
- Cast Aluminum Housing
Notable Features
The AEMS Core ships with a lower 1/3 co-witness mount, a handy multi-tool, and one CR2032 battery, which Holosun says will last about 50,000 hours. That’s a long time, and I haven’t had it nearly long enough to test that claim. But since we all know that two is one and one is none, I bought some extra batteries just in case. It’s not like they’re expensive.
The AEMS Core is my first Holosun product, and I have to say that the first thing I noticed was how large and accessible the control buttons are. That’s probably my biggest pet peeve about red dots. My eyes aren’t nearly what they used to be, and I sometimes have trouble seeing those small buttons, especially while wearing my glasses or contacts, since they are bifocal. Needless to say, I always wear my glasses or contacts while shooting, so that can be a problem. Not so with the AEMS Core. Of course, that may be because of the larger housing on the closed emitter optic. Either way, I dig it. Plus, the buttons are tactile, and I can tell I’m doing something with them, unlike some other optics.
The same goes for the elevation and windage adjustment knobs. They’re large, easily accessible, and tactile. My eyes appreciate that very much and made zeroing this thing a breeze. The included multi-tool works great.
I also like the large window. It’s larger than any of my other red dots. I dig that too, along with the parallax free dot and the unlimited eye relief. The dot itself picks up easily with the 10 daylight settings. Mine has a red dot, though the AEMS Core is also available with a green dot. It has two night vision settings, but I totally can’t afford night vision gear, so that’s not something I can write about.
Finally, this is my first shake awake optic. I feel like every company should have that on all the things by now, but they don’t. I like that too since I likely won’t have time to fool with turning it on in a bad situation. With my other red dots, I choose between readiness and battery life. Not like batteries are expensive, but it still bugs me a little. Speaking of batteries, this one is easily changed via the side-mounted tray. Much better than some others that make you work for it.
Running the AEMS Core
We ran the AEMS Core on what has turned into our test rifle: an Aero Precision X15 on which we just put whatever and run it. It’s currently sporting a Streamlight ProTac HL-X light/laser and a Franklin Armory binary trigger along with the AEMS Core. Great little rifle.
Anyway, I already mentioned how much I like the larger window, but it really stood out on the range. I like running transition drills, both lateral and changing distance. I quickly noticed how much easier I picked up my targets than with my other red dots. And the parallax-free reticle helped me get there quickly. The large window also makes the lower third co-witness for the flip-up iron sights easier too. It’s less cluttered. My smaller windowed red dots are absolute co-witnessed for that reason. I had no issues with the lower third here. Another reason I like the big window is that I mount my 1x red dots as far forward as possible. That window, and the unlimited eye relief, make it easy to acquire the dot wherever you mount it.
At 3.9 ounces, I hardly knew it was there, weight-wise. I wondered whether the closed emitter’s higher profile would feel cumbersome or restrictive, but it didn’t. I really liked the benefits provided by the extra real estate.
Between us, my son and I have probably run 500 or so rounds of 5.56 through that rifle since installing the AEMS Core, including a couple hundred using the binary trigger. The optic has held zero very well so far, and I have no reason to believe that will change.
Final Thoughts
The AEMS Core quickly became my favorite among my red dots. I still have a smaller offset red dot on my main AR-15, because the larger AEMS housing would be a bit much, I think. But for rifles where the red dot is the main optic, I can’t beat it with anything I have.
I’ve been told by others that a closed emitter red dot is the way to go, and I’m convinced. The controls, at least on this one, are much easier, and the housing provides better protection from the weather or bad conditions. I’ve had a fantastic experience with this AEMS Core, and I’ll probably buy a couple more. Lucky for me, GunMag Warehouse has them in stock. Maybe go over and get yourself one. Or two.
