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Holographic sights have long been dominated by EOTech, with few true alternatives making it to market. While Vortex’s UH1 and Elcan’s brief appearance teased competition, serious options were scarce — until the DOT EHS-1 entered the scene. According to Brass Facts, it’s essentially the “third holographic sight ever released,” and it arrives with features and performance that demand attention.

Despite some initial skepticism about a new entrant, the EHS-1 proves it’s a genuine holographic sight, built for precision and adaptability across a range of rifle platforms. Brass Facts says,

“Turns out DOT is not another Chinese company and they actually reached out to me asking me to review it providing the optic. They sent it over. I turned it on and oh my gosh, it's a real honest to God holographic site.”

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First Look and Setup

Mounted on a Daniel Defense Mk18, the EHS-1 immediately impressed with its compact footprint. Unlike some large holographic optics that dominate the rail, DOT’s design saves space without sacrificing function. Brass Facts notes,

“The DOT, as a result, actually ends up being really at home on certain setups where you don't have a lot of rail space like small PDWs, and you don't mind high height over rail.”

The stacked layout — window on top, battery compartment in the middle, windage and elevation controls below — keeps the optic compact while remaining intuitive to use. Its integrated Picatinny riser simplifies mounting, and the lightweight aluminum construction inspires confidence in durability. Brass Facts adds:

“With this setup, you got, you know, your standard window at the top. Right below it, you have the battery compartment. And then stacked below that, you have your windage and elevation.”

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Core Specifications

• Magnification: 1×
• Reticle: 1 MOA center dot with 65 MOA circle
• Housing: 7075 aluminum, anodized
• Battery: CR123A (over 1,000 hours at medium brightness)
• Waterproof Rating: IP68
• Mounting: Integrated Picatinny mount with riser

One standout feature is the shake-awake functionality, which automatically powers the sight on when picked up, paired with a programmable auto-off for energy efficiency. Brass Facts explains:

“Follow the instructions, and after 7 minutes, the auto off kicks in, allowing the device to be waked up by picking it up.”

Night vision compatibility is another key advantage, putting it in competition with high-end EOTech models. As Brass Facts notes,

“You absolutely do have very many functional night vision settings.”

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Performance Highlights

Accuracy and Reticle Behavior
Brass Facts’s testing confirms the EHS-1 holds zero reliably, with no observable parallax at 75 yards. He states:

“A basic parallax test shows the DOT to be excellent.”

When paired with magnifiers, the optic performs consistently, though a slight reticle jiggle under recoil is noted — a result of the refresh rate rather than any loose components.

Battery Life and Auto-On/Off
The shake-awake feature, combined with a 7-minute auto-off, gives the EHS-1 an edge over other optics in energy management. Users can rely on instant readiness. Brass Facts emphasizes:

“I see this as an all upside no downsides feature.”

Night Vision Readiness
While daytime brightness is sufficient for most conditions, the lower end of night vision settings may still be slightly bright for ultra-dark environments. However, the optic remains functional under NV devices, making it a viable option for low-light operations.

Reticle Design
The 1 MOA center dot within the 65 MOA circle strikes a balance between precise aiming and rapid target acquisition.

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Design and Ergonomics

• Compact form factor preserves rail space
• Clear and accessible control layout
• Integrated riser reduces need for extra mounting hardware
• The squared-off design may look unconventional at first, but it proves practical and functional.

“You do begin to appreciate its boxy-esque shape when you realize why it is as boxy as it is.”

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Considerations

No optic is perfect, and the EHS-1 has a few minor quirks:

• Slight reticle jiggle under magnification and recoil
• Center dot larger than some EOTech models
• Night vision brightness could be more finely tuned
• Minor forward-facing emissions under certain settings

Brass Facts adds:

“A very peculiar thing is front-facing emissions. If you turn the DOT optic around, you can actually see the reticle from the other side.”

These issues are typical of a first-generation release and could be addressed in future iterations.

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Bottom Line

At $599, the DOT EHS-1 offers premium holographic sight performance at a lower price than many competitors:

EOTech EXPS3 + riser: ~$919

Vortex UH1: ~$960

Brass Facts sums it up:

“It ran like a mofo — and it’s giving me everything my other optics do, for less.”

For shooters seeking compact, American-made, night-vision-capable holographic sights, the EHS-1 is a compelling choice — functional, reliable, and priced to compete.

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Purchase your own EHS-1 Holographic Sight today: https://dotronics.com/ehs-1-holographic-sight/

(Watch the full video review below)