EPS Carry vs. Defender CCW Enclosed vs. Osight SE | Size Comparison

[Brandon Breeze]

I was curious how these three optics actually compare in physical size, so I put them side-by-side and took a closer look. If you're considering any of these, this could be a good comparison for you. This is not a sponsored video, I bought all of these with my own money.

The optics compared:

• Vortex Defender CCW Enclosed
• Holosun EPS Carry
• Osight SE

One thing that surprised me was how different they look once they're next to each other. Photos online can make optics appear much larger or smaller than they really are, especially when trying to decide what will work best on a concealed carry pistol. My camera angle wasn't perfect here, but should still be helpful.

I put together a quick comparison showing the overall footprint, housing size, and window size differences between all three.

For those who have experience with these optics:

• Which one are you carrying?
• Which has the best window size for you?
• Which offers the best value for the money?

My biggest gripe for any of these is that the Defender CCW has a very tall rear deck height in comparison, so essentially no co-witness with factory height irons. The other two give you a little co-witness with factory height irons. This also means you lose some of the front lens (blocked by rear deck). With the battery completely on the side one would think this would be a no brainer.

Largest Window to my eye would be the SE. EPS Carry and Defender CCW are very similar in size with a slight nod to the Defender. Again this is just what appears visually and may not reflect actual measurements. As we know, our eyes often see things differently than they actually are.

Video:

 

[drinktothat421]

Love all my holosuns and vortex is known to be am amazing company. Olight just seems to risky. But they seem to work ok now.

 

[Gawernator]

Love all my holosuns and vortex is known to be am amazing company. Olight just seems to risky. But they seem to work ok now.

Holosun and Vortex at a minimum, ideally I'm trusting my life to Trijcion or EOTech. I can't see why you would buy Olight except for a range toy and you don't have much money

 

[Brandon Breeze]

Holosun and Vortex at a minimum, ideally I'm trusting my life to Trijcion or EOTech. I can't see why you would buy Olight except for a range toy and you don't have much money

If I didn't have a channel to test things out for, I may not have bought any Osights, but for the price point they're difficult to beat, though they are definitely creeping up in price just like Holosun has. As much as I hate to say it, no issues with any of them so far. I have all of them (X, XR, C, SE) except the K, and that new one that they just released.

 

[Wolkenflieger]

I bought an Osight SE green for my DWXc, which some might think is like putting Pep Boys hubcaps on a Ferrari. The sight looks nice, optic glass is clear, and the screw selection is the best I've seen so far. We'll see how it works in practice after zeroing. If I don't like it I can get the new EPS Core when it's released for the same CGW RMSc plate.

The other thing is that I find it impossible to press both side buttons on the Osight SE to turn the optic off. I found a method where I use the adjustment tool to hold the minus button down so I can press the plus button. There's no "feel" to these buttons like Holosun. This is my biggest gripe with Osight, and I almost returned it because of those horrible buttons.

The worst part of the install was the CGW RMSc plate with those tiny hex screws. In my view the tiny hex driver holes are just too small for the amount of torque needed where T10 or T15 would be much better. I couldn't get a positive torque-driver "click" with those screws. I may have to check it again and make sure I'm using the right bit, but I tried a few and none seemed to bite well.

CGW also warned against Holosun screws specifically, indicating that they would be too long, which is one reason I didn't go with Holosun. Not interested in cutting down screws. The Osight screws worked perfectly and come in two different lengths per size. The CGW plate uses M4.

I specifically avoided CH products and IM due to past/current quality issues reported online.

For CZs I would normally use plates from CZ Parts over in Czech Republic, made by CZ themselves. Their shipping is lightning fast and they're very nice people. I would say their shipping is faster than Armory Craft in Florida...as getting a simple trigger replacement seemed to take an eternity.

I have a Gideon Pebble in green for the Bodyguard 2.0. Installing that this weekend after removing the rear sight using the MGW Sight Pro and the BG 2.0 shoe I bought for the slide. This is the best pusher in the business I think and hopefully can make short work of what I know to be a very difficult rear sight removal.

Proper direction to remove is left to right, as the rear sight channel is tapered slightly. This is true with most slides so it pays to know the proper install/removal direction.

 

[drinktothat421]

Holosun and Vortex at a minimum, ideally I'm trusting my life to Trijcion or EOTech. I can't see why you would buy Olight except for a range toy and you don't have much money

Holosun are on plenty of law enforcment duty guns. They perfectly fine collecting dust in your wasteband like an rmr.

 

[drinktothat421]

I got my eyes on the htx1. The price is up there but the tech/mounting seems to be very positive

 

[Gawernator]

Holosun are on plenty of law enforcment duty guns. They perfectly fine collecting dust in your wasteband like an rmr.

Did anyone claim no? I’ve had one fail on me in the field so far. No problem with my EPS carry so far. Don’t be so sensitive haha.

I like it a lot, looks cool and nice buttons and glass, it’s just not the one I’m taking to war again

 

[Wolkenflieger]

Did anyone claim no? I’ve had one fail on me in the field so far. No problem with my EPS carry so far. Don’t be so sensitive haha.

I like it a lot, looks cool and nice buttons and glass, it’s just not the one I’m taking to war again

Did you mean the Osight? The Olight is a light. Same company.

Yeah we will see how mine does but it should be fine for the range. The buttons as-mentioned are terrible, but there is an auto-off feature. The tool/finger method works too.

Can't go wrong with Holosun for price/performance, but I'm happy to branch out and try new (to me) brands.

My favorite on larger guns is the Holosun 507 Comp.

 

[mountain_yokai]

I don't have the SE but I do have the C and it's been great....I have the defender CCW and love the size. Fits the slide perfectly and I'm happy with its performance. I also the the 407 and 507 Comps...those are for range/competition vis and they are fantastic at that.

I recently sprung for a swampfox justice II to play around with...those are cheaper than OSights so we'll see how it goes.

 

[Gawernator]

Did you mean the Osight? The Olight is a light. Same company.

Yeah we will see how mine does but it should be fine for the range. The buttons as-mentioned are terrible, but there is an auto-off feature. The tool/finger method works too.

Can't go wrong with Holosun for price/performance, but I'm happy to branch out and try new (to me) brands.

My favorite on larger guns is the Holosun 507 Comp.

Yeah haha. The 507k x2 is what broke on me, buttons stopped working and reticle broke, while I was shooting. Holosun sent a brand new replacement. EPS carry is what's on my Shield now.

 

[Wolkenflieger]

Yeah haha. The 507k x2 is what broke on me, buttons stopped working and reticle broke, while I was shooting. Holosun sent a brand new replacement. EPS carry is what's on my Shield now.

Solid choice!