Vortex Defender CCW vs Holosun 407K

[@freedomgorilla1]

What do you like better and why? Here is our blog writeup with some more side by side photos freedomgorilla.com/blogs/news/vortex-defender-ccw-vs-holosun-407k-an-honest-comparison?yt

[@Kbuns]

I have a both a 407k and a Vortex Defender CCW. Both are mounted on shotguns for turkey hunting. These are the only two red dots I’ve owned so I am by no means an expert. But in my opinion the Vortex has a bigger and more clear window. In this application I really do prefer the Vortex.

[@leesamuelson]

Battery removal is much easier on the vortex. Always reading of people losing or stripping Holosun screws for battery drawer. plus trying to get drawer open without a knife tip or something sharp is very hard. Not everyone has long finger nails. Getting battery out and replacing is way easier on the vortex. Direct mount with Vortex also. Dot is sharper with the Holosun. Vortex has the better warranty by far if needed. Not even close. With Holosun you have to have proof of purchase( I know from experience) to get warranty where Vortex does not need to be original owner. Not crazy about the longer shut off but in reality Shake wake on a CCW gun is worthless as dot is always on when carrying it. Shake wake is good for home defense gun when it just sits in safe or night stand until needed. Included screws with the vortex much nicer. Mounting the K series on Shield pluses can be an issue as they run out of elevation because of the crappy job of milling from Smith . funny how other optics do work. I have several Holosuns but on my latest 43x mos and shield plus I went with the vortex for ease of use and mounting etc. I have the Holosun EPS carry mrs on my Shadow systems CR920. that optic did not work on the Shield plus. ran out of elevation. vortex no issue. oh ya adjustment buttons way easier to operate on the vortex.

[@Maurice3774]

It's like anything else preference ...army or marine 😅

[@N_T1]

Vortex CCW and ST are great optics

[@shuntao3475]

Purchased the Defender on April 11, 2023. Today I installed a new battery, NOT because I needed to, but because it part of my annual maintenance. Confused by the comments about likening the lower profile smaller glass, that is all preference and older eye like more glass. My Full Size MP 1.0 just got the 507Comp.

[@jefflayton5889]

While your biased towards the holosun because it is what you carry, the defender is a great optic. It does come with the screws needed in the right length to install on just about every popular pistol out there. It has a much bigger window. The optics tool works great and just like there other pistol red dots if you loose the tool you use a flat tip driver not a Phillips to open the battery cover. Personally i thought that part of your video was insulting. Price wise you and everyone else who knows guns there is a difference between msrp and street price. I picked mine up the day it came out for $25 cheaper than the holosun. Battery life is more than a year, which means it lasts long enough due to the fact everyone with red dot experience knows you change batteries every year, dead or not, so you don’t pick up a dead dot when you need it. Holosun has its advantages as well especially in that you can get one with a green dot. And it has a great track record with reliability the defender obviously can’t have yet. But the defender has a lifetime no questions asked, no receipt needed warranty, which means if it breaks they fix it period. The refresh rate wasn’t even noticeable during my defensive hand gun course i was in last weekend. All in all both are great optics and your not going to be disappointed with either one.

[@LegallyArmedCitizen]

I noticed the slight bias as well towards Holosun. And I’m a huge Holosun fan.

[@Labradorslobber]

You’ll be disappointed with vortex.

[@jefflayton5889]

@@Labradorslobber i am running 3 vortex and 1 holosun, only thing the vortex optics have needed are batteries, currently waiting for the holosun to come back from manufacturer because it wouldn’t hold zero.

[@N_T1]

Love my Vortex CCW and ST

[@kevmac1230]

I've come late to the gun community at 68.One and maybe the biggest thing I've noticed is how fierce owner loyalty is. I've read comments where folks are genuinely insulted by somebody's difference of opinion or brand choice. Usually it's nothing personal,so who cares?

[@vladyakubets]

I’m glad that Vortex made rolling updates to shorten the auto shutoff time to ten minutes and to fix the refresh rate. Makes this red dot so much better of an option

[@Juice421fs]

How do you update the sight? Or is it just something available on newer products?

[@vladyakubets]

@@Juice421fs it’s a change they made to the product in manufacturing. The update isn’t available to the previous models from what I’m aware

[@daltonsmith3241]

@@vladyakubetslooking through Vortex’s Defender CCW Q&A page, they said to contact their customer support team to assist in “trading up” to the updated optic

[@brucecook502]

I put a 407k on my Hellcat and I absolutely love it. It was the first time I had ever put an optic on a firearm and it is absolutely perfect for what I carry the Hellcat for. The dot is absolutely crystal clear and perfectly round for me, and it provides the exact Moa for the maximum distance I would anticipate having to use the Hellcat. And I chose the green dot since I found it to be much easier on my eyes than the red. Great comparison video btw 🙂

[@brett9382]

I absolutely love vortex (especially their amazing warranty) that being said im going with the 407k simply bc it is available with a green dot

[@freedomgorilla1]

Sweet!

[@TADDs101]

👍🏻 love my green dot 407K

[@Vin-xy3fo]

I have bought... unfortunately, the glass shattered on the 407k after my gun fell off my bed. That's not even over three feet of the ground. Watched a torture test on the vortex ccw that made me buy one.

[@jacksteel7296]

While I agree that overall the Holosun is better, it’s hard to argue against a larger window size and very clear glass. Once the durability tests start popping up it will determine if this is a duty grade or a hobby grade red dot.

[@markdymond4774]

Yea I’m interested in seeing durability tests too. One thing to keep in mind in my opinion is larger window and more overhang in concealed carry situations could cause it to snag when drawing. Maybe it’s too small of a difference it doesn’t matter, but I’d want to see if it does and how durable it is

[@freedomgorilla1]

Jack the glass is equally clear on both of them. The window size being larger is only from top to bottom which in our opinion just gives it unnecessary height.

[@jacksteel7296]

@@freedomgorilla1Got it and good to know! Maybe my 407k was just tinted darker than usual.

[@Goesinya69]

@@freedomgorilla1 looked like it was wider also looking at just the glass. and the frame was thicker on the Holosun. i always want bigger sight picture

[@ryanhendley4050]

I love vortex, For my binoculars and my regular riflescopes And things like that, But as far as red dot's go holosun all the way. I feel as far as red dots holosun has the market. They have the best red dots that I have ever used....

[@erniepulido5968]

Great review I’ll definitely be getting the defender. Thank you.

[@freedomgorilla1]

Cool. We have them in stock now!

[@erniepulido5968]

@@freedomgorilla1 link?

[@grunkybouy]

if you need to have the slide on a s&w mp ez9 machined to except the optic, do you need a adapter plate?

[@iDizzy0]

This is just the video I was looking for, I’m in the market for an optic to go on my CR920

[@freedomgorilla1]

Glad it helped, thanks for watching

[@YOUneedJESUS1]

I went with the vortex ccw. It's made in my home state. Not china. And the no nonsense life time warranty can't be beat. My kid dropped a rifle (unloaded) when he was trying to climb down a 20ft ladder stand. The scope hit a log and cracked a lens. One phone call and 2 weeks had a brand new scope.

[@Labradorslobber]

It’s made in china. I have one. It’s right on the box.

[@Labradorslobber]

It’s also on the website. Made in china

[@HawaiiFoodAndFun]

Things to improve on a Vortex Defender: Implement a true shake awake that doesn't shut off after 14 hrs. Have the button lockout be a 2 button press.

[@Labradorslobber]

Also how about a real lockout. Vortex resets after it tunes off.

[@Supremebean303]

I just like the defender because I don’t need a plate and it cowitnesses. However, it’s been harder getting used to on a subcompact compare to a full size lol.

[@ahrress9346]

I have a Defender CCW and there is NASTY glare in the glass caused by the laser, almost like it's refracting and scattering all over the place... I have a hard time finding the dot sometimes with it...I switched to a Viridian I had lying around and so far no problems.

[@sp9395]

What optic battery cover can you use a Phillips screw driver to remove? You can mount using the pic rail on shotguns, Henry rifles, 10/22, some handguns and have a good hold because of the stock slope.

[@OBZ74]

Again, great presentation and explanation from Freedom Gorilla!

[@freedomgorilla1]

Thanks for watching! (Again) 🇺🇸🦍

[@Labradorslobber]

I’m returning my vortex. Short battery life, shake to wake isn’t consistent. Holosun 407k in green is hands down better. The vortex has a few flaws but here’s the deal breaker. No lockout. But wait yes it does. No no no. It doesn’t. It turn off when the sight turns off after the 10 min. Then you have to lock it again. Holosun has a true lockout.

[@mauricehardy5012]

Vortex fixed all issues with its ccw I sent mine back and it’s been updated and no issues in the dot lifetime warranty

[@freedomgorilla1]

It’s not a bad red dot at all

[@mrchavez437]

I actually need help. I purchased the vortex defender to mount on my zaffiri slide for G26. What plate do I need to go from vortex RMSC to RMR footprint?

[@PatrioticParabellum9x19]

You should use the duty size vortex on the g26

[@donalgoan5083]

I change the battery on my ccw (43X) every month. My life is worth more than a $5 dura-cell. Since they are both top loading there is no problem.

[@wadeonwheels]

if you are changing your batteries that often you can send me your "used" batteries if you would like lmfao

[@MrSteveb1]

Yeah people making such a big deal over battery life is hilarious

[@williammoreland1870]

You are wasting your money,at least make sense. Also maybe it would be a good idea if you learned to pay attention, he said side loading for the 407k.

[@phantomstrike3310]

If you have a Sig P365, the Holosun 407k or 507k is the only way to go. Mounts directly on the slide with a nice co witness. Out of the box my 507k was zeroed to 25 yards.

[@davelafferty4382]

I just got the Vortex for a new Canik Mete SFT. I have the 407K on my M&P 2.0. Like them both.

[@freedomgorilla1]

They’re both great honestly

[@flomen8983]

I need a red dot for my sig sp2022. Wht do you recommend

[@tommorley19]

I have a sigp365 that’s optics cut. If I put the holonsun on it do I need to buy taller sights?

[@Labradorslobber]

Yes

[@lancemarty6078]

I have green dot holosun 4K . I love it but it doesn’t come with correct screws for my mp 5.7 which was kind of a pain. The price on all of them is way too expensive in my opinion but so is everything else. Cool video

[@Three60Crusader]

Lifetime warranty and no plate needed for the Defender. Rugged Af and Idc about battery life when it’s top loading. I’m going with Vortex on this one. The Holosun has been out forever. The defender will go down in price over time. I’ve seen it as low as 210 already. Factor in a good plate for the Holosun and that’s another $50 which makes it more expensive then the defender.

[@Goesinya69]

199 optics planet

[@Crisp223]

What adapter plate do you have on that dagger to mount the rmsc shield footprint? And also what cut is on the slide, rmr cut or docter cut?

[@freedomgorilla1]

It’s and rmr cut. And it’s an adapter plate that we sell. Reach out to us on our website if you’d like one!

[@MoH_Dank]

​@@freedomgorilla1website?

[@saodavi6267]

The Vortex staying on for 14 hours instead of 10 minutes is probably the exact reason they only get 9500 hours of battery life instead of 50,000 hours. It stays on 84x longer than the Holosun, which apparently translates to the battery lasting 20% of the Holosun.

[@Labradorslobber]

The new model turns off after 10 minutes and still gets 9500

[@lemuelortiz4327]

Best holosum for echelon or red dot

[@jayfray38]

4:24 it’s for canted use on carbine

[@enriquesolis6331]

I saw the torture test video on the vortex defender by D5 I feel this review is off on the defender with the exception of shutoff time and battery life. How can you review a red dot when you have not field tested. I am not a vortex loyalist but looking at reviews prior to making a purchase

[@freedomgorilla1]

Either are fine in our opinion

[@enriquesolis6331]

By the way, you did have some information that gave me some insight and stuff to think about thanks

[@enriquesolis6331]

@freedomgorilla1 thanks for the insight

[@uchihakuma8848]

Thanks for the video!

[@jpnw6577]

A lot of people here seem to be a bit bruised about your preference toward Holosun but the fact is that Holosun is leading the way for optic development, hands down. They're setting a bar that's forcing the other optics companies to play catch up. That in and of itself is a very good thing in ensuring market advancement. As far as the comparison here, the nod still goes to Holosun. Vortex I'm sure has a better warranty but the way they handled a "rolling update" of the Defender I think was pretty weak. They're not offering any update of older models for previous buyers and they're also not differentiating their updated shutoff/refresh rate with a new model or part number. Therefore you could be buying an old one even off the shelves today without knowing. Great service would imply addressing those issues appropriately. As far as durability, Holosun has proven itself more than worthy for the average everyday carrier. There are several videos on YT of Holosuns enduring abuse and maintaining zero and function. If I needed something for duty, I'd probably put an Aimpoint or Trijicon on my gun, maybe a Leupold. I'm sure everyone is happy with their respective purchases and that's all that matters

[@freedomgorilla1]

Very well said. We carry vortex now also and our opinion is the same

[@TowerHand469]

Holosun is made by a company controlled by the CCP. Nuff said.

[@brightideas5782]

Thx I’m looking for a great Reddot for my Sig Sauer 365 Fuse 😂 thx for your videos they are the best out 🎉❤

[@freedomgorilla1]

@@brightideas5782 just be mindful that the Fuse needs M4 screws, all other p365 models use M3. The ones out of the box for both optics will be too long

[@brightideas5782]

@@freedomgorilla1 I was wondering about this much thx

[@brightideas5782]

@@freedomgorilla1 is the fuse a direct fit for a 407k ?

[@kristofers3562]

Stop watching immediately when the screwdriver came out. You don't own a flathead screwdriver?

[@hottrakz]

I use the vortex Viper and venom and they both are top notch the holosun maybe great but you sound very biased it will not benefit you any 2 big up a product that you don't sell, with this being said your review is less convincing.

[@cs-xd9gy]

The screw is a 6-32. 6 is the diameter of the screw. The 32 is the pitch of the thread. Or how many threads per inch. Saying 32nds is wrong.

[@freedomgorilla1]

So how do you pronounce a "sixth 32nds" screw?

[@cs-xd9gy]

@@freedomgorilla1 You say, it's a six- thirty two.

[@angelosmith1138]

How does the 407 case fit on the Canik MC9?

[@freedomgorilla1]

Yes the 407k and 507k will fit it

[@Itshimitshim]

direct mount

[@sauceboss4670]

Where is the vortex made?

[@The_Critical_Critic]

Here we go they are made in China so is 95 to 98 percent of items in your home.

[@Labradorslobber]

China

[@johncampbell6649]

​@@The_Critical_Criticdoes it bother you that someone has a preference for something made domestically?

[@johnleon2594]

​@@johncampbell6649NOPE JUST AN OBVIOUS ANSWER FOR A CAPITALISTIC SOCIETY IN MOST CASES, GREED BEING THE REASON IT'S NOT AMERICAN

[@sebastianfinocchiaro870]

Can the defender CCW be used on a rifle.

[@freedomgorilla1]

Yes if you use the picatinny Mount

[@wesleyallen7661]

Warranty my guy. Vortex wins

[@jonquirk9582]

While i love vortex, not with that 14 hr shot off they don't. No shake awake on any of their red dots makes no sense

[@davidka5204]

Very good comparison, thanks

[@freedomgorilla1]

Thank you

[@atctraveler6218]

Do both have a lifetime warranty??

[@freedomgorilla1]

Yes however vortex is a easier and quicker to deal with

[@johnch1p]

What iiron sights are running with ths 407k?

[@freedomgorilla1]

The suppressor height ones

[@johnch1p]

@@freedomgorilla1 thanks for the reply and info - ameriglo or Trijicon?

[@jayv9286]

What in the he🏒🏒 is that noise in the background!

[@medusavibes6092]

And I do have a Vortex AMG UH-1 gen 2 that right there friend it’s a War beast still been used by the Seals …. Vortex it’s Vortex on top of Holosun

[@freedomgorilla1]

Cool we have one too and think it’s great

[@nerdlywehunt]

Unbiased????? Don't think so...........

[@Dentarg-lm3kp]

Good video but the music is annoying and distracting.

[@TheSodFather09]

Holosun is better but get the holosun 507k

[@obxarms7685]

Love the coconut music.

[@chaguie07171959]

Holosun warranty is not very good because it takes for ever to get the defective product back. Two thumbs down for Holusun warranty! In paper they seems great but in reality they do not even come close to Vortex. Not even close.

[@miketaylorID1]

Add Shadow Systems CR920 to the direct mount list. the UPS man just delivered a 407k from y’all and it mounted right up on the SS920. Was intending it for a M&P subcompact but its a much better fit on the Shadow IMHO

[@freedomgorilla1]

Your right! We are making a fitment guide for that. Did you have any trouble mounting it? In a previous video we saw they said it could be a snug fit

[@miketaylorID1]

@@freedomgorilla1 yep with that spacer that has the matching radius as the front of a hollow sun. You can’t slide it in or tip it in, it has to drop straight down into the cut. It actually couldn’t fit any better. You can tip the pistol over 90° and the optic will stay put even without the screws. its a perfect fit! but that still leave me needing for the M&P. that’s where this all started. LOL!

[@freedomgorilla1]

Nice I’m glad to hear that. For your m&p check out our fitment guide sections we have a few s&w guides freedomgorilla.com/blogs/news/holosun-pistol-optic-fitment-guide?yt

[@johnlesperance8744]

Holosun only warranties to the original buyer. Huge difference from Vortex warranty.

[@freedomgorilla1]

It doesn’t say that in their policy. But we agree vortex is a stronger less hassle warranty

[@7.62x39G]

The pic rail on the vortex could be mounted on a AK

[@Hookedonkrack]

I don’t get the petty gripes. The top loading battery. I have a Romeo on my work pistol and no issues. Oh it comes with a metal key as well. 14 hour shut off. Who cares you replace the battery every year. If your not you need to. On that note always check your stuff every time you put it on. Warranty alone vortex wins. Good luck dealing with a foreign country.

[@Labradorslobber]

You won’t get a year out of it. Check the reviews

[@Labradorslobber]

Do some research. Holosun customer service is in California.

[@mitchellian9901]

they make flat head screw drivers too

[@freedomgorilla1]

You’d need a really fat one. U need a special key they have

[@spadetrump]

Open reflex is poor decision. Fails in rain. Mud. Lint. Anyting that can block the emitter. Trijicon RMR = you're poor.

[@JoanHernandez-j4p]

Martinez Kenneth Robinson Karen Miller Donna

[@URBANDAY7]

The vortex comes with a metal tool to remove battery.

[@freedomgorilla1]

Yep we cover that in the video

[@petergorman7134]

Damn bro is mewing

Interesting

[@larrykennedy2874]

This guy sounds more like a paid advertiser for Holosun than an unbiased reviewer. I’m definitely not liking or subscribing to this guy.

[@joebell7057]

Loose the music it's annoying

[@bordersoldier]

Rail is for a shotgun

[@JoanHernandez-j4p]

Walker Betty Hall Helen White Dorothy

[@app1mxh]

Gorilla too strong.

[@freedomgorilla1]

🦍🦍🦍

[@medusavibes6092]

😂😂😂 super Bias video !!! Of course he sells Holosun thu!!!!! CCW Vortex it’s a Thank the only reason it won’t make it Military contract it’s because!!!!! u know it’s made by Chun Lee !

[@freedomgorilla1]

We sell vortex also

[@perofish]

You are probably the only person in the world that claims a plastic tool makes betters sense than a metal tool. What a joker.

[@freedomgorilla1]

Plastic is non marring, metal on metal can remove the finish.

[@2aTommy]

Holosun is way better than the vortex. No competition. Holosun is cheaper. The refresh rate on the vortex is so slow the dot noticeably flickers when moving the red dot around. Battery life is much less. Also the battery tray is a pain if you don’t have that specific tool it’s almost impossible to get off. Great video 👍

[@freedomgorilla1]

thanks Tommy and really appreciate your comment!

[@PepeDeezNutz]

407k all day long