Hi-Lux Micro Max-b-Dot Red Dot ReviewNote the 5% off Optics Planet discount below
It used to be that you had to spend the price of your gun just to get a quality red dot that would endure the abuse dished out in the field. Today we are fortunate that new manufacturing technologies and materials have advanced to the point that a decent red dot can be had for under $100 and a great high quality red dot such as this Hi-Lux model are just over $200.
Just after the initial release my then new Hi-Lux Micro Max-d-Dot Red Dot sight was mounted on a basic AR15 pistol build and it was later moved to my Sig MPX 9mm pistol. Over a year later and approximately 8000 rounds later of .223 and later 9mm, the Hi-Lux Micro Max-d-Dot Red Dot has performed amazingly well, still holds zero and I am still on the first factory included battery. From my perspective it is one of the top values for a high quality red dot sight, so much so that I ordered another one from Optics Planet who had it featured on sale with free shipping at the time.
To be up front, I am a Brand Ambassador for Optics Planet, however I could have ordered anything from them and I chose to buy the same optic again. This should speak volumes about how I feel about the quality and features of the Hi-Lux Micro Max-d-Dot Red Dot sight. Because you are reading this, feel free to use code "MAJOR5" for 5% off your entire OpticsPlanet.com order of anything you might want to purchase.
This time the Red Dot was mounted on a very special Aero Precision M4E1 custom AR15 pistol build. The build has it all - AP M4E1 integrated handguard mount, a unique cool and functional upper design, a ambi-lower, KNS anti-rotate pins, Ballistic Advantage match barrel, HiperFire EDT2 trigger, and Phase 4 Tactical buffer tube, BCG, Charging Handle, and FatMan Brake. It is a heck of tricked out build that needed a great red dot and the Hi-Lux is the perfect choice offering a lot of features, great optical clarity and a crisp red dot.FIT, FINISH, FEEL, FEATURES, & FUNCTIONS
The Hi-Lux Micro Max-b-Dot red dot is typical high quality that you would see on all Leatherwood Hi-Lux optics. The red dot design is robust and designed to take a lot of abuse. Once upon a time, only Aimpoint could boast about a 50K+ hour run time, but now this $220 red dot can deliver that same long run-time.
The Hi-Lux Micro Max-b-Dot red dot also features a tint-less tube which in turn provides an extreme amount of clarity and enhanced low light vision. It is one of the few Red Dot sights which gives the shooter clear glass versus a dark sunglasses tint.. From a form factor the sight is completely cross compatible with all Aimpoint T-1 mounts which are available everywhere. If you have a favorite Aimpoint T1 mount it will work with the Hi-Lux. A couple of my favorites mounts are the Sampson QR T-1 QD mount and American Defense Manufacturing - ADM T1 Micro QD Mount. Hi-Lux offers its own $35 co-witness riser which is hard to pass up for the price and is the mount I ordered for this build. 
The Hi-Lux Micro-Max is extremely compact 2.5” length and comes with flip-up lens covers, screw on/off kill flash filter, and spare CR2032 battery compartment in the battery cover. Of note, with the added kill flash filter and lens covers installed it does add a bit of bulk over an Aimpoint T1 or similar Primary Arms Micro Dot but not any significant weight. I think most people will appreciate the snap and screw on features unless they really need to strip all the addons off for some reason. My initial Hi-Lux Micro Max-b-Dot red dot held zero perfectly through more than a few bumps bangs and scrapes and thousands of rounds of 9mm and 5.56 Nato. I did have some initial concern that the extremely light weight Hi-Lux Riser might not hold up well to side hits due to the I-beam steel design, however I have never had an issue and it is far stronger than it looks.
Instead of the typical rotary setting switch, Hi-Lux decided on using push-button operation instead which provides click ON, hold for OFF, and click up/down to cycle through the twelve dot power settings.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Hi-Lux Micro Max-b-Dot red dot one of my favorite red dot sights. It functions perfectly, delivers excellent clarity, and the plenty of daylight to low-light dot brightness settings. I will not likely be in a situation where I need a Kill Flash attachment, however the lens covers work extremely well. Owning a safe full of red dot sights, my experience is that they get dirty quick and the flip up covers really help assure the glass is clean and bright when I need to shoot.
This is a very cool build and has been a ton of fun which means it gets shot a lot. Again, the Hi-Lux Micro Max-b-Dot red dot has held up perfectly just as the initial sight did. Overall this is one
SPECS
The Micro Max b-Dot collimator reflex red dot sight provides quick target acquisition, unlimited versatility, and an outstanding six year battery life in a compact package.
Successfully thermal cycled from -85° F to +185° F without failure on an Alexander Arms 338 Lapua Magnum Ulfberht.
- Power1X
- Object lens20
- Exit Pupil RangeN/A
- EYE ReliefUnlimited
- Length2.5”
- Short ReticleDot
- Elevation Adjustment1/2 (MOA)
- 2 MOA Dot Size, With Mount, Flip-Up Lens Covers, Anti-Reflection Device
- FOV42'
- CoatingFully Multi-Coated
- Multi-Coated Lenses
- All exterior air-glass lenses are treated with DiamondTuff14™ to ensure optimal light transmission for more visibility in low light situations.
- Niitrogen Gas Purged
- All scopes are purged with nitrogen gas to ensure they remain fogproof for wide range of temperatures.
- Waterproof -The Tac Dot sight is waterproof for use in any weather conditions.
- LED Bright Dot Technology
- Red dot is clearly visible even in daytime light conditions.
- Outstanding Battery Life
- Expected battery life of 55,000 hours at medium brightness settings.
- Digital Brightness Adjustment - 12 adjustable +/- brightness settings
- Automatic Shutoff Timer
- Scope turns off after one hour of inactivity. This timer is programmable and can be reset to the shooter’s liking.
SOURCES
Hi-Lux Leatherwood - http://www.hi-luxoptics.com
OpticsPlanet: http://bit.ly/218smoA
I am a Optics Planet Brand Ambassador - Use code "MAJOR5" for 5% off your entire OpticsPlanet.com order
Aero Precision -http://aeroprecisionusa.com
Hi-Lux Optics -http://www.hi-luxoptics.com
HiperFire -http://www.hiperfire.com
Phase 5 Tactical -http://phase5wsi.com
Paracord.com -http://paracord.com
Seekins Precision -https://www.seekinsprecision.com
Available from Optics Planet
Hi-Lux Micro-Max B-Dot Sight: http://bit.ly/21HU65A
Hi-Lux Micro-Max B-Dot Riser: http://bit.ly/1Y2iLzG
Hi-Lux Leatherwood at OpticsPlanet: http://bit.ly/1LVNo2I