I've had the Lucid HD7 for some time now and have been putting it through some informal testing to see how it compares to other red dot optics on the market. I'm happy to report---so far, so good.
I picked this optic up on Amazon for $190 including shipping. I also ordered the optional magnifier to see how usefull it would be for engaging targets out past 100 meters. The HD7 has a built in 1913 rail mount designed to provide a lower 1/3 "co-witness" (obviously not a true co-witness but your irons will still be functional should the sight stop working...) with most flat top ARs. It comes with the AAA battery needed to power the unit. I'm a big fan of using traditional batteries instead of the more expensive lithium batteries that most manufactures are using these days. I know they have their advantages, but in my opinion, standard batteries are just more availible for the average user that is more likely to go to Walmart than to a store specializing in 'tactical' gear. The HD7 offers 4 reticles; a traditional dot, dot with circle, cross hairs, and a hybrid of the cross and circle type reticle. I'm a fan of the single dot, but that isn't to say the other options aren't without merit.
The optic has several other features that are worth noting: It has an automatic shut off that turns the optic off after 2 hours of inactivity, it has an light sensor which automatically adjusts the brightness of the optic (which you can manually over-ride), it's parallax free, and has a lifetime warranty which I hear is honored by the company although I obviously haven't had to use it...
I mounded the HD7 on my M&P 15 PSX rifle. This rifle is bone stock except for a trigger polishing and trigger spring replacement I did upon purchasing it (that took the pull from over 9lbs to around 6lbs currently). The manal doesn't specify how many ft/lbs of torque are best for mounting so I just finger tightened and did a half turn with a wrench beyond that.
Range time: I initially zeroed at 50 meters and was getting excellent groups for cheap surplus ammo. I was using Brown Bear 62gr soft point ammo and getting 1.5-2 inch groups so no complaints from me. The HD& offers 1/2 moa adjustment clicks so zeroing was quick and easy, especially when you boresight it ahead of time!
Upon zeroing it, I started engaging 100 meter targets. I was getting 4-5'' groups which is good for me with a non-free float 16'' AR and cheap ammo. I then dropped the rifle from arms length (I'm 6'0'' tall) a few times to see if the optic would maintain zero---it did. I switched between all 4 reticles to see if POI would be affected---it wasn't.
Next step--200 meter targets with the optional magnifier. The magnifier did not change POI at all. I maintained similar accuracy getting 8-11'' groups (mild crosswinds seemed to play a role here out at further distances...). I'm no sniper and this surely isn't a sniper rifle so I'm pleased with the results.
Having used various high end optics at work (Aimpoints, ACOGs, EOtechs, ect...) I would say this is on par with any of them at a fraction of the price. I realize it hasn't been put through the stress those optics are subjected to on a day-to-day basis but for your average shooter who wants to hunt, have a good SD/HD rifle, or compete in a weekend 3 gun competition this is a great value. I really don't have anything bad to say so far about this optic and will be leaving it on my personal HD AR15 for what that's worth.
For more pics:
http://gunreviewguy.blogspot.com/2012/01/lucid-hd7-red-dot-optic.html
