Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
If I were a violently inclined criminal, I’d contact the liberal pols representing me and my interests and demand a new law banning red dot pistol sights. My “banned” list would start with the Thrive HD 1×28 Reflex Sight made by ZeroTech Optics USA. Because the Thrive HD on a good pistol would make my criminal life much more difficult and dangerous!
But I’m no criminal. And after using the Thrive HD, I know it is a very effective optic for home and self-defense. Bad guys be dammed.
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The Thrive HD is also a first-rate option for recreational shooters, plinkers, and handgun hunters who need a compact red dot featuring a sharp reticle and long battery life. Plus, the Thrive HD is waterproof and fog-proof and sells for a reasonable $250.
Thrive HD In the Box
I opened the Thrive box and found the Thrive HD Micro Reflex sight. Good start!
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The box also included a rubber protective cover that fit over the optic, a microfiber lens cleaning cloth, three different sets of mounting screws and the needed hex key for the screws.
A card in the box explained ZeroTech’s warranty on one side, plus a QR code on the other to access the optic’s owner’s manual.
Built on the RMSc optic footprint, the Thrive slid right into place on my pistol; one of the three sets of screws attached the optic.
Seeing Red
The Thrive HD’s 3 MOA red dot featured one of the most precise dots I’ve used on a reflex.
The push button brightness controls located on either side of the unit allowed me to select from 10 brightness settings. The unit featured “Shake Awake” technology, a motion sensor that automatically turned on the red dot once I picked up the pistol.
I made my point of impact adjustments using tiny Allen screw-type controls located at the rear and top of the unit (elevation) and the rear and right side (windage).
The Thrive HD ran on one CR 2032 battery, inserted into the bottom of the unit.
The optic is just under one inch high, and a fine choice for a concealed-carry handgun.
The Pistol
The pistol to test out the Thrive was the Girsan Witness2311C 9mm, imported by the European American Armory.
Essentially a double-stack, single-action 1911 (with a poly frame) my Witness2311 sported a 4.25-inch barrel, a skeletonized trigger, extended beavertail, and a beveled mag well. Ammo capacity, 17+1 rounds.
The rear of the slide was cut for the RMSc optic footprint.
Shooting With The Thrive HD
At my outdoor range, I first zeroed the Thrive HD at 12 yards shooting from a rest. I used Winchester Target & Practice 9mm loaded with a 124-grain full metal jacket bullet.
The first three shots grouped nicely, just under one inch, but were approximately 8.5 inches low.
I guesstimated how many UP clicks I’d need and fired three more times. These shots grouped about an inch low and left of the bullseye.
I made adjustments UP and RIGHT, and my next three shots surrounded the center of my target in a .80-inch group.
Just luck? I switched to a different target, and drilled three shots right on, one of which center-punched the dot, for a .90-inch group.
Bad Guys
The rest of my shooting was done offhand at seven and ten yards. This included taking on one of my favorite self-defense targets, the LE Silhouette made by Champion Target.
Shooting for ten yards, and fairly fast, I drilled the center mass area of the silhouette. But the group was a little large. So, I took my time with my next five shots and gave the bad guy a nice 1.5-inch headache.
That’s why a bad guy would want this little optic banned!
Sunglasses
My shooting took place in the afternoon, at 62 degrees and bright sun. I shot much of the time while wearing a pair of sunglasses. I don’t know if this is a red dot consideration, but I was impressed at how well the Thrive’s 3 MOA dot popped even with sunglasses on.
The Warranty On The Thrive HD
The Thrive HD and all other ZeroTech optics are covered by the company’s “Triple A Lifetime Warranty.”
As the company notes on its website, “ZeroTech products are covered for life. Any owner, any problem, always covered.”
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Plus, “Regardless of the fault or the reason, ZeroTech products will be covered for the life of the product. No paperwork or proof of purchase is required.”
Can’t beat that.
Up and Comer
ZeroTech hasn’t received a great deal of attention from U.S. hunters, shooters, and shooting industry media. But with the Thrive HD, a nice selection of quality rifle scopes, and binoculars (which I’ve used–they were first-rate), the company is poised to make some significant movement into the American optics market.
At $250 suggested retail, the Thrive HD represents a good deal of optic for the money. Likewise, ZeroTech’s other optics usually come in at $100 to $200 below competition prices.
SPECS: ZeroTech Thrive HD Reflex Sight
Magnification: 1x
Objective Lens: 21mm
Lens Coatings: Multi-layered
Reticle: 3 MOA Red Dot.
Brightness Settings: 10 Adjustable Levels
Battery: One (1) CR2032.
Battery Life: Max 150,000 Hours Low Setting
Dimensions: L 1.6” x H 0.86” x W .85″
Weight: 0.67 Oz. w/o Battery
Operational Temperatures: -4°F to + 158°F
MSRP: $249.99
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