Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
The Holosun IRIS-3 made a big splash for a reason. It delivers the kind of clean, useful VCSEL illumination that used to feel locked behind much pricier options, and it does it in a compact package that is actually pleasant to live with.
The IRIS 3 made big waves in the night-vision space when it became available last year, and it continues to be overwhelmingly popular. Stick around to learn the pros, cons, and whether it would be a good option for you.
The Night Vision Itch Started With a College Budget Disaster
Ever since my first time using a buddy’s ATN PS-14 in college, I have had the night vision itch. It really was quite a predicament at the time. There I was, a broke college student, and my main extracurricular interest of shooting with the Oklahoma State Practical Shooting Team had just expanded into the much more economically straining world of night vision.
When the majority of your diet outside Aunt Norma’s weekly family dinner consists of bologna sandwiches and bean quesadillas, the “beans and rice” method of saving money doesn’t make too much of a difference. Therefore, to scratch that night vision itch, I did what any good engineering student would, and I improvised.
What I came up with was a surplus Rhino mount, which I modified in the university’s machine shop to mount a Sionyx night vision action camera to an airsoft bump helmet. This mount positioned the camera’s viewfinder perfectly in front of my eye, making full use of the camera’s very narrow field of view. I paired this setup with a $15 visible red laser, and I was in business. I was shooting with my night vision friends for under $400.
Why the Holosun IRIS-3 Finally Felt Worth the Upgrade
Since then, I have slowly upgraded my night vision kit. After graduating and getting a stable job, I finally ponied up the cash for a genuine Gen 3 PVS-14. The improvement was remarkable, but all the years with the Sionyx is what really made me appreciate it. I upgraded lasers too, swapping the Vis-Laser for a no-name eBay IR unit, then for a Streamlight TLR VIR-2. The solid quality and performance I found in the VIR2, especially when paired with a Villain Weapon Systems focusing lens, was hard to beat for the price. I knew there were better options, but I didn’t want to pay $3k for an MAWL. And everything cheaper was either too big, too sketchy, too unreliable, or too weak. I just didn’t see anything that justified an upgrade until the IRIS-3.
VCSEL Illumination Is Why the IRIS-3 Made Such a Splash
One of the primary drivers behind the success of the IRIS has to be the 60mW Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser illuminator. The VCSEL technology functions more effectively within regulations than traditional edge-emitting lasers. Therefore, the IRIS can provide much stronger illumination while remaining civilian legal. This technology was only previously seen in the aforementioned top-tier offerings.
The illuminator also offers some variety with two power modes and focus adjustment. The power level is selected via a switch on the back of the unit. It can be used to tailor the laser and illuminator brightness to your lighting situation, but I just leave mine on high all the time.
In addition to simply being brighter, the illuminated area is clean and uniform. A stark contrast to the “petri dish” illumination seen in most diffused edge emitter laser illuminators.
Something that I do adjust quite a bit is the focus. Being able to quickly and easily adjust the focus of the illuminator from a moderately wide flood to a tight, intense beam is super useful. This is done by pushing a slider on the top of the unit either forward to widen the beam or pull it back to tighten it. This slider is well-positioned for easy access and operation. It is stiff enough to keep it where you leave it, but not so stiff that it slows you down when you need to make an adjustment.
How the Holosun IRIS-3 Lasers Perform When the Sun Goes Down
Both the 5mW visible and .7mW IR aiming lasers on this unit are nothing too special since these are still held to the class 1 laser regulations. The IR laser still shows up well despite the brighter illuminator in most conditions. A very close range is the only condition where the laser sometimes gets washed out.
One huge benefit of the visible laser on the IRIS-3 is that it is slaved and co-aligned with the IR laser and illuminator. This means you can sight in the visible laser during the day, and your IR will be sighted in also. I do much more shooting in the day than at night, so it is nice to be able to quickly switch to the vis laser and check that its zero is still good.
The zeroing turrets are uncapped and flush with the body of the laser. They adjust in half MOA increments using a flathead screwdriver or even the rim of a spent cartridge.
Holosun Build Quality Still Carries a Lot of Weight Here
Whether you like it or not, Holosun has gained a reputation for making quality, economical products. Especially in the last few years, they have separated themselves from the bargain brands, placing a firm foothold in the midtier market. I have been buying Holosun for the better part of a decade with good success. I have only contacted customer support once to replace a turret cap I had lost. They replied quickly and sent me two replacements free of charge. This experience gives me confidence that the IRIS will continue to hold up.
With this in mind, I decided to test the IP-X8 waterproof rating. I tossed it in a bowl of water and let it soak for half an hour. It continued operating, and I did not observe any moisture in the CR123 battery compartment or behind the lens.
The Holosun IRIS-3 Stays Compact Where Rail Space Matters
Every model in the IRIS line increases in both size and feature set with each model. The IRIS-1 is just a laser. The IRIS-2 has paired visible and IR lasers. My unit is the IRIS-3, which has both visible and IR lasers in addition to an IR illuminator. Finally, the IRIS-4 has all the features of the IRIS-3 but with an added white light.
For a 3-in-1 laser, the IRIS-3 is actually quite compact. It measures 3.2” long, 1.97” wide, and sits only 1” tall when mounted. This low height means even standard absolute cowitness height sights won’t have a problem seeing over this laser.
The low height and compact design also make activating the fire button fairly easy. This unit is crane plug compatible, yet I don’t run a tape switch. I don’t see any need to add extra wires when I can reach the button on the unit just fine.
Despite the sturdy 7057-T6 aluminum construction, the IRIS-3 weighs in at a reasonable 6.4 ounces. The overall small size helps keep the weight down, as well as the simple cross bolt style mount. I think this mount is an improvement over the QD mount found on previous Holosun lasers. The old mount added to the height and weight while making the unit less durable.
The Holosun IRIS-3 Value Play That Keeps Winning
Night vision is an expensive tool. There is no getting around that, but for a long time, there was a huge performance gap between the sub-$1,000 offerings from companies like Steiner and the top-tier offerings like the MAWL from B. E. Meyers, which costs over $3K. So, it’s easy to see how the IRIS and its $900 street price fill the gap and continue to dominate the market.
Overall, I think the IRIS-3 is a very solid choice for anyone who is in the market for an IR laser. In terms of performance, quality, and usability, I don’t think there is another option that comes close for the price.
Be sure to check out the Holosun Website for more info on the IRIS-3 or to find a dealer near you.
Holosun IRIS-3 Specifications That Actually Matter
| Model | Holosun IRIS-3 |
|---|---|
| Visible Laser | 5mW |
| IR Laser | .7mW |
| IR Illuminator | 60mW VCSEL |
| Length | 3.2” |
| Width | 1.97” |
| Mounted Height | 1” |
| Weight | 6.4 ounces |
| Battery | CR123 |
| Adjustment | Half MOA increments |
| Waterproof Rating | IP-X8 |
| Construction | 7057-T6 aluminum |
| Street Price | $900 |
Pros & Cons of the Holosun IRIS-3
- Pros: Excellent VCSEL illuminator performance, clean and uniform beam, fast focus adjustment, co-aligned visible and IR lasers, compact footprint, low-mounted height, strong value for the price.
- Cons: Class 1 laser limits still apply, the IR laser can get washed out at very close range, and night vision is still an expensive rabbit hole, no matter how responsibly you try to approach it.
Final Verdict on the Holosun IRIS-3 Review
The Holosun IRIS-3 lands in a sweet spot that used to feel mostly empty. It is compact, thoughtfully laid out, bright where it counts, and priced in a way that does not require you to make peace with ramen for the rest of the year. For shooters wanting a civilian-legal IR laser with a real illuminator and no clownishly oversized housing, this thing makes a very persuasive case for itself.
Garrett has a wide variety of skills and interests. His profession as an engineer in the steel industry aligns with his active approach to hobbies. Whether going to the gym, shooting, hunting, riding his motorcycle, or just tinkering in the shop, Garrett always strives to be his best.
Experience:
Mechanical Engineer – Supervises a small group of reliability professionals who deliver practical solutions and keep the plant running.
Practical Shooting – Former member of Oklahoma State’s Practical Shooting Team, and continues to hold himself to a high standard in defensive shooting.
Adventurer – Hiking, moto camping, backpacking, hunting, shooting. Life is too short to take it easy. Garrett is always looking for the next opportunity to get outdoors.
