Last updated on May 2nd, 2025
There’s a few different types of red dots, and if your firearm is in for a beating in the field you are likely going to want some added protection. That’s where the ZeroTech Trace HALO comes in. It has a fully enclosed housing that helps protect the red dot from any damage. And if you were curious like me, HALO stands for ‘High performance Aspherical Lens Optic’.
Hunting in western Queensland my shotgun gets thrown around a lot, in and out of ute’s and it gets hauled through some pretty nasty scrub. Hunting off the beaten track I wanted to have a red dot that I knew was going to work when I needed it to. A range gun could do with a simpler red dot but I needed something a little more durable that I wouldn’t need to worry about. Having a few trips under my belt with it, I thought I’d look back at its performance in the field, build quality, clarity, and adjustment controls.
ZeroTech
Finding a good balance between affordability and quality, ZeroTech are one of my first choices when looking at optics for new firearms. They have a transferable lifetime warranty too, which guarantees long term reliability and peace of mind. It also helps that they are an Aussie brand too.
In the Box
Out of the box their’s a fair bit thrown in, including:
- The HALO optic
- Rubber Storage Cover with slip on design for added protection
- Pre-installed Picatinny Rail Mount, ready for quick attachment
- Adjustment Tool for installation
- Microfiber Lens Cloth
- Welcome Card with QR Code – Provides access to the product manual
- There also a huge amount of screw’s to suit different pistol mounts.
Construction and Build Quality
It’s a well built little unit made from 7075 aluminium, its survived everything I have thrown at it so far. The flat dark earth anodised finish helps to stop scratches and any kind of corrosion from the weather. For me the fully enclosed design is the standout feature that offers up great protection against dust, rain, dirt and any knocks. Its listed as being up to almost any task being shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof.
Best of all it only weighs in at a very light 78 grams, meaning its compact and lightweight. One of my mates I was out with on my last trip also shoots IPSC handgun matches, and he’s now got his eye on one as its size makes it well suited for pistol slides.
For those that like to live dangerously, it has an operational temperature range of -20°C to +70°C, so it should stand up to snow and extreme heat no problems. I haven’t tested it at those levels, but it’s definitely been in some high 30°C days here in Queensland summer.
There’s a top loading battery compartment too which makes battery changes pretty simple. Not only is it a convenient spot, it allows you to change the battery without removing the optic and having to worry about re-zeroing.
Glass Quality
There’s an aspherical lens used in the red dot which helps eliminate common distortions found in traditional curved lenses. It makes a sharp, high contrast sight picture, with a 3 MOA dot in the middle and a clear sight around it. I found the fully multi coated glass helps increase light transmission and reduce any glare, which means that it has a bright image. Looking through the HALO, it has a neutral colour balance with excellent contrast. Compared to cheaper red dot’s I have owned previously the HALO price point is well matched for the quality of glass it has.
If you have astigmatism, the aspherical lens also helps reduce the common “starburst” effect that can occur with standard red dot sights, making aiming a little more comfortable. I have seen some red dots suffer from slight optical warping at the edges, but the aspherical design help get a consistent undistorted view through the optic.
Reticle and Illumination
The Trace HALO has a 3 MOA red dot, which is the industry standard for fast target acquisition. I tried to get a photo of the dot through the camera lens but couldn’t quite nail the focus so apologies for that. I’ve found that the dot remains sharp and without any excessive bloom or starbursting, making it more user friendly for shooters with astigmatism.
The red dot offers 10 brightness settings, including two that are compatible with night vision. With this range, the optic is highly adaptable for everything from bright daylight to low-light conditions. An auto sleep and shake-awake feature helps conserve battery life and ensures the sight is always ready when needed. Battery life is rated for up to 50,000 hours on mid-range brightness settings.
Brightness controls are located on the side of the optic, which allowed me to make adjustments without breaking my grip on the shotgun. The top-loading battery compartment mentioned earlier also makes battery changes quick and easy.
Adjustments
For zeroing there’s a total of 80 MOA of adjustment range for both windage and elevation. Plenty for the shotgun, handgun and even for the rifle. Initially zeroing my 12 gauge was easy, adjusting the shot pattern with a couple of clicks. These adjustments are in 1.5 MOA click values.
Final Thoughts
The ZeroTech Trace HALO Reflex Sight is a very well priced little red dot. The enclosed design combines good durability and optical clarity. The added advanced features such as the shake awake and top mounting battery make it a great little unit to run so far. Its aspherical lens helps provide that distortion free view when aiming, while the enclosed design protects against any damage in the field
For those needing a rugged, dependable red dot with a long battery life and good glass, the Trace HALO is a good choice.
PRECISIONRIFLE