HHA Optimizer Horizon Review
By Justin Hyer
The floating dot of the Sightron LRMOA-2 reticle flirted with the center of the freshly painted steel plate. When the image looked perfect my finger instinctively applied the last few ounces to the trigger to start ignition. At the break of the trigger the bullet raced out of the barrel in a mighty battle with gravity as it climbed high above the freshly watered alfalfa field. Gravity finally won the battle as the bullet reached the apex of its trajectory and began a rapid descent back towards earth. With laser-like precision the bullet violently splashed onto the steel target within an inch of its intended destination. A soft "ping" was sonic confirmation of a direct hit.
Figure 1. Test set up with Ruger 10-22, HHA Optimizer and Sightron SIII
I couldn't help but notice that the shot I had just taken felt eerily similar to a shot from the weekend before. The major difference? The shot from the weekend before was just under 1000 yards with a semi-custom 6.5 Creedmoor, and the shot described in the opening paragraph was from a semi-custom Ruger 10-22 at 200 yards. The deadly accurate elevation adjustment was made possible by a new product available from HHA Sports called the Optimizer Horizon.
For years HHA has offered adjustable sights for archers that allow for precise holds at extended yardages. The HHA Optimizer Horizon is their first product available for use with firearms. The Optimizer will work on almost any firearm with a picatinny or weaver style rail. It can be set up for slow short-range cartridges that require sight adjustments for optimum performance between 50 and 200 yards (rimfires, shotguns, muzzleloaders, etc.) or for more standard centerfire cartridges between 100 and 600 yards.
First Impressions
The Optimizer comes in an attractive, form fitting plastic package that is easily opened without the need to use a knife or scissors. Holding the system in my hands for the first time I was impressed by the apparent build quality but surprised by how heavy it was (0.49 lbs). The adjustment dial felt very smooth and did not require excessive force. The dial can be locked in place by using the locking handle but a semi-hidden friction pad does a good job of keeping the dial in place unless you physically turn it.
Set Up and Use
Following the instructions in the package, I mounted the Optimizer to a Weaver rail on top of my rifle, mounted a scope on the Optimizer, zeroed the scope at 50 yards and then confirmed actual drop at 200 yards.
The scope I chose to use was a Sightron SIII 6-24 LRMOA-2. I chose the Sightron for its clear sight picture and accurate adjustments so I could check the accuracy of the Optimizer system against a proven scope.
By Justin Hyer
The floating dot of the Sightron LRMOA-2 reticle flirted with the center of the freshly painted steel plate. When the image looked perfect my finger instinctively applied the last few ounces to the trigger to start ignition. At the break of the trigger the bullet raced out of the barrel in a mighty battle with gravity as it climbed high above the freshly watered alfalfa field. Gravity finally won the battle as the bullet reached the apex of its trajectory and began a rapid descent back towards earth. With laser-like precision the bullet violently splashed onto the steel target within an inch of its intended destination. A soft "ping" was sonic confirmation of a direct hit.
Figure 1. Test set up with Ruger 10-22, HHA Optimizer and Sightron SIII
I couldn't help but notice that the shot I had just taken felt eerily similar to a shot from the weekend before. The major difference? The shot from the weekend before was just under 1000 yards with a semi-custom 6.5 Creedmoor, and the shot described in the opening paragraph was from a semi-custom Ruger 10-22 at 200 yards. The deadly accurate elevation adjustment was made possible by a new product available from HHA Sports called the Optimizer Horizon.
For years HHA has offered adjustable sights for archers that allow for precise holds at extended yardages. The HHA Optimizer Horizon is their first product available for use with firearms. The Optimizer will work on almost any firearm with a picatinny or weaver style rail. It can be set up for slow short-range cartridges that require sight adjustments for optimum performance between 50 and 200 yards (rimfires, shotguns, muzzleloaders, etc.) or for more standard centerfire cartridges between 100 and 600 yards.
First Impressions
The Optimizer comes in an attractive, form fitting plastic package that is easily opened without the need to use a knife or scissors. Holding the system in my hands for the first time I was impressed by the apparent build quality but surprised by how heavy it was (0.49 lbs). The adjustment dial felt very smooth and did not require excessive force. The dial can be locked in place by using the locking handle but a semi-hidden friction pad does a good job of keeping the dial in place unless you physically turn it.
Set Up and Use
Following the instructions in the package, I mounted the Optimizer to a Weaver rail on top of my rifle, mounted a scope on the Optimizer, zeroed the scope at 50 yards and then confirmed actual drop at 200 yards.
The scope I chose to use was a Sightron SIII 6-24 LRMOA-2. I chose the Sightron for its clear sight picture and accurate adjustments so I could check the accuracy of the Optimizer system against a proven scope.
HHA Optimizer Horizon Review 2
When shooting for actual drops at 200 yards the instructions include an "On the Paper Chart" that gives you the approximate amount of MOA you need to use to get yourself on target. I was shooting 36 grain Federal Champion ammunition that claims a muzzle velocity of 1260 fps. According to the chart I needed 21.25 MOA so I dialed up the Sightron and sent a round downrange. The chart was accurate enough to get me on target and a little tweaking showed that I actually only needed 19 MOA to hit dead center. To test the accuracy of the Optimizer, I re-zeroed the turrets on the Sightron, dialed to 19 on the Optimizer and shot a 3 shot group. All 3 shots landed right on top of the shots fired using the scope to adjust for elevation; the adjustment could not have been any more perfect.
Figure 2. Close up of the HHA Optimizer and scope set up.
With a verified zero at 50 yards and a confirmed drop at 200, the chart in the instructions told me to use tape #76 for my custom ballistic profile. It was easy to apply the custom tape to the blank adjustment wheel and get it installed on the Optimizer in place of the MOA wheel. I then put the tape to good work and verified accurate holdovers at various yardages between 50 and 200 yards.
Figure 3. 50 yard zero 5 shot group.
Figure 4. 10 shot group at 125 yards. The Optimizer provided near perfect elevation adjustment.
Figure 5. 10 shot group at 200 yards. The first 3 shots were blown to the left of the plate and the remaining 7 were shot using a 2-minute wind adjustment. The vertical center of the group is almost perfect.
Just for fun I also tested the system using a non-magnifying holographic site. The system functioned perfectly and allowed for quick elevation adjustments to guarantee hits at 75 and 100 yards without any Kentucky windage. This set up would be awesome for hunting jackrabbits.
Figure 2. Close up of the HHA Optimizer and scope set up.
With a verified zero at 50 yards and a confirmed drop at 200, the chart in the instructions told me to use tape #76 for my custom ballistic profile. It was easy to apply the custom tape to the blank adjustment wheel and get it installed on the Optimizer in place of the MOA wheel. I then put the tape to good work and verified accurate holdovers at various yardages between 50 and 200 yards.
Figure 3. 50 yard zero 5 shot group.
Figure 4. 10 shot group at 125 yards. The Optimizer provided near perfect elevation adjustment.
Figure 5. 10 shot group at 200 yards. The first 3 shots were blown to the left of the plate and the remaining 7 were shot using a 2-minute wind adjustment. The vertical center of the group is almost perfect.
Just for fun I also tested the system using a non-magnifying holographic site. The system functioned perfectly and allowed for quick elevation adjustments to guarantee hits at 75 and 100 yards without any Kentucky windage. This set up would be awesome for hunting jackrabbits.
HHA Optimizer Horizon Review 3
Thoughts and Observations
The HHA Optimizer Horizon worked exactly as advertised by creating a ballistics curve to match your cartridge's trajectory with only an initial zero and one confirmed drop down range. The unit placed 22lr bullets on target between 50 and 200 yards with boring precision. Although the unit is very fast to set up (it took me about 30 minutes) and works exactly as described, it does have some things that I disliked.
The biggest problem I have with the Optimizer is that it adds quite a bit of bulk to the rifle, especially on the left side. While some people may not care, I did notice that the gun wanted to cant towards the left. Also, since it hangs off the left of the rifle I do not think it would work on left-handed rifles, but I didn't have access to any left handed rifles to test this theory.
A second problem is the "magnifier". I feel that the magnifier distorts the numbers and make them more difficult to read. The numbers on the tape are large enough that there isn't really a reason to even include a magnifying feature.
Figure 6. View of the magnifier. Note that the "magnified" number isn't really any bigger than the normal numbers and is slightly distorted.
A third problem is the location of the yardage selector. To dial for the correct yardage the user has to lower the gun to see the selector line. This means that the shooter cannot engage multiple targets at varying yardages without getting out of their shooting position. While this will probably not pose a problem for most hunting situations, if the selector line was moved to be in line with the axis of the barrel, the shooter would be easily visible from a shooting position.
Figure 7. View from a shooting position. Note that it is impossible to make an accurate yardage adjustment while in this position.
Final Thoughts
The HHA Optimizer Horizon worked exactly as advertised and allows users to quickly and easily set up a custom calibrated ballistic compensating system for their firearm. The system could be set up with a holographic sight to allow easy shooting at close ranges and compensated elevation adjustments at ranges that would typically require Kentucky windage. While I personally would rather have a custom turret on my scope, the Optimizer system allows the user to completely set up and get a customized shooting solution for their firearm in less than 1 hour from start to finish.
The HHA Optimizer Horizon worked exactly as advertised by creating a ballistics curve to match your cartridge's trajectory with only an initial zero and one confirmed drop down range. The unit placed 22lr bullets on target between 50 and 200 yards with boring precision. Although the unit is very fast to set up (it took me about 30 minutes) and works exactly as described, it does have some things that I disliked.
The biggest problem I have with the Optimizer is that it adds quite a bit of bulk to the rifle, especially on the left side. While some people may not care, I did notice that the gun wanted to cant towards the left. Also, since it hangs off the left of the rifle I do not think it would work on left-handed rifles, but I didn't have access to any left handed rifles to test this theory.
A second problem is the "magnifier". I feel that the magnifier distorts the numbers and make them more difficult to read. The numbers on the tape are large enough that there isn't really a reason to even include a magnifying feature.
Figure 6. View of the magnifier. Note that the "magnified" number isn't really any bigger than the normal numbers and is slightly distorted.
A third problem is the location of the yardage selector. To dial for the correct yardage the user has to lower the gun to see the selector line. This means that the shooter cannot engage multiple targets at varying yardages without getting out of their shooting position. While this will probably not pose a problem for most hunting situations, if the selector line was moved to be in line with the axis of the barrel, the shooter would be easily visible from a shooting position.
Figure 7. View from a shooting position. Note that it is impossible to make an accurate yardage adjustment while in this position.
Final Thoughts
The HHA Optimizer Horizon worked exactly as advertised and allows users to quickly and easily set up a custom calibrated ballistic compensating system for their firearm. The system could be set up with a holographic sight to allow easy shooting at close ranges and compensated elevation adjustments at ranges that would typically require Kentucky windage. While I personally would rather have a custom turret on my scope, the Optimizer system allows the user to completely set up and get a customized shooting solution for their firearm in less than 1 hour from start to finish.
