First Look: Leupold Freedom RDS Black Ring Model

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posted on May 11, 2020
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Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is releasing its award-winning Freedom RDS (Red Dot Sight) in a Black Ring model. Originally, the sight featured the company’s trademark Gold Ring around its objective bell, but now the RDS will have an all-black finish similar to the company’s Mark 5HD, Mark 6 and Mark 8 riflescopes. The new RDS is available in two models, one which features capped precision 1⁄4-MOA click adjustments, the other a precision exposed BDC elevation turret. The BDC model is built with measurements for standard 55-grain .223 Rem. ammunition that reach out to 500 yards, and both sights include a mount designed for the optimal height for AR-style rifles. A third version which features a turret with capped precision 1⁄4-MOA click adjustments will be available without an included mount.

“The RDS is a premium red dot and is perfect for anyone who values performance,” said Tim Lesser, vice president of product development at Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “It is designed, machined and assembled in our factory in Beaverton, Oregon. So, when our core consumers asked for a ‘Black Ring’ version, we responded quickly, and in a way that only a true American manufacturer can.”

It features a 1-MOA dot reticle that is supported by Leupold’s battery-saving Motion Sensor Technology (MST), which sets the sight into a battery-saving standby mode after 5 minutes of inactivity. When the MST detects motion, though, it instantly activates the sight for use when it’s needed the most. A manual mode also allows the sight to shut off when not in use. Eight illumination settings are available which make the dot easily visible in low-light conditions or in the bright mid-day sun. The sight has 1,000 hours of illumination without a battery change on medium setting, and thanks to its MST, that will actually equal 1,000 usable hours of battery life.

The scratch-resistant lenses on the sight feature Leupold’s Twilight Red Dot System, which delivers consistent color and outstanding lens clarity. The RDS features 80-MOA of adjustment in both elevation and windage. It measures at under 5.5 inches and weighs less than 7 ounces. The ultra-lightweight construction disperses recoil energy, making the RDS one of the toughest red-dot sights in its class.

Freedom RDS Black Ring Features:

  • 1⁄4-MOA adjustments
  • 34 mm maintube
  • Motion Sensor Technology (MST)
  • Push-button illumination
  • Waterproof & fogproof

 

MSRP on the Freedom RDS starts at $364.99, and more information is available at leupold.com.

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