New for 2019, the Freedom RDS changes the game when it comes to consistency and durability in a red dot sight.
Leupold took over 70 years of optics knowledge and created a red dot that is tough as nails and priced to wow. Don’t believe us? Let’s take a closer look at the Freedom RDS.
Built for recreational shooters and hunters alike, the Freedom RDS will be available in two distinct models: One features capped precision ¼-MOA click adjustments, and the other features a precision exposed BDC elevation turret that ships with adjustments out to 500 yards for a standard 55-grain .223 Rem. round.
Designed to function just like Leupold’s popular CDS (Custom Dial System), the BDC turret makes longer shots a whole lot easier. Once you’ve zeroed your rifle, you’ll be able to reset the dial and then make shot adjustments in yards rather than MOA. So, if your target is 500 yards away, simply turn the dial to 5 and aim dead on. This allows you to make precise, close quarter shots and then quickly dial out to 500 yards for accurate, longer shots if necessary, all without worrying about holdovers. It’s as easy as that.
If you decide to mount your Freedom RDS to a rifle that’s chambered in other popular AR-style calibers like a 6.5 Creedmoor or .300 Blackout, the Leupold Custom Shop can burn you a new dial for a nominal fee.
But the Freedom RDS doesn’t stop there. If you’ve used other red dots in the past, you might notice that they tend to distort colors or have blurry edges. Not the Freedom RDS. Leupold’s Twilight Red Dot System not only helps you see more in less light, it also delivers great color consistency and premium lens clarity.
For better accuracy, a push-button activated 1-MOA red dot delivers a clear and precise aiming point. This smaller dot is great for longer shots where a bigger dot may cover up too much of the target. As an added bonus, the RDS features Leupold’s Motion Sensor Technology (MST), which turns the illumination off after five minutes of inactivity. When the MST detects motion again, it instantly turns the illumination back on, so it’s ready when you are. A manual mode also allows the sight to be shut off when not in use. You can also toggle through eight illumination settings, making the dot easily visible in low-light conditions or the mid-day sun. On the RDS’ medium setting, you’ll get up to 1,000 hours of battery life, which, thanks to the aforementioned Motion Sensor Technology, truly equates to 1,000 usable hours.
The Freedom RDS is lightweight, compact, and ready for any purpose you’ve got in mind. It features a 34mm objective lens and maintube, measures a little over five inches in length, and weighs just under 7 ounces without a mount. For simplicity, it comes with a mount that sits at the optimal sight height for AR-style rifles. That said, you can remove the provided mount and use any 34mm rings instead.
“Consumers have been asking for an American-made, value-priced red dot for as long as we’ve been in the marketplace,” said Tim Lesser, Vice President of Product Development for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “The Freedom RDS delivers on that task and more, bringing with it innovative features like the custom BDC elevation turret, allowing shooters to easily dial up for longer shots.”
Like every Leupold product designed to be mounted on a firearm, the Freedom RDS is designed, machined, and assembled in Beaverton, Oregon – and it’s built to withstand a lifetime of abuse. It’s 100 percent fogproof and waterproof and features 80-MOA of adjustment in both elevation and windage. It is “Punisher” tested and verified to perform under the harshest conditions, so it can withstand whatever you might throw at it. Its ultra-lightweight construction disperses recoil energy for class-leading durability. And since this sight is tested to the same rugged standards as our military optics, you know it won’t let you down. That said, if you do ever have a problem, the Freedom RDS – like all Gold Ring products – is backed by Leupold’s legendary Lifetime Guarantee.
Check out the Freedom RDS at your local dealer today.
NEXT: WHY LEUPOLD’S WARRANTY, CUSTOM SHOP, AND OTHER FEATURES MAKE THEM THE BEST IN THE BIZ
So, what color dot works best for someone with red/green color blindness?
I’m guessing brownish?
Blue…
WI, P. I’d have to agree , blue . jwtaylor suggested brownish ?
I mean, red or green or orange, to him isn’t it all just kinda brown anyway?
Nice. The BDC turret has my interest peaked. Now wether to drop 1/2 a grand on this red dot. Probably.
1k hour battery life? Is that a joke? The Chicom garbage has 50k battery life! If you get a Holosun w/soar that extends to ~10 year battery life.
WTF Leopold? Don’t sucker me into spending my money with you . . . How about building a red dot I’m proud to by?
1,000 REAL hours would last most people for a decade which is certainly a lot longer than I would want the same battery sitting in a $500 optic.
You must be joking? 1k battery life in this day is pathetic. I have a bunch of Aimpoints w/ 50k battery life and even some Holosun’s with the solar cells. Those stupid Holosun’s have ~100k or basically the storage life of the battery for battery life.
Leupold is supposed to be a premier optic manufacturer, act like one.
Gonna use up that battery during one of your thousand hour ops bro?
Vitsaus:
You must be one of those supermen who always remember to change batteries before they run out (and always have spare batteries within arm’s reach).
Congratulations
1000 hours on the medium setting. Longer on lower settings, just like all the other brands.
Hey Leupold. I went to your website looking for more info and all I got was a few pretty pictures. Come on, where’s the data?
An objective of 34 mm is quite large which is nice. The “clear aperture” diameter is what counts, but who know what that is? Weighs a ton; it better be extremely rugged.
Scope rings for a red dot? Really Leupold? This thing practically screams “also ran”.
I am going to hold off.
Same price as Aimpoint and other proven brands, but has very short battery life (1K hours) and is unproven.
What is proven is that Leupold has sold us some duds – remember the “prismatic sight”?
In my experience, Leupold made some great products and some terrible (and overpriced) products. Their reputation is not up with their pricing.
i agree
my son bought a $600 vx-3i for his 6.5 creedmoor ar build
good glass
good tracking
holds zero
but the eye reliefs not any better than a $200 athlon talos i put on my .308 bolt gun
the leupolds not worth $600
$300-$400 maybe
Haven’t seen a battery powered red dot yet I would be my life on. ACOG all the way. Buy once, cry once.
Aimpoint red dots are about as bomb proof as you can make an optic. I make a rule to replace the batteries every few years as a precaution, but otherwise, just leave the thing on.
A Holosun or Sig red dot can be found for $120 on sale and the battery will last for years. Why would anyone buy this.
It’s made in the united states and has some nicer features.
MRO 20k $400ish
H515 50k $300ish
RMR 20k $320-700
M68 10k $300-500
T1-2 50k $500-800
(price ranges include used)
Shall I keep going.