TESTED: Element Optics Helix HDLR 2-16×50

Element Optics’ Helix HDLR 2-16×50 recently found a home on the Bergara MgMicro Lite in 6.5 PRC. I was happy with its range performance, but it’s time to put it on the optics test rig!

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About the Element Helix HDLR 2-16×50

The Helix HDLR has the lowest magnification we’ve tested from Element so far (2-16x), as well as the most affordable price. It is also a SFP, which many prefer for short-range shots, and is available in MIL and MOA.

The Helix still incorporates many of my favorite features from the Theos and Nexus Gen 2 including a tool-free elevation turret, smooth zoom, and an illuminated reticle.

From Element Optics:

We’ve designed the HELIX in a way that puts the important things first: clear glass, smart reticles, innovative features and a turret system superior to other products in the same price class. The HDLR takes things one step further, with HD Glass, Reticle Illumination, a massive Zoom Range and more Elevation Travel. We’ve kept the ever popular Tool-Free system and Zero-Stop on the Elevation turret for ease of use when dealing for extended ranges, but have capped the windage for a more hunter-friendly, compact feel. Stringent quality control procedures give you peace of mind when taking that 1000 yard shot, and if something goes wrong, our Platinum Lifetime Warranty has you covered!

Features:

- 30mm Main Body Tube
- 8x Zoom Optical System
- Compact, Lightweight design
- Second Focal Plane Reticle
- Aircraft Grade Aluminum
- Side Parallax: 10m-Infinity
- Fully Multi-Coated Lenses with HD Glass
- Tool-Free Exposed Elevation Turret, Capped Windage Turret
- Zero Stop
- Removable Magnification Throw Lever
- Waterproof, Fogproof, Shockproof & Nitrogen Purged
- Sunshade, Lens Cloth & Lens Caps Included

What’s in the Box

The Helix HDLR comes with a variety of accessories including a thread protector, sunshade, aperture ring, removable throw lever, Allen key, lens cloth, decal, instructions, and a reticle guide. It also comes with two lens protection options—bikini caps and clear, shoot-through flip up caps.

Reticle Specifications

The Helix comes with a single reticle option, the APR-1C, in either MIL or MOA. This reticle is also offered in the Nexus Gen 2.

APR stands for All Purpose Reticle. It is relatively clean with holdover subtensions and multiple illumination settings.

Installation and Shooting

With the MgMicro Lite secured in the Arrow Products Rock Vise, I added a 30 MOA Picatinny rail and secured the screws with blue Loctite.

Next came mounting the scope in medium-height Element Accu-Lite Rings with a Wheeler F.A.T. wrench and determining the correct eye relief.

Many people don’t pay enough attention to this step—proper eye relief is important and shouldn’t be forced.

(Remember when choosing rings that this scope has a 50mm objective.)

With the throw lever and sunshade installed, I boresighted the rifle at 100 yards before walking it in with a variety of ammunition.

When I was happy with the results, I reset the turret to zero. (I elected not to use the zero stop. It is more complicated than the tool-less feature.)

Watch the dedicated video for details on the Bergara MgMicro Lite:

Remember, as a SFP optic, the reticle subtensions are only accurate at the magnification the rifle is zeroed at. I really liked being able to use 2x for a wide field of view. This would be advantageous for hunting.

Illumination is another important factor for me. I have some illuminated targets for night shooting, but hitting them requires an illuminated reticle.

The Helix HDLR fits the bill with six brightness levels and an off position in between. I was very happy with the illumination options and tested them all in various lighting conditions.

Ultimate Reloader Optics Test Ring

The Ultimate Reloader Optics Test Rig, designed and built in house, measures actual optics performance using precision 100 yard targets (MIL, MOA) and camera positioning to sub -0.0005”. (Our 100 yard targets are verified with a Leica laser rangefinder accurate to ⅛ inch and the target grids have been verified with calipers.) The rig tests tracking, zoom, parallax, and distortion. Note: We do not currently have a way to capture optics image quality in a meaningful way.

To test tracking, we took the scope up, down, left and right 3.0 mil, noting where we landed on the target. The Element Theos and Nexus Gen 2 have our best observed tracking to date. The Helix HDLR matched this left, right, and up, but was slightly off in the down direction.

For parallax, we started with the center of the scope and camera collinear. With the parallax set to the testing range (100 yards), we moved the scope left and right 0.050” to simulate varying head position. We observed very little shift.

To test image distortion, we took one frame from the video and aligned it with a rectangle to see if there is any pincushion effect. Parallel lines indicated zero distortion.

Leveling the target, camera, and scope with a precision level, I verified reticle alignment. All was in perfect alignment!

Conclusion

Element Optics’ design philosophy largely matches my own. I love the tool-free turrets they offer on all of their scopes and haven’t tested on yet I don’t like. The Helix HDLR offers great value and is well-suited for hunters.