Almost every optic and weapon light lists an IP rating — IP67, IPX8, IP68 — but spec sheets never explain them. Here's the chart, decoded.
How to read an IP rating
IP stands for Ingress Protection. The first digit rates protection against solids (dust), the second digit against water. An X means that element simply wasn't tested — so IPX8 says nothing about dust either way; it's not a lower dust score.
First digit — solids
| 5 | Dust protected — some ingress possible but not harmful |
| 6 | Dust tight — no ingress at all |
| X | Not tested for solids |
Second digit — water
| 4 | Splashes from any direction |
| 5–6 | Water jets / powerful jets |
| 7 | Immersion to 1 metre for 30 minutes |
| 8 | Continuous immersion deeper than 1 metre, to the manufacturer's stated depth |
The ratings you'll actually see
| IP67 | Dust tight + 1m/30min immersion. Common on magnifiers and compact optics — e.g. the HM3X-Micro. |
| IPX7 | 1m/30min immersion, dust untested. Typical of many weapon lights. |
| IPX8 | Extended submersion beyond 1m. Found on premium enclosed optics like the HE512T and many enclosed red dots. |
| IP68 | Dust tight + extended submersion — the top everyday rating. |
What actually matters in the field
- Rain and snow: any rating from IPX4 up shrugs off weather. You don't need IPX8 for a wet range day.
- Open vs enclosed emitters: an IP rating covers the internals — but on an open reflex sight, rain or mud on the emitter window can still block the dot. That's a design issue, not a sealing issue; our enclosed vs open guide covers it.
- Weapon lights: switches and tailcaps are the usual failure point, not the body — check seals after hard use. See our weapon light range and the lumens vs candela chart.
- Battery trays: side-load trays (Holosun X2 models) keep the seal intact during battery swaps.
Every optic and light we sell lists its IP rating in the spec table on the product page — browse red dots, weapon lights and torches, all UK-stocked with fast tracked dispatch.
