the Horus is designed for hunting or minute of man targets and larger... the first impression of clutter is generally a correct impression. In terms of competition it is much too course for the precision needed, sure some manage, but when you combine precision with need for speed, it's not as well suited. Our minds and eyes are drawn to defined intersections, we do not function at our highest potential level with grids. The sweet spot of any scope is in the center of the reticle, the fact you have to dial down, usually below 12x to use the complete reticle puts much shooters around the edges which are where most of the distortion lies, and can compromise your NPA if you are not well versed in the fundamentals. Basically you are forced to muscle it in position.
If you scour the blogs and forum you'll see most of the top (read
ro) shooters do not use the Horus, it's great a training reticle, but fails on a lot of levels in practice. It's been hashed out too many time to repeat, and of course there are a few who will say how great it works for them. At the end of the day, the numbers don't support the opinions of vocal few. You can range down to .1 with a lot of other reticles, like the MSR which is a cleaner and faster to use reticle. Ranging is a legacy skill and generally limited to about 600m, if you're good, 800m after that any error in mil'ing half the thickness of the reticle will cause you to miss the target. Mil'ing like the military does was meant for targets inside the shooter's personal danger space. (600m or less) and in their case they flash mil using the full size body or at least 36" worth (head to belt) to get a quick idea, even then, is not used much anymore if ever. (As a school trained Sniper, you set up target reference points before you ever consider shooting, you know the distances to objects around you, anything else that is of concern is usually closer and mil'ing is not necessary) Look up, RULR.
Over the last few years, Horus enjoyed a very popular salesman who worked hard to put the reticle in the right people's hand. This took years of convincing and when the effected personal leaves, it will probably start all over. (Hunt for something new) When you are fighting in the desert or high in mountains where it is dry, it works as advertised. Head to wetter climates, denser locations with a lot vegetation and you'll see if fall flat. If you live where it is dry, you'll have more success with it than if you live where it is green and wetter. As far things like the Tremor2, it's being discontinued, soon to be replaced. It's limitations became widely apparent, enough to have to go back to the drawing board with it. I can honestly say, I never met two advocates or salesman of it who could both agree on its' use. Hence the run on them right now, people are unloading them.
Better shooters can do everything with a much simpler reticle, they don't need the Horus. in the early days it was dismissed just about immediately, then they brought in a new salesman and now that the military is using it, people are happy to sing it's praises. Well believe me, the mob is fickle and once those influenced by the last push are gone, you'll see it all change, especially since that salesman and Horus have fallen out of love with each other. Which brings everyone back to tried and true reticles which have not changed much, stuff like the P4 / MSR.
Finally, here is a clue, Horus Charges all manufacturers of scopes who want to incorporate the Horus about $400, FinnAccuracy charges about $40. Horus is also well known to sue or threaten to sue any competing reticle for infringement because way back in the day they got a patent on the grid. So while holding over with a reticle, even sights, (see anti-aircraft web reticles) has long been documented, they were able to squeak a patent through. In my opinion, it's a bit of a cheap game to play. No, pro shooters realize less is more... it's only those new or fail to practice want the clutter of Horus as they feel its helps. That is how you can tell, those looking for a crutch and those who put in the time to practice.
