Eotech/Aimpoint Magnifiers on E-bay....

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Still 2 Many Choices!?

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Messages
455
My trip to the range yesterday to sight in my Eotech and buis was a complete success. Got everything sighted in at 25 yards, then commenced to hammering shots into the center of the target off hand, it was beautiful:D!! Wanted to work over to 50 yards but everyhing was taken. So, satisfied that a 1" low at 25 yards zero would have to do, I packed up to leave.

This is when I see a gentleman with an Eotech like mine, but with an aimpoint 3X magnifier with the swing mount. I began questioning him and he was nice enough to answer my question of its origin. "E-bay cost 60 bucks"... Me... :what: !!!??? It turns out, the magnifier was for an airsoft gun, but actually worked from what I was told:scrutiny:! So now I am :eek: to say I'm thinking about getting the 4X one just to try it out for $100 with side swing mount. I was going to go with the "po boys special" from Larue, but would rather 4X magnification, the price is right though...Am I losing my mind for even considering this?

Still 2 Many Choices!?

Still 2 Many Choices!?
 
Am I losing my mind for even considering this?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't consider the risk of failure in the field to be worth the savings. If you only use your rifle on the range it shouldn't be a problem.
 
It's a magnifier, so it doesn't have to hold zero. I'd buy an airsoft version. No sense spending 4 times as much for something that will do the exact same thing, when it doesn't even have to hold zero.

I wouldn't consider the risk of failure in the field to be worth the savings. If you only use your rifle on the range it shouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...

What kind of failure are we talking about? I can't imagine anything happening to this that wouldn't happen to the real version. Please elaborate.

ETA: just checked Ebay. $99 for a 4x exact replica with flip-to-side mount. $799 shipped for the EOTech brand. That's 8 times the price, for something that doesn't even have to hold zero. Still hoping for an example of what kind of failure could happen to the replica in the field that wouldn't happen to the original.
 
Last edited:
it's not your mind you'll be losing, it's your integrity.

don't support patent-ignoring, communist slave labor.


btw, i have the po' boy larue deal and love it. love it.
 
It's a magnifier, so it doesn't have to hold zero. I'd buy an airsoft version. No sense spending 4 times as much for something that will do the exact same thing, when it doesn't even have to hold zero.
Click to expand...
Come on, seriously. Think about what it takes to make a good scope and tell me you can cut corners and get the same product. You sound like one of the cheap scope fanboys. How about lense coatings, glass quality, body durability and warranty to name a few things that you buy when you buy American instead of Chinese. Are the cheap knockoffs nitrogen filled? If it isn't it can and will fog up on you. Are the cheap-o's crystal clear and undistorted? A cheap scope fanboy probably wouldn't notice, or care for that matter. As long as you can see stuff coming through it, right? If Satan offered you a screaming price for your soul, would you take it? ;)

PS. I'm referring to the cheap crap they sell on Ebay, not the cheaper version offered by larue which I know nothing about.
 
This purchase would definitely be relegated to the position of "range toy/medium range can opener". For $100, I can play with this while saving up dough for the real deal, or if I don't like it, the money saved up goes to an ACOG, while the knock-off goes back on e-bay:) . Either way, I can still get my money back out of the unit. Of course I don't expect it to be nitrogen-filled for $100 :rolleyes: ! But for the money(and the intended use of this "knock-off"), I'll just push that little sucker off to the side and use the Eotech as a stand alone unit when it fogs...

The first time I bought a red dot it was cheap too, but it showed me the utility of them. Which then led to the purchase of quality units.

Still 2 Many Choices!?
 
Last edited:
Come on, seriously. Think about what it takes to make a good scope and tell me you can cut corners and get the same product. You sound like one of the cheap scope fanboys. How about lense coatings, glass quality, body durability and warranty to name a few things that you buy when you buy American instead of Chinese. Are the cheap knockoffs nitrogen filled? If it isn't it can and will fog up on you. Are the cheap-o's crystal clear and undistorted? A cheap scope fanboy probably wouldn't notice, or care for that matter. As long as you can see stuff coming through it, right? If Satan offered you a screaming price for your soul, would you take it?

PS. I'm referring to the cheap crap they sell on Ebay, not the cheaper version offered by larue which I know nothing about.
Click to expand...

You have a serious tone/trolling problem. Why don't you leave the personal attacks alone. I have made my stance and you have made yours. It doesn't need to be personal. You think nitrogen filling, a lens coating, and a difference in clarity that the human eye can't even notice is worth $800. I don't. You're not going to change my mind, and I'm not going to change yours. That doesn't mean you need to talk down to me or result to name calling. Have a little more confidence in your points and maybe you won't feel the need to resort to such childish tactics.

To respond to your points, I would rather that it didn't fog, but since it's on a flip-to-side mount, and the sight will still work without it, it's not worth the extra $700 to me to have it not fog. There are some nice features of the name-brand unit, but for my budget, it is not a difference that justifies the extra $700, and this is a corner that can be safely cut. The thing could snap off and be destroyed, and the rifle would still have the eotech.

Because of my budget restrictions, anything that is only a convenience (like a magnifier) is going to have to cut corners. Critical accessories, such as the optic and light, need to be able to stand up to real combat conditions, but if it's not critical, it's not worth $800 to me.

A good optic is critical. A magnifier is convenient. A good optic fogs up, it could cost me my life. A magnifier fogs up, it's inconvenient.
 
Question on these "swing-out arm" thingies: Do they it "lock" in the open position, or do they flop around if you jolt the gun or turn it upside down?
 
Question on these "swing-out arm" thingies: Do they it "lock" in the open position, or do they flop around if you jolt the gun or turn it upside down?
Click to expand...
It would seem that they are probably held in the out position with spring pressure, but I don't know.
 
Please elaborate.
Click to expand...

You asked for elaboration.

Alignment of lenses can be off due to subpar component manufacturing, assembly or design, housings may not be durable, lenses may easily scratch, the ability to return for service or replacement can be low to no, etc.

I and friends have done the ebay/airsoft range toy route. We even spent the time to research which knockoff was best. We found that due to QA/QC and materials/construction shortcuts we would have probably been better off saving the money due to the "lessons learned" and using it to help purchase the product being emulated. The simpler the knock off is the less likely to have problems.

So, yes, you can have very basic manufacturing quality issues that make even the rang toy items fail. Research the particular make/model on real gun sites before plunking down your money. We found the TacPro red dots to be good optically and they held zero, but they had the softest adjustment screw covers we've ever seen and they almost wanted to cross thread and gall. 1 of 4 of them wouldn't hold zero and another drains the batteries in half the time of the others. That's a QA problem.
 
Thank you, HSO. That was a very detailed and informative explanation that makes me see the benefit of spending some more money and getting something of name-brand quality. I might get the cheap one as a range toy, but I can see why I might want to reconsider trusting it for anything more than that. I appreciate that unlike Tarvis's post, you don't feel the need to resort to name calling and mocking to make a point.

I would still like to try out the cheap option, but it is good to know exactly what kind of sacrifices I am making to save the money.
 
Thanx to all that actually contributed to my thread. I think I have my answer. I'm so going for it :), the pros out weigh the cons.

Pro: price, 4x magnification, comes with q/d swing mount, no need to hold zero, can work as a monocular, can be attatched/removed without tools in seconds....oh yeah, and the price:D!
con: Chinese made, questionable q/c, questionable glass, not nearly what the real deal is, oh yeah and made in china:(

So good luck with a repair, but for a hundred bucks, I would almost consider the unit disposable...atleast compared to the 700 buck alternative.

Still 2 Many Choices!?
 
I just received the Larue mount with the po boy magnifier and this thing is awesome, the mount locks the magnifier up just as strongly as it does down and this thing is solid! I would highly recommend this unit and the Larue company in general.

Wes
 
By the "po boy" you are referring to the $400 version as opposed to the $800 version right?

I don't know, I'm still skeptical. This sounds like the Hesse/Vulcan answer to the AR price problem. It's made for airsoft guns.

Never mind, just let us know when it breaks.
 
Here's my take on it: most airsoft stuff really does work, to varying extents, and it has to stand up to hard play in the woods and to hits from high-velocity pellets. On a low-recoil rifle like an AR-15, you should have NO problem with its long-term durability.
 
The "po boys special" is only 2.5X and costs twice as much. It is military quality glass, and the mount is probably worth more (to me atleast) than that 2.5x optic.

But like I said, I want more magnification. I did get to look through one at the range and it is decently clear, but at 100 yards 2.5X just doesn't provide the power needed for more precise work. Better than nothing, but 4X will help you strecth the 5.56's legs out to atleast 400 yards, quite nicely.

The field of view of the "Larue Special" is quite limited at 100 yards, and if I recall correctly from my quick-view of the optic, the eye relief was pretty short; making it difficult to quickly find the reticle. I think the Eotech knock-off magnifier has a wider f.o.v. @ 100 yards. The "Larue special"
does have a certain cool factor about it though, it being a de-milled rocket lancher part and all:what: LOL.

Still 2 Many Choices!?
 
Last edited:
Just an update. I placed my order today, 11/19/08 @ ~10:30am. The seller is in China so I'll let you guys know if/when it gets here. With full range report to follow. Also, there is now a 5X magnifier being offered with a lifetime warranty, that it is domestically produced... $125 bucks, ships for $9 bucks. Does not come with Q/D mount, or swing to side mount though. Just an FYI for any that are interested. I'll try to adds link later.

Still 2 Many Choices!?
 
Oh dear, no I don't like the look of that or the mount. Just save up, it's not a big deal, you've done it for the gun and the Eotech...
 
mako warranty?

looks to be the same thing - what is the warranty and shipping cost from CDT on the mako?
 
Yes!!! I finally got my magnifier!!!! Pics to be up soon! The unit is surprisingly made very well. I just installed it, and now I have got to get to the range!!! When flipped to the side, it stays open due to spring pressure. My buis is kind of in the way, but it closes over it so np worries. First impression, this thing is well worth the $120 I paid for it:).
 
As promised, Now with Pics :)

I hope this works:uhoh:...
1. Eotech and the 4X knock-off magnifier
2. Rear view with magnifier flipped to side, and BUIS flipped up
3. Left side view of magnifier showing the release latch
4. View of the Eotech reticle through the magnifier
5. Another view through magnifier
 

Attachments

  • iPhone Pictures 386.jpg
    iPhone Pictures 386.jpg
    268.8 KB · Views: 89
  • iPhone Pictures 387.jpg
    iPhone Pictures 387.jpg
    140.9 KB · Views: 73
  • iPhone Pictures 376.jpg
    iPhone Pictures 376.jpg
    134.7 KB · Views: 60
  • iPhone Pictures 370.jpg
    iPhone Pictures 370.jpg
    217.3 KB · Views: 80
  • iPhone Pictures 385.jpg
    iPhone Pictures 385.jpg
    200.1 KB · Views: 75
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

amprecon
  • Locked
EoTech/Aimpoint Magnifiers Interchangeable?
Replies
0
Views
285
amprecon
amprecon
Big Boy
  • Locked
Aimpoint vs Eotech Magnified.
2
Replies
26
Views
7K
benEzra
benEzra
Z
  • Locked
magnification
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
Lloyd Smale
L
S
  • Locked
EOTech with Aimpoint Magnifier?
Replies
2
Views
467
Ar180shooter
A
A
  • Locked
Eotech magnifier?
Replies
14
Views
3K
trinydex
T
Back
Top