Replica sights... has anyone actually used them?

[koobs]

Im not talking about the $60 cheap cheap ones. there are a few ive seen that are priced at almost $200 some more. Specifically the elcan specter DR 1-4x (made of all steel construction).

please no assumptions... "its a replica it wont hold zero and its sucks" because if you havet tried it you really dont know. I havent and dont know either.

Interested in opinions on red dots, magnifiers, acogs, elcans etc.
I dont need one piece titanium housings, tridium infused cores, fiber optic wires or 50,000 hours of battery life... im not jumping out of helicopters, saving lives or difusing hostage situations. worst that will happen is there will be one more coyote in ontario running around.

Please, i would like answers from people who actually tried them, or educated opinions only.

thanks guys.

 

[TacMed]

I had a high dollar bout 175 aimpoint clone on the wifes carbine.

Lasted for about 250 rounds before it was a zero shift nightmare. that was about 6 months shooting for her.
I do not remeber the name but it came from a airsoft dealer that claimed he had ones made just as tough as the real thing so I tried it out.

 

[skip1600]

I had an eotech knock off on my marauder kit .. Looked cool and worked well till I used it in the cold of winter , now it doesn't hold zero at all. You really get what you pay for, but it was 40 bucks and lasted 3 months... Good enough for the girls I date

 

[fred0000]

I have a 4x ACOG TA01NSN clone ($120) on my Norinco .225/5.56 AR15 i've fired 8-900 rounds in still holds well (4" groups at 100y, I think thats respectable}, couldn't be happier with my purchase, I got the optic I wanted at a very resonable price.

 

[koobs]

I have a 4x ACOG TA01NSN clone ($120) on my Norinco .225/5.56 AR15 i've fired 8-900 rounds in still holds well (4" groups at 100y, I think thats respectable}, couldn't be happier with my purchase, I got the optic I wanted at a very resonable price.

replicas are loosing 2-1. we dont need to know the models of the others, but since you had success with yours maybe you can share where you purchased it from. The model itself wont help as im sure there are a few replicas of this model, so the company that sold it must have gotten a decent made one.

 

[fred0000]

replicas are loosing 2-1. we dont need to know the models of the others, but since you had success with yours maybe you can share where you purchased it from. The model itself wont help as im sure there are a few replicas of this model, so the company that sold it must have gotten a decent made one.

there are a few ACOGS I figured I should specify and there are chinese ACOG looking red dot sights out there too. I got mine from bravo2zero-b20 on ebay, I did some research on it and it seemed like they had the best one (the listing even specified use on a 5.56 rifle). I do see similar ones listed for ~$70 now a days though, bravo2zero-b20 is no longer selling anything by the looks of it, I ordered mine almost a year ago.

edit: I will add that every single screw on it shook loose and I loctighted them in, even through that it seems to be working just fine.

 

[Kevin M.]

$100 spent on a replica is $100 thrown in the garbage and burned.

Save up and buy the real deal, not the made in China knock off.

 

[bearkilr]

You keep starting topics on the merit of clones, apparently with the hopes that a majority of users will chime in stating they are better than the genuine. It's not going to happen.
When a company spends an already limited amount of money solely on making it appear like the genuine article, what makes you think they've put any effort or thought on the actual functioning parts? Give that some thought, it applies to everything from clothing to footwear to optics.

Fakes are for posers, not users.

 

[koobs]

I agree I need to save up, but after spending 3gs on a rifle, I'm not in the mood to spend another 2gs on the optic i want just yet.

So for now burning $100 is fine with me until I feel like its time to spend $$ on an elcan 1.5-6x or Triji Acog. And the Mark 4 I have is holding Zero beautifully, so not all Chinese knock offs are crap.

And part of the reason the Chinese ones are so cheap is because they simply stole all the RR the other companies spent, not just because they are crap...so in theory they don't have to put any effort or thought into anything... someone else already did for them... all they have to do is make it, but make it as good as possible...and that's the one I'm looking for. And I don't ever expect anyone to say they are better... just need them to be good enough.

Sorry but in all honesty the price tags on some of these scopes are ridiculous... sorry but even the finest crystals, all the tritium you can stuff in there and even 20ft of fiber optic, is not gonna justify a $2000 scope, but I understand its more than just labor, and materials.... Research and development, and QC is probably 75% of that price. So I'm not hating on these companies that charge this much, just trying to avoid it for now.

 

[fred0000]

You keep starting topics on the merit of clones, apparently with the hopes that a majority of users will chime in stating they are better than the genuine. It's not going to happen.

Fakes are for posers, not users.

1, I agree, but for what I paid I feel like I got what I wanted for my norinco AR15.
2, as far as I know, i'm not a poser.

 

[Kevin M.]

I don't really understand your argument.

You can justify spending $3000 on a rifle, but not another $2000 on a scope because the R&D and QC is 75% of the price... would the same argument not fall to the rifle?

Why not just get a $400 rifle and a $100 scope with that logic...

In the end I don't care as it is not my rifle or money, but you are just going to be burning the barrel and throwing away expensive ammo if you get an optic that is not up to scratch.

I agree I need to save up, but after spending 3gs on a rifle, I'm not in the mood to spend another 2gs on the optic i want just yet.

So for now burning $100 is fine with me until I feel like its time to spend $$ on an elcan 1.5-6x or Triji Acog. And the Mark 4 I have is holding Zero beautifully, so not all Chinese knock offs are crap.

And part of the reason the Chinese ones are so cheap is because they simply stole all the RR the other companies spent, not just because they are crap...so in theory they don't have to put any effort or thought into anything... someone else already did for them... all they have to do is make it, but make it as good as possible...and that's the one I'm looking for. And I don't ever expect anyone to say they are better... just need them to be good enough.

Sorry but in all honesty the price tags on some of these scopes are ridiculous... sorry but even the finest crystals, all the tritium you can stuff in there and even 20ft of fiber optic, is not gonna justify a $2000 scope, but I understand its more than just labor, and materials.... Research and development, and QC is probably 75% of that price. So I'm not hating on these companies that charge this much, just trying to avoid it for now.

 

[Rabihz24]

I really don't advise buying Chinese replicas.....This is total garbage. But you can buy some mid range optics that perform really well for the money.
Bushnell mini red dot TRS-25. PPl swore buy it, excellent red dot for for the money and I own one. 115$..
Bushnell Trophy TDOT RED/GREEN. excellent again...175$...
Vortex strikfire...Lot of ppl use it. And I wont call it an aimpoint clone at all...175$..
Vortex spark 200$...excellent mini red dot.
Weaver Red/Green Dot Sight for 225$..Probably the best one and I own one.
And finaly the Lucid hd7 for 230$. Same quality as the Weaver and one of the best out there...

You cant go wrong with this list. As these products have excellent reviews on the net and youtube. Plus I own 2 of that list. The Bushnell Trophy TDOT and the Bushnell trs25.

 

[bearkilr]

And part of the reason the Chinese ones are so cheap is because they simply stole all the RR the other companies spent, not just because they are crap...so in theory they don't have to put any effort or thought into anything... someone else already did for them... all they have to do is make it, but make it as good as possible...and that's the one I'm looking for. And I don't ever expect anyone to say they are better... just need them to be good enough.

See, that's where you're mistaken. They don't make it as good as possible. They make it as cheap as possible while still having it look like the genuine. They don't use the same lenses/coatings/springs/tubes,etc. It is all made to cost them as little as possible. The selling point is the fact it looks like the genuine article. You're far better off with a Chinese made Tasco that's not made to look like something more expensive.
But if all you're doing is firing at paper at a range, then I suppose optics failure is of little concern. But for hunting or matches, you're setting yourself up for major disappointment.

 

[Rootzee]

I bought an "Eotech" Zombie Stopper clone for $60. Looks sweet, worked great indoors. Went to the range today to sight it in on my .22, and I was unable to see the reticle, even on the brightest setting. The adjustments probably wouldn't hold zero. I also bought a T1 clone, and I'm sure it'll hold zero, in fact I'm certain it would. The only issue is the high rise mount it came with, has a little fore and aft movement when secured to the picatinny rail. Plus I can see th 4moa dot in the sun, either in green or red.

I've learned my lesson, and will definitey shell out the extra for the better optics. Lucid seems to be a popular choice. That'll likely be my next purchase if I can find one.

 

[Ar180shooter]

I really don't advise buying Chinese replicas.....This is total garbage. But you can buy some mid range optics that perform really well for the money.
Bushnell mini red dot TRS-25. PPl swore buy it, excellent red dot for for the money and I own one. 115$..
Bushnell Trophy TDOT RED/GREEN. excellent again...175$...
Vortex strikfire...Lot of ppl use it. And I wont call it an aimpoint clone at all...175$..
Vortex spark 200$...excellent mini red dot.
Weaver Red/Green Dot Sight for 225$..Probably the best one and I own one.
And finaly the Lucid hd7 for 230$. Same quality as the Weaver and one of the best out there...

You cant go wrong with this list. As these products have excellent reviews on the net and youtube. Plus I own 2 of that list. The Bushnell Trophy TDOT and the Bushnell trs25.

You keep starting topics on the merit of clones, apparently with the hopes that a majority of users will chime in stating they are better than the genuine. It's not going to happen.
When a company spends an already limited amount of money solely on making it appear like the genuine article, what makes you think they've put any effort or thought on the actual functioning parts? Give that some thought, it applies to everything from clothing to footwear to optics.

Fakes are for posers, not users.

^^^

Both of these.

 

[koobs]

See, that's where you're mistaken. They don't make it as good as possible. They make it as cheap as possible while still having it look like the genuine. They don't use the same lenses/coatings/springs/tubes,etc. It is all made to cost them as little as possible. The selling point is the fact it looks like the genuine article. You're far better off with a Chinese made Tasco that's not made to look like something more expensive.
But if all you're doing is firing at paper at a range, then I suppose optics failure is of little concern. But for hunting or matches, you're setting yourself up for major disappointment.

valid argument for most of the replicas, but your forgetting that air softers are just as dedicated to having good equipment as real firearm users, and often put these scopes to more abuse than we do, they often demand some sort of quality aswell.

Out of all replicas there is one that stands out, that is the element made elcan specter DR 1-4x. it uses the mount for elevation not the reticle so that helps a bit, and seems to have good reviews regarding build quality, this will also give me a very good idea if i like that type of optic.

Will get back to you guys when I find one, including a review and video of it. Ill also try to put 2-3hundred rounds through it. I will donate $50 to a charity, and appologize if im wrong lol.

 

[Kevin M.]

Airsoft does not have to stand up to the demands of recoil. Even the recoil of a .22lr will jar loose the electronic and mechanical aspects of most clones made for airsoft.

valid argument for most of the replicas, but your forgetting that air softers are just as dedicated to having good equipment as real firearm users, and often put these scopes to more abuse than we do, they often demand some sort of quality aswell.

Out of all replicas there is one that stands out, that is the element made elcan specter DR 1-4x. it uses the mount for elevation not the reticle so that helps a bit, and seems to have good reviews regarding build quality, this will also give me a very good idea if i like that type of optic.

Will get back to you guys when I find one, including a review and video of it. Ill also try to put 2-3hundred rounds through it. I will donate $50 to a charity, and appologize if im wrong lol.

 

[bearkilr]

valid argument for most of the replicas, but your forgetting that air softers are just as dedicated to having good equipment as real firearm users, and often put these scopes to more abuse than we do, they often demand some sort of quality aswell.

Out of all replicas there is one that stands out, that is the element made elcan specter DR 1-4x. it uses the mount for elevation not the reticle so that helps a bit, and seems to have good reviews regarding build quality, this will also give me a very good idea if i like that type of optic.

Will get back to you guys when I find one, including a review and video of it. Ill also try to put 2-3hundred rounds through it. I will donate $50 to a charity, and appologize if im wrong lol.

You say you spent $3000 on your gun. $2000-$3500 is a common price for a quality black rifle. It's certainly not a common price for an Airsoft.

You're fine with spending $200 or so on a "quality" fake from China? Why not double that investment and buy an Aimpoint PRO? It actually gets used in real world situations.

 

[TDC]

valid argument for most of the replicas, but your forgetting that air softers are just as dedicated to having good equipment as real firearm users, and often put these scopes to more abuse than we do, they often demand some sort of quality aswell.

Out of all replicas there is one that stands out, that is the element made elcan specter DR 1-4x. it uses the mount for elevation not the reticle so that helps a bit, and seems to have good reviews regarding build quality, this will also give me a very good idea if i like that type of optic.

Will get back to you guys when I find one, including a review and video of it. Ill also try to put 2-3hundred rounds through it. I will donate $50 to a charity, and appologize if im wrong lol.

Airsoft range is about 30 yards, and airsoft guns are far from stellar for accuracy. They're TOYS for shooting your friends and playing games, and airsofters are some of the cheapest people around considering most are under age. For the few who are serious about it, they run real optics.

TDC

 

[tootall]

I understand that garbage at any price is too expensive.
Having said that, I also understand that I have a family, a mortgage, two cars, etc.
A grand or more (Do these things go for up to $2000?) simply aint gonna happen for me.
So I am also interested in a GOOD reflex that is not stupidly overpriced.

Anyone else have any real experience with the ones that Rabihz24 mentioned?

I really don't advise buying Chinese replicas.....This is total garbage. But you can buy some mid range optics that perform really well for the money.
Bushnell mini red dot TRS-25. PPl swore buy it, excellent red dot for for the money and I own one. 115$..
Bushnell Trophy TDOT RED/GREEN. excellent again...175$...
Vortex strikfire...Lot of ppl use it. And I wont call it an aimpoint clone at all...175$..
Vortex spark 200$...excellent mini red dot.
Weaver Red/Green Dot Sight for 225$..Probably the best one and I own one.
And finaly the Lucid hd7 for 230$. Same quality as the Weaver and one of the best out there...

You cant go wrong with this list. As these products have excellent reviews on the net and youtube. Plus I own 2 of that list. The Bushnell Trophy TDOT and the Bushnell trs25.