User Panel
Posted: 8/19/2023 1:42:03 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Diz]
For those of you not wanting to slog through 6 pages of comments, lemme re-cap for you here what all da buzz is, in case it might be of interest to you.
If you dabble into Night Vison, which a lot of us do, you might be interested in some good quality accessories, such a good Laser Aiming Module (they call them different names today, but this one is in keeping with the PEQ-15 timeframe). Once someone gets a -14, or whatever, the next move, after setting up a helmet, is to get something to aim your rifle with. You see gobs of thread over at NV, talking about this set up, or that set up, and frankly they seem to go around in circles. So here is "A" way of going, whether you're into airsoft, milsim, or Real Steel. The idea is to have some way of aiming the rifle, with your NV gear on. You can go two ways. First, is the legacy IR laser/illum, called "active aiming". You simply light up the target with an IR laser, and illum if required, and shoot. The other way is called "passive aiming", which involves setting up your RDS so you can view it through your NODs. You simply look through the RDS, pick up your reticle, and shoot. This can also be supplemented with IR illum. Personally I think it's confusing when we talk about "active" or "passive" becasue to many this means using a laser, or a reticle. I think it's better to talk in terms using the reticle for "passive" shooting, whether you're up Visual or IR. And supplementing with WL or IR illum for "active" shooting, when necessary. Just my opinion (and not shared by everybody by a log shot). But anyway, to pull this off, you need a Night Vison Device, of some sort, a helmet mount system, and something with both on-board IR laser and illum. In addition, you can add a separate White Light source. The Somo Gear PEQ-15 is a good replica of the USGI unit. It has just enough differences to not be an exact copy, but still gives you the same "form factor", which is shirt-hand for: the looks and controls of the original PEQ-15. It looks like most other airsoft replicas out there, with one big difference: it actually works. It has a low and high IR laser (.9 mW, and 20 mW), and a low and high IR illuminator (8 mW and 20 mW), which is not as powerful as some, but way better than civilian-legal US stuff. Another important difference: It will zero, and stays zeroed, as well as any other LAM (they all tend to wander). It also has a visible laser (4.9 mW and 20 mW), which is useful for checking zero before dark (yes they are slaved). And finally, the IR illum is adjustable. Now is it as good as the USGI PEQ-15? No. But it is damn close. It has better IR and illum, not quite as good adjustments, and the housing/mount was not as strong. The current models use a stronger housing (and mount I hope) and are pretty damn good for the money. Oh I didn't mention that yet? The new ATPIALs are 16-1800 bucks. The SG PEQ-15 is 259.00. Yeah really. Some suggestions. I would personally go with a UT AXON, Modlite, or TAPs switch. The SG switches are OK but not quite there yet. Since you have a decent IR illum, you don't need a "SYNC" switch, just the basic model. That way on a dual switch, you have a "WL over-ride" button, and a laser/illum button, depending on what you switch up. To have an up-close IR flood, get the L3/EOTech diffuser cover for the PEQ-15 or ATPIAL. The SG cover is just that. The original cover gives you up-close/indoors flood illum. Be careful with over-tightening the mount. I would suggest blue Loctite, and witness marks. Oh and get the potting. I mean why not. In closing, this is not a mil-spec unit. But for many of us, it doesn't need to be. From what I've read, it works well with all airsoft models, and from what I've experienced, it works well with low or normal volume 5.56 fire. That last one will stir some contro, but, SG has steadily improved it's product, over the past year or so, and the current models are usable on RS. At least for 5.56 caliber. You will see some disagreement on this but I think for the most part, they are 85%, or better, than the original, and worth the risk at this point. |
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[#1]
Thanks for the post
PEQ is 2007 Tech, it's no surprise it has been copied by now. |
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[#2]
Diz, I applaud the post and appreciate the move back to NV forum for the Somo post. I have no issue personally with the [china] label. Kind of funny actually. Goatboy, I’m sure you had to approve this. Thank you. Free and open discussion is part of the free market in America. In the end it will strengthen our retailers or make room for new ones.
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[Last Edit: Diz]
[#3]
As much as I'd love to take credit for it, that was all Goatboy. Like I have said, I think he is truly trying to find an accommodation for all of us here.
I think there is much cornfusion concerning "airsoft" quality kit, and probably for good reasons. But the market is changing. There are vendors out there that are tickling the corner of the "real steal" market. This presents a problem, when the form factor and logos are copies of US kit. So this hybrid segment is gaining in popularity (ex: Somo Gear PEQ-15) and raises the ire of mainstream vendors. What are some solutions. Well as I posted over 'yonder, I think they can make subtle changes to still give you the look and function of the US stuff, but be different enough to avoid these issues. I think the first vendor to do this will make a mint (arfcom to Somo Gear: how copy?). |
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[#4]
Just got mine in. Haven't had a chance to shoot it. Just turn it on in the back yard.
Has the "8" SN with the upgraydd housing. Just found this out after seeing Somo's insta. Super bright. Controls work. Illum. adjustment clicks are solid. Laser adjustment clicks a little mushy but can still feel clicks and hear them. Might go shoot tonight. Maybe not. Colawarrior kicked my ass this week and it's hot AF. |
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"I said,'I don't know how to vomit softly.' That's like telling someone to shit perfume."
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[Last Edit: fortydelta]
[#6]
Originally Posted By Sinister: Somo could probably direct copy the form of the stuff the People's Liberation Army is buying, put all-Engrish labels over them (like everything else the Chinese export) and corner a market for those of us who want decent laser-illuminators at a fair price. Kinda like getting a Russian PERST with instructions you can read. Looks like the Chinese just copied Steiner/Laser Devices products: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FNoHP9RaAAEexDb?format=jpg&name=large View Quote His TQ says "TIME" instead of china words, along with his ears. Don't think this guy is actually chicom .mil. |
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"I said,'I don't know how to vomit softly.' That's like telling someone to shit perfume."
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[Last Edit: Diz]
[#7]
Who knows, these days; he certainly has all the patches. I think that one sez: death to yankee air pirates. You guys are all probably too young to get that reference. Maybe Sinister.
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[#8]
Originally Posted By fortydelta: His TQ says "TIME" instead of china words, along with his ears. Don't think this guy is actually chicom .mil. View Quote He's a People's Armed Police. China spends more on internal security than it does on its military. Gotta keep the Party in power. "Political power comes from the barrel of a gun. The Party must never surrender control over who points the gun." |
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[Last Edit: Diz]
[#9]
Man, that's a helluva off-set, between the mag and the RDS. Also pretty high up as well. But the RDS needs a higher mount.
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[#10]
I have 3 of them.
1 has been problematic, but fixed now. It would cutoff under recoil on my G 11.5” rifle. I stretched the spring, which helped. Finally, the battery compartment “came loose”. It rotates a bit when cranking down the battery compartment head. It was a potted model. Somo Gear initially said, sorry, out of warranty, then a week later wrote back, just kidding. Here’s a new one on the way. You want to talk about customer service? That is it! They merely asked for photos and video, in order to improve the design. The replacement is on my LaRude 16”, and is also flawless. My original OG non-potted lives on my 22lr CMMG ar, all setup for night shooting. In summary. 10/10 would buy again, and they actually seem to care about improving and helping customers. Even a horrid Chinese brand seems to have that figured out - too bad we keep getting F#cked over stateside by insane pricing and horrid customer service. |
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[#11]
Yeah that's sorta why lotsa folks are trying them out. Dammit all, I'm gonna have to get another one to get the new housing.
You know what's funny with pic above, dude looks like a Chinese airsofter; I mean a lot of the kit they sell looks just like what their pipe hitters are sporting these days. Nor sure if this is form factor or what. Sorta like Russian stuff being so butt-ugly. Chinese stuff just looks like what you'd see bubba selling at the gun show. Let's just admit it, US made stuff is just damn sexy. You gotta give it that. Two important buts. It's the Indian, not the arrow. If they won't sell it to you, then WTF. |
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[Last Edit: WTFShane]
[#12]
Anyone order directly through Somogear? How long did the order take to process and ship?
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[#13]
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"I said,'I don't know how to vomit softly.' That's like telling someone to shit perfume."
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[Last Edit: WTFShane]
[#14]
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[Last Edit: GroundhogOZ]
[#15]
Originally Posted By Sinister: Somo could probably direct copy the form of the stuff the People's Liberation Army is buying, put all-Engrish labels over them (like everything else the Chinese export) and corner a market for those of us who want decent laser-illuminators at a fair price. Kinda like getting a Russian PERST with instructions you can read. Looks like the Chinese just copied Steiner/Laser Devices products: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FNoHP9RaAAEexDb?format=jpg&name=large View Quote I was given one of these to look over (exact same down to steel grey color), its a copy of a Steiner DBAL right down to the switch gear. Lasers were ok to good, illuminator was poor for anything beyond 50m, but fine in closed spaces. Material quality was very good felt very solid e.g. aluminium housing. Quick release lever based mounting mechanism, very solid. I can confirms DIZs comments re: SGPEQ15 - illuminator is good to and works well to around 200m. |
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Veni Vidi Vici
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[#16]
Originally Posted By WTFShane: Anyone order directly through Somogear? How long did the order take to process and ship? View Quote Maybe my experience was a fluke, but I ordered a PEQ-15 directly from Somogear. It was shipped Apr 23, arrived in NY on Apr 27, bounced back and forth between Customs and a "military agent" for about 6 weeks, only to arrive at my local post office on Jun 14th and immediately sent back to Somogear due to "Insufficient address". I'm guessing that the label was so butchered from repeatedly opening and closing that only the zip code was readable. Somogear finally received it on June 24th. Somogear saw what happened and immediately refunded me. In the meantime, I ordered from Paragon and had it in less that 2 weeks. |
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[#17]
Originally Posted By jrpett: Maybe my experience was a fluke, but I ordered a PEQ-15 directly from Somogear. It was shipped Apr 23, arrived in NY on Apr 27, bounced back and forth between Customs and a "military agent" for about 6 weeks, only to arrive at my local post office on Jun 14th and immediately sent back to Somogear due to "Insufficient address". I'm guessing that the label was so butchered from repeatedly opening and closing that only the zip code was readable. Somogear finally received it on June 24th. Somogear saw what happened and immediately refunded me. In the meantime, I ordered from Paragon and had it in less that 2 weeks. View Quote Thanks for the input. I was asking for the time from placing order to being mailed out. I forgot to take in account for Asia being a day ahead, but my order went out yesterday. |
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[#18]
Somo Gear has actually been very good on shipping times. Out of 4 units, I'd say average shipping time was about 2 1/2 weeks. Of course there are out-liers.
With Paragon now a domestic stocking dealer, you have a closer link to these products. I will probably end up ordering a NGAL through them shortly. |
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[#19]
Ran a mag through mine over the weekend. No zero shift.
Even low power illuminator is bright AF, high power is almost too bright unless I was looking at something well over 100yds out. I was also using it in dense woods and such so there's that. So far I'm pleased with mine. |
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"I said,'I don't know how to vomit softly.' That's like telling someone to shit perfume."
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[#20]
I want the NGL - when it's out, me buys
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[#22]
I see on the SG and Paragon websites the PEQ-15 IR Laser/FlashLight ($89) is sold out. Does anyone know if these come back into stock with any frequency? I saw they have a PEQ-16B model for $89 I'm interested in trying. Looking to get my feet wet in this space but don't want to over commit just yet. Anyone know anything or have any experience with the PEQ-16B model?
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[#23]
Originally Posted By Johnnygent: I saw they have a PEQ-16B model for $89 I'm interested in trying. Looking to get my feet wet in this space but don't want to over commit just yet. Anyone know anything or have any experience with the PEQ-16B model? View Quote I have one. It's slightly better in quality (construction and feel of fire button) compared to other airsoft clone LAM around the same price. I've only tested it briefly and indoors, but the IR illuminator is fixed and assuming not effective at longer distances. Same with the white light. I haven't messed with the adjustment dials yet so I can't comment much on dialing in the laser and IR pointers. |
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[Last Edit: Jeason206]
[#24]
Cool thanks
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[#26]
This is interesting
Does anyone know if there is a dual switch that works with the Sumogear PEQ15 and a surefire M600 flashlight? The power jack on dual switch on Sumogears web site does not look like the same type of connector |
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[#27]
Yeah basically any good switch will work. I've used UT TAPs and Axon switches with no issues. Even the newer SG switches such as the "Axon" style aren't bad.
The newer housings are definitely stronger and with the FMA replacement steel mount, I think you're pretty much GTG. I plan on replacing my PEQ-15's with NGALs when they are back in stock, but until then, I'm a happy camper. |
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It's all about the fiddle factor.
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