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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/17/2006 5:03:48 PM EDT
Spurred into action by a few discussions here I am happy to report that my EKP-1S-03M Kobra has passed the 300 hour mark on its drain test. Same battery set that came with it. I dont know where they get this 70 hour BS but someone needs to update that information. Shes still ticking.
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Posted: 5/17/2006 9:32:09 PM EDT
[#1]
Just out of curiosity, what setting do you have yours on? Is it maxed out?
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/18/2006 12:13:23 AM EDT
[#2]
I figured I would do the test at a reasonable brightness level for outiside use, in mostly direct sunlight. Just to bring it near to a worst case scenario. It is exactly 4 clicks back from its brightest setting. Also the reticle is set to the Chevron and Dot. If anyone cares, the temp inside my house is between 68-78 degrees over the course of the day. I belive the batteries would probably drain quicker at more extreme temperatures.
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 5/18/2006 12:18:07 AM EDT
[#3]
If you would like to ship it to me I would be happy to do a "heat test" for the next few months.
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/18/2006 2:04:06 AM EDT
[#4]
lol no thanks, ill hold on to this one, plus it will be 95 degrees with 90% humidity in a few weeks here in maryland, people think we have a temperate climate here.....wrong answer, its humid subtropical, guess being a geographer makes u realize quite a bit lol.
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ITA
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Posted: 5/18/2006 8:20:30 AM EDT
[#5]
Glad to hear about the much longer than advertised life. So you are not even using lithium AA batteries then?
Where in MD are you? |
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Posted: 5/18/2006 12:03:34 PM EDT
[#6]
Thanks!
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/18/2006 2:53:16 PM EDT
[#7]
Nope, standard alkaline AA batteries, also I am in Montgomery County.
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ITA
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Posted: 5/18/2006 3:25:37 PM EDT
[#8]
I grew up in Montgomery County, and, like everyone else, passed co-workers crawling on the ground going in and out of work when the sniper was loose. I thought Rockville Pike was bad until I got to Rome. If I ever write a book it may be called "Rome, How to Find God in a Land Without Traffic Paterns." |
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Posted: 5/18/2006 3:27:34 PM EDT
[#9]
Do the tits on the aaa battery smash flat after shooting some rounds through them. I had a mini-mag on a 12ga and they smashed flat where they had no contact and the light would not come on.
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NY, USA
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Posted: 5/18/2006 4:40:17 PM EDT
[#10]
Isn't the 70 hour quote for the coin type batteries? My coin-op one doesn't last long at all...
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/18/2006 11:45:29 PM EDT
[#11]
I think it may be the stated time for the coin cell models, however, it is also printed for the AA model. I think that was just an oversight. And so far i have not noticed any problems with the battery terminals smashing or anything like that, so far its been totaly solid, and ive had it for more than a year, several thousand rounds thru it with the Kobra atop. No malfunctions.
Guys, we seriously need to update the battery information. As I am making this post, it is still running. I think some of the nay sayers may need to modify their statements about this optic. Anyone else have similar results? |
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Posted: 5/19/2006 3:29:28 AM EDT
[#12]
Thanks for the info.
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ITA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 4:24:37 AM EDT
[#13]
So, are you at 350 hours yet? I thinking that if you get close to 400 or better that the lithiums may be able to take it to perhaps as much as 500, which would be outstanding. |
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 12:42:02 PM EDT
[#14]
I am now at 468 hrs and ticking....
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ITA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 1:22:48 PM EDT
[#15]
Huh? How do you get and extra 168 hours in 2-3 or even 4-5 days? Did you mean 368? I was back in Mont. Co. at Christmas visiting some family and though about doing a test but it could have only lasted 6 days, so thanks for info and looking forward to see the final result. |
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 2:11:54 PM EDT
[#16]
sorry, 368, typo
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Posted: 5/19/2006 4:10:14 PM EDT
[#17]
Daily take it outside and check to see that you can still see the dot in sunlight. Some optics just have an LED attached directly to the batteries (no circuitry) so the LED dims over time, as the voltage slowly dies.
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 4:19:51 PM EDT
[Last Edit: GuitarGuy]
[#18]
I know exactly what you mean, every time i check it i take it outside, and although it may not always be extra bright (the sun i mean), there seems to be no evidence of dimming yet. Suffice to say that between the predictable 4 PM thundershowers every day here in MD, there has been quite a bit of direct sun. So far the optic has held up beyond my expectations. Also, i have seen a kobra disassembled at a local gun show. Not only is there circutry between the battery and the emmiter, but the body of the unit is also sealed with some type of RTV type sealant. I suspect this thing can withstand significant moisture.
But then i just realized that you are from MD, Forest. I dont need to tell you about our weather lol. U know what they say about it here. If you dont like the weather, wait a minute. |
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Posted: 5/19/2006 4:29:35 PM EDT
[#19]
LOL no kidding. Yesterday it's pouring with lighting and thunder where I am, my wife is 6 miles away telling me how sunny it is, 15 minutes later we switched weather - it's a riot. Anyway keep up the good work. |
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 4:50:38 PM EDT
[#20]
LoL, i was outside yesterday washing and waxing my truck after some exams, and boom, the temp dropped about 10-15 degrees in as many minutes and it started raining, i mean its nuts around here.
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ITA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 5:29:41 PM EDT
[#21]
Lol. Three Marylanders testing and waiting for the results of former Soviet Union military gear. What would Lenin have thought?
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 5:32:16 PM EDT
[#22]
Well, MD isnt too far from a Socialist state so im sure he wouldnt be surprised.
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ITA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 5:41:44 PM EDT
[#23]
True, but if we gave 1/2 of PG to DC and pushed 2/3rds of Baltimore county into the harbor, we would be one of the more conservativef states in the Union. 2 90% flaming liberal counties bringing down the other 21. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 5:53:01 PM EDT
[#24]
Newbie question - are the AA type always better than the coin sized battery types?
I've got a Kobra that takes the coin type, but haven't gotten to test for battery life yet. I'm curious if they typically only go 70 hours?? |
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ITA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 6:29:14 PM EDT
[#25]
One way to find out. |
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 6:58:31 PM EDT
[#26]
Not sure on the coin cells. I heard that they have a more consistant run time thru a wider range of more extreme temperatures but who knows? Even if that was the case one could argue that the low cost and wide availability of AAs outweighs that. I mean how many times have u walked into Radio Shack or ur local supermarket only to find that the coin cell u need is sold out. They always seem to have AAs. Plus if you wanted to get really SHTF with all this, you could get a set of rechargables and a solar charger!
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ITA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 7:07:59 PM EDT
[#27]
They have a wider range of more extreme temperatures because they are lithium. But you can buy lithium AA as well. In fact that is all I use in my Kobra. 
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 9:45:31 PM EDT
[#28]
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WV, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 10:44:40 PM EDT
[#29]
These last 2 rifles... what stock/handguards do these sport? They look good.
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OH, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2006 11:01:48 PM EDT
[Last Edit: pmbiker]
[#30]
That appears to be standard US made K-var furniture. Good for 922r compliance, good for your ak.
Available for stamped or milled recievers, green, black or plum, nato or warsaw pact length.  I used to have the coin cell Kobra, now I have the AA model. I prefer the controls on the coin cell model, but the AA wins overall IMO. In the name of science I've installed a set of Nickel-metal hydride(Ni-MH) rechargeable AA's in my kobra, fully charged. 4 clicks down from max, dot and chevron setting, started at exactly 11pm EDT friday night. |
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WV, USA
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Posted: 5/20/2006 1:46:11 AM EDT
[#31]
How can one tell if a stock is for a stamped or milled receiver?
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OH, USA
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Posted: 5/20/2006 9:17:32 AM EDT
[#32]
The stock for a stamped reciever will have a longer stepped "snout" that enters the back of the reciever and will only be inletted on top for the single tang. A stock for a milled gun will have a short, maybe 3/4" flat square snout and will be inletted for both the upper and lower tang.
Milled on the left, stamped on the right.  |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/20/2006 11:33:34 AM EDT
[#33]
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/20/2006 2:26:37 PM EDT
[#34]
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/21/2006 3:23:50 AM EDT
[#35]
Haha, thanks for all the responses guys. Lets make this into a comprehensive test, anyone willing to drain a coin cell model for grins? Im curious about those Ni-Mh rechargeables, ill bet anything that they dont last as long, but the rechargeable factor is cool. As far as the stocks, yes on mine it is a K-Var warsaw pact length stock set. The handguards have the metal heat sheild that is found on the russian military stock, and yes it really does make a difference, they handle the heat far better than the original wood. Any other questions about my rifle? Happy to entertain. O another thing, i seem to be getting decent 2-3 inch groups with wolf FMJ out to 100 yards with the Kobra. Similar results with irons if i really take my time to set up the shot. But thats not what this weapon system is designed for.
In fact today i was at the Joint Services Open House at Andrews AFB here in MD, i was bullshiting with several seals and rangers who were showing off their gear. Among the gear was basicly a complete captured set of nearly all russian small arms. The general consensus between the Seals and Rangers was that in fact the Iraqis have a very good weapon system in the AK, flexable and reliable, however, if they could learn to shoot and not let Allah do the aiming, it would be far more effective than it normaly makes itself out to be. I thought it very interesting to see these guys showing off all their high speed, low drag gear, but in conversation they wouldnt hesitate to let it slip that in the hands of a good shooter, an AK will produce very similar results. Lets all appreciate the gem that we have our hands on. Dont let the AR snobs get u down. |
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WV, USA
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Posted: 5/21/2006 3:36:13 AM EDT
[#36]
I like your attitude, rifle, and scientific method. You get my "cool guy of the week" award :). Thanks for the testing and the info about the rifle :).
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ITA
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Posted: 5/21/2006 5:08:14 AM EDT
[#37]
Kind of scary how we are in fact teaching them how to shoot. On the one hand we want them to be able to defend themselves so we can bring our troops home and they can defend themselves. On the other hand if they elect a government that is anti-US and really starts making WMD we would have to deal with people who know how to shoot.  |
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/21/2006 10:09:40 AM EDT
[#38]
I might be the only one, but im fairly optimistic about iraq. And to be quite frank, i doubt we will let them elect an unfriendly government, as bad as that sounds.
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Posted: 5/21/2006 11:17:24 AM EDT
[#39]
I think you'd be surprised at how long the NiMH batteries will last, especially the newer 2500mAH models. No they won't last as long as the Alkalines, but they did very well in my tests with an EOTech. |
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OH, USA
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Posted: 5/21/2006 12:01:13 PM EDT
[#40]
Mine are only the 2300mAH type. The way I see it this will give an accurate baseline for different types of batteries. It's quite obvious the factory ratings are not very realistic.
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Posted: 5/21/2006 1:13:17 PM EDT
[#41]
Problem with NiMH batteries is they will drain out over time regardless of use. Great for the range though.
For you guys with the lithium models, I'm not sure what coin cell they take, maybe an LR44. You can buy them bulk through cheapbatteries.com among others. Keep 'em dry, they should last a good long while. |
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ITA
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Posted: 5/22/2006 2:16:09 PM EDT
[#42]
You must be over 400 hours by now. I will check in every few days to see what the finaly result is. However this will be my last post on these forums. Between the "the Catholic Church is evil", "Should I urinate on my girlfriend", and "our special forces are a bunch of sissies" threads I have had it. And since I rather in my own way just told a mod what he can go do with himself....
Dasvidanya! 
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Posted: 5/22/2006 2:27:09 PM EDT
[#43]
Yep (think: classes). Poor choice for long term storage/non-use. |
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MD, USA
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Posted: 5/22/2006 10:35:09 PM EDT
[#44]
Sorry about the delay in posting this guys, work has been hectic. The batteries finally quit after a mild bit of brightness loss. As near as i can tell the final time was approx: 520 hrs. Now, if you will recall, this was done with the original factory cheapo batteries. My next task is to try this with a set of Duracells and Energizers. Overall I am beyond satisfied. Also, a factor of note, this test took place thru sevral range trips. So the weapon was fired with the Kobra attached and on. Might as well put it thru its paces right? Feedback anyone? Ideas? We need to keep this discussion going, as i would like to see other optics evaluated as well.
Thanks all. |
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OH, USA
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Posted: 5/22/2006 11:04:06 PM EDT
[#45]
My Ni-MH batteries have just passed the 72hr mark with no noticeable loss of brightness. A range trip sunday saw @200rds, settings were not changed.
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Posted: 5/23/2006 9:02:04 AM EDT
[#46]
So is 4 clicks back from full-bright the standard being used here? I have the coin battery option to cover :)
And Belloc, I'll miss your contributions to this section. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/23/2006 9:13:33 AM EDT
[#47]
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CO, USA
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Posted: 5/23/2006 9:27:17 AM EDT
[#48]
This is why I don't even click on the off-topic board. |
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OH, USA
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Posted: 5/23/2006 10:05:47 AM EDT
[#49]
Testing standard is 4 clicks back from max, dot and chevron setting.
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OH, USA
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Posted: 5/23/2006 11:33:17 AM EDT
[#50]
What setting would the Aimpoint or Eotech be relative to what you are testing? I would consider a test on the lowest visible setting to set a benchmark of where the other settings would fall. Example on the lowest setting then the preferred setting divided by equal parts in clicks for the difference.
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