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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Airsoft grade IR devices on real guns? (Page 20 of 36)
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Quoted: Honestly I'm kind of tempted to sell my Designate IR V and get the NGAL ordered now just to have it... lol he seems very confident in his stuff. I mentioned a comparison to Somogear and he said Yea I had similar conversations w/ him, which is why I'm feeling optimistic |
| When I asked SomoGear about the upcoming NGAL they said, "we will have to wait longer to release it," and said they put me on a list to receive an email when it is available. Somebody in the r/NightVision Discord said they were told, "It may take long time, so specific time not confirmed yet." It sounds like it has been delayed. |
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Update w/ the IS order. Shipping not going so well. Guy provided tracking no. on Mon, no update since then, he reassured me saying "it's normal, because it's mil spec laser and the shipping guy need to wait for the day when there's no scanning at airport to get it out". Yesterday he finally agreed to go to the post office, and now he's saying "the shipping guy missed the chance on Mon (the only no-scanning day), and it won't go out until next Mon". He promised after shipping out, delivery only takes 3-4 days, which I highly doubt. So this is a red flag to be aware of if you wanna order from IS. Shipping time can be longer than what's wished for. |
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Quoted: Update w/ the IS order. Shipping not going so well. Guy provided tracking no. on Mon, no update since then, he reassured me saying "it's normal, because it's mil spec laser and the shipping guy need to wait for the day when there's no scanning at airport to get it out". Yesterday he finally agreed to go to the post office, and now he's saying "the shipping guy missed the chance on Mon (the only no-scanning day), and it won't go out until next Mon". He promised after shipping out, delivery only takes 3-4 days, which I highly doubt. So this is a red flag to be aware of if you wanna order from IS. Shipping time can be longer than what's wished for. Shady. I seem to remember the same shenanigans about the airport stuff... can't remember properly. I would give him the chance - I think he's halfway honest though certainly he doesn't operate in the clear. I do think you'll get your unit. But - again as I said - it puts a HUGE flag (again!) on his operations. It's not easy, still costly and it can get quite some time to get the stuff from them. Good luck, |
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Quoted: I'd pay attention to the window your card has for chargebacks and be ready to use it. Disappointing to hear. It seems like people who have received their IS have really liked them. Actually receiving them may be a challenge. Yea always better to have a bank that got your back. So far it just seems like an annoying hiccup and proves his business is not capable of reliable production and delivery. If I don't get it in the next two weeks I'm gonna go nuke mode with fraud dispute. |
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Quoted: As I mentioned before on this thread, I've had mostly the same happen to me. Shady. I seem to remember the same shenanigans about the airport stuff... can't remember properly. I would give him the chance - I think he's halfway honest though certainly he doesn't operate in the clear. I do think you'll get your unit. But - again as I said - it puts a HUGE flag (again!) on his operations. It's not easy, still costly and it can get quite some time to get the stuff from them. Good luck, Thanks man, I guess this is the reason IS can hardly get business growth in the US, even though he's been around for years, and the quality is much better. |
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Quoted: Yea always better to have a bank that got your back. So far it just seems like an annoying hiccup and proves his business is not capable of reliable production and delivery. If I don't get it in the next two weeks I'm gonna go nuke mode with fraud dispute. Oof. Keep me updated. I REALLY want to try his NGAL. And I also want my PEQ. He told me two weeks lead time, so we'll see what happens a week from tomorrow. 
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Quoted: Update w/ the IS order. Shipping not going so well. Guy provided tracking no. on Mon, no update since then, he reassured me saying "it's normal, because it's mil spec laser and the shipping guy need to wait for the day when there's no scanning at airport to get it out". Yesterday he finally agreed to go to the post office, and now he's saying "the shipping guy missed the chance on Mon (the only no-scanning day), and it won't go out until next Mon". He promised after shipping out, delivery only takes 3-4 days, which I highly doubt. So this is a red flag to be aware of if you wanna order from IS. Shipping time can be longer than what's wished for. Any chance your tracking information says it went out yesterday? |
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Quoted: Any chance your tracking information says it went out yesterday? Not really, no update for a week. What happened was he used EMS/postal office for my shipping (probably because I negotiated a better price with him), and he explained: "With post office EMS(government owned), it has to go through customs, so only the shipping guy can do that." I happen to need an la-5 for a new build, so I doubled down and ordered another unit. Now he's gonna do a combined shipping with a "pro courier" (UPS/Fedex/DHL) on Friday. He promised, "The benefit of DHL ups or FedEx, is I do the shipping myself. I can make sure it done properly." "Don't worry, when I do the shipping myself, I'm much more in control." Only time will tell if I'm being conned really hard. |
| I ended up ordering an NGAL from him so I’m mostly checking in here to get a heads up on whether I’ll need to do a chargeback or not. If you have more luck with a different shipping method maybe I’ll ask him about doing that to increase my chances of prompt shipping. |
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Quoted: I ended up ordering an NGAL from him so I’m mostly checking in here to get a heads up on whether I’ll need to do a chargeback or not. If you have more luck with a different shipping method maybe I’ll ask him about doing that to increase my chances of prompt shipping. I put all my eggs in one basket. Added an NGAL order to my existing LA5 order. I wanted to wait and see the quality of the LA5 first, but I also want the damn NGAL. |
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What's the cheapest unit you'd trust to a S&W m&p15-22? I want to shoot my 22 for training under nods inside of 50 yards rather than blowing through 5.56, want to put a laser on there that will hold zero and has an illuminator but don't need to put a $500 laser on it. |
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Quoted: I'm thinking this might be a good option for me. The problem is that I'm looking at going with the new EOTech LAM next year and I'd like to be able to have something as close as 1:1 as it for my .22LR upper project. at $250 it's still a good buy - even if it's not 1:1 with what you put on your primary rifle. Nothing really comes close to what it does for the money. Not really anything that matches the new EOTech LAM for cheap either. |
My Somogear showed up on Wednesday. Definitely feels like they made some changes since I picked one up last year. Very tactile adjustments in all 4 locations (despite being a bit of play before you feel the detents). Fire button is nowhere near as loud as it used to be to push. Lasers are NEARLY coaligned, but not perfect.
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Quoted: My Somogear showed up on Wednesday. Definitely feels like they made some changes since I picked one up last year. Very tactile adjustments in all 4 locations (despite being a bit of play before you feel the detents). Fire button is nowhere near as loud as it used to be to push. Lasers are NEARLY coaligned, but not perfect. https://i.imgur.com/RltepiK.jpg Looks good and thanks for the mini review. How long ago did you order it? I’m checking everyday, but website still shows “out of stock for 10 days”. |
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At what point do they become a straight up viable option for someone’s first laser unit? I am just getting into the NV world and I don’t have a unit at all. I’m deciding if I should start out with a Holosun LS117IR, save for a LS321, or just full send on something like this. I also see a Tor Mini looks comparable to the LS117 as another IR only option |
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Quoted: At what point do they become a straight up viable option for someone’s first laser unit? I am just getting into the NV world and I don’t have a unit at all. I’m deciding if I should start out with a Holosun LS117IR, save for a LS321, or just full send on something like this. I also see a Tor Mini looks comparable to the LS117 as another IR only option I can’t speak to the Somo as I haven’t bit on one yet, but the Tor Mini doesn’t strike me as a good first IR laser as you still need an illuminator for darker nights and seeing/shooting further. I have one on an AR22 for goofing around, but wouldn’t use it on a full sized rifle where I want the option of simultaneous activation of my IR laser and illuminator. |
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Quoted: I can’t speak to the Somo as I haven’t bit on one yet, but the Tor Mini doesn’t strike me as a good first IR laser as you still need an illuminator for darker nights and seeing/shooting further. I have one on an AR22 for goofing around, but wouldn’t use it on a full sized rifle where I want the option of simultaneous activation of my IR laser and illuminator. Thanks, I thought that might be the case. I know the Streamlight VIR II technically has an illuminator but it’s fairly weak. I might get one to start then transfer it to a handgun once I get a proper LAM. At the end of the day maybe I should wait and save $1300 for the Eotech option next March |
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Quoted: At what point do they become a straight up viable option for someone’s first laser unit? I am just getting into the NV world and I don’t have a unit at all. I’m deciding if I should start out with a Holosun LS117IR, save for a LS321, or just full send on something like this. I also see a Tor Mini looks comparable to the LS117 as another IR only option Honestly? I’d run it as a first device. Run it, train with it, and then when you want to spend the money on a NV class or use it for something like hunting, you’ll probably have an idea of what you want to buy for the “real” deal. I’d take a Somogear over a Steiner I2 or A3 any day of the week - the value just isn’t there with laser based civ units. Even if you bought now, you can sell for at least $200 come march and have 4 months of practicing if/when the eotech device comes out. Remember - everything in the NV world is vaporware until it’s not. I don’t believe a damn thing until it’s released. |
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Quoted: At what point do they become a straight up viable option for someone’s first laser unit? I am just getting into the NV world and I don’t have a unit at all. I’m deciding if I should start out with a Holosun LS117IR, save for a LS321, or just full send on something like this. I also see a Tor Mini looks comparable to the LS117 as another IR only option That point is now. Mine that I’ve had for 3ish months now is still rocking along. Holding zero. Full power’ish |
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Thank you both for the feedback. My gut was telling me that the SG seems legit enough for a first device. It feels like the capabilities you get with it are pretty unmatched on the civilian side. The “quality” side of me just feels uncomfortable with the idea of buying an airsoft piece of gear for more than $100 let alone $300. I did take an intro NV class recently where they provided us Holosun lasers. It was enlightening to see just how outclassed and underpowered a civilian equivalent is compared to the MAWL or FP unit. |
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Quoted: Thank you both for the feedback. My gut was telling me that the SG seems legit enough for a first device. It feels like the capabilities you get with it are pretty unmatched on the civilian side. The "quality" side of me just feels uncomfortable with the idea of buying an airsoft piece of gear for more than $100 let alone $300. I did take an intro NV class recently where they provided us Holosun lasers. It was enlightening to see just how outclassed and underpowered a civilian equivalent is compared to the MAWL or FP unit. |
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There is much prejudice against airsoft gear, and rightly so. But in SG's case, they have definitely raised the bar. So granted you may get some people who write off your choice as airsoft crap, but then ask yourself why are they doing that. Personally I started off with an OTAL, back before Steiner bought our Laser Products. It was the least expensive one out there at the time. Throw in a gen 1 Vampire and you were set. While you can still do this, or a Holosun, I just like the form factor of the SG PEQ-15. And as the man said, you can get that right now and blast away. No style points at classes, but then again, for the vast majority of your time, it will work just fine. Not that anyone could tell the difference at a glance. With duracoat on both, you can't tell a ATPIAL from a SG PEQ-15. If I was going to do it again, I'd go with the SG PEQ-15 hands down. Gets you into the game, actually works, and gives you the same "switchology" as a higher priced unit when you can upgrade. I bought three of these things over a two year period, and watched them steadily improve. You're welcome. |
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Quoted: There is much prejudice against airsoft gear, and rightly so. But in SG's case, they have definitely raised the bar. So granted you may get some people who write off your choice as airsoft crap, but then ask yourself why are they doing that. If I was going to do it again, I'd go with the SG PEQ-15 hands down. Gets you into the game, actually works, and gives you the same "switchology" as a higher priced unit when you can upgrade. I bought three of these things over a two year period, and watched them steadily improve. You're welcome. Thanks Diz, I actually read many of your posts in the Basics forum and those helped my early start a lot. Hearing your thoughts and how they have evolved on the SG is interesting. I think at the end of the day, I do not really care if the unit doesn’t give me any status points or others think it’s a knock off. If it runs, is FP, reliable, and had a decent warranty, I just don’t see a big reason to spend an additional $4-500 to downgrade to a “legit” civilian option or an extra $1K+ to get a FP option. The laser market is such a shitshow anyways! |
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Quoted: Update for the InvisibleSight watchers: My units finally shipped via FedEx. "Delivery in 3 days, scheduled to arrive on Tuesday." I asked him to send a pic of the two units as proof of shipment. https://imgur.com/CSp5koc Attached File |
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Want. Please let us know how they are when it shows up! |
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Quoted: Update for the InvisibleSight watchers: My units finally shipped via FedEx. "Delivery in 3 days, scheduled to arrive on Tuesday." I asked him to send a pic of the two units as proof of shipment. https://imgur.com/CSp5koc Very excited to hear how the illuminator performs. |
| Looks good - tempted to bite on the NGAL |
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Quoted: I think they're talking about the IS dude, but SG data would be good as well. I wouldn’t think so. The IS guy talks about how well his lasers are coaligned. Meanwhile Somogear does quote the spec he was mentioning now that I went back to look at it “Co-aligned VIS & IR aiming lasers (at 30 meters distance they are less than 10cm apart)” |
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SomoGear states that spec on their common questions page. "All the IR illuminator versions with Co-aligned VIS & IR aiming lasers, at 30 yards distance they are less than 10cm apart" https://www.somogear.com/resources/common-questions/ InvisibleSight just says "precision co-aligned lasers" but doesn't give a spec. One page back I posted a link to a Dropbox folder with videos the IS guy sent me. One is supposed to be him switching between the lasers to show how well they are co-aligned. I can't honestly tell if he just switched from high to low though. |
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This is what I got from IS a month or so ago: "All lasers are perfectly co-alined, so you don't have to worry the zero when switching between visible and ir lasers. The ir illuminator is now using the latest vcsel diode, can adjust from 10mrad to 100mrad spot size in one single turn on the rear knob." I suspect that @kylereesejd can be the guinea pig! |
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Quoted: This is what I got from IS a month or so ago: "All lasers are perfectly co-alined, so you don't have to worry the zero when switching between visible and ir lasers. The ir illuminator is now using the latest vcsel diode, can adjust from 10mrad to 100mrad spot size in one single turn on the rear knob." I suspect that @kylereesejd can be the guinea pig! A happy guinea pig! There you go with my initial review of the InvisibleSight NGAL & LA5: (For now, I can only do the testing in the basement, where it's dark enough. Will take more night-time shots outside later) NGAL: - Housing construction feels very sturdy and solid, def quality aluminum; all the gaps appear to be fully potted, looks waterproof and strong enough to take some abuse (not gonna torture test it though). - Elevation and windage adjustments work, haven't zeroed, further testing needed. - IR illuminator adjustment works as advertised (will further test outside at 100-yard distance) - Works well with crane plug. I'm using the Modlite modbutton for NGAL, but Surefire switch works too. Some cosmetic inaccuracies for future improvements: - Laser diffuser cap missing the "ND" marking (real one supposedly to be a Neutral Density filter). I already told the IS guy about his, he said this plastic mold was not made by him, and he'll try to add it in the future. - Missing the sticker (the one with QR code and DOM info) on the lower left  " />       Looking sexy on my 12.5 build.  |
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LA-5 Everything works as far as I can tell. Will do more testing later. Nitpicking: Stickers are not correct, real LA5 stickers are supposedly to be the tan/golden colored ones. What I received are black (Any suggestion where to get the correct ones? I found some on ebay and aliexpress but the shipping takes months...) Serial number. There are s/n engraved but not as deep and clear as a regular peq. L3 ATPIAL-C vs IS LA5  IS NGAL vs LA5 on dual high 
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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Airsoft grade IR devices on real guns? (Page 20 of 36)
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