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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Airsoft grade IR devices on real guns? (Page 22 of 36)
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Quoted: Speaking of airsoft clones, does anybody make a useful clone of the LAM for an HK Mk23? Or ANY IR light that doesn't require the use of a pic rail adapter that make it annoyingly low? I'm not aware of any but am using the lobos industries style adapter with a peq14 on mine and is close enough that I gave up on the actual mark23 lam. |
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Quoted: Yup ideally of course, will test later at the range. Somogear units are not co-aligned and they acknowledge that on their website. IS market itself as "perfectly co-aligned", the guy wouldn't be so confident if it's not the case. That said, we def should keep a scientific mind and verify to confirm. Any chance you have been able to test these any more? Interested to hear how well they are coaligned and how long the battery is lasting for you. |
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Quoted: Any chance you have been able to test these any more? Interested to hear how well they are coaligned and how long the battery is lasting for you. Quoted: Quoted: Yup ideally of course, will test later at the range. Somogear units are not co-aligned and they acknowledge that on their website. IS market itself as "perfectly co-aligned", the guy wouldn't be so confident if it's not the case. That said, we def should keep a scientific mind and verify to confirm. Any chance you have been able to test these any more? Interested to hear how well they are coaligned and how long the battery is lasting for you. I can tell you playing around with my Somogear UHP peq15 outback behind the house that it seems both the visible and IR laser are pretty damn close when it comes to being coaligned |
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Quoted: If you're just using the vis laser it's about as bright as the somo, you can see a solid beam at night. If using the vis light + laser you can't see the beam, just the dot on target. Quoted: Quoted: About how bright is the vis laser on that LS-FL5 unit?? If you're able to get some night time shots....as bright as the vis on the somo? Brighter? If you're just using the vis laser it's about as bright as the somo, you can see a solid beam at night. If using the vis light + laser you can't see the beam, just the dot on target. @GangsterGoose any news about LaserSpeed? Ever get that delay fixed? |
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Quoted: @GangsterGoose any news about LaserSpeed? Ever get that delay fixed? I've fired around 500 rounds at this point and have had the same 18650 in it for over a month with no parasitic drain. I think the delay is integral to the design. Personally its not enough to bother me. The value to price ratio is extremely high. |
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Quoted: Any chance you have been able to test these any more? Interested to hear how well they are coaligned and how long the battery is lasting for you. No video proof but tested co-alignment at around 70-75 yrds w/ bipod and visually confirmed poi shift multiple times, it's not perfectly co-aligned (at least not the unit I have), vis dot is a little higher than ir, prolly by 3-4 inches. It's acceptable to me. Battery (surefire lfp) is gtg, right now totaling around 1hr at high power, I haven't been keeping it on hp all the time, but switching between different modes. Illum output is still strong. I also just acquired a real LA5b (ir output 100mw), and compared the illuminators side by side, I'd say the IS NGAL does really really well, it's just a little bit dimmer, but very much comparable, at 75-100 yrds. I'm sure at longer distances the difference would be more noticeable. |
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Quoted: No video proof but tested co-alignment at around 70-75 yrds w/ bipod and visually confirmed poi shift multiple times, it's not perfectly co-aligned (at least not the unit I have), vis dot is a little higher than ir, prolly by 3-4 inches. It's acceptable to me. Battery (surefire lfp) is gtg, right now totaling around 1hr at high power, I haven't been keeping it on hp all the time, but switching between different modes. Illum output is still strong. I also just acquired a real LA5b (ir output 100mw), and compared the illuminators side by side, I'd say the IS NGAL does really really well, it's just a little bit dimmer, but very much comparable, at 75-100 yrds. I'm sure at longer distances the difference would be more noticeable. How is the illuminator clarity compared to the la5b? I have a FP peq and the illum had artifacting and mediocre clarity which i know others complain about when it comes to the 1st gen lasers, 2nd gen being vcsel. Is the IS ngal better? |
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Quoted: Ordered a potted UHP 11/14 and received tracking today. Not bad! Received 11/22. Unit looks nice, they're now shipping with bootleg modbutton switches that have both a pic rail attachment and an mlok attachment. Illuminator and laser are bright and clean as expected. Adjustment knobs produce nice solid clicks. UNFORTUNATELY, the illuminator focus ring is kinda janky. As I spin the knob in/out the illuminator wobbles around, which tells me the threads/lens aren't square, but also I can put pressure on the knob and move it even more, so they're not exactly tight/sturdy, either. Going to email SG and see what they say. |
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If the past is any guide, they will trade you for another one. This is the downside of SG LAMs; the QC is not consistent. Their focus is still on mass-production. I have three of these things and they are all slightly different. It's kinda like buying a box of Cracker Jacks; you gotta keep buying until you get the prize you want. On the upside, their quality is steadily improving. If it was me, I'd just throw a coat of blue Loctite on there and call it goodinuff. I don't really adjust it that much. I just set it at approx 2 degrees (or a nice diameter at 50-75m) and leave it. Which just so happens to be the sweet spot where the pointer is centered in the illum. This gives a nice beam to match the 1x of the NV I run. I don't need to punch out farther because I can't get positive target ID past those distances. Might just try Villain Weapon Systens PEQ-15 Enhanced Diffuser on it, to give me an indoor setting. I like the idea of having a flip cap, with the two main settings I need rather than fiddling with the lens. |
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Quoted: If the past is any guide, they will trade you for another one. This is the downside of SG LAMs; the QC is not consistent. Their focus is still on mass-production. I have three of these things and they are all slightly different. It's kinda like buying a box of Cracker Jacks; you gotta keep buying until you get the prize you want. On the upside, their quality is steadily improving. If it was me, I'd just throw a coat of blue Loctite on there and call it goodinuff. I don't really adjust it that much. I just set it at approx 2 degrees (or a nice diameter at 50-75m) and leave it. Which just so happens to be the sweet spot where the pointer is centered in the illum. This gives a nice beam to match the 1x of the NV I run. I don't need to punch out farther because I can't get positive target ID past those distances. Might just try Villain Weapon Systens PEQ-15 Enhanced Diffuser on it, to give me an indoor setting. I like the idea of having a flip cap, with the two main settings I need rather than fiddling with the lens. I'm going to mount it to a gun this weekend and see how the lasers are aligned and whatnot, then determine what I do from there. It'll probably just end up on a range toy anyway. I don't know a damn thing about working on electronics, but I can't help but think that if there were some way to take the nice clean SG illuminators out and put them into a FP PEQ (or apital-c) to fix the nasty scratchy illuminators on those, you'd probably make a killing in conversion services. I'm assuming that's easier said than done. |
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Ha ha well I'm sure someone has thought about it. I think that's essentially what IS does, although he feels free to charge you 4x more. I just ordered another Villain Weapons Systems External Focusing Lens for ATPIAL. My thinking being the VWS goodness will go on the ATPIALs, and the ATPIAL diffusers can go on the SG's. That way both the ATPIALs and the SG's will have a "fixed" focus on the sweet spot, and a diffuser for indoor work. |
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Quoted: How is the illuminator clarity compared to the la5b? I have a FP peq and the illum had artifacting and mediocre clarity which i know others complain about when it comes to the 1st gen lasers, 2nd gen being vcsel. Is the IS ngal better? I believe the la5 unit I got is a new old stock (mfg 2012), but it's super clear, only very minor artifacts around the edge (moon-phase like shadows) on lp, hp gives virtually no artifacts. The IS ngal is slightly better in clarity, there's very little artifact (no moon-phase shadows around edge at all), that's why I believe it's actually using the vscel-based module. |
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Quoted: Ha ha well I'm sure someone has thought about it. I think that's essentially what IS does, although he feels free to charge you 4x more. I just ordered another Villain Weapons Systems External Focusing Lens for ATPIAL. My thinking being the VWS goodness will go on the ATPIALs, and the ATPIAL diffusers can go on the SG's. That way both the ATPIALs and the SG's will have a "fixed" focus on the sweet spot, and a diffuser for indoor work. The maker said not to do that. He’s going to be releasing one specifically for the Somogear. |
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Quoted: I believe the la5 unit I got is a new old stock (mfg 2012), but it's super clear, only very minor artifacts around the edge (moon-phase like shadows) on lp, hp gives virtually no artifacts. The IS ngal is slightly better in clarity, there's very little artifact (no moon-phase shadows around edge at all), that's why I believe it's actually using the vscel-based module. Perfect, that is good to hear. |
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Been watching this tread for a while with a lot of interest. Would anyone consider the somo or IS units good enough for a first time buyer on a limited budget? I’m pretty much narrowed it down to one of these units, a TIR 2, or a holosun/goonbeam slaved with a mod button dual lead. I currently have a klesh 2IKS that performs well but the form factor blows. |
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Well it depends on which way you want to go. You can put an ATPIAL diffuser on the SG for a really wide flood, or I would assume VWS is making an Enhanced Diffuser, much like they did for the PEQ-15, which would give you a tighter beam, maybe for mid-range outdoor work. If you don't have both, then the new SG Enhanced Diffuser would be the one to get I suppose. But if you already have the ATPIAL External focusing lens, why not re-purpose the ATPIAL diffuser. The flood won't be as tight but still usable. Better than the opaque cover that comes with it. That is my assumption at this point. Will see what actually comes out. As to entry-level, usable kit. Yes, I think we're there. I would get the SG PEQ-15 right now and train up. Then perhaps wait and see what EOTech comes out with, and if the price point sticks, or does a Masada. The SG PEQ-15 is not perfect; it may have some issues, but it will certainly get you into the game at a very low price point. Especially if you look at form factor as you mentioned. I love my Perst too but it's as ugly as an old Russian Babushka, and heavy as a boat anchor. |
| What are the current thoughts on the somo peq with separate wml vs the ctf2? This is my current debate. Price point for the somo and a modlite being lower but more real estate vs the ctf2 which is around 2x the cost. Unsure how to measure performance and ease of use of the two setups |
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Quoted: What are the current thoughts on the somo peq with separate wml vs the ctf2? This is my current debate. Price point for the somo and a modlite being lower but more real estate vs the ctf2 which is around 2x the cost. Unsure how to measure performance and ease of use of the two setups I've been the resident boo bird/skeptic in this thread. Found it hard to believe an airsoft clone could hold up...I've been proven wrong. I played with one of these last week and while it's imperfect, it out performs civvy LAMs comfortably until you get to MAWL performance and cost. Unless your life truly depends on it, I'd feel comfortable rolling with the SG and pocketing a large chunk of change. |
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Quoted: What are the current thoughts on the somo peq with separate wml vs the ctf2? This is my current debate. Price point for the somo and a modlite being lower but more real estate vs the ctf2 which is around 2x the cost. Unsure how to measure performance and ease of use of the two setups |
May have to get an SG - although I don't need it (maybe replace the LS321G on the .300BLK?)|
My SG UHP came in yesterday. Looks pretty good, adjustment for the VIS / IR laser have decent audible and tactile clicks. The adjustments for the IR illuminator aren’t as positive but should be just fine - it’s better than my last EOtech EXPS 3-0 actually. Vis laser on low was bright enough against the fence line (25 yards) mid afternoon on a cloudy day to get an alignment to a T2 dot on setting 7. During the lag time on my order from SG I started looking around to see what add ons are available for the real PEQ-15s and found an enhanced diffuser from VWS. I bought one and am hoping it will be a straight forward install without having to crack the SG open. Has anyone used one of these before? If so, how did it install? Link below. https://villainweaponsystems.com/products/peq-15-enhanced-narrow-diffuser |
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I ordered a SG PEQ-15 clone to test out. I havent shot it yet but here is my first impression of the device having messed around with it inside my house and in my backyard. The unit mounts easily and as was said, comes with a bootleg modlite button. It seems to stay in place in the back of the LAM. I bought the green laser and it is very bright. The blue safety screws are still installed as low power is still bright aa heck. I rough zeroed the LAM with a Baer solutions target at 15 yards indoors. The top adjustment for the laser has a squishy feel and not well defined clicks. The side adjustment has decent clicks. The illuminator adjustment worked without issue. The zeroing of the illuminator was quick. If you change the size of the illuminator, it is no longer centered over the laser. That means you have to center the illuminator every time you adjust it. Later in the evening I went outside with my NVGs. The illuminator and laser worked well on my backyard and the illuminator is fairly clear. The illuminator shift is a bit annoying but you can quickly correct it with the adjustment knobs if you need it. Now to put some rounds down range and see how it holds up. |
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Quoted: I ordered a SG PEQ-15 clone to test out. I havent shot it yet but here is my first impression of the device having messed around with it inside my house and in my backyard. The unit mounts easily and as was said, comes with a bootleg modlite button. It seems to stay in place in the back of the LAM. I bought the green laser and it is very bright. The blue safety screws are still installed as low power is still bright aa heck. I rough zeroed the LAM with a Baer solutions target at 15 yards indoors. The top adjustment for the laser has a squishy feel and not well defined clicks. The side adjustment has decent clicks. The illuminator adjustment worked without issue. The zeroing of the illuminator was quick. If you change the size of the illuminator, it is no longer centered over the laser. That means you have to center the illuminator every time you adjust it. Later in the evening I went outside with my NVGs. The illuminator and laser worked well on my backyard and the illuminator is fairly clear. The illuminator shift is a bit annoying but you can quickly correct it with the adjustment knobs if you need it. Now to put some rounds down range and see how it holds up. dumb question inbound, so in order to get full power, you remove the blue safety screws? I'm looking for these to be back in stock, going to order one to play with. |
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So, I have heard rumors on Instagram that Holosun is working on a VCSEL LAM now that could be released in 2023. With the possibility of multiple choices in just half a year or so maybe reallocate your funding else where and hold off rather than spending hundreds or in the case of the IS a thousand dollars on a Chinese unit. |
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Quoted: So, I have heard rumors on Instagram that Holosun is working on a VCSEL LAM now that could be released in 2023. With the possibility of multiple choices in just half a year or so maybe reallocate your funding else where and hold off rather than spending hundreds or in the case of the IS a thousand dollars on a Chinese unit. The Holosun is equally as Chinese as IS. But the Holosun LAMs with IR illuminators have a pretty steep MSRP as well, so they will likely cross over the $1200 mark for a VCSEL Again - everything in the NV world is vaporware until it's released. I have zero doubt the EOTech laser will be pushed back and the Holosun will be 2024 at best. I remember when the LS321 was released. You couldn't get them for probably a year after they were announced. If you always wait for the latest and greatest, you'll never get anything. |
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Quoted: So....is there any way to make a diffuser for a Somogear PEQ? Cut out a section of Milk Jug and put it in instead of the opaque? Will this help make it more "floody"; as the illuminator is a bit narrow? |
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Had a couple days to mess around with the Sg Peq. Suppressed 22lr only, about 700ish rounds. Can't add too much to the thread. Majority of it is covered in the previous pages and BrassFacts' video. I can only comment on 22lr use, but it really is a "zeroable" Ir laser with slightly lower full power output. Definitely surprised me. Here are some stand outs to me, when compared to real units. - Illuminator/IR laser Adjustments have a "mush" feeling, wall, than an audible click. This is not present on real peqs/la5s. - Illuminator zero shifts when adjusting flood. The pic below is the is the illumination flood in it's widest setting. Tree stump at 50yards. - Sg Peq IR/Laser is flipped backwards. Real peqs/la5s have the visible laser on the very bottom of the laser housing. Just be aware when using zeroing targets. - The SG laser diode creates a perfect circle, real units have a rectangular shaped laser point. - When using the Sg unit from a "cold" start, there is a like half second delay before firing. Once the first button press is engaged, it fires instantly with button presses after. - Fire button on the SG unit is has a loud click when activated. Not present on real units. - Real insight/mod light pressure pad switches work. Very tight fitment. I don't suggest removing the plug constantly. - Pattern generators from real units fit on the Sg laser housing. Zero is unaffected. - My unit has a phantom press activation, even if switched to the off position. If I have the unit in visible laser mode, than switch to the off position and press the pressure pad/fire button; for a half second you can still see the visible red beam. - Safety screws came painted blue. Light blue anodizing on real units. - The mounting clamp on the SG unit is spring loaded, which is not present on real units. There is also anti-tamper placed on the screw points, which prevents installing a Noveske peq light mount. I'm still in the camp of pay to play with Ir units. I have zero intent on putting this on anything other than a 22lr.   
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Question: for those that have cracked open one of the Somo or other brand airsoft aimers and who also know the real things: Are the internals laid out the same as the government issued PEQs? Why: I have a real, factory, ATPIAL (AN/PEQ-15) "shell" that L3 sent me many years ago. It's a dummy unit they sent to me for a project. It occurred to me while reading this thread that a lot of the things people have complained about with the airsoft ones (clicks mushy, flood adjustments bad/no diffuser, focus controls not awesome, activation switches sloppy, etc.) would be obviated if I could one-for-one pop in a new laser diode from Somo or whomever into this real one, add whatever other wiring/parts might be needed, and -poof- be up and running with an extra aimer. I have other working IR illuminators that I hunt with, so this has just been sitting on a shelf... figured it might make a fun project to try to "fix" it and get it up and running. |
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Quoted: Question: for those that have cracked open one of the Somo or other brand airsoft aimers and who also know the real things: Are the internals laid out the same as the government issued PEQs? Why: I have a real, factory, ATPIAL (AN/PEQ-15) "shell" that L3 sent me many years ago. It's a dummy unit they sent to me for a project. It occurred to me while reading this thread that a lot of the things people have complained about with the airsoft ones (clicks mushy, flood adjustments bad/no diffuser, focus controls not awesome, activation switches sloppy, etc.) would be obviated if I could one-for-one pop in a new laser diode from Somo or whomever into this real one, add whatever other wiring/parts might be needed, and -poof- be up and running with an extra aimer. I have other working IR illuminators that I hunt with, so this has just been sitting on a shelf... figured it might make a fun project to try to "fix" it and get it up and running. It's not as simple as soldering in laser/illum diodes. Archived Link Peq15 disassembly |
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Quoted: No video proof but tested co-alignment at around 70-75 yrds w/ bipod and visually confirmed poi shift multiple times, it's not perfectly co-aligned (at least not the unit I have), vis dot is a little higher than ir, prolly by 3-4 inches. It's acceptable to me. Battery (surefire lfp) is gtg, right now totaling around 1hr at high power, I haven't been keeping it on hp all the time, but switching between different modes. Illum output is still strong. I also just acquired a real LA5b (ir output 100mw), and compared the illuminators side by side, I'd say the IS NGAL does really really well, it's just a little bit dimmer, but very much comparable, at 75-100 yrds. I'm sure at longer distances the difference would be more noticeable. Any further update on battery life, how many rounds you've put on it, furthest distance you've found the illuminator useful? |
| New to this thread, has anyone used or heard feedback on WADSN IR products? They seem to have a smaller following in the airsoft community compared to SG, but I’vi saw one guy running a Perst that claimed no issues. They also have a Mawl clone. Mawl Wadsn |
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Quoted: New to this thread, has anyone used or heard feedback on WADSN IR products? They seem to have a smaller following in the airsoft community compared to SG, but I’vi saw one guy running a Perst that claimed no issues. They also have a Mawl clone. Mawl Wadsn Any idea if the lasers co-align? |
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Wadsn are still a tier or so below SG. Although their strobes are pretty good. Their lasers are still what most would call airsoft grade. Spec Precision has a new all-metal MAWL clone, which is probably the best one out there, but it's still basically airsoft grade as well. Fun fact. Left the switch on viz low on a SG PEQ-15 for over a week. It still functioned just fine with no parasitic drain. How about them apples? Can't do that on my real ATPIAL. |
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Quoted: Wadsn are still a tier or so below SG. Although their strobes are pretty good. Their lasers are still what most would call airsoft grade. Spec Precision has a new all-metal MAWL clone, which is probably the best one out there, but it's still basically airsoft grade as well. Fun fact. Left the switch on viz low on a SG PEQ-15 for over a week. It still functioned just fine with no parasitic drain. How about them apples? Can't do that on my real ATPIAL. Mine's been on high for 2 weeks and I haven't seen any parasitic draw |
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Quoted: Was browsing ebay yesterday and noticed there is a kiji copy out there claiming a vcsel laser. Super curious at $90 with mount I wouldn’t be shocked. Remember, most of this stuff is made in China or other places with slave labor and super lax manufacturing laws. The Chinese companies copy these products, sometimes immediately, and put them on the market for WAY less and still make profits. Look at that GBRS mount. Shoot, in that case the knockoff version uses better metal. |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Airsoft grade IR devices on real guns? (Page 22 of 36)
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