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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Airsoft grade IR devices on real guns? (Page 23 of 36)
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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 surprised if it is real VCSEL VCSEL diodes aren’t expensive, AR coated focus lenses aren’t that expensive, flashlight bodies aren’t expensive, and a laser diode driver isn’t notably different than an LED diode driver (different Vf and current ranges with better cap filtering and soft start). And I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s an LED lookalike. I’m mostly surprised that you cant just flat out buy actual $50 focusable IR lasers out there. You can buy 200-1000mW red blue and green 18640 lasers cheap all day long from china… the only difference would be dropping an IR diode into it and suitable driver. |
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So I've finally gotten around to playing with a Somo. This is a UHP/LA5 clone from a friend's rifle, he's had it for a year or so but ditched it when Steiner got off their ass and fixed his A3 (plug port died). I'm borrowing it and am running into an issue that he encountered as well - it cuts out momentarily under recoil. Seems like the electrical circuit is being severed. There's an o-ring in the battery port, I don't think the battery is moving. Thoughts? This is a free unit so no big deal and maybe they've improved it over the last few months. It held zero for the 300 rounds I used it and held zero for the time he had it as well. Illuminator is dirty and it really needs a proper flood diffuser. *If* the flickering issue was resolved, seems like it would be a reasonable piece of kit...alas. |
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Quoted: I'm borrowing it and am running into an issue that he encountered as well - it cuts out momentarily under recoil. Depending on the plug you are using it may be backing out ever so slightly. I had this problem with the somo TAPS. Supposedly a mod button fixes this issue. But I have not tried it. That’s only second hand info from a YouTube video I watched. I’m willing to bet that’s the problem though. |
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Quoted: Depending on the plug you are using it may be backing out ever so slightly. I had this problem with the somo TAPS. Supposedly a mod button fixes this issue. But I have not tried it. That's only second hand info from a YouTube video I watched. I'm willing to bet that's the problem though. They do seem to hold Zero and deliver plenty of power. I'd wager about $10 worth of ruggedizing work would get these to a good place. Somo could double the price and make a killing. |
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Quoted: I'm using a mod button that I had laying around. I didn't specifically check how it was seated so perhaps it backed out a smidgen. I'll give it another go this weekend. They do seem to hold Zero and deliver plenty of power. I'd wager about $10 worth of ruggedizing work would get these to a good place. Somo could double the price and make a killing. They now offer a potting service for 10 dollars. |
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Quoted: They now offer a potting service for 10 dollars. In my loaned sample size of one the cutout issue is an obvious no go. I know the battery to circuit board lead is not soldered at both ends and suspect that's the issue. The end that's a friction fit to the battery port is probably getting jostled under recoil, at least that's my theory. This isn't mine so I'm not gonna go hacking it up, but I'll see if he'll let me and if so will play around with it. I think Somo is close. Not there yet, but close. Really pulls the curtain back on how obscenely priced "real" lasers are. This shit isn't hard, there's no reason why an atpial should cost the thick end of $2k. |
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Quoted: I'm pretty sure the one I have on loan is potted. The electronics seem good (enough), it holds zero, has plenty of power, etc. In my loaned sample size of one the cutout issue is an obvious no go. I know the battery to circuit board lead is not soldered at both ends and suspect that's the issue. The end that's a friction fit to the battery port is probably getting jostled under recoil, at least that's my theory. This isn't mine so I'm not gonna go hacking it up, but I'll see if he'll let me and if so will play around with it. I think Somo is close. Not there yet, but close. Really pulls the curtain back on how obscenely priced "real" lasers are. This shit isn't hard, there's no reason why an atpial should cost the thick end of $2k. If he’s had it for a year it isn’t potted. That’s a relatively new offering |
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Has anyone in here, emailed Somo and told them what to fix? Seems soldering the friction fit end of the battery lead, would be super simple to implement. As an aside, the YT dude Kit Badger just had a Surefire LASER that wouldn't adjust. SF told him the adjustment screws are 'Worm Gears' and can bind - they recco'd doing some weird adjustment scheme to get full travel (watch vid). I wonder if the Somo is the same arrangement for guys that run out of travel? |
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Yes and yes. I suggested that to SG. I think some others may have as well. In the end, I epoxied the shit out it, between the wire and the batt housing, when I sealed the case. No issues with it. And there is a semi-involved method of "de-binding" for lack of better term on their website. As silly as it sounds, it actually works. Also you have to make sure you are in "0" or constant on program mode for the illum. You basically have to set these things up yourself, as the factory may or may not take the time to get them somewhere near useable. |
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Quoted: Doesn't look like you can order anything right now (all on backorder presumably due to the zero covid madness going on in the country) Quoted: Quoted: Ordered one to see how it works for my needs. Says my shipment is on hold in Hong Kong. Looks like they're still shipping quickly, mine is already in the states and cleared customs. |
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Quoted: Looks like they're still shipping quickly, mine is already in the states and cleared customs. |
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Quoted: Did you place a backorder on their website? I've been given the all clear to crack my loaner SG open and play around with it but if I break it, I may buy a new one to see if they've changed/improved it since my friend's is like a year old. You should do a thorough post about that. I am intrigued. |
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Quoted: You should do a thorough post about that. I am intrigued. Quoted: Quoted: Did you place a backorder on their website? I've been given the all clear to crack my loaner SG open and play around with it but if I break it, I may buy a new one to see if they've changed/improved it since my friend's is like a year old. You should do a thorough post about that. I am intrigued. I'll second that emotion |
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Quoted: I'll second that emotion Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Did you place a backorder on their website? I've been given the all clear to crack my loaner SG open and play around with it but if I break it, I may buy a new one to see if they've changed/improved it since my friend's is like a year old. You should do a thorough post about that. I am intrigued. I'll second that emotion Yea... I wouldn't mind seeing one cracked open |
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Quoted: Did you place a backorder on their website? I've been given the all clear to crack my loaner SG open and play around with it but if I break it, I may buy a new one to see if they've changed/improved it since my friend's is like a year old. Quoted: Quoted: Looks like they're still shipping quickly, mine is already in the states and cleared customs. Placed a back order for black/green on Dec 9th and it arrived today. Mounted it and played with the vis laser a bit, no problems yet. |
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Quoted: For those of you who are wondering about the internals, I believe there are already pictures in this thread. It's been a while since i've been back to page 1 so I have no clue where those pictures actually are. I’d like to see the inside of a new(er) unit. FWIW: my Somo I ordered back 4ish months ago is still trucking along. The only issue it’s given me is with their own in house “TAPS” switch. The plug walks out under recoil. Other than that, still holding zero. Has now been shot well over 1,000 rounds and been in freezing cold and light rain. Just one more datapoint. |
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Quoted: Depending on the plug you are using it may be backing out ever so slightly. I had this problem with the somo TAPS. Supposedly a mod button fixes this issue. But I have not tried it. That's only second hand info from a YouTube video I watched. I'm willing to bet that's the problem though. Quoted: Quoted: I'm borrowing it and am running into an issue that he encountered as well - it cuts out momentarily under recoil. Depending on the plug you are using it may be backing out ever so slightly. I had this problem with the somo TAPS. Supposedly a mod button fixes this issue. But I have not tried it. That's only second hand info from a YouTube video I watched. I'm willing to bet that's the problem though. |
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my early potted green laser version now wont stay illuminated after the first shot. Took the battery cap off, stretched the spring out quite a bit, lubed the threads a bit with synthetic grease, and we shall see how it does. I'll contact them if this doesnt work. I suspect the recoil was moving the battery just enough to lose contact and turn off. my very early version (non potted) from when this thread was started is still going strong - however, it is on a dedicated ar 22lr setup for night shenanigans. SO not much recoil. |
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somogear2020 Recently the orders exceeds our production capacity, will restock/ or backorder asap as we can. For all backorders, will ship out within 10 days. Thanks for support 
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| I'll echo what others have said, initial impressions are pretty good. Everything clicks and works as it should, the remote switch works well. No issues with cracking while mounting it. I was even able to center the ir laser within the illuminator quite easily. For the price paid it's looking good so far, we'll see how it holds up. |
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I mean it is what it is. Most of us are not active duty anything. The Russians or Chinese have not invaded (yet) although the South Americans are doing a pretty good job. We are not in a war zone. Nobody is shooting at us. We are ALL LARPing, to one extent or another. These LAMs work perfectly fine for the vast majority of us. Buy one and go have fun with it. |
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Quoted: I mean it is what it is. Most of us are not active duty anything. The Russians or Chinese have not invaded (yet) although the South Americans are doing a pretty good job. We are not in a war zone. Nobody is shooting at us. We are ALL LARPing, to one extent or another. These LAMs work perfectly fine for the vast majority of us. Buy one and go have fun with it. Exactly. Probably going to pick up another one because at this price point, why not? |
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Quoted: I mean it is what it is. Most of us are not active duty anything. The Russians or Chinese have not invaded (yet) although the South Americans are doing a pretty good job. We are not in a war zone. Nobody is shooting at us. We are ALL LARPing, to one extent or another. These LAMs work perfectly fine for the vast majority of us. Buy one and go have fun with it. You don't need a gun until you do. Then, not much else will do. This isn't much different. I appreciate the depth guys have gone into these here. They're def a solid purchase. |
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Quoted: Used mine to great effect at a night shoot on Saturday. I'm interested to see one of the new aluminum bodied jobs, potted. |
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Quoted: yeah was pretty nice trying it out. I want an ngal for my TP9. So hoping their new ones show up early next year. I'd like to bring that out and shoot it. Quoted: Quoted: Used mine to great effect at a night shoot on Saturday. I'm interested to see one of the new aluminum bodied jobs, potted. I'm now also curious about the ngal, after discovering that these may work just fine. |
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Quoted: I'm now also curious about the ngal, after discovering that these may work just fine. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Used mine to great effect at a night shoot on Saturday. I'm interested to see one of the new aluminum bodied jobs, potted. I'm now also curious about the ngal, after discovering that these may work just fine. |
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Quoted: I mean for my TP9, I really only want the illuminator to work. I'm planning on half assing it and using the eotech for passive when I can and then using just the illuminator for when I need a little more light. If the laser works thats just a bonus. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Used mine to great effect at a night shoot on Saturday. I'm interested to see one of the new aluminum bodied jobs, potted. I'm now also curious about the ngal, after discovering that these may work just fine. I just want a decent unit that doesn't cost 1500+. The one review on youtube looks promising, but I think it was the first gen. It looks like they are doing a second gen for the ngal right? |
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Quoted: I mean for my TP9, I really only want the illuminator to work. I'm planning on half assing it and using the eotech for passive when I can and then using just the illuminator for when I need a little more light. If the laser works thats just a bonus. |
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Quoted: If you just want illumination why not go with a Vampire, Modlite, or Arisaka IR head? The former is all in one and the other two can generate a ton of throw+spill. You'd keep a smaller form factor and (potentially) save some coin. Quoted: Quoted: I mean for my TP9, I really only want the illuminator to work. I'm planning on half assing it and using the eotech for passive when I can and then using just the illuminator for when I need a little more light. If the laser works thats just a bonus. |
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My new potted green somo just showed up Everything has tactile clicks and looks on the up and up Incredibly quick for what was supposedly on backorder as well as needing the potting service They also seem to be using a new blue paint on the screws to make them look less gay. Still doesnt look quite right though on the screws. But thats a pretty minor complaint This one will live on a 357 lever gun |
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Few notes of improvements even over the one I got a few months ago The serial is now smaller like the real ones I've seen. They changed the paint on the screws They're using tan connecting rubber for the bat cap and covers which is much nicer looking than the clear ones that came on my prior two examples Also wish I woulda got green from the get go. Went red on previous version. Green is a bright bish |
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Quoted: Cause none of them are true options for me. All have some limitation. Mostly that they have either 1.) limited throw or 2.) Enough throw but a ton of spill which ends up gated your tube. I don't want that. I want focused illumination out to 100yds (or more). Imo check out the zbolt ir heads. |
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Quoted: Imo check out the zbolt ir heads. Quoted: Quoted: Cause none of them are true options for me. All have some limitation. Mostly that they have either 1.) limited throw or 2.) Enough throw but a ton of spill which ends up gated your tube. I don't want that. I want focused illumination out to 100yds (or more). Imo check out the zbolt ir heads. Have you actually seen any in person to make that assumption? I have an ex ir 250 on order, and can report when it arrives. If you want a vcel fine but there are light out there that will give you hundred yard range without auto gating tubes. Have you seen a vcel at a hundred? IMHO that is close up for one and could wash out what you are trying to see. It’s hard to make real assumptions from watching videos, a light might have great throw but can I see what it is because it’s washed out. There is a balance and don’t discount ir heads. I have seen the vampire heads and they have lots of spill and did not auto my tube, the ex ir 700 absolutely autoed my tube. The ex ir has been sold out every where til they just got in a batch and that seems to be a very popular option and you don’t se them for sale much on the EE.. My friend had a zbolt on order and will see what it’s like as well. |
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Quoted: Used mine to great effect at a night shoot on Saturday. I'm interested to see one of the new aluminum bodied jobs, potted. Can confirm the laser and illum were very nice. Unit looked good and didnt notice any issues with cutting out during recoil. When I get some spare $$ Ill pick one up for my 15-22 for funsies |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Airsoft grade IR devices on real guns? (Page 23 of 36)
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