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Juuuuust kidding. Realized at the last moment that this thing isn't ambi. I'm a lefty. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTBCLP4G?tag=arfcom00-20 |
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Originally Posted By mx5autoxer: Juuuuust kidding. Realized at the last moment that this thing isn't ambi. I'm a lefty. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTBCLP4G?tag=arfcom00-20 Might work really nice upside down or on the left side of the handguard, dependong on your setup. You shoud try it.  |
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Originally Posted By towerofpower94: Damn, that last one, with the center mounted lasers like you mention, would be killer on a little AR .22lr upper for goofing around at night with IR and WL. Well, they didn't exactly make the manta-ray form-factor, but they apparently did recently add a $120 "do it all" option to the mix with Visible Light, Visible Green Laser, IR Illuminator, IR Laser, and a master OFF switch all in one unit. 
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Man, these things keep getting cheaper and more functional. The OEM recently released their own 4-in-1 MFAL that's an inch shorter, has vis light, green laser, IR illum, IR laser, pressure switch for... $89 bucks. For that matter they had a typo today that made it $69! (gone now)   Defendtac 4-in-1 IR and Visible MFAL I was sent one of the $120 Toughsoul MFALs above. Took it out last night and did a quick video showing lasers and lights as compared to some Streamlights, Olights, a Surefire X300, and a real DBAL. Haven't wrung it out yet to see zero retention or battery life, etc. -- just wanted to see how it looked under a PVS14 fast and dirty.  TOUGHSOUL TS-9069 MULTIFUNCTION AIMING LASER & ILLUMINATOR (IR & Visible) UNBOXING & SAMPLE FOOTAGE |
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I was making an amazon order today and tossed this one in to try out from the same company, slightly different form factor but 35 bucks. It'll probably end up on the .22 eventually, but will let it ride on a 5.56 SBR to see how it hold up. I have a few of those Tor Mini IR lasers from TNVC stashed, if this seems decent no reason not to sprinkle them over a few other of my ARs. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCNR8QM3/ref=pe_386300_440135490_TE_simp_item_image |
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Originally Posted By StaccatoC2: I have both, I have tested both side by side, very little difference. But the one from these pics is the one that takes 2 123 batteries, and is only mlok. It was linked later in the thread, I dont like the layout being mlok only. This one Price on this one is now down to $42. There was a plastic insert on mine that I was able to pull out making the 18650 rechargeable battery fit, in addition to the CR123. Light is pretty bright but could use something to keep the beam going down range (sunshade?), laser is as bright as some higher dollar units (DBAL, Wilcox Raid). Seems to be holding zero after 90ish rounds of 223. |
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I got back last night and played with the toughsoul this morning, trying out different attachment methods etc. it is a little bit bigger than I expected and takes up too much room to be usable on my 10.3" G upper. I have an 11.3" mock up that's becoming my new NODs upper though and it felt decently usable there, especially with a stubby vfg and a less pronated wrist instead of a handstop and a c clamp. I tried it at the 3/9 position, it fits but there's no way to run anything clamped on the top rail. I'd need a longer rail and run a mini tor at the back of the toughsoul to use it, it looks like. I also got a magpul offset mount, I'll try it later to see if it works at all. This upper is getting a FP PEQ, but if the illum tonight is anything decent at all it'll probably do well on my .22lr with a tor mini IR.    |
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So this is about 30 seconds of testing in the backyard, it's a crispy ITT Pinnacle tube (that looks much cleaner in person) I snapped some quick pics with my iphone, you can see eyeshine from a bunny in the second pic. Lots of flood, but lit up trees 150 or so yard away to a discernible amount. I may see about printing a cover for the switches, but it's a pretty good fit for the .22 I think.   |
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Originally Posted By eesmith: So this is about 30 seconds of testing in the backyard, it's a crispy ITT Pinnacle tube (that looks much cleaner in person) I snapped some quick pics with my iphone, you can see eyeshine from a bunny in the second pic. Lots of flood, but lit up trees 150 or so yard away to a discernible amount. I may see about printing a cover for the switches, but it's a pretty good fit for the .22 I think. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/214740/IMG_1468-3333613.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/214740/IMG_1469-3333614.jpg Let me know if you print that cover. I’d like to see your solution. |
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Originally Posted By treasurediver: Let me know if you print that cover. I'd like to see your solution. Originally Posted By treasurediver: Originally Posted By eesmith: So this is about 30 seconds of testing in the backyard, it's a crispy ITT Pinnacle tube (that looks much cleaner in person) I snapped some quick pics with my iphone, you can see eyeshine from a bunny in the second pic. Lots of flood, but lit up trees 150 or so yard away to a discernible amount. I may see about printing a cover for the switches, but it's a pretty good fit for the .22 I think. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/214740/IMG_1468-3333613.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/214740/IMG_1469-3333614.jpg Let me know if you print that cover. I'd like to see your solution. If I had to guess, I'd say 556 will eat this thing's lunch, especially if it's mounted anywhere near the muzzle. I've got SF/Modlite heads with that sandblasted SBR look, this looks like it has a plastic bezel which would probably get annihilated quickly given on the G rail pic above it's sitting right next to a FH port. I think with a switch cover to fix the ND/no lockout issue this would be a decent choice for anti-critter duties on a 22 or upscale pellet rifle, given the construction materials and beam pattern. It's so cheap if it eventually breaks just throw it away and order a new one. |
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Originally Posted By treasurediver: Let me know if you print that cover. I'd like to see your solution. Kinda silly to go through all this trouble for a 35 buck china light, but I get an excuse to play with my Ender and practice some more CAD so it works out lol.  |
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First prototype done, fits good. Only issue is pushing on it hard enough still activates the light, the buttons stick up slightly and I added a channel but evidently it's not deep enough.it's definitely less sensitive though. I'll adjust that, and radius the retention channel as well to hold the cord a little better.  |
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Final design, radiused the retention channel and added a forward stop to it, and deepened and narrowed the button notch. Now it won't turn on no matter how hard I push unless the cover is pushed forward. The mini IR works well with it, the pic is with it on low power laser and highest illum, the laser is visible at the top of my fence.    |
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Originally Posted By MrSprocket: Any thoughts of drawing up a shade to cut down on some of the side blast from the illuminator? Make the beam a bit more focused... |
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Sheesh.... it's freaking bright. Was glad to find out that you can turn the laser and illuminator on at the same time. Thought about that right after I ordered it... It sighted-in rather effortlessly. Hopefully it stays that way. |
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Originally Posted By eesmith: Was actually thinking about that, had other projects this weekend but will probably measure and print one this week. Hells yes! Seems like something like that would really improve the utility. Tried to fake something with pipe couplers from the hardware store, on my way out to shoot. Did not get it to work. |
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Originally Posted By MrSprocket: Hells yes! Seems like something like that would really improve the utility. Tried to fake something with pipe couplers from the hardware store, on my way out to shoot. Did not get it to work. Originally Posted By MrSprocket: Originally Posted By eesmith: Was actually thinking about that, had other projects this weekend but will probably measure and print one this week. Hells yes! Seems like something like that would really improve the utility. Tried to fake something with pipe couplers from the hardware store, on my way out to shoot. Did not get it to work. I went ahead and printed one this evening, only took like 45 minutes between design and print because it was so small. It definitely helped with the flood somewhat, I'm going to play with the design some more this week but it's definitely somewhat more focused than before. It's a snug friction fit on the head, the ridges on the bezel hold it pretty well.   |
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Originally Posted By eesmith: @mrsprocket I went ahead and printed one this evening, only took like 45 minutes between design and print because it was so small. It definitely helped with the flood somewhat, I'm going to play with the design some more this week but it's definitely somewhat more focused than before. It's a snug friction fit on the head, the ridges on the bezel hold it pretty well. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/214740/IMG_1570-3336333.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/214740/IMG_1573-3336334.jpg |
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Originally Posted By Falcon09: Can you share a print file for that? Originally Posted By Falcon09: Originally Posted By eesmith: @mrsprocket I went ahead and printed one this evening, only took like 45 minutes between design and print because it was so small. It definitely helped with the flood somewhat, I'm going to play with the design some more this week but it's definitely somewhat more focused than before. It's a snug friction fit on the head, the ridges on the bezel hold it pretty well. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/214740/IMG_1570-3336333.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/214740/IMG_1573-3336334.jpg Sure! I'll make a couple more with different beam patterns and put them in an stl file and share later this week. I can only confirm this works with the particular toughsoul Illum I have, any other model you'll have to check the head diameter with a caliper and let me know the specs. |
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Originally Posted By MrSprocket: That is much nicer that the janky pvc pipe I was trying to jam on mine! Excellent work! Thanks! It's been fun having an excuse to play with my printer and learn some more cad, haha |
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Originally Posted By eesmith: @Falcon09 Sure! I'll make a couple more with different beam patterns and put them in an stl file and share later this week. I can only confirm this works with the particular toughsoul Illum I have, any other model you'll have to check the head diameter with a caliper and let me know the specs. Sweet! I have access to a printer but lack cad skills. I do have a set of calipers. The removable battery laser/light model measures .867", rechargeable laser/light measures .827" |
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Originally Posted By MrSprocket: Sweet! I have access to a printer but lack cad skills. I do have a set of calipers. The removable battery laser/light model measures .867", rechargeable laser/light measures .827" Originally Posted By MrSprocket: Originally Posted By eesmith: @Falcon09 Sure! I'll make a couple more with different beam patterns and put them in an stl file and share later this week. I can only confirm this works with the particular toughsoul Illum I have, any other model you'll have to check the head diameter with a caliper and let me know the specs. Sweet! I have access to a printer but lack cad skills. I do have a set of calipers. The removable battery laser/light model measures .867", rechargeable laser/light measures .827" @mrsprocket the 2nd one matches mine, I'm putting together a combo pack with switch cover and both light shroud beam patterns. It should fit your rechargeable, if not just tweak the size in your slicer a hair. I'll see about scaling it up for the removable one and share it separately, I don't have one here so I can't test fit it. |
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Updated the switch slightly, and a comparison of the narrow shroud to the stock beam. It's not the tightest, but definitely more usable than the floody mess with a bare lens. The wide shroud cuts out the widest spill, but leaves a flood about halfway between this and the stock beam. Cut a hair tie and tie it around the switch, then run it under a pic rail slot and it's the perfect tension.    |
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Originally Posted By eesmith: @mrsprocket the 2nd one matches mine, I'm putting together a combo pack with switch cover and both light shroud beam patterns. It should fit your rechargeable, if not just tweak the size in your slicer a hair. I'll see about scaling it up for the removable one and share it separately, I don't have one here so I can't test fit it. Nice! That would help a lot! Thanks |
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Here's a dropbox link for the toughsoul pack: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/j897etlgfy3l2o1n0tpbn/AMAPLCBqWgK2yz8aDmBjkzs?rlkey=uw1eh8f7la2patq5l1jbg2fmd&st=zr4ii7xd&dl=0 |
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| Have been following this thread. Still trying decide the unit to buy. Do any of these units have a slaved vis laser? Or should I just buy one without? Only othe rOR laser I have is a Tor-mini. |
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Originally Posted By zoe17: Have been following this thread. Still trying decide the unit to buy. Do any of these units have a slaved vis laser? Or should I just buy one without? Only othe rOR laser I have is a Tor-mini. If I were to do it again I would buy this one, as it is easier to prevent ND's by removing the batteries. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ346LP8 The none of the cheap ones I have seen have a slaved vis laser. |
| So apparently some brands of PLA are translucent to IR, it seems Voxelab blue doesn't work for this application. I'm using esun black PLA+ without issues, I'll update the readme to note this. If anyone else tries it and has issues or it works for them, please let me know so I can add it to the readme. |
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I bought this one: 
I got it for like $70 on sale. Finally took it out a night shoot on my SU-16D9 SBR: Pros: 1. White light is decent. Lots of flood, but a large defined hot spot. Definitely usable at 100yds and in, which is actually a real compliment (not a lot of cheap lights pull that off!). 2. IR illuminator and pointer well-balanced. Not amazing, but enough for 100yds, maybe even 150yds. Pointer is fairly well-focused. Illuminator is floody but not overly so. 3. Remote switch worked fine. 4. Everything connects via MLOK. Very straightforward. 5. Unit itself isn't huge, and mounts compactly. 6. Switchology isn't horrible on the unit itself. 7. Light to indicate IR is on. 8. No flicker during shooting. Cons: 1. 3.5mm jack connector for the remote switch (not crane) 2. Vis and IR lasers not slaved, and require hex wrench for adjustment 3. Clicking it once puts it in constant-on, which is kind of a bad design choice (I'd prefer no constant-on). 4. Constant-on "stays" on even between mode selections (to include "off"). 5. Magnetic charging through a proprietary-ish port (don't lose the cable) 6. DOES NOT HOLD ZERO. The SU-16D9 is blasty, but it's still just a 5.56 gun, and doesn't kick all that hard (it had a brake). Not a problem with the handguard, which was rock solid the whole time. The laser was way off when I checked it after some run-and-gun. All in all, don't buy it. SMSLaser is supposed to be shipping me the new HFXC 4 for T&E when they finally get some. Twice as much, but if it holds zero, it'll be well worth it. |
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Originally Posted By erwos: I bought this one: www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8YFVZPP I got it for like $70 on sale. Finally took it out a night shoot on my SU-16D9 SBR: Pros: 1. White light is decent. Lots of flood, but a large defined hot spot. Definitely usable at 100yds and in, which is actually a real compliment (not a lot of cheap lights pull that off!). 2. IR illuminator and pointer well-balanced. Not amazing, but enough for 100yds, maybe even 150yds. Pointer is fairly well-focused. Illuminator is floody but not overly so. 3. Remote switch worked fine. 4. Everything connects via MLOK. Very straightforward. 5. Unit itself isn't huge, and mounts compactly. 6. Switchology isn't horrible on the unit itself. 7. Light to indicate IR is on. 8. No flicker during shooting. Cons: 1. 3.5mm jack connector for the remote switch (not crane) 2. Vis and IR lasers not slaved, and require hex wrench for adjustment 3. Clicking it once puts it in constant-on, which is kind of a bad design choice (I'd prefer no constant-on). 4. Constant-on "stays" on even between mode selections (to include "off"). 5. Magnetic charging through a proprietary-ish port (don't lose the cable) 6. DOES NOT HOLD ZERO. The SU-16D9 is blasty, but it's still just a 5.56 gun, and doesn't kick all that hard (it had a brake). Not a problem with the handguard, which was rock solid the whole time. The laser was way off when I checked it after some run-and-gun. All in all, don't buy it. SMSLaser is supposed to be shipping me the new HFXC 4 for T&E when they finally get some. Twice as much, but if it holds zero, it'll be well worth it. Thanks for the report. I’m cautiously looking forward to the SMS laser with the focusing IR illuminator. If it holds zero it would be a good secondary laser for some of my lesser-used guns. |
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I have both the Toughsoul and Defentac units in both 'all in one' styles - and neither hold zero when hit against the wooden shooting bench with moderate force. I have the Toughsoul on a 7.5" build and the recoil has already shifted the unit on the rail (plastic MLOK nuts suck). Had to be re-torqued. I know these are airsoft/junk units for the most part but the flashlights arent bad on them for the price at all so thats a plus for them. And - just IMO even with the POI shift of the lasers - they could still work very well for 10-15yd minute-of-target aiming in close up needs as the POI shift is nothing at that distance. YMMV on your uses and needs/expectations. |
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I'm still liking the toughsoul (original rechargeable unit from the OP). I have two and they haven't drifted yet but I'm babying both rifles they're on. Biggest gripe right now is the only time I know what the battery level is, is when I've just taken it off the charger, and when it's dead. Looking forward to SMS reviews. |
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Originally Posted By kel: things keep getting cheaper and more functional. The OEM recently released their own 4-in-1 MFAL that's an inch shorter, has vis light, green laser, IR illum, IR laser, pressure switch for... $89 bucks. For that matter they had a typo today that made it $69! (gone now) https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71k4cxNUz5L._AC_SX679_.jpg ...and now with tariffs, it's strangely even cheaper. :D I don't know if anyone's tried this specific one, but at $59 bucks with a remote pressure pad, it's hard to argue with for a .22lr night plinker. I've found that the IR on these cheapies is usually floody and works for close-in only, not long throw. But the lasers green and IR are useful. For a 50-yard yard pest destroyer... Hmm. DEFENTAC Green / IR Laser and White / Infrared Illuminator 4-in-1 Combo: $59 Or, some dude's selling them (new) on eBay for $33 OR BEST OFFER + $7 shipping. eBay $40 bucks or lower, shipped! |
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I have the CR123 version and I actually like it a lot, can't argue with the price point. There's a teeny light on the underside that shows if something is active, but as with the other units you guys mentioned there's no master shutoff or lockout, and the buttons stand proud. I designed a little cover for the buttons that makes the illuminator a little harder to get to, and the laser a lot harder to get to. Fits in the recesses of the unit itself and you can use an extra MLOK nut and m4 screw to secure it or just dummy cord it. This one's in TPU so ignore the janky print, that stuff is tough to get clean but I wanted this a little flexible.  File is uploaded here: ToughSoul Button Cover |
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