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Posted: 7/30/2004 10:07:48 AM EDT
What the hell, why not ANOTHER Tacpoint thread, eh?  (Yet another) DISCLAIMER (to ignore): I'm not asking for opinions. I'm posting my actual observations on the product that I have right IN MY FREAKING HANDS. This is not based on hearsay, conversations with other red dot scope manufacturers at gun show events or factless, baseless, unsubstantiated opinions. I do not care where the scope is manufactured, nor where you wish to take it. I am not taking it into battle, swimming the English Channel with it, nor do I plan on bolting it to a 2x4 and throwing off the top of a 16-story building in the middle of a winter blizzard. Seriously ... I received my Tacpoint from nightvisionweb.com yesterday. I'll post some initial observations today and then add any future test or range results later (time permitting). I have a few pics at home on the digital and will add them to this thread when I get a chance (having enough time - a familiar theme of mine ... :) ) --- Packaging: As with others, plain white box packaging. Nothing fancy. Just a box. Contents: Tacpoint 1x scope; Weaver/Pic style scope mount + allen wrench; two sets of batteries; one front lens cover; one rear lens cover; lens cloth; one small package of silica beads. This did come with a "user manual" - all of one page printed back and front. Basic operation of the scope were covered. The scope was without any noticeable wear or machining marks; black finish was very nice and smooth. The word "TACPOINT" was engraved along the body at the rear. Underneath was a "Made in Japan" sticker. Fit and finish actually seemed better than what I normally expect from a Japanese machined product. Threads on caps clean. O-Ring on battery compartment. Adjusters click without incident. Brightness selector has six positions (5 plus "OFF", which is marked with a silver dot). First position CW from off is it's brightest; subsequent CW positions lower the brightness. You will NOT 'accidentally' adjust this selector (on/off/change level). The flip-up lens covers are good quality plastic, but the design/spring mechanism is not very well designed. Front lens cover spring doesn't "spring" very well, and the post holding the cover to the ring will not stay in place. Very poor design (mechanics). The actual covers snap on/off without an issue, though, and will protect the lenses without question. I've emailed the reseller and asked for another front lens cover assembly. I did not see any problems with the glass and/or the quality of the glass. The 4MOA red dot is as good as I can expect -- I wear contact lenses AND I have a slight astigmatism, so (as we all know), red dots aren't very "dot-like" at close distances and/or indoors. I had several people at work (whom have good eyesight and no deficiencies in their vision) look through the scope and provide their feedback. One person said, "Damn near perfectly round", while several others gave it either 8/10 or 9/10 for roundness. Another is an ex-Marine (Gulf War I) with many years of experience with these scopes. He said it was an easy 8/10, maybe 9/10 for clarity and crispness. Brightness of the dot seemed quite sufficient to me. I've had it outside in sunlight, indoors in high and low light. Although there are only five settings, I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be sufficient. It's brightest setting did not get washed out outdoors. The ring mount that was included might be considered "good"; nothing special, just a standard 30mm ring with allen head screws to hold it on to the rail. I suggest an aftermarket mount, only because it will make it easier to install/remove without having to re-zero. I ordered an A.R.M.S. #22M68 and full spacer - should be here today/tomorrow. All in all, I'll give the initial inspection of the Tacpoint a thumbs-up. Honestly, I was expecting much LESS when it came to actual overall quality. I am glad to report that I am pleased with finding this NOT to be true. Again, I'll get some of the pictures up as soon as I can. And I hope to make it to the range soon, too. Don't bother asking me to shove it up a camel's ass or to put it into my blender on "PUREE" speed. I'm NOT taking this thing into combat. I'm not going deep sea diving with it. I'm just going to report my findings while testing/using it as a normal, every-day, non-military, non-combat red dot 1x scope. If your comment includes the words "Communist", "patent infringement", "slave labor" and/or "red army" -- don't even BOTHER posting your useless non-technical subjective bullshit. Thanks. More to come ... |
They probably are ... :) I have the pics in the camera, just need to find time to get them up. Won't be able to do it until Sunday at the earliest - weekends are spent on the boat with a Rum & Coke while watching "Tin Cup" ... :) P.S. - Excellent avatar! (see my last name) |
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My initial impressions of the Tacpoint were very similar to yours. I'm waiting for a mount to give it a weapons test. The factory low ring did not mount high enough to make the dot over the front sight, so an aftermarket mount is needed for a regular flattop rail. We'll see how it does. So far I have a positive impression. By the way, my flip-ups worked great. no problems. |
I have a tactical handguard (fairly useless) I could put on the flattop. If I mounted the factory ring on that handle, it would clear the sights, but would be too high to co-witness (which is why I ordered the ARMS stuff). No sense in doing all that crap on when lever mount will be here today or tomorrow. |
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I have had my Tacpoint for about 2 weeks now and have shot it twice with no problems......have only shot about 100 rounds and it has not failed yet. Of course I have just been shooting off a bench and have not banged it, soaked it, rolled it in the mud or otherwise abused it! It will suit my purposes just fine which is shoot at targets and the occasional coyoteh***Update- I am turning on the Tacpoint on the brightest setting and will let you know when the batteries die, it is now 4:35 pm central time on Friday the 30th of July.*** http://www.hunt101.com/img/205918.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/img/205913.jpg |
Id like to thank everyone for their efforts at testing this stuff for those of us on a budget, I still havent decided what to go with as far as "any" red dot, I just appreciate the effort being put out to test this stuff, whether it is a tacpoint, aimpoint, eotech etc, just a thank you for the effort For those that had one I believe TangoChaser was in search of one to test in Iraq in one of the threads that got locked, just a thought. Please keep us informed.Thanks again.
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But there in is its doom - nobody likes anything cheap hung off their rifle. A set of $300 rings has to be twice as good as ones that cost only $150. A $120 red dot can't be as good as one that costs $300.... or can it? |
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