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Posted: 4/17/2010 11:47:56 PM EDT
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I have an M&P15-22 and need a cheap training optic for it. I just can't see myself buying a $300 optic for a $350 rifle. I've got an Eotech 512 for work. I was thinking about simply getting an el-cheapo eotech clone to slap on my .22? It would be for distances maximum 50 yards, and mostly for shooting at distances within 25 yards. The eotech clone would provide a reticle similar to my "real gun" and would not need to withstand the same punishment. Are these worth the $40-$50 they're selling them for?
If anyone has experience with one, please chime in! Thanks in advance. |
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There are some replicas that are better than others.I don't have an Eotech but I have read that there are replicas just as good as the original.If you are getting one from some place like Ebaybanned or RSOV then read the reviews poeple have left.
I have an Aimpoint replica that has worked perfect and lasted a couple years now. |
| It's not a holographic sight, it's a red dot. If you don't plan on banging it around or shooting in the rain, I think you will be fine. I wouldn't mount it on anything higher than .22. If you don't like it sell it to me, I've got a .22 rifle that could use a red dot. Although I reccomend that bushnell trophy 1x32 red dot. It's shaped like an ACOG and built well. |
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Quoted: There are some replicas that are better than others.I don't have an Eotech but I have read that there are replicas just as good as the original.If you are getting one from some place like Ebaybanned or RSOV then read the reviews poeple have left. I have an Aimpoint replica that has worked perfect and lasted a couple years now. There are NO replicas as good as a real one. All replica optics are made as toys for the Airsoft players. They are good for static display, and toy firearms only. To say your Aimpoint replica has been good for a year now tells me that the firearm is a safe queen with limited range time. Your diode is held on with electrical tape, your body is not water tight, the adjustment screws are not water tight, your parallax is past 25 yrds at best! The entire unit cost less then $8 to manufacture, and sold for $40....its a toy. The electronics have a 10% service life, meaning they will last 10% of the lifetime of a higher priced one. I can buy a resistor or diode for $0.25 per 100, or $0.01 per 100...why do you think one is cheaper then the other? Clones on the other hand are built for real weapons. They are built and warrenteed for real weapon use. To do this they MUST address the things the toys don't, or most of them will come back on warranty issue. The diode is secured using a clamp housing, the body is sealed, the caps are sealed, the glass is properly coated. The entire unit cost to manufacture is $30 and they are sold for $80. There are currently NO, (repeat NO) EOTech clones. If you want a Replica EOTech for your .22, go for it, just dont expect much more then a toy. You are buying it for the "look" and not the function. |
| I understand that the clones and replicas are not the same quality, not built to the same standard, and not designed to withstand the same abuse as an original. I figured that's probably why they cost about 1/10 of an original. However, that being said, the purpose of the optic would be for an AR15 chambered in .22lr. The issue of parallax was initially a concern for me, but at the distances I would be shooting, I didn't see it being a huge issue. Also with the softer recoil of a .22lr, I didn't think that the internals would be at risk. Are the internal electronics really that sensitive? You all make a very good point and I appreciate the input so far. I also wasn't aware that there was a difference between "clones" and "replicas." Thanks for pointing that out. Any other experiences or insight would be appreciated... |
| Why not a Primary Arms. They seem to have a great track record here so far and are just a little over the price you were talking about. They probably are considered a clone of Aimpoint but the owner I believe is a member and I have read many good reviews on them. I even shot one next to an Aimpoint, it was fairly the same except the dot seemed a little bigger and they are not rated to withstand the same abuse as the Aimpoint. |
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Airsoft replica optics will hold up to .22 recoil, its about the same as airsoft. The trouble lays in the quality of the units. The best analogy I can come up with is this. A guy I know bought a 4X4 truck. He didn't have the cash for a real roll bar and cage, but only wanted the "look" and some place to hang some lights. The Replica ones are made out of Plastic and used for Hollywood movie shit. Those can not be used on trucks that are driven on the road since they may just fall apart from the wind and vibrations of driving. The Home built ones are made out of cheap metal, and can withstand driving, but will not protect you in a roll over. So Hollywood shit = toy, Home built = Clone, Real Deal = REAL DEAL The optic may or may not stand up to the recoil for any given time. The diode may or may not blow in any given time. The electronics may or may not blow in any given time...Its all a crap shoot. Add to that any weather you encounter, oil penetration, moister from heating and cooling, heat out gassing from paint on the inside, cleaning solvent reaction with whatever...it all adds up to..... Don't waste your money on toys for real firearms. |
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Look - this thread is about a guy asking if a cheap optic is OK for a .22. If you don't have PERSONAL experience with what he's asking about, please don't post. The OP appears to know the limitations that come with the cheap clones, so he's not disillusioned about its potential performance. |
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Okay showstopr I really think I can help you. I also have a M&P 15-22 and use a "Real" AR on-duty as a LEO. I bought the 15-22 for cheaper training and having fun. I wanted it to be as close to my on-duty AR as possible which has had a Eotech 511 on it for years with no problems. Like you I had the same question and found the one that I bought at the link below. Took it to the range today and sighted it in and was very surprised. Is it as good as my real Eotech? No, but it cost me a whole $57.00 shipping and all, to have it delivered to my department from china. It holds it's zero after a couple hundred rounds. I just got it and it may stop working next week, but right now today, I feel good about it and have a lot of hope after playing with it the last couple of days. I don't have the pics of it on for URL, but I can email them to you if you would like. Hope this helps.
http://airsoft-club.com/shop/aiming-sight/red-green-dot-sight/holographic-tactical-552-type-red-green-reflex-dot-sight |
| My experience with any kind of el-cheapo knock off red dot scope has not been good. They either suck from the start or break with in a month. Either way you end up with a broken scope and a whole lot of frustatrion. I would get a cheap fixed power scope instead. |
Dude, get the cheap one. Buying a $350 optic for a $300 is crazy. Iv got a NCStar Red Dot that I stuck on my 12 gauge and fired 45 rounds through it to torture test it. It held zero just fine and now sits on my AR. The only complaint I have is that the battery only lasts 3-4 hours, but for a cheap red dot to get me by until I can get an Eotech, it suits my needs just fine. Once I do get an Eotech, the red dot is going back on the 12 gauge  It seems like half of this forum is so conditioned to expensive gear, they think anything not at least ~$200 and made in America is junk and wont touch it with a 10 foot pole.
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Quoted:
I saw some pics on here with one of these replicas taken apart. If you saw how crappy they are put together even the $57 would seem like a rip-off. I took it apart. The way the actual adjustments work are quite primative, but all the elctronics look solid. |
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