AR Sponsor
Posted: 12/5/2011 4:57:14 PM EDT
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I saw this red dot at a local gun show this past weekend. The seller told me they have the quality of sights that cost a lot more, and that local LEOs are using them on their weapons. I would rather take the word of my fellow AR15.com members than a retailer. Anyone have/use this? Is it a good quality that will hold up for a few years of moderately rough use?
Leapers red dot |
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There is such a thing as being a gear snob. Then there is the dude at the gun show who wants your fifty bucks.
If a police officer is using that sight on a duty rifle...I'll just say that if it works for him, great. I know a few officers who use bargain basement optics on their rifles, and haven't had any problems, but that doesn't mean I'm going to slap something like that on a rifle I roll, climb, jump, crawl and run through buildings with. If you are looking to save money on a sight, try Primary Arms. I've seen them in use at the range, and they have a fair reputation. Their branded products are economical. I haven't bought optics from them, but the two purchases I did make went smoothly and promptly. Your definition of moderately rough may differ from mine, but I wouldn't expect that Leapers gimmick to last long under anything more severe than target practice. |
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I tried a Leapers on a friends weapon, and only the range, but on an AR-15 and it seemed fine. That was only a couple of months ago, and was a newer optic model he said.
I did buy one around 4 years ago, and only tried it on my 10/22. It failed after about a 1,000 rounds, for whatever reason. I took it back to the dealer and basically was told, "No returns on optics". Even though it was the next frigging day. Away from them I went. Since then I have tried the Vortex, and found it a good buy, and it stays in reserve for my non-duty rifles. But for duty use, we have to either use Aimpoint, Eotech or Trijicon. That is an written armorers policy. I've not used nor tried the Primary arms optics, but would like to try one of their magnifiers. The policy says nothing about required magnifiers. |
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As an LEO I can say this.
The fact that an LEO may use this is meaningless. Cops are the cheapest bastards on the planet. They are overworked and underpaid and buy most of their kit out of depleted budgets. Which is why they always want discounts. And don't forget most cops are not gun guys. They just buy what the department says they can use, or what their buddy uses. Most are not informed purchases. I see a lot of junk rifles with junk optics on them. They work, but not well. They get replaced a lot, which over time is a waste of money. But most police guns are carried a lot and shot a little. In my area, they don't handle the temperature extremes well. Riding in the trunk of a car on a hot day can fry optics. Riding in the trunk of a car when its -16 can fry optics. Its not always the bumps and bruises that wipe out optics. I have tried several Leapers optics over the years. I keep hoping one will hold up or work. So far none has. I'd love to save the money, but I'd rather save my life, so now I do without an optic, then use a cheap one. Most of my guns lack optics because I can't afford good ones. My best effort with a Leapers was 6 months before the reticle came loose and rotated around. Personally, I will never again use a Leapers anything. If I needed an inexpensive red dot, I'd go Primary Arms. If I couldn't do that, I'd buy more ammo and master my irons. YMMV |
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Leapers makes many excellent products at attractive price points. Many of these products do work extremely well, but there has to be a reason that they remain inexpensive - and there is! Quality Control is the main reason. One red dot may work perfectly while the next a total lemon. Sure, it can happen with higher priced stuff as well, but it will be much less frequent. I agree that "some" cops are cheap, but sometimes their administration is to blame. That's a story for another time. Just like any optics - you get what you pay for! Why spend so much time and money on your rifle only to put an inferior optic on it? george P. |
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Quoted: Leapers makes many excellent products at attractive price points. Many of these products do work extremely well, but there has to be a reason that they remain inexpensive - and there is! Quality Control is the main reason. One red dot may work perfectly while the next a total lemon. Sure, it can happen with higher priced stuff as well, but it will be much less frequent. I agree that "some" cops are cheap, but sometimes their administration is to blame. That's a story for another time. Just like any optics - you get what you pay for! Why spend so much time and money on your rifle only to put an inferior optic on it? george P. Well said George. |
| OK, so no one posting has actual first hand knowledge of this product, so I can not get a true opinion from this group. I will try asking around another site, I don't accept that that brand is not as good because it does not cost hundreds of dollars, I don't roll like that. I am looking for actual users of that particular site. |
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Quoted: OK, so no one posting has actual first hand knowledge of this product, so I can not get a true opinion from this group. I will try asking around another site, I don't accept that that brand is not as good because it does not cost hundreds of dollars, I don't roll like that. I am looking for actual users of that particular site. I guess you can't read. Lancelot is a LEO and a Mod here, did you read his post? How about the post from a guy that sells them? Crash54 posted first hand experience also. You were given good advice, if you read it. So roll on over to another site where you might be told how good Leaper scopes are since that's all you really want to hear. Lessons are best learned the hard way. |
I read all the posts, I am looking for anyone who has used that specific optic, not a generalization about the brand. I am not an LEO, I shoot for fun and sport. I don't need something that lasts for 20 years, just get me going for a year or two. I asked about rugged because I may use it as a hunting riffle next year, and the area I shoot at is really rocky. I understand folks wanting to help, but like I said, I just want to know about this particular model....I am not going to judge Ford based on the Pinto, or Mustang II, and don't hold judgment on new Dodges based on the transmissions of the 90s. I am just looking for a low cost starter model.
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Please feel free to waste your money on junk. Please go to your other site where, if they know anything, they will tell you the same we have told you. Some people cannot be helped and you are one of them. Sad but true.  Quoted: I read all the posts, I am looking for anyone who has used that specific optic, not a generalization about the brand. I am not an LEO, I shoot for fun and sport. I don't need something that lasts for 20 years, just get me going for a year or two. I asked about rugged because I may use it as a hunting riffle next year, and the area I shoot at is really rocky. I understand folks wanting to help, but like I said, I just want to know about this particular model....I am not going to judge Ford based on the Pinto, or Mustang II, and don't hold judgment on new Dodges based on the transmissions of the 90s. I am just looking for a low cost starter model. |
| If you want to overpay a gun show guy for a low quality red dot with terrible durability and battery life go for it. I've got a couple cheap red dots laying around and don't regret buying them. They are not a substitute for the more expensive optics you alluded to in your last post. |
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If you choose to buy that crap, don't say we didn't warn you when it gives out on you or won't hold zero.
Leapers BSA NCStar UTG I've personally played with stuff from all four brands. All similar product from the same factories with the same persistent quality issues. There are not-so-expensive options out there with MUCH better quality records, as posted above. |
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Quoted: I read all the posts, I am looking for anyone who has used that specific optic, not a generalization about the brand. I am not an LEO, I shoot for fun and sport. I don't need something that lasts for 20 years, just get me going for a year or two. I asked about rugged because I may use it as a hunting riffle next year, and the area I shoot at is really rocky. I understand folks wanting to help, but like I said, I just want to know about this particular model....I am not going to judge Ford based on the Pinto, or Mustang II, and don't hold judgment on new Dodges based on the transmissions of the 90s. I am just looking for a low cost starter model. There's a reason few people have offered up opinions on this particular brand is because the quality is known to be sub-par. That doesn't mean everything Leapers has made is junk or that their stuff is unusable. Your attitude, however, is just as bad as that of a gear snob. You have preconceived notions of what SHOULD work, and would rather leave than listen to arguments. I'm the furthest thing from a gear snob, and only own a couple of nice optics. Most of my shooting is plinking, so I don't bother with high-end stuff for most of it. When you order high-end stuff, you KNOW that it'll work when you put it on and when you need it years later. When I consider a cheap optic, I have to be much more careful with my selection. I've bought some VERY low-end stuff for my kid's airsoft - Leaper was probably in there - and I was appalled at the quality. Again - not ALL low end stuff is useless, but caveat emptor should always be in the back of your mind. From the link you posted, it would stand to reason based on the few replies that this optic is OK. Spending $50 is not the end of the world, and you get have a red dot on your rifle for minimal money. It says it comes with a medium height mount; make sure that it's tall enough to allow using it with an AR15's tall front sight tower. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I read all the posts, I am looking for anyone who has used that specific optic, not a generalization about the brand. I am not an LEO, I shoot for fun and sport. I don't need something that lasts for 20 years, just get me going for a year or two. I asked about rugged because I may use it as a hunting riffle next year, and the area I shoot at is really rocky. I understand folks wanting to help, but like I said, I just want to know about this particular model....I am not going to judge Ford based on the Pinto, or Mustang II, and don't hold judgment on new Dodges based on the transmissions of the 90s. I am just looking for a low cost starter model. There's a reason few people have offered up opinions on this particular brand is because the quality is known to be sub-par. That doesn't mean everything Leapers has made is junk or that their stuff is unusable. Your attitude, however, is just as bad as that of a gear snob. You have preconceived notions of what SHOULD work, and would rather leave than listen to arguments. I'm the furthest thing from a gear snob, and only own a couple of nice optics. Most of my shooting is plinking, so I don't bother with high-end stuff for most of it. When you order high-end stuff, you KNOW that it'll work when you put it on and when you need it years later. When I consider a cheap optic, I have to be much more careful with my selection. I've bought some VERY low-end stuff for my kid's airsoft - Leaper was probably in there - and I was appalled at the quality. Again - not ALL low end stuff is useless, but caveat emptor should always be in the back of your mind. From the link you posted, it would stand to reason based on the few replies that this optic is OK. Spending $50 is not the end of the world, and you get have a red dot on your rifle for minimal money. It says it comes with a medium height mount; make sure that it's tall enough to allow using it with an AR15's tall front sight tower. I appreciate your offerings. I just wanted to know if the thing would work for a year or two. I know Leapers isn't top shelf and that is why I wanted any honest reviews of this particular model. My life does not depend on my equipment, if it did I would just use my BUIS. It just got to me when people who have never used this model are telling me that it is not worth the money because of the manufacturer. I was not looking for the their overall reputation. Many manufacturers produce mostly garbage, but do have one or two good items, I want to know if this optic would fit that case. I have always had a low budget for my hobbies and have to find good deals or lower priced alternatives, if I can get by for a year or two and just spend $50 that is what I have to do, if it will hold up for that year. I had hoped that my fellow AR15.com members would be willing to understand that when folks want to know about a piece of equipment, that is usually in the price range we can afford and we know full well that the inexpensive gear is not going to last for years. 
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I read all the posts, I am looking for anyone who has used that specific optic, not a generalization about the brand. I am not an LEO, I shoot for fun and sport. I don't need something that lasts for 20 years, just get me going for a year or two. I asked about rugged because I may use it as a hunting riffle next year, and the area I shoot at is really rocky. I understand folks wanting to help, but like I said, I just want to know about this particular model....I am not going to judge Ford based on the Pinto, or Mustang II, and don't hold judgment on new Dodges based on the transmissions of the 90s. I am just looking for a low cost starter model. There's a reason few people have offered up opinions on this particular brand is because the quality is known to be sub-par. That doesn't mean everything Leapers has made is junk or that their stuff is unusable. Your attitude, however, is just as bad as that of a gear snob. You have preconceived notions of what SHOULD work, and would rather leave than listen to arguments. I'm the furthest thing from a gear snob, and only own a couple of nice optics. Most of my shooting is plinking, so I don't bother with high-end stuff for most of it. When you order high-end stuff, you KNOW that it'll work when you put it on and when you need it years later. When I consider a cheap optic, I have to be much more careful with my selection. I've bought some VERY low-end stuff for my kid's airsoft - Leaper was probably in there - and I was appalled at the quality. Again - not ALL low end stuff is useless, but caveat emptor should always be in the back of your mind. From the link you posted, it would stand to reason based on the few replies that this optic is OK. Spending $50 is not the end of the world, and you get have a red dot on your rifle for minimal money. It says it comes with a medium height mount; make sure that it's tall enough to allow using it with an AR15's tall front sight tower. I appreciate your offerings. I just wanted to know if the thing would work for a year or two. I know Leapers isn't top shelf and that is why I wanted any honest reviews of this particular model. My life does not depend on my equipment, if it did I would just use my BUIS. It just got to me when people who have never used this model are telling me that it is not worth the money because of the manufacturer. I was not looking for the their overall reputation. Many manufacturers produce mostly garbage, but do have one or two good items, I want to know if this optic would fit that case. I have always had a low budget for my hobbies and have to find good deals or lower priced alternatives, if I can get by for a year or two and just spend $50 that is what I have to do, if it will hold up for that year. I had hoped that my fellow AR15.com members would be willing to understand that when folks want to know about a piece of equipment, that is usually in the price range we can afford and we know full well that the inexpensive gear is not going to last for years. Nobody can tell you if it will "last a year", what we have been telling is it will fail. It could be a week it could be a few times to the range, it could be a year or more. But the odds are it will. Why do you think the price is so low? Could it contain quality materials and workmanship built by skilled workers and every optic checked over by quality control? Do you think the company building designed it to last or was it designed to be made as cheaply as possible? Buy it, it's your money spend as you see fit. Just don't get butt hurt when you ask for opinions and you don't hear what you want to hear. |
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Quoted: I had hoped that my fellow AR15.com members would be willing to understand that when folks want to know about a piece of equipment, that is usually in the price range we can afford and we know full well that the inexpensive gear is not going to last for years. You need to remember what I said earlier: NOT EVERYONE HAS EXPERIENCE WITH WHAT YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT. Leaper's isn't popular in the first place, and there are few people on this site that own this particular sight. It's like asking a question about a 1986 Pontiac Fiero's exhaust system - you're simply not going to get a lot of answers. I doubt anyone is holding out on you for spite - it's much more likely no one has answered because no one that's read this thread actually owns one. |
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I have that on my nerded-out "tactical" 10/22. It's a perfectly usable red-dot; seems solid and holds zero just fine on the .22. The only weakness is that battery life is kind of crappy - in the 15-40 hour range depending on how high you set it and what color you use. And like Opticsplanet said above, QC is probably hit or miss so you rolls the dice and you takes your chances.
But FWIW I don't think I'd put it on my AR. The more recoil the UTG has to handle the more likely it is to go belly-up. So in summary, if you're willing to risk throwing away $40, and you're willing to buy batteries by the handful, then buy all means put it on there and see how it goes. And if it dies, you know what to do next. |
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If you're considering it because you don't have a lot of money,then the more reason NOT to waste it, don't you agree?
People that make $100,000 a year can afford to throw away a few hundred dollars, folks that make minimum wage can ill afford to do the same. Simple logic 
I'm an admitted gear snob, I only buy quality gear. Price has little to do with it, quality is everything. Quality almost always comes with a higher price tag, as a manufacturer, I can unequivocally say that quality material, workmanship, good service and warranty all cost a great deal of money. As a consumer I was quite aware of it, as a manufacturer, we deal with cost of all the above mentioned and are intimately familiar with quality / cost ratio. |
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